Ordinary clear day

Chapter 104
The fourth elder brother also came to the Earl's Mansion a few times when he was a child, but after all, unlike the fifth elder brother who was a frequent visitor, he hadn't been here since Wanning left Beijing, so everyone was a little surprised when they first heard that he came to offer incense.

However, the fourth elder brother came here under the holy order, but he didn't have any special purpose. He just said that the old count and old lady of the Weiyuan uncle's mansion passed away one after another, and the emperor was very sad, so he was specially ordered to come here to put a pillar Incense to comfort the spirit of the dead in heaven.Then he also comforted the family members, hoping that they would not be overwhelmed by grief, and continue to serve the court well after the sadness is over, the court will never treat them badly, and so on.

But the fourth elder brother also said that the emperor ordered him to come here, and he didn't want to cause a storm in the city, so they didn't need to make too much noise, just treat it as his private visit.

Now that the fourth elder brother said so, Jin Bao and the others naturally knew how to look at them. They did not put on the guard of honor, nor changed their official uniforms. After the fourth elder brother finished offering incense, they invited him and the accompanying guards into the hall to serve tea and accompany talking.Jin Bao was a little confused about the emperor's intentions, so he made indirect remarks intentionally or unintentionally.

It is completely different from the impression I had when I was a child. The fourth elder brother now is no longer the taciturn child he was back then.Not only did he speak impeccably, but he also moved freely during the conversation. When he talked about the affairs of the court, he slipped past him with a lot of effort. After drinking a cup of tea, he didn't find anything useful.

Both Jin Bao and Zhang Bao were secretly surprised in their hearts, so they had to say some trivial things.Only Rong Bao has seen the abilities of several princes, so there is no difference.

Zhang Bao knew very well about the relationship between his wife and the fourth elder brother. The prince suddenly came to their house. In fact, he was also thinking about it in his heart. He wondered if he could let his wife come out to see him?
In the hall outside, the men had their own concerns, while the people in the inner courtyard were also worried.

Nala sent Wu Xinda and his wife to the front several times to inquire about the news, while she sat in the Rongqing Hall with Tong and Shen and waited.Originally, she had sent someone to invite Xingbao and Suochuluoshi, but she didn't want the subordinates to report that the couple had gone out an hour ago, and they had gone out through the side door, and most people in the mansion didn't know.Nala was suspicious, wondering what they were going out to do in such a heavy rainy day.

Tong Shi has been in a state of bewilderment since he heard the news that the fourth elder brother came home, as if there were ants crawling in his heart, he couldn't help rushing outside immediately to take a look at the child who had been cared for for many years.But the fourth elder brother said clearly that he didn't want to say anything, let alone disturb the inner courtyard, so she could only sit with other people in a daze.

Wanning and Shuning got the news respectively and came to Rongqing Hall.

Although Tong's appearance was as if nothing had happened, Shu Ning still noticed that she was unconsciously pulling on the handkerchief with both hands, and her eyes were a little straight, so she knew that she was actually very nervous and anxious.Shu Ning stretched out her hand to hold her mother's hand, tightening it twice, Tong Shi finally came to her senses, saw her daughter's concerned expression, realized that she just lost her composure, and smiled embarrassedly.

Fortunately, the attention of other people in the hall was attracted by other things, and they didn't notice any difference in her expression.

Wanning excitedly pulled Wu Xinda to ask carefully, knowing that the fourth elder brother was drinking tea outside at this time, she wanted to go out, but was stopped by Nala: "Your Ama and some uncles are here, what are you going out for?" ?”

Wan Ning said: "We have known each other since we were young. We are friends. It's okay to go out to see him. I can also greet the Empress Dowager. I don't know if she is in good health."

Nala cast a glance at the others, and said with a serious face: "Wutai Mountain has long since sent a letter back to Beijing that the Queen Mother is in good health. Who doesn't know? You still have to ask?! Besides, do you think you were still a child? What kind of friend is not a friend? The fourth elder brother came here under the order of the emperor, and he is doing business. You sit here well for me, and don’t embarrass me when you go out! I didn’t discipline you well in the past, and I won’t do it in the future I will indulge you in your nonsense again." After saying that, he sent Wu Xinda out again.

Wanning was very impatient, and wanted to argue, but saw the two aunts exchanged glances, but said nothing, and her own mother's face was even uglier, so she knew it was wrong.She looked at the house in front of her, bit her lip, and twisted the handkerchief in her hand. After her mother urged her repeatedly, she sat down on the chair next to her, her expression fluctuating.

Shu Ning was leisurely, just comforting her mother, quietly waiting for the news from outside.

After a while, another person came, but it was Chang Fu.He said: "The fourth elder brother said that the business has been done, and I want to do some private matters. I would like to greet my aunt. I don't know if the third wife is convenient?"

When Wanning first heard his reply, her face lit up, but after hearing it, she was very disappointed, and hurriedly grabbed the unfamiliar steward and asked, "What else did the fourth elder brother say? Is this the only private matter he wants to do? "

Nala's face was a bit ugly, and she shouted: "Wanning!" Seeing her daughter withdrew her hand, she calmly said to Tong: "What do you think of the third sibling? Speaking of which, you haven't met the fourth elder brother yet."

How could Tong's refuse?He has been very willing for a long time, and hurriedly said: "This is the best thing, I don't know if we should go out to meet him, or invite him into the inner courtyard?"

Without waiting for Nala's reply, Wu Xinda came back and reported that the fourth elder brother had arrived at Huaiyuan, and the third master asked the third wife to go back.As soon as Nala heard this, she knew that she didn't intend to see the other family members, so she advised Tong to go back quickly, and stopped her daughter's attempt to follow with a wink, and then ordered the housekeeper to bring some good tea from the house.

Tong's heart was already very excited, but thanks to her polite farewell to her sister-in-law, she took her daughter back to the hospital.Shu Ning took her mother's hand and found that she was trembling slightly.

Back in Huaiyuan, Jin Bao, Zhang Bao and Rong Bao were all in the main room, talking with the fourth elder brother, beside Duan Ning and a young man he didn't know, who looked like palace guards.

As soon as Mrs. Tong entered the door, after everyone exchanged a formal gift, Jin Bao and Rong Bao withdrew, leaving their family to talk with the distinguished guests.At the beginning, the topic only revolved around the studies of the fourth elder brother and Duanning.

The fourth elder brother smiled and said: "Brother Duanning has been back to Beijing for a few months, and there is no letter. Brother Tong's family went to Beijing for training, and Tongying returned to Fengtian. I am bored by myself. You have to keep your filial piety and it is not easy to go out." , at least it would be good to write me a few letters.”

Duan Ning hurriedly said: "It's because the family is so busy that I forgot this episode, and I won't forget it again. It's just that I'm a boring person. Even if I write letters, I just discuss some homework. Don't you think it's boring for the fourth elder brother?" good."

The two exchanged some homework matters in this way. Zhang Bao occasionally interjected a few words of advice, and Tong Shi also echoed and encouraged them.Shu Ning was a little confused, why did they pretend they didn't know each other well?Turning her head to look at the guard next to her, she understood somewhat.

After a cup of tea, Zhang Bao said to the fourth elder brother: "The fourth elder brother discussed some homework with the child, but the guard is a little tired standing here. If the fourth elder brother doesn't mind, I invite the adult How about sitting in the study?"

The guard was about to resign, but the fourth elder brother advised him: "Brother Lin, just go, there will be no danger here. You are here, and I feel restrained talking to my friends. Besides, at this time, even if you go immediately Going back to the palace, I’m afraid I’ll be late for dinner, so go drink some tea and have some snacks, don’t be hungry.”

After hearing this, guard Lin followed Zhang Bao to the study.Tong ordered the idlers to wait out again, leaving only Changfu and Ermo waiting at the door.

Only then did the fourth elder brother stand up, saluted Tong Shi solemnly, and said, "Yinzhen greets Auntie." Tong Shi hurriedly grabbed him, looked him up and down, and said with red eyes: "Finally I saw you, you are taller than I imagined." The fourth elder brother smiled and let her look at him.

Duanning and Shuning glanced at each other, and they both agreed silently.

After Tong's sizing up, he sighed and said, "You are too old, I have something to say, don't be annoyed when you hear it. You are too reckless to come here recklessly. If someone with malicious intentions finds out, Said that you make friends with foreign officials..."

The fourth elder brother interrupted her and said: "Auntie, don't worry, Yinzhen's trip has passed the Ming Road in front of Huang Ama, and he came here on orders, who would be suspicious? Auntie sit down first, and wait for me to explain the whole story Let me tell you in detail."

So he sent the eunuchs of the Qianqing Palace out to do errands, heard the rumors that Zhang Bao's family had disposed of the maid Cuilian, and told the emperor when he returned, and then the emperor, ministers, father and son talked about it in detail, and then said: "At that time, I told Ama Huang that Duanning and I were good friends, and my aunt was the sister of Huang Erniang. I found out that Ama Huang was not unhappy, so I slightly revealed that I wanted to come to offer incense to the two old people. Today, taking advantage of Huang Ama's happiness, I asked for her will, and came when the rain was heavy and there were few people outside. Even if someone really had the idea of ​​harming me, they would not be able to pick me out in front of Huang Ama It's a mistake. Auntie, don't worry."

Only then did Tong feel relieved, but he was a little uneasy that he and Zhang Bao's husband and wife had shown their faces in front of the emperor because of Cuilian's matter.The fourth elder brother said: "At that time, Master Chen Liangben also said something about my uncle's behavior. He said that he was too good-tempered and might not have enough courage, but he had expertise in civil affairs. Huang Ama knew it well, so Auntie can relax."

Tong Shi didn't ask this matter any more, but asked Si elder brother's diet and daily life in detail, and asked him about his upcoming marriage in the near future.The fourth elder brother was a little embarrassed: "Never mind, what kind of marriage is it? My aunt sent such a big box of things over..."

But Tong said: "It's your first concubine anyway, so you should be more solemn. Besides, they are all ordinary things, even the two horses are precious, but they are inferior to tributes. People like us It's a bit too extravagant, why don't I make a gown for you in winter, and it's decent to wear out." The fourth elder brother was no longer polite.

Next, Mrs. Tong thought that some words would not be heard by the little girl who had not left the cabinet, so she winked at her daughter. Shuning smiled and left.Duanning snickered, and retreated to the Nuan Pavilion, flipping through a miscellaneous book.

Shu Ning went back to her room and started her unfinished needlework.Younger brother Xian Ning has grown very fast recently, and he likes to run around the yard. He has only made shoes for a month, but he can't wear them anymore, so I had to make another pair for him.Shu Ning sewed a cat's face on the toe of the small shoe, and tied a few beards with black thread.

Only a quarter of an hour later, she heard Wanning shouting outside: "Is the third sister at home?" She was stunned for a while, and hurriedly responded, welcoming the cousin into the room.

Wanning handed the dripping umbrella to the maid, and glanced towards the main room, only to see two servants, a man and a woman, guarding the door, unable to see what was going on inside the room, a little disappointed, and forced a smile Said to Shu Ning: "I just made some dim sum, it's the coolest to eat in summer, remembering that my sister said it was hot today, so I specially brought it here for you to taste." After finishing speaking, he opened the food box and took out a bowl of things.

Shu Ning looked at it and thought it looked like milk ice. Although it was a little strange, she still thanked and said, "Thank you, Second Sister. It was really hot before, but now it's raining and it's much cooler. What's this made of? Is it Is it ice?" Wanning said in her mouth, "Yes, it's the ice specially brought back from the north, it's very rare, why don't you try it?" But she looked out the window.

Shu Ning was a little moved, thinking that even though it was raining and cool, it would be okay to eat some milk ice, so she asked someone to get a spoon.Wanning approached the window and said, "Why doesn't sister open the window? Let the wind blow in, it won't be so hot." Then she reached out to open the window.

It's still raining, why open such a big window? !Shuning hurriedly snatched the papers from the books on the table in front of the window, and put them back on the bookshelf.Unfortunately, one of them has already been wet.

But Wanning didn't seem to care, just looked out.Shu Ning glanced at her, thinking: Did she come here on purpose to see Sisi?So I shouted loudly just now, and regardless of the heavy rain, I took a delay outside for a while before entering the house, and when I entered the house, I opened the window specially.But there seems to be no movement in the main room?

Suxin brought a spoon, and filled a small bowl with half a bowl of milk and put it in front of Shuning.Shu Ning tasted it and thought it tasted pretty good, if eaten on a hot day, it would be really refreshing.It's a pity that the smoothie is not ground fine enough, and the taste is a bit poor.

She only ate the small half bowl and didn't eat any more. Seeing that Wanning was still by the window, she invited her to come and taste it together.But Wanning said: "Third sister, eat it by yourself, I only made two bowls, it's not enough." Shuning was a little strange, how could two bowls not be enough?

Wanning walked over and said, "What do you think, sister? Is the taste okay? This is the best to eat in the hot summer, isn't it?" She turned her head to look in the direction of the window, and asked, "I wonder if the fourth elder brother likes this? Why don't you send it over and let him taste it?"

So this is your purpose!
Shu Ning frowned: "It's not impossible for the second elder sister to give it to me, but just now my mother-in-law wanted to tell the fourth elder brother that he married a new wife, and it was inconvenient for me to stay and listen, so I went back to the room. Now I don't know what they said Is it over? I’m afraid it’s not good to rush over, right? Let’s forget it.”

Wanning took her hand and asked: "What's the inconvenience? They must have finished talking by now. It's rare that the fourth elder brother is here. Doesn't the younger sister want to meet and talk to him more? That's the elder brother. Besides, You are still relatives, didn't you have a good talk when you met before?"

Shu Ning was a little amused: "That time, I was just looking for something to say, not to mention I'm not familiar with him, what's wrong with him?"

Wanning was a little anxious, so she persuaded Shuning with kind words and encouraged her to go to the main room, but Shuning was unwilling.She didn't want to have anything to do with the digital army, so why did she send it to her door?

During the stalemate, Suyun came in and said to Shuning: "Ermo said just now that the wife wants to keep the fourth elder brother for snacks, and let the girl choose some good ones to send over."

Wanning's eyes lit up when she heard the words, and Shuning said: "I made some in the morning, you can go to the small kitchen and have a look, if there are still some, then steam those small dumplings and pastries."

Suyun agreed to leave, Wanning hurriedly said: "This is what the third aunt wanted, the third sister won't refuse anymore, right?"

Shuning smiled: "That's nothing to do with me. After they steam the dim sum, I'll have someone deliver it after I've inspected it. There's no need to do it myself." It's just that you won't get what you want, what?

Wanning almost gritted her silver teeth, stared at Shuning for a few times, bit her lip and sat on the side sullenly.

Seeing her so angry, Shu Ning felt a little strange, it's just that she couldn't see Si Si, so why should she be so angry?Isn't she very indifferent to those elder brothers?Why are you so enthusiastic about seeing April [-]th?Could it be that……

Seeing that the maids in the room had gone out, Shu Ning walked to the chair next to Wan Ning and sat down, and asked seriously: "Second Sister, do you really want to see Fourth Elder Brother so much? Why?"

Wanning was startled, and said in a daze, "Why? I don't know... I just want to see him..."

Shu Ning was startled: "Aren't you very indifferent to Fifth Elder Brother? Isn't Fourth Elder Brother different?"

Wanning turned to look at her: "Of course it's different...they..." paused, bit her lower lip: "Although Brother Fifth is very nice, I just don't like him; and he is obviously very cold to me, But I..."

No way? ! ! !Clearing the clichés of romance—I don’t love the person who loves me, and the person I love doesn’t love me—it actually happened in front of her eyes? !
Shuning looked at Wanning in shock, and said: "Second sister, do you know what you are doing? You are very indifferent to fifth elder brother, but you really want to see fourth elder brother... But no matter whether people from our family or people outside , I thought you would marry Fifth Prince."

Wan Ning said seriously: "I don't like fifth elder brother. I always treat him as a younger brother. I won't marry him."

It's not up to you to decide, is it?Shu Ning said with a headache: "Then why did you get together with Fifth Elder Brother? You have been close to him since childhood, but now you say such things, they are brothers!"

Wanning lowered her eyes and bowed her head in silence.Shu Ning looked at her, and felt that she was very delicate and pitiful. She was worthy of being a beauty. If she was a man, her heart would have been moved by this time, right?But this matter is too troublesome, Sister Wanning, why did you put yourself in this situation?

The two sat silently, waiting for Suyun to steam the dim sum and bring it over, Shu Ning tasted it one by one, then packed it in a food box.Seeing Wanning's listless look, she couldn't bear it, and said, "I'd better send it over in person, second sister, do you want to come together?"

Wanning looked at her overjoyed, her face glowing.

(End of this chapter)