By Jia Xiuzhen

The setting sun was slanting and the sky was getting dark. Ying'er took a few steps while she was still warm and lifted the soft curtain to enter the house. Baochai was lowering her head in wiring in Xici room. Yinger saw her and said, "Girl, that's good It's been a long time, and the sun is not good, so I hurt my eyes carefully."

Baochai picked out a few more strands of silk thread, then raised her head to look at her, and said with a half smile but not a smile, "You girl, you only like to dodge yourself, but you can teach others."

Ying'er was warming the smoker in the room with her hand, and said with a smile: "This time I'm not just playing lazy, Sister Tongxi is talking with a few girls on the porch outside, and I'll go and listen."

While Baochai lowered her head and continued to search for color, she casually asked, "Oh? What did you hear again?"

Ying'er said: "It is said that there was a chef in the mansion who made some new dishes and won the old lady's reward. Now the whole chef is holding his breath and wants to learn a few new dishes to win the prize." Chai nodded and didn't answer.

Ying'er continued: "I heard from Jing'er that Grandma sent some high-quality ingredients and a few recipes to the kitchen, but it was just the right time."

Baochai asked, "That little girl who came out of my sister-in-law's yard?"

"It's her, Sister Tongxi doesn't bother them. If it's cold and there's some rain, there's no way to clean it, so let them go find someone to play with. But when the rain stops, they will have to work hard for two days." Only then can I clean it up." He said again, "Speaking of grandma, I heard that this time for Lan Ge'er's birthday, Uncle Lang Ge'er gave him a garden house, tsk tsk, it's really a big deal. It's just a set of clothes, a pair of shoes and socks, and some silver silk birthday noodles. Brother Lang is only a little older..."

Only then did Baochai stop, and asked again, "What can you say?"

Ying'er shook her head and said: "It is said that Uncle Lange's family is not a serious relative, although the business is very big, in the end it is..." After saying this, she suddenly stopped talking, with a bit of embarrassment and annoyance on her face.

How Baochai didn't know, because she said with a smile: "After all, you are a businessman, and you don't have much experience, so you can write like this--Am I right?"

Yinger blushed and smiled.Naturally, she couldn't say that what she heard was "he is a businessman after all, he is vulgar and ignorant of the rules, and he looks like a nouveau riche at first glance".

Baochai didn't care, and smiled softly: "This time, do you know that those clothes didn't fit?"

Ying'er understood immediately, and remembered something again, and said: "According to what the girl said, the uncle sent someone to find some Song brocades. You can't tell if it's old or new, but it's a bit more expensive than the silk tapestry. I have seen a lot, but I still don’t understand these people. Good new clothes must not look new. But they can’t look old. In this way, you can’t wear them when they are new, and you can’t wear them when they are old. , I don’t know how many days I can wear a suit of clothes. It’s really troublesome.”

Baochai looked at Ying'er and nodded, "You have made some progress by saying this. The aristocratic family naturally behaves differently from the outside world. If they are all the same and cannot be distinguished from each other, how can they show the style of the aristocratic family?" .” Ying’er curled her lips in disapproval.

The two were chatting about the gossip that Yinger had heard, and Aunt Xue came with Tongxi and Tonggui, so Baochai put down her work and talked with her.Inevitably talking about the garden that Wu's family gave Jia Lan, Baochai said with a smile, "I just heard Yinger say it, but few people agreed."

Aunt Xue said with a smile: "There are the most people who hate people and laugh at people who don't. Listen to what they say. You take her to her and ask her if she wants to accept it or not? It's just jealousy in vain. It's fun to say a few words."

Baochai heard this and said: "The house is just a house, there are all over the place, and it is as grand as Shengdao. If you say it is just a garden to show off, I don't believe it."

Aunt Xue patted her hand with a smile and said: "That's right, the one who said that is someone who has never seen the world. What is a house, 'a house with a new tree and a small painting is not ancient' are all words of the Tai people. Like Shengdao, it is not uncommon to find a fresh garden for the little nephew to play. There are many such places in the south, and it is not uncommon. There are so many people in Beijing, not to mention reciprocity, even when they meet and talk, they have to go around him Think about it for seven or eight times, so there will be less handwriting. There are regulations everywhere, and this is a place where noble people live together. If it is like the south, how can there be so many houses and yards that can be used as favors!"

Baochai nodded and smiled, and Aunt Xue continued: "Those women and girls don't know much about it. Nowadays, there are quite a few houses and land in Beijing. You can buy a medium-sized courtyard for three to four thousand taels. Your uncle sent it to Girl Feng. If you take any two things, you can exchange them for one, but it’s just not eye-catching.”

Baochai said with a smile, "Looking at what Mom said, it seems like I'm getting rich."

Aunt Xue also laughed when she heard it, and said: "People are always talkative, and they can't bear to see such things, so they can't help but say a few words. Fortunately, there are few people in front of us. I think there are only a few hundred slaves in the mansion. dizzy from the noise."

Baochai nodded and said: "There are too many people and too many mouths, so there are too many things to do, and my aunt is generous, so there are more people and less things to do, and more leisure."

Aunt Xue said: "That's the reason. This time, the Tan girls beat up the old lady's yard and moved them out, isn't it also because of the slaves? The masters are respectful, but the slaves don't have a decent restraint. Strong, if you really care about it, you won’t be able to care about it. The old lady thought that she didn’t want to be bothered by seeing or not, so she simply moved far away and settled down in peace.”

Baochai heard this and said, "Is that the reason? I mean, the old lady is used to being lively and fresh, so why did she suddenly find it noisy? She moved all the three younger sisters out, and only... only younger sister Lin was left behind." .”

Aunt Xue felt a little uncomfortable thinking about this, after all, she was still suppressing what the eminent monk said back then, it can be seen that a golden and jade marriage is the destiny of heaven, but there are so many people who like to go against the law.I used to think that Daiyu and Baoyu were still young, and the bond they grew up with was naturally different from others. If I had to talk about the other side, I'm afraid it would be impossible to have a tutor there.

But a few days ago, I heard about the attack, and I was a little surprised.Seeing that Baoyu was already the governor, it was reasonable for Jia's mother to find an excuse to move the girls to another courtyard, but she chose to keep Daiyu who should avoid suspicion.Although Jia Mu is old, she is not an old fool. She acts like this, and her intention is self-evident.

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but look at Baochai, sighed softly, but said in my mouth: "The old lady loved Sister Lin's mother the most in the past, but now her daughter is gone at a young age, and there is only this little blood in front of her eyes. Naturally, she loves and pets a little bit more. It seems that on weekdays, the old lady's love for these two is normal, and they are all pained as if they are sharp. Baoyu and Sister Lin grew up together when they were young, so there is a natural affection It's different. I'm afraid the old lady won't be willing to move out."

Baochai nodded as if she didn't care, she just called Ying'er to exchange a cup of hot tea for Aunt Xue, and asked casually, "Mom went to Auntie's place today, why did you come back so soon?"

Aunt Xue served the tea and said, "The harvester from the south has come back. It's a big deal. I can't help there, so I'll come back first."

Baochai asked again: "Then last time we talked about the elder sister?"

Aunt Xue also frowned, "Your aunt didn't tell me in detail, and your aunt didn't know very well. I think there should be some hope for your uncle to help."

Baochai couldn't help thinking of the twilight in the palace again, shivering from the heels, thinking that Yuanchun is really not easy.

Aunt Xue still sighed to herself: "If Yuan'er can come out on top, it would be a great joy." She took a look at Baochai and said, "Look, don't say anything else, the eldest princess sent someone from her predecessors to give a reward. How many faces have been changed inside and outside the mansion? There are two shops whose business has improved a lot these days, earning more than half a year's worth of money in a month! Your brother eats and treats all day long. Even in the mansion The mothers-in-law and girls all laughed sincerely."

Hearing this, Baochai couldn't help but feel a little ashamed for his superficial thoughts of just thinking about how to live a good life. If he could have done it at that time...but it's something that can't be helped.

As soon as the people from the south came back, the other people didn't know that Zhou Rui, the first one, knew about the stupid thing his wife did a while ago, although he didn't have the guts to scold him, he was not very happy after all.The second one is the second master Lian. It is said that stealing is worse than stealing. Seeing that the happy days of stealing are gone, I wish I could take Hu Tian to the north to collect the rent again.

Let's say that Hu Tian returned to the mansion, entered his house and took a look, ho, well, it's changed a lot.He didn't have time to talk too much, he just put the baggage he was carrying with him on the table, gave some instructions, and then went to the outer courtyard to work with Zhou Rui and several stewards.It took half a day to sort out the matter, not to mention the reward, but the housekeeper also asked the few who followed this time to rest for two days before returning to work.

Back home in the evening, Hu Tian's family had already cleaned up a table of food and wine to clean up the dust for his husband.Sleeping together at night, until the rain cleared and the clouds cleared, the two of them lay in the quilt and talked.

Hu Tian put his arms around his mother-in-law and said lightly: "I have wronged you."

Hu Tian's family was silent, and Hu Tian said again: "This time I went to the south. Manager Zhou has a big brand, so I just socialized with the big bosses when I went. We just went to some places by chance. I don't know if I don't see it. Well, this south side is quite different from Jingli now. I think it is not difficult to live there. In the farms there, not to mention the big bosses, the old masters of ordinary official families can’t compare. Even those little ones The stewards are all living well. I thought, if we can find an errand over there, we will leave here together, and maybe we can live a peaceful life."

After hearing this, Hu Tian's family said: "If you can go, I can go anywhere! If you want me to think about the shameless way to ask to go to the south, it may be possible, but if this is the case, how can I, I,... how can I let go?" I am coming too……"

Hu Tian hugged her even tighter, and said in a deep voice: "What can we do if we were born in such a place, we were born to be slaves! We don't have the same roots as other families. If I can marry you, you will be lucky." .It’s just that I can’t protect you here. No...without the second master Lian, there will be others. How many times does that bastard surnamed Yu play tricks on you and pretend I didn’t see it?! I can only find a way to get over it. .If you are really water-based, I am not afraid of my forehead turning green, so I can just go through it like this. You are not like that, and I can't bear you either.

That being the case, simply make a big vote!It's different when you get to the south, you have stayed in the man's house before, and I have already been there with the chief steward.If it can be done, you can take advantage of the situation if you can't say it. Although you can't say you can get ahead, at least no one can be bullied at will.There is no one in my family, but you have your father and brother there. If you have any ideas in the future, you will also have someone to support you. "

Hu Tian's family was bored for a long time, so long that Hu Tian thought she was so tired that she fell asleep, and was about to stop, when she heard her muffled from under the bed: "You, you, you...you don't dislike me?..."

Hu Tian covered her mouth and said in a deep voice: "I have no backbone and no ability. If you want to take such a path, you don't dislike me, I am thankful. What do I dislike you?! Besides, the sister who came out of the man's house Hey guys, how many of them don’t have a head and a tail? Didn’t they all get robbed like sweet pastries? Don’t say such things again, it’s really slapping my mouth.”

After hearing this, Hu Tian's family felt at ease. Although Jia Lian was used to being a man in Fengyue Field, he naturally had a set of ways to court girls, but the life of Hu Tian's family these days can't be said to be bitter and bitter, after all, there is some friendship.It's just that facing the fair and righteous Lvyi Zhengzhu, I have two guilty consciences.

After hearing what Hu Tian said this time, he opened his mouth and said again: "You want to go to the south. It's a good way to think about it. If it doesn't work, you won't be able to go this time. It's just that you went, what should I do? Since the second master is willing To let you go, naturally..." Naturally, she wanted to leave her meaning behind.

Hu Tian then said: "There is no reason why a couple must be divided into two places, and it is not impossible for you to take over the job." Having said that, after all, thinking that the path this time is going to be different from usual, he thought for a while and said: " There is a surefire way."

Hu Tian's family hurriedly asked what it was, and Hu Tian said: "When I get it, all the errands over there will be settled, and I'm afraid I won't be able to leave so soon. Make this matter as soon as possible. Now that it's winter, there are many things in the manor at the end of the year. Second Master Lian can't handle that much, you can't help but beg Second Mistress to go, and it will definitely work. Let's go to the south within this year, and we will escape and ascend to heaven." Hu Tian's family nodded repeatedly after hearing this.

Sure enough, in a few days, people were mobilized at the end of the year, and it happened that several villages had to rotate several managers. Zhou Rui praised Hu Tian for his steady work, so Jia Lian decided to let Hu Tian take care of a small village in the south.When seeing Hu Tian kowtow, Second Master Lian was full of thoughts about the good old days in the future.

Unexpectedly, after Jia Lian received Jia Amnesty's order, he walked back from several places outside Beijing, only to find that Hu Tian's family had packed their parcels and headed south, so he couldn't help feeling anxious.Just as he was about to be held accountable, he heard his servant reply that it was Sister Feng's intention that he sent someone to fill in the gaps in Hu Tian's family's needlework, and let them go together as a husband and wife.

Jia Lian was discouraged and felt a little guilty. She was afraid that Sister Feng had heard something and cleaned up the house while he was away.Thinking that the servants in front of me had either gone to the village, or were assigned to be stewards who were away all the year round, he immediately became more and more convinced.Busily calmed down, pretended not to care, and stayed true and honest for a few days.

Seeing that Sister Feng didn't mean to settle accounts after the fall, she was relieved, but she didn't dare to bring up the matter of Hu Tian's family anymore. A flirtatious daughter-in-law, the second master Lian now feels that those girls who blush easily and know nothing about human affairs are not interesting enough.

It's just that no matter how capable Jia Lian's confidants are, even if they find a fairy, Zi Lian's second master doesn't have the leisure time now.At the end of the new year, Zhuangzi from all over the country sent gifts for the New Year's rent, and there were old friends and old friends.Jia Amnesty has always preferred to lie down high, except for a few friends who are close friends on weekdays, he has never bothered to ask about the entertainment in the house.Jia Zheng relied on his status as a scholar, so he was naturally impatient to deal with some officials in charge of merchants and merchants.From this point of view, these two really deserve to be brothers.

And so on, it all fell on Jia Lian, the second master who helped the housekeeper. Every time at this time, Jia Lian was a little envious of the East Mansion. He is even more comfortable in socializing with outsiders, and the outsiders also sell him a little more face.However, no matter how close the two governments are, there is no way to leave these matters in the hands of the other party, so they have to suffer by themselves.This day I was discussing something with Lin Zhixiao, when the ship that came to report the Lin family's New Year's gift arrived in Beijing, I hurriedly put down what I was doing and arranged for a car to pick him up.