Ordinary clear day

Chapter 117

Since it was not considered as a formal relocation, Tong and Shu Ning only packed a few boxes of clothes and daily utensils, and did not bring any family belongings.But Mrs. Tong kept an eye out and packed the things that were brought back from Guangzhou in the past, including the valuable and light ones that were easy to carry, in a few half-old wooden boxes, and piled them up with other luggage, and Ermo Changfu personally guarded them. , transported to another courtyard in Fangshan.

However, the servants in the courtyard are a bit difficult to assign.Needless to say, Ermo Changfu is going to follow, and Wang Er and his wife have newly appointed the chief manager of another courtyard. Changgui usually goes out with Zhang Bao. After Qiaoyun gave birth, he has become a deacon of needlework Daughter-in-law, also can not do without.Mrs. Tong thought about it and discussed it with her daughter. After weighing it, she decided that Mr. and Mrs. Zhou Lin and five or six male and female servants would continue to stay in Huaiyuan to take care of everything, and everyone else had gone to Fangshan.

Such a decision is of course because Zhou Zhoulin and his wife are both honest and capable people, and Zhou Zhoulin's family has become one of Tong's confidantes as early as in Guangzhou, but on the other hand, Tong Shi also wants to rely on their huge network of relationships in the Earl's Mansion, and wants them to act as eyes and ears.Although he moved to another courtyard, he was still a member of the mansion after all, so he couldn't be too ignorant of what happened in the mansion.

Of course, Shuning had to bring Suxin, Dongqing and Kou'er with her. As for the other nuns who were rough envoys, it was up to Tong's arrangement.

Speaking of Dongqing, when she first came here, she was still a little restrained. After all, she didn't give birth to a family, she was here alone, and she was beaten and scolded by her master in the past.But after a long time, she found that the whole family of the new owner is quite friendly, and the girl is not difficult to serve. She only needs to do a few things every day, and the rest of the time is free, but the girls and daughters-in-law in this courtyard like to do things in their spare time. As for needlework, she didn't go anywhere leisurely.Suxin got along very well with her, and she often talked about moving to Fangshan, and she couldn't help but feel a little excited.

At first, Shu Ning was worried that Su Xin would be unhappy when she separated from her parents, so she asked her if she wanted to stay, but Su Xin didn't feel sad at all.She said: "Girl is worrying too much, it's not that we can't meet each other, we will come back from time to time, not to mention there is a garden at the other end of the courtyard, I heard that there are mountains and lakes, it's much more fun than being in the mansion." Shuning After listening, I will no longer be a dick.

In fact, she did think too much. It is rare for a child born in the family to be able to work with her parents. Suxin is actually very lucky.You must know that there are many young maids of the same age in this mansion who have to be separated from their parents and brothers for many years. The girl Suyu who served Yuanning since she was a child and moved out of the mansion with her, her father is the steward of the second door of the Earl's mansion, her mother is in the big kitchen at the back of the mansion, her brother is in charge of the stables, and her sister-in-law is the fourth bedroom. Master Xie Xie, that's a world apart.

After arranging her maid and packing up the things to be taken away, Shuning leisurely waited for the day when Mrs. Tong decided to leave.However, Tong's preparations are not that simple. I'm afraid it will be delayed for a few more days. Besides, she has another thing to be busy recently.

It turned out that Shu Ning had a whim a few days ago and begged her mother to invite Mr. Cai Zhilin, who had resigned from the library, to come back and continue teaching her piano, chess, calligraphy and painting.Mrs. Tong agreed to inquire about Mr. Cai's whereabouts, but she had another thought.

Master Cheng Kuncheng, who taught Duanning riding and archery back then, continued to serve as an instructor in the mansion after returning to Beijing from Fengtian, but last year when Duanning went to Guangzhou, he lost his students.Because he is upright and not smooth enough in doing things, he is squeezed out by others again.He couldn't stand the idleness, so he simply resigned and lived in two houses outside the mansion. With the money he had accumulated in the past few years, he also found some odd jobs such as pressing darts, and his life was not bad.Someone was a matchmaker for him and married a widow. After he got married, he found out that his wife was weak and sick. In order to get a doctor to take medicine for her, he used up all his savings. He could only move to a dilapidated yard with twenty or thirty people.

After Zhang Bao's family returned to Beijing, they once inquired about his poor situation and wanted to invite him back.But Cheng Kun heard that his former enemy was still there, so he refused to agree, not even accepting the money sent by Zhang Baoming.The man persuaded him again and again, but in the end only about ten catties of rice noodles were left.Duanning secretly entrusted Huzi to send some food and cloth in the name of giving gifts to the master, so that Cheng Kun could barely survive.

Tong thought that Xianning was getting old, and Xiaobao was about to turn nine years old, so they had to hire a master to teach them how to ride and shoot. Instead of finding a stranger, it would be more reliable to find Duanning's old master. Ask someone to invite you again.This time, when Cheng Kun heard that he was teaching in another courtyard, he nodded, asked for the address, paid a few taels of silver first, rented a small car, packed his wife and luggage, and went straight to Fangshan.

After listening to the report, Mrs. Tong finally let go of half of her heart, and the other half was to hire another official gentleman for Xianning.After all, it is not a long-term solution to always rely on father and older brothers and sisters to teach. Zhang Bao always has something to do, Duan Ning has her own homework, and Shu Ning will turn 13 next year, and will be drafted in two years. Time to start preparing.Although she didn't expect her daughter to really stand out and become a master, she still had to learn what should be learned.If you are not good enough, even if you have a good marriage, it may not be your daughter's turn.

Shu Ning was not aware of Tong's plans. Although she knew that she would participate in the next draft, she hadn't really taken it to heart.Right now, she is busy dealing with Wan Ning who came to visit, while talking to the other party, while thinking of ways to fool him away.

Wanning has been a little annoyed recently.She had already acted very rude and polite, but the fifth elder brother still came to her every other day, but he didn't bring other people like before, which made her very disappointed.She wanted to tell the third cousin about the benefits of the fifth elder brother several times, so that the other party gradually developed a good impression of the piece of brown sugar, but for some reason, she always talked about other places.She was deeply annoyed by her strong curiosity and active divergent thinking. She made up her mind several times to have some results in the conversation, but she was always attracted by a certain topic Shuning mentioned, and she unconsciously cared about it. Other things, and then waited until it was about to eat, or when the sun was setting, or someone urged her to go back to the room for bed, only to find that the original intention of coming had not been mentioned, but she had to leave again.

However, as the number of times increased, she also began to notice it, and even wanted to use the name of being coquettish to force Shu Ning to meet the fifth elder brother, but the third room was about to move to another courtyard, and her mother, Mrs. Nala, came to Huaiyuan to ask Whether there is anything that can help, or to persuade the third aunt Tong to leave a few days later, knowing that Shu Ning has started to help with the housework, she always praises her, making it impossible for her to do it.

Later, the fifth elder brother was approaching his 14th birthday, and he began to prepare for whether he would join the army or study as a director after his birthday, so he came less often.Seeing that he didn't come, Wanning probably thought that no matter whether it was the draft or the marriage, it would be more than two years later, so there was no need to worry, and she no longer kept pestering Shu Ning.

Only then did Shuning breathe a sigh of relief, and she was really about to leave the house.

On the day of the official departure, there was a light snow early in the morning, but fortunately the road was still walkable.Zhang Bao had already taken people to deliver the luggage to Fangshan one day in advance. Today, Duanning escorted his mother, younger siblings and a few maids and servants.

Shu Ning was wearing a light blue satin cloak with sleeves and a Guanyin pocket of the same color on her head. She was warm and refreshing. She stood in the front yard and watched Tong's farewell to Nala and Shen.Nala shed a few hot tears, Shen's face was expressionless, but she just told Tong not to forget to keep in touch with her sister-in-law, Tong was consoling and assured, Nala smiled through tears, He took her hand affectionately and asked her to go back to the mansion often.

Shu Ning looked a little bored, and seeing that Wan Ning also looked bored, as if she was planning to come over, she walked up to Fang Ning first, and said to her, "I'll be back in ten days or so." Yes, if Big Sister has something to say to me, just write a letter and hand it to the person in Huaiyuan, and someone will give it to me, otherwise it will be the same when I come back to talk. It's cold and windy, Big Sister take care of yourself. "

Fang Ning nodded, her eye circles were a little red.She took off a string of beads in her hand, handed them to Shuning, and said, "I don't have anything for you. These are the fragrant wood beads that I usually carry. They were consecrated by an eminent monk. They can ward off evil spirits and keep you safe. If my sister doesn't mind , just take it." Shuning said with a smile: "How could I dislike my sister's wishes?" She took the bead string and put it on her hand.Seeing Fangning, there was a slight joy in her eyes.

Wanning hesitated for a moment, then walked over, only said a few words to be careful on the road, but was interrupted by Nalashi.It turned out that everyone was seeing them off, more than half an hour had passed, Duanning reminded that if they didn't leave, they would not be able to arrive before lunch, so Nalashi urged them to go on the road as soon as possible.Although Wanning felt a little pity, but after thinking that there was nothing important to say, she stopped talking and hurriedly sent her aunt and cousins ​​to the car and left the Earl's Mansion.

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Shu Ning was sitting in the carriage, feeling a little excited, hugging Xian Ning from time to time, talking and laughing, and raising the small curtain to see the scenery outside.Suyun waited with the car, took out some snacks from the drawer on the side of the car, put some in Xianning's hands, and then cracked the sunflower seeds with a smile.

Tong smiled and scolded: "You girl, are you going to go outing together? You eat it before I do it?" Suyun smiled and handed over the snack basket, saying: "Madam has always disliked snacks Son? I was negligent, so don't be angry. " Shi Tong glared at her, leaned on the cotton pad behind her with a smile on her face, and didn't pick up the basket.Suyun happily put the basket back to her hand and continued to knock the sunflower seeds.

Seeing that Tong's eyes were closed, Shuning thought she was tired, and felt a little distressed: "Auntie just said a big deal, but in fact, we didn't move to a far away place, or even come back in the twelfth lunar month, why should she be so reluctant?" Give up?" Tong didn't open her eyes, she had a smile on the corner of her mouth: "What do you know, your aunt is happy." Shu Ning thought for a while, and she understood a little.Xianning kept asking: "Why? Why?" Shuning said, "Because we will be going back soon", and then gave him a few things that he loves most but can't eat often. diverted his attention.She handed her younger brother to Suyun, and beat Tong's leg.

Suyun smiled at the first sight: "Girl, let me come, even though you are filial, don't take our jobs." Shuning said with a smile: "You just take care of your younger brother, and let me take care of you too. Mother." That's all for Suyun.Tong Shi smiled and enjoyed it at ease, and soon fell into a deep sleep.

The carriage they rode in was recently bought, and it was very strong, but it was comfortable to sit in, and it was not bumpy.Shu Ning once suspected that springs were added, so she asked Duan Ning, and sure enough, she found out that the merchant who produced the carriages had a daughter married to Chen Liangben as a concubine, and she thought that it was as expected, but she didn't know that this person would go on a career after crossing. My man, how did you come up with something like a spring.

The carriage was comfortable and traveled quickly. They arrived at their destination around noon, a little earlier than expected.

Shu Ning looked out from the carriage, and saw that the car passed by a road next to a village, and soon came to a fork, entered the right fork, passed a house, and walked less than 100 meters to a Grove.At this time the carriage stopped, Duanning said: "We are here."

It turned out that the gate was on the other side of the carriage, facing the grove.The width of the gate is only about two meters, which is not too big. The eave beams, door pawns and dismounting stones are all very simple. There is only a white paper lantern hanging under the eaves, and there are no couplets.Duan Ning waved his hand, and the servants who came up earlier pulled the carriages and horses to a spacious side door, which turned out to be a special place for carriages and horses to enter and exit.

Zhang Bao stood at the door with a smile, followed by Ermo Changfu, Ermo Wang and others.He picked up the youngest son who rushed over, and said to his wife and children, "Are you tired from the journey? Come in, I've already told the people below to make food, and it will be ready soon."

Tong Shi smiled, she was not tired after falling asleep all the way, but she didn't intend to reject her husband's kindness, so she obediently took her children and followed him in.

As soon as you enter the door, you will see the front yard. The place is not big, only about half the size of Huaiyuan. The front is the front hall, and there are rows of houses on the left and right.Duan Ning said: "There is a courtyard behind each side of this place. The left side is the place where the people live, and the right side is the carriage house, which is connected to the side door just now." Tong Shi nodded slightly and continued to move forward.

Walking through the aisle next to the main hall, there is the Second Courtyard at the back. Mrs. Liu had already waited in the courtyard with Xiaobao, and everyone saluted and greeted again before they began to look at the courtyard.This is where the family lives every day.The front is the inner hall, and there are side rooms on both sides. The left room is used as a study, and the right room is two empty rooms. Zhang Baodao: "I haven't figured out what to do with it. Maybe it's good to make a school. The yard behind the study, Now Mr. Su's family is living here, and Master Cheng is living on the right side, and when Mr. Xian's husband invites him, he will also live there. Then we can have classes here."

Tong Shi nodded: "Shuning also said that he would invite Mr. Cai back. How about letting him live in the same yard as Mr. Su? I think they have similar tempers." Zhang Bao pondered and did not answer.

The whole family sat down in the inner hall, and the maids and servants came up to wait for the master to wash his face, and brought hot tea and snacks.Zhang Baodao: "Eat something to pad your stomach first, and the food will be ready after a while." Tong took a sip of tea and asked, "Where do we live? Can we pack it up?" Zhang Bao said with a smile: "I was there yesterday. Rest in the back, don't worry. This courtyard is followed by the main courtyard, and we live there. As for the children..."

He smiled and glanced at Shuning: "Except for Xian'er who is young and lives with us in the main courtyard, Duan'er and Shu'er each have their own courtyard."

Shuning's eyes lit up, she looked at Duanning, only to see him smile slightly: "Go and see?"

(I suddenly miss the days when I was a Ku Klux Klan...)
(End of this chapter)