Ordinary clear day

Chapter 120
With Tong's departure, Shuning's leisurely days ended.She is not only responsible for Xianning and Xiaobao's liberal arts homework, but also takes care of the food and daily life of the whole family, and takes care of many chores. She deeply understands how difficult it is to be a housekeeper, and her respect for her mother has increased in her heart. a bit.

Zhang Bao still went out every day and directed the tenant farmers to build several small water conservancy facilities, most of which were medium-sized waterwheels and ditches.

Duanning would go back to Beijing every four days, spend the night, and return to Fangshan the next day after taking the exams or archery at the Imperial College, but sometimes he would stay in Beijing to accompany his mother.It was quite tiring to travel around like this, but he seemed to be adapting quite well. The night before, he rode a horse from Jingli to the other courtyard for dozens of miles, and he got up and shot hundreds of arrows the next day.

He also brought back a piece of news about that classmate Yucheng. It is said that the person has failed three exams in a row, and his performance in riding and archery is only mediocre. If he fails the next exam, he will be kicked out of the Imperial College up.

Duan Ning said: "He has patronized Horqin's people for more than a year, and he just barely passed the exam every time. When he left, he didn't find any background for him, so he went to find another way, and spent all day doing nothing. , and neglected his studies. In fact, when he entered prison that day, he was quite talented. We got to know him and didn’t find it annoying. We knew that his family was not well off, and we often helped him out. Who would have thought that he would become like this, He has become estranged from us. I don’t want to have anything to do with him anymore, so I can only say that he did it to himself.”

Shu Ning didn't have a good impression of this man, and she felt a little gloated when she heard that he had ended up like this, but she didn't say anything, she just took out the newly made cotton gloves and wool socks with raw edges and gave them to Duanning: "Brother, try Try it out and see if it works."

Duan Ning put aside the topic just now, saw that the palms and backs of the gloves were sewn with leather, so he knew that they were for him to use while riding a horse, thanked them cheerfully, and went back to the courtyard to try.

Shuning continued to look at the ledger, calculating various expenses for this year's Chinese New Year.This New Year, considering that his family is a new landlord and has moved from another place, Tong has long planned to show his kindness and win over the hearts of the tenants, so he is quite generous in the distribution of supplies to the tenants. All 78 tenants, Calculated on the basis of the head, each person was given two catties of meat, one chicken, five catties of white flour, one can of oil and one sling of money, and bought another thirty jars of good Huiquan wine for them to drink.

After the tenants heard the news, they had already celebrated in secret, and they spoke well of the new master's family whenever they met. Except for a few old people, they forgot the old master's family. After all, the old master Yu's family did not treat them well. It is very generous, and there is a son who is always causing trouble.

However, Tong's measures to benefit the people were actually almost destroyed by Wang Er, the head of the other hospital.Both Wang Er and his wife are honest and loyal people, and his wife is better, but Wang Er is a bit stubborn and has no experience in management. Since taking over, he has made several mistakes.This arrangement, Mrs. Tong had already made it clear, but Wang Er followed suit, but he planned to cook the meat and make white noodles into steamed buns before distributing them. The wine was also planned to be lined up for one person to drink. bowl.

This was originally how the Earl's Mansion treated servants at home in the past. Wang Er applied all these rules when he was in charge for the first time, but did not consider the difference between tenants and servants.Fortunately, it was still early, and Shu Ning asked in detail, so she changed the arrangement in time, otherwise it would not be a show of favor, but would cause gossip instead.

Shuning secretly told Zhang Bao about it, and Zhang Bao said that Tong Shi also found out.He said: "Wang Er has always gone out with him, probably never did such a thing, and no one can replace him now. Let's talk about it in two months. After all, he just took over. If you look at it then No matter how bad it is, let him come down. With Changfu here, we can slowly look for candidates to take charge." Shuning also agreed.

Gradually, after the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Duanning came back from school, followed his mother's order, and returned to Fangshan to welcome the rest of his family to Beijing.Shu Ning packed a few simple pieces of luggage, and took Xian Ning into the carriage.Suxin went back with her, while Dongqing and Kouer stayed in the other courtyard for the New Year. As for Xiao Liu's mother and son, they had already made an agreement with Tong that they would stay with them.In addition to explaining all the affairs to Wang Er and his wife, Shu Ning also invited Mrs. Liu to sit on the front line, and asked Chang Gui and Qiao Yun to help.Presumably such an arrangement can ensure that no major mistakes will be made, right?
Although there are no decorations for the New Year in the Earl's Mansion in Central Beijing, all the furniture and decorations have been cleaned and tidied up. The flowers, plants and trees in the courtyards have also become more energetic. Although the clothes worn by the maids and servants are not bright, they are indeed new. made.

Shuning took her younger brother to greet her mother first, and then went to visit her uncle and aunt.Nala asked a few words about their health, and then asked why Aunt Liu, mother and son were missing.Shu Ning paused, and said respectfully: "Aunt Liu accidentally contracted the wind and cold. The doctor said it was best not to catch the wind again, so she stayed in another hospital for the New Year. Brother Xiaobao also stayed to take care of his mother. But my niece and daughter have already arranged for someone to take care of her. I've taken care of their mother and child, and I think it will be fine." She held her brother's hand tightly, Xianning glanced at her, but didn't make a sound.

Tong said with a smile at the side: "Aunt Liu has always been in poor health, probably because of the winter. Just take care of her. Sister-in-law doesn't have to worry about her."

Nala said: "Don't blame me for being troublesome, I just think that this is the first time for her to celebrate the New Year at our house, and she should pay homage to her ancestors. But since she is sick, there is nothing I can do about it."

Tong's said with a faint smile: "She dare not pay homage to her ancestors, but she should offer tea to the elders of the family. But I have already ordered her to go down, and on the day of the sacrifice, I will let her set up an incense table at the other end of the courtyard, hold a cup of tea, A kowtow at a good time is considered a complete gift."

Nala smiled and said no more about it.

When they returned to Huaiyuan, the mother and daughter reached a consensus, and announced to the others that Xiao Liu was now infected with the cold, so she could not return to Beijing, but the things that should be distributed to her must be sent to other courtyards in time.Immediately, Ma San'er was assigned to take on this task.

After everyone retreated, Shu Ning reported the affairs of the past few days to her mother in detail. Tong Shi nodded slightly, confessed a few words, and then asked her to go down to rest, and then asked someone to bring her youngest son over to meet with him. say.

Returning to the Earl's Mansion, Shu Ning felt a sense of restraint, just like the feeling she would have every time she returned to Beijing from other places. This time it was even more distinct. Could it be because the previous life was too comfortable?She sighed, then lay down on the bed to rest, listening to her mother's tone just now, she will be busy tomorrow.

Sure enough, in the early morning of the next day, the three wives were sitting in the Rongqing Hall as joint directors, with Mrs. Li and Mrs Sitara accompanying them, Wanning Shuning was also present, and even expressed their opinions.

Wan Ning is not very interested in housekeeping. When she saw Shu Ning, she greeted her and said, "I haven't seen you for a long time, but you came back yesterday? Why don't you come to play with me?" Shu Ning responded with a few words, She also said: "I heard that there is a big garden in your other courtyard, which is very beautiful, is it true?"

Shu Ning said: "There is a garden. It's not too big, but it's not too small. It's just that it's winter and there's nothing to see. I've only visited it twice."

Wanning felt a little disappointed: "I thought it was very beautiful, and I was planning to go there sometime to play."

Shu Ning rolled her eyes, and said, "Actually, there are a lot of trees there, and the leaves turn green in spring, so it should be pretty, right? Although the houses there are not as good-looking as the garden in the mansion, they are not bad as a mountain residence." She looked With a glance at Tong Shi, Tong Shi understood, and smiled and said: "There are still a few rooms. If the second girl is interested, you can come and stay with us for a few days? Anyway, it's only half a day's journey in a carriage."

When Wanning heard this, she backed off a little.To sit in a carriage for so long to see a small garden with only a lot of trees and a few houses?But if you can go out, no interesting place is better than being stuck at home.

Nala said to her daughter: "It's too cold now, so don't go so far. Besides, you still have a lot to learn, and it's not too late to go out after you learn it." Wanning hesitated, and reluctantly agreed.

In the following discussion process, Shu Ning listened very interestingly. It can be seen that Nala's family management skills are good, Shen's is not as good, but Tong's is the best, but her attitude is modest, and she doesn't care. In the meaning of fighting for the top among sisters-in-law, the three of them get along pretty well.

Wanning is boring.Except for decoration and food, she basically couldn't say anything useful. Although some suggestions sounded good, when you think about it carefully, they often cost too much.When talking about the personnel arrangement for the New Year's sacrifice, she also proposed arrangements for certain 20 people to do something and the other 20 people to do something, but it is impossible for the government to allocate so many people.When Nalashi dismissed it, she became discouraged and simply stopped talking.

In contrast, every time Tong asked about Shu Ning, she could get more useful advice, even if she didn't adopt it, Shu Ning was not angry.Shen shi praised Shuning a few words, and glanced at Wanning while she was complimenting.Tong Shi smiled lightly, and said modestly: "What do children know, they are still far behind. Don't spoil her."However, she would still ask her daughter when she could, and would accept the useful suggestions in it. After the trouble, Nalashi sighed and praised her a few words, "Teaching daughters well".

Don't look at Tong's humble face, Shu Ning has already discovered that her mother is very proud now, look at the slightly curved corners of her eyes, the faint curvature of her mouth, and the fact that she often straightens her hair on the right side. Hand with hairpin.Hey, mom, don't make it too obvious!
After the matter came to an end, it was time for the wives and grandmas to chat.Wanning saluted hastily, pulled Shuning along and ran away.When she came to the garden, she said with some thoughts: "I'm suffocated. I really don't understand. It's a very simple matter. They have been discussing it over and over for a long time. It's a bit redundant to invite the clansmen to come during the sacrifice. Just set up a few tables and invite them to eat. Why do you have to think about where a certain person sits? It's been like this before, what else are they discussing..."

Shu Ning listened to a black line, Wan Ning seemed to have forgotten that among the "they" she mentioned was her own mother.And although the Chinese New Year is similar every year, the CCTV Spring Festival Gala is still tossing every year, not to mention that this New Year at the Earl's Mansion is very different from previous years?
But she didn't plan to quarrel with Wanning, she just talked about other topics, asked about Fangning's recent situation, and the homework she had learned recently, thinking about how to get rid of this person and go back to her yard.

Talking about what her mother wants to learn by herself recently, Wanning became angry: "Emiang always wants me to learn how to manage housework, what do I need to learn to do this kind of thing? Don't I know how to do it? A few years ago I I started to help manage the business, and after those things happened, I didn’t care anymore. What’s more, what are housekeepers used for? Just ask them to do it.”

After she finished speaking, she stretched out ten fingers to show Shu Ning: "She wants me to practice needlework, look, all ten of my fingers are injured." Shu Ning looked at it, and there were indeed many needle holes, so she had to Comforting her, she said: "Everyone is like this. When I was studying, I often hurt myself. I just got used to it."

"Hmph, I didn't work so hard in the first place." Wanning put down her hand and glanced at Shuning, "Because you know everything, so my mother wants me to learn so much. Good sister, you sometimes act stupid Some, like just now, you can stop acting so smart."

Shuning Black Line: You can say this kind of thing.She said indifferently: "Emiang asked, so I naturally want to answer. In fact, I am already very stupid, I don't understand many things, and I am always dismissed by Emiang."

Wanning opened her mouth to speak, but Shuning hurriedly pretended to remember something, and patted her head: "I almost forgot, I have to go back and finish Erniang's new forehead wiping, do you want Second Sister to do sewing together?"

Wanning hastily pushed, and found an excuse to leave.Only then did Shuning leisurely walk back to Huaiyuan.

(Sorry, it's late again today, because I have to work overtime, I really can't make it in time...)
(End of this chapter)