lady, please calm down

The seventh day of July is the Qiao Qiao Festival.

Early in the morning, the clothes racks and drying rods in the back house of the palace were filled with colorful women's clothes.

This is called "drying clothes" and is one of the customs of Qiqiao Festival.

In the afternoon, Sandra Ng, Zhou Zhiruo and other tiger heads handed over their handkerchiefs, and each brought handmade fruit.

Yu Nong and others took advantage of this daughter's holiday to plead for Hu Tou's favor again. Finally, in the evening of that day, Mao'er lifted Hu Tou's confinement.

That night, a confession was placed in the garden of the back house, with fruit snacks, wine and fragrant drinks, and the ceremony of worshiping the moon was performed.

Because Jiakui and his party are now in the family, the beggaring activity this year is even more lively than in previous years.

Yunong has an unusual affinity among children. At this time, Rao'er and Ran'er were sitting in front of her knees, watching Yunong pound the knife-red petals into mud in a medicine mortar, and then add the flower mud and alum and apply it on the The little girls' nails were wrapped with strips of cloth.

After a night's sleep, your nails will turn red.

After helping Rao'er and Ran'er get it done, the two little girls ran away happily. Yunong looked up and saw Jiaxi, the youngest of the princesses, looking longingly at the medicine mortar. He couldn't help but giggle and waved to her.

Jiaxi looked back at Jiacheng, and after obtaining the second sister's consent, she walked to Yunong in a slightly restrained manner.

Yunong didn't care whether she was a princess or not. In her eyes, Jiaxi was just a six or seven-year-old child. She stretched out her hand and took Jiaxi into her arms, and said with a smile: "Come, sister, help you paint your nails."

The atmosphere in the backyard is extremely harmonious, except...

Except for Hu Tou, who was sitting alone on the stone bench in the corner, he was alone.

Naturally, no one in the palace rejected Hu Tou, but Hu Tou deliberately stayed away from the brightly lit and bustling places, as if he was angry or isolating himself.

"This Yunong really likes children. I have never seen a child who doesn't like her."

Not long after Cai Hua saw the timid Jia Xi, she started whispering to Yu Nong in a familiar manner. She couldn't help but marveled. After hearing this, Mao'er retracted her gaze from Hutou and glanced at Yu Nong. , smiled slightly and said: "Yes, Yunong is like a pure child, and he is most in tune with children."

After saying that, he paused for a moment and then said, "Sister Cai is going to Wucheng tomorrow. Are you ready?"

Cai Hua fanned Ji'er in her arms and said lazily, "There's nothing to prepare for. I'll be back in five to seven days at the earliest, or in a month at the earliest. It won't delay our family's mid-autumn reunion."

As soon as he heard that Aunt Cai was leaving home tomorrow, Ji'er immediately raised his head and said in a sweet voice, "Where are you going, Auntie? Do you want to take Ji'er with you?"

"Hee hee~" There was a clear sense of dependence in the child's words. Cai Hua couldn't help but feel happy. She lowered her head and kissed Ji'er's pink and tender face, "Mom, let Ji'er earn a lot of money." , so that Ji’er can get a wife.”

Mao'er immediately rolled her eyes. Of course she could tell that Cai Hua deliberately concealed the "aunt" in "aunt" when she called herself.

This matter, if you were in a wealthy family nearby, it wouldn't be a big deal, but in the palace with a strange ecology, it doesn't seem to be a big deal.

Mao'er, the person involved, just rolled his eyes.

Cai Hua is going to Wucheng, Yingchang Prefecture tomorrow. The exploration staff of the Iron Smelting Institute discovered a very high-grade hematite mine there. She needs to go and have a look in person to decide whether to invest in building a mine locally.

Over there, Ayu led Ran'er and walked over. When Ran'er saw her mother, she hurriedly broke away from Ayu's hand and rushed over. She raised her ten little fingers wrapped in knife red to show off to Mao'er: "Mom, Mom, red nails.”

Mao'er smiled fondly, picked up the little man, and put it on his lap. Then he looked at Ayu and said, "Ayu, tomorrow you go to Yingchang for a wedding visit. You can just go with Sister Cai for a while."

"Okay! I can just listen to Sister Cai's teachings on the road. Ayu is very happy."

"Haha, I have also prepared a small gift for Chongci's birthday. Don't forget to take it with you when Ayu sets off tomorrow."

"Chongci" refers to grandmother, Ayu's grandmother and the mother of Chen Jingyan's brother. It was her 60th birthday on July 19th. Ayu went back to her hometown to visit relatives, also to celebrate her grandmother's birthday.

"Sister is too polite."

"Ayu's grandmother is also the elder of Guanren and Mao'er. Guanren is busy with official duties and can't accompany you. She already feels guilty. Ayu doesn't have to shirk it anymore."

"Then, Ayu thanked my sister on behalf of my grandmother."

Ayu was very envious. She envied Mao'er for being able to confidently say, "She is also an official and Mao'er's grandmother." Husband and wife are one, and preparing gifts for her husband is something that only a lady can say with such confidence.

After sitting down next to Mao'er and chatting for a few words, Ayu noticed that Mao'er's eyes would always fall on Hutou unconsciously. As smart as she was, she immediately guessed that Mao'er was worried about Hutou but didn't know how to communicate. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Sister, why don't I take the tiger head with me tomorrow and go to Yingchang to relax!"

Mao'er thought for a few breaths, then nodded, "Okay, Ayu will ask Hutou later. If she wants to go out for a visit, please ask my sister to take her with her."

At midnight that night.

In Rouzhi Garden, Ayu sat in front of the desk and read several gift lists carefully.

Among the gift lists, Daddy's was the simplest. Apart from the birthday peach, there were some ambergris, frankincense and other spices and some health-preserving medicinal herbs. The most expensive thing was just a gilt bronze sitting Buddha.

Sixtieth birthday should be very grand, but the congratulatory gifts from father and second uncle are not expensive.

Both of them even refused to go home to attend the birthday celebrations, citing their heavy official duties and their inability to get away from them.

Ayu is very clear about the reason. Today's Chen family is far more prosperous in Yingchuan than Wu Weiguang's family was in those days, and his cousin Lu Qinzai serves as the Minister of Household Affairs in the court.

The eldest son was appointed as a general in Huaibei and appointed as an official in Xinjiang.

Although the second son has no specific position, everyone in Qi State knows that Chen Jing'an is the confidant of the King of Chu and is known as the "hidden prime minister". His future achievements will never be lower than those of his elder brother.

There are also many descendants and grandchildren serving as officials at all levels, among them, Suzhou Governor Chen Yingjun and Hebei Road Patrol Inspector Chen Yinglang are the most prominent.

The current scenery is like flowers blooming in brocade and fire cooking oil. Even the Cai family, another important force in the Huaibei system, is not as good as it is.

In Yingchuan, some good people have already called the Chen family "Chen Banchao".

Chen Jing'an was keenly aware of this dangerous sign, and it coincided with his mother's birthday. In order to avoid making the scene too dramatic, he and Chen Jingyan went to his third brother, who was ordered to stay in his hometown, to keep a low profile, while convincing his brother to stay in Caizhou.

In order to avoid provoking more old relatives who want to use their brotherly relationship to seek a future after returning home.

For this reason, even the birthday gifts are extremely simple.

'Chen Banchao' is not a good name. It can easily arouse the jealousy of colleagues, and is even more afraid of attracting Yuan Zhang's attention!

Although they are civil servants who have great success, they have no influence in the military.

From the beginning of the establishment of the Huaibei Army, various forces were eliminated from the construction of the Huaibei Army. Even Zhang Bao, who had a close relationship with Chen Chu when he was in Tongshan, was not able to stay in the Huaibei Army because of his relationship as the son-in-law of the Xu family.

It is said that the Sanniang of the Cai family personally proposed this suggestion to Chen Chu.

Even from the Cai family, few people have a foothold in the military. As expected, girls are outgoing, and in order to protect their husband's rights, they will not hesitate to harm the interests of their parents' family.

Under such circumstances, Chen Jingan naturally did not dare to let himself be too ostentatious.

Ayu understands this, understands that her father's gift list is shabby, and even the birthday gift she prepared can only be regarded as ordinary. Fortunately, Mao'er prepared the gift list in the name of the palace, and it showed the style that the top nobles of Qi should have.

A three-foot-high blood mountain, a pair of glazed crystal cups, a hundred pieces of Sichuan brocade, and a hundred pieces of Huaibei fine cloth

Although Ayu knew not to show off, but with the gift from the palace, she no longer had to worry about it.

Moreover, after all, it was my grandmother's longevity and the prince's generous gifts that finally gave her face in front of her sisters. After all, she was the only one in the Chen family who worked as a concubine.

The importance of birthday gifts in the palace can be seen from the side of her status in the palace.

Chen Chu could not come in person to celebrate her birthday this time. If the birthday gifts were more casual, the little sisters would probably feel that she was not favored in the palace.

'Not favored'

Thinking of this, Ayu felt as if she was suddenly pricked by a needle, feeling sore and slightly achy.

If the situation in other families was similar, her uncle's treatment of her would have been excellent. However, Ayu could clearly feel that his uncle's treatment of her was different from that of the princess, Cai Hua, and Yu Nong.

Ayu didn't know if it was because they met in Weimo, but when her uncle and she were together, they always felt like they were treated as guests.

Far less relaxed than when he was with Yu Nong, not as wild as when he was with Cai Hua, and even less so than the love in his uncle's eyes when he looked at the princess.

Even if I want to compete for favor, I don’t know where to start. I don’t dare to compete with the princess, and I can’t compete with Cai Hua, who is so versatile and free-spirited. Yu Nong is stupid, but he doesn’t need to argue, but he is the one who wins his uncle’s heart the most.

After entering the mansion, Rouzhi Garden became the place where Chen Chu visited the least.

So much so that after more than two years, Ayu's stomach has not moved.

Recalling that before entering the mansion, the two secretly had a tryst at Qingyun Temple. My uncle was so anxious at that time!

As soon as they met, I couldn't even express my love for her, but before I knew it, I was completely ripped off by him.

Sure enough, it’s still a steal.

Ayu looked at the candlelight, recalling the ridiculous things in her early years, and her little face turned slightly red with a hint of resentment.

With a silent sigh, Ayu ordered: "Dian Jiang, get some water and wash up."

Dian Jiang, who was guarding the door, heard the sound and came in, and couldn't help but said: "Madam, won't you wait any longer? I will return to my hometown tomorrow to visit my relatives. After being away for many days, the prince may come to our garden."

Ayu calmed down her lonely expression, "I'm afraid it's too soon? It's already this hour, and the prince should have rested."

Dian Jiang shook her head hurriedly and said, "No, no, Runzhu is guarding the Moon Gate. Just now she wrote back and said that the prince is handling military affairs in the Festival Hall!"

The news that Chen Chu hadn't returned home yet gave Ayu a glimmer of hope, but then she smiled self-deprecatingly, "Even if the prince returns home, he may not come to Rouge Garden."

As soon as Ayu finished speaking, she heard Runzhu's excited voice downstairs, "Aqian, Qin'er, go get water for the prince to wash up!"

Immediately, steady and powerful footsteps entered the house from the stairs.

Ayu couldn't help but look happy and stood up.

But then, I don't know what I thought of, I walked to the dowry in two steps, straightened my bun in the mirror, and slowly sat down.

"Madam, why don't you go and greet the prince?" Dianjiang, who was inside the house, naturally heard the movement outside and couldn't help but remind her in a low voice.

Ayu seemed unaware.

After a few breaths, Chen Chu opened the door and entered.

Ayu, who had her back turned to Chen Chu, still looked at the bronze mirror. The candlelight was dim, and the image in the bronze mirror, which was not clear to begin with, was even blurry.

Seeing that King Chu's face was not very good, Dianjiang couldn't help but glance at his wife worriedly.

Chen Chu had accumulated a lot of anger due to official duties. It was obvious that Ayu was still sitting in front of the mirror late at night, and asked strangely: "Ayu, why don't you light a few more candles? Can you see clearly with a single lamp?"

Ayu, who had been waiting for Chen Chu's words for a long time, turned back silently, looked at Chen Chu from bottom to top, and said in a tone full of resentment: "You can't see clearly if you can't see clearly. Anyway, Ayu didn't A small mirror like the Three Sisters that can reflect every detail of a person."

"."

Chen Chu was startled before he realized that Ayu was talking about the palm-sized portable mirrors he had modified after removing the mirrors from his car in the early years.

Indeed, Mirror Mao'er, Cai Hua, and Yu Nong all had them, but they forgot to give them to Ayu, who started late.

"Hey, isn't it just a mirror? Tomorrow morning I will order someone to make a wooden frame with the mirror embedded in it and give it to Ayu."

Chen Chu slapped his forehead and said that he was indeed negligent in this matter.

But Ayu said in a low voice: "In uncle's eyes, that mirror is nothing special. But in Ayu's eyes, it is more than just a small mirror. Even though the other sisters have them, Ayu herself doesn't have one."

Ayu is smart and knows when to do what. Even if she feels left out, as long as Chen Chu appears in Rouzhi Garden, she will hide her unhappy emotions and never show them in front of her uncle.

Looking like this today, it seems that I have been wronged a lot.

In fact, it also has something to do with her thinking just now. She is not a doctor, so pretending to be virtuous and sensible all day long is of no use!

Even if you can't imitate Cai Hua's coquettishness, you still need to imitate Yu Nong's coquettish skills to attract people's love!

If you have any grievances, speak them out.

Sure enough, Chen Chu finally felt his conscience because of Ayu's expression of resentment, and reflected on the fact that his recent visits to Rouzhi Garden were somewhat sparse.

Then he took Ayu and coaxed her with sweet words.

The little parting was about to take place, and A-yu accepted it as soon as she could, and took advantage of the situation and asked: "When uncle came in just now, his face was dark. What's the matter? But he encountered something really troublesome?"

When he mentioned this, Chen Chu got angry again and cursed: "Shi Xiaoqi, this bandit and bastard! In May, he slept with the daughter of shopkeeper Dong from the kiln factory outside the city. He played with her but did not marry her. Today My parents found the military office!"

"Ah? What should we do?"

Perhaps it was because Ayu had a similar experience with Chen Chu in her early years. When she heard that the man was always in trouble and finally abandoned her, she couldn't help but feel the same concern.

"Just now he was beaten with twenty military sticks at the military office, and now he has been sent to the Military Justice Department for confinement!"

All the brothers in the Shi family were brave, but Shi Xiaoqi had a wild temper and was very popular with Chen Chu, so he was naturally angry when he heard that his beloved general had done such a shameless thing.

But what Ayu cares about is her daughter, "But what about the Dong family's young lady? If this happens, I'm afraid it will be difficult to get married."

"You must marry someone back home! This bastard has played with me and he still doesn't want to marry him! It's so annoying!"

Chen Chu said angrily, but these words somehow touched Ayu's heartstrings, but he saw this literary young woman looking at Chen Chu secretly, as if she was coquettish, but also coquettishly angry, "Uncle, there are more annoying things in this world." .”

"Oh? What's the matter?"

"Hey, there are people who marry other people back home but don't play with them. Uncle asked, is this more annoying?" (End of Chapter)