Ordinary clear day

Chapter 127
After breakfast, Shuning accompanied her mother to do housework for a while, seeing that it was still early for lunch, she went back to her yard to study her homework.After a while, Dongqing came to report and said: "Miss Yu's family is here, and she said she is here to send the wisteria flowers that the girl asked for yesterday."

Shu Ning remembered that she had indeed said yesterday that she wanted to buy wisteria flowers from Yu's family, so she asked Miss Yu to come in.

This Ms. Yu Tongyu is the daughter of the original owner of the newly purchased land by Shuning's family.She is also the daughter of a rich family, but it is a pity that she has a useless elder brother who spends all day doing evil outside and causing harm to the village.Her parents doted on their son and were unwilling to discipline him more. As a result, his son got worse. When he went to a brothel with a group of drinking and meat friends to spend time and wine, he was killed because of jealousy and was thrown into prison by the government.Originally, he was going to be executed last autumn, and his parents exhausted their family property in order to save him, which only dragged on for a year. They were sold to others as concubines. Fortunately, some relatives and friends had some knowledge and advised them: "I'm afraid the son will be useless. Keep this daughter and have some hope in the future." That's all.

It's just pity for this Ms. Yu, who grew up in fine clothes and fine food, and now the family's servants are almost gone, so she has no choice but to step on a pair of little feet and come personally to deliver flowers to Shu Ning.

Seeing Ms. Yu entering the yard, Shu Ning gave a salute: "Miss Yu is too polite, just ask someone to deliver it, how dare I ask you to deliver it yourself? Please come in and have a seat."

Then Yu Tong smiled a little awkwardly, and said in a low voice: "The servants at home have things to do, and I'm idle anyway. Miss, look at this flower, can you make it?"

Shu Ning took the flower, saw that it was bright and lovely in color, and was still stained with water, so she knew it was newly picked, and said with a smile: "The flower is so beautiful, thank you very much." Then she asked Su Xin to take the flower to the back.

Yu Tong followed her into the South Chamber, sat down carefully, and lowered his head slightly.Shuning looked at her for a while, and saw that she was wearing a blue cloth dress, with a shiny silver hairpin on her head, a carnation on her sideburns, and a pair of thin hairpins on her ears. Silver earrings, all dressed up, just neater and tidier than ordinary village girls, she doesn't look like a wealthy family.

Shu Ning took the purse she had prepared, handed it to her, and said, "Thank you for sending the flowers, please don't dislike them." Yu Tong took the purse in a strange way, and when he picked it up, he realized that it was heavy. The copper coin, her face flushed, she knew it was a reward, the other party was kind enough to save herself some face, and suddenly realized that the purse was exquisitely crafted and made of exquisite materials, and it was worth five or six taels of silver outside, she looked at Shu Ning in surprise .

Shu Ning just smiled slightly: "I bought these flowers to try to make wisteria pancakes. If they taste good, I'm afraid I'll have to bother Ms. Yu again." Yu Tong blushed and smiled: "I dare not." After a pause Added another sentence: "Thank you."

After the two exchanged a few words, Yu Tong took his leave and walked out with a woman.Dongqing came out from the corner of the room, accompanied Shuning to see off the guests, her face was a bit sad.Seeing this, Shu Ning was about to ask her, but found Su Xin secretly leaning on the courtyard door to look out, and said, "Su Xin, what are you looking at? Are you so sneaky?"

Su Xin walked over and said mysteriously: "Miss, you can see that Miss Yu's little feet are free." Shu Ning recalled the situation just now, when Yu Tong sat down, the shoes exposed from the bottom of her skirt were indeed not three-inch golden lotuses, Although it is smaller than others, it is four or five inches longer, so he said: "It's not surprising, since she has to walk a long way, of course she has to keep her little feet to walk smoothly."

Su Xin said: "I heard that she and Miss Lu, who is diagonally opposite to us, are both famous daughters with small feet nearby. Last year, the maids of the two families had a fight over which lady's feet were more delicate. I didn't expect that Miss Yu would let her go now. I wonder what the Lu family will say?"

Shu Ning frowned slightly: "If Lu Ziyu still makes trouble at this time, his character will be hard to say. What's the use of having little feet?" She looked up at Su Xin, and said, "Where can you find out about it?" The parents of the east and the short of the west? You must remember to be tactful, and don't let outsiders laugh at you." Suxin said with some pride: "Don't worry, girl, I still understand this rule, and I will never lose your face."

But Shu Ning still reminded her sternly: "Even if you like to inquire about things, you have to be careful not to tell about our family's affairs, and do what you need to do first. Next, if you want to inquire about something, just talk to us The people in the yard said, don’t tell anyone when you’re outside. I’m not trying to scare you. The sister Xiaotao who served me when I was young married her because she liked to gossip with outsiders and offended my mother-in-law. Yes." Although Xiaotao got married very well, it was because a good family happened to come to propose marriage, and it was Suxin's turn, so she might not have such good luck.

Suxin stuck out her tongue, obediently explained, then took Dongqing's hand, and asked: "What are you doing to put on such a look? Do you think of your former master?" Dongqing felt a little heavy: "The young lady of that family , was also spoiled and raised since childhood, and the gemstones inlaid on the jewelry were of a slightly poorer color, so she refused to wear them on her head, but when I left, she was also dressed so plainly, which shows that life is impermanent."

Shu Ning smiled and said: "It's good that people are safe. Didn't you say that their whole family has gone back to their hometown? There are dozens of acres of sacrifice land, and life is easy, so don't worry about them. Put this away quickly." It’s not good to let Ermo see it.”

Dongqing smiled, and embarrassedly took Suxin back to the house.

After lunch, when Zhang Bao went out to watch the digging of the pond, Mrs. Tong dragged Mrs. Liu to chat with Shuning.When she learned that Miss Yu had visited in the morning, she said, "I have met Miss Yu's before. Although she is thin-skinned, she speaks straightforwardly and has some knowledge. Her parents have really treated this daughter badly."

Xiao Liu said with a smile: "I think she is gentle and blushing, and she speaks in a low voice."

Mrs. Tong smiled: "This is considered good. She walked more than two miles to our house alone, which is considered courageous. A few days ago, Mrs. Lu's wife who was diagonally across the door brought her daughter to visit. Didn't you see The appearance of the girl in his family is so condescending, she knocked on the opposite door and covered her face with a round fan. I thought it was some peerless beauty, but after seeing it, it was not as good as Yuehe from the eldest house. Our second girl She looks so good, and I haven't seen her go out with a fan to block her."

Little Liu and Shu Ning both laughed, and the former said: "I heard that the big Han family has good rules, but I didn't expect it to be this way. When they come again, how about my sister calling me?" Tong said with a smile: "Okay Ah, don't miss out when the time comes."

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In the evening, it was raining.Shu Ning is in her room with the maids to pack their luggage, preparing to return to Beijing the day after tomorrow.The old count's anniversary is approaching, and another letter came from the mansion, saying that Aunt Fuli's family will soon arrive in the capital, and they will meet another relative at that time.The good and leisurely days of this spring are probably over.

Shu Ning put the few books she wanted to read in the book cage, looked at the rain outside and said, "Why is it so late for dinner today? It's already dark." Dongqing walked over and said, "I'll go to the kitchen to ask, There is also a plate of wisteria pancakes in the South Chamber, Miss, can you eat something to pad your belly?" Suxin held onto Dongqing, and said, "Go and get the pancakes, I'll ask, I know better than you." Then she took an umbrella and went out.

After a quarter of an hour, the rain became heavier.Shu Ning felt hungry, so she ate a cake with tea and saw Su Xin come back.She hastily put away the umbrella, stepped forward and said, "The kitchen said it would bring food to our courtyard later, and said it was ordered by my wife. I don't know what happened."

Shu Ning was a little surprised. The family had dinner together almost every day, and it was rare for them to eat in their own rooms. However, she saw the rain outside, and guessed that Tong probably didn't want her family to be caught by the rain. When it gets wet, there will be no more doubts.

Soon, their master and servant's food was brought over, which was also rich. The strange thing was that it was the little girl Tangyuan from Tong's house who brought the food.She said: "My wife is busy now, so I sent a servant to pass a message that the girl does not have to go to the main courtyard tonight, and the sisters under the girl's hands should not leave the courtyard."

Shuning was suspicious, so Suxin took the glutinous rice balls, coaxed her with some gadgets, and asked what was going on in the main courtyard.Tang Yuan'er groaned for a long time before she couldn't stand Su Xin's coaxing, and revealed: "I don't know the details, but I heard from Mammy that a distinguished guest has come and will stay overnight in Zhilan Courtyard, I don't know anything else. The madam has already passed on the word that the whole family is not allowed to move around at will." Zhilan Courtyard is the vacant courtyard, which was originally used for entertaining guests.

Su Xin saw that she really couldn't ask any questions, so she stuffed her with an embroidered purse, sent her away, and looked back at what Shu Ning had to say.But Shuning couldn't think of who it would be. Seeing Suxin and Dongqing and even Kou'er standing at the door looking at her, she smiled: "What are you doing so much about him? I'm already hungry, so I quickly closed the door Have a meal."

All the maids happily closed the door, those who moved the kang table moved the kang table, and after finishing Shuning's share of meals, they set up another small table on the ground, and the three of them sat on the small stools, accompanying Shu Ning Ning eats.Shuning knew that this was a family rule, so she didn't ask them to come up to eat, lest they would be embarrassed and scolded if they found out afterwards.

After dinner, Shu Ning brought Su Xin and Dong Qing to talk and start sewing. When they talked about this mysterious guest tonight, they couldn't guess the origin.

Suxin was more courageous, so she tried to go out to explore in the name of sending back the tableware, but she was stopped by Ermo after three or four steps out of the hospital gate: "I wash the things first and put them in your backyard, and someone will come tomorrow." Take it, close the courtyard now, and you are not allowed to come out again at night. You should stop instigating the girl to do some spying, and let me catch you, and take care of your skin!" Suxin had to come back with a bitter face.

Shuning felt very embarrassed, Ermo said: "Girl, don't worry, my wife will tell you tomorrow if there is anything. Now let's ask someone to close the door." Shuning blushed and nodded, and told Kouer to close the door.

Several girls continued to do needlework in the South Chamber, and they were all a little unstable.Su Xin didn't believe in evil, so she quietly went out from the small door in the backyard that was always bolted, and knocked on the door of Duanning courtyard next to it, the tea fragrance over there only said that the young master went to the main courtyard before dinner, and has not returned yet The superior also explained that all of them were not allowed to leave the hospital.Su Xin was about to ask more details, but she heard the mother-in-law who went to the night coughing, and she was so frightened that she hurriedly hid in her courtyard.

After hearing Su Xin's words, Shu Ning became even more suspicious, she asked Duan Ning to go out to meet guests, but kept it a secret from herself, why?She was puzzled and couldn't sleep at night, so she had to go to the study to practice calligraphy for a while, and then she went back to sleep after her mood settled down.

The next day, breakfast was still delivered by glutinous rice balls, and it was not until Chen Shi that Tong sent someone to summon her daughter.

As soon as she entered the main room, Tong smiled and waved to her, asked her to sit down beside her, and said softly: "You were shocked last night, didn't you? Don't blame Er Niang, I just don't want too many people Just know."

Shu Ning hurriedly said it was okay, and then asked who was here last night.Mrs. Tong looked around for no one, and then said to her: "It's the fourth elder brother. He went to Yunju Temple yesterday, and encountered heavy rain on the way back. Fortunately, someone in the group knew that your brother lived nearby, so he led the way to stay overnight. Er Niang wanted to avoid suspicion, so she asked the family members to stay in their respective yards and not allow them to walk around at will. Er Niang told you today, so don’t say anything about it.”

Shu Ning hurriedly responded, but she was a little guilty in her heart: Is it really such a coincidence?It started to rain lightly yesterday afternoon, and the classes of her and her two younger brothers were held in the east wing of the second courtyard in front.Ordinary people encounter that kind of situation, they just stay overnight in the temple, right?Or the fourth elder brother can start the return journey earlier.But thinking that he might have deliberately taken this opportunity to meet his mother, she stopped complaining.

But there are some things that she still wants to remind: "Emiang, did the fourth elder brother come back by accident, or may it happen again in the future?" Tong hesitated: "This...Emiang can't say for sure, he mentioned The emperor once said that he was irritable, and asked him to read more Buddhist classics and cultivate himself. Maybe...he will visit nearby temples in the future? There are many Buddhist temples in this area."

Shu Ning said: "If this is the case, it would be wrong for him to stay overnight at our house. Although Ama Erniang tried her best to conceal it, there are people living in both sides of the Zhilan Courtyard, and the servants of the family often come and go. , even if it is rude to let them enter in the narrow lane, the gatekeepers in front will always know. The Lu family diagonally opposite the door, and the Li family behind the grove in front of the door, will inevitably feel a little bit. Don’t be afraid once or twice. After a long time, how can we hide it? If we really want to make trouble, how can we avoid suspicion?"

Tong was a little uneasy: "Why don't I know, but he came like this, can't I drive him out? Not to mention his identity, I can't do this just for the sake of his mother-in-law." kind of thing."

Shu Ning smiled: "Who asked Er Niang to drive him away? I just said that it was not appropriate for him to spend the night in Zhilan Courtyard. I have an idea. Now that the weather is warmer, the Zhenxia Pavilion in the garden can be accommodated with a little tidying up." , there are four or five rooms upstairs and downstairs, which is enough to live in. You send him a letter, asking him to come to stay for another night, and then enter through the garden gate at the back of the mountain. The old Wu is trustworthy there, and his eyesight is not good. , I may not be able to recognize what the person looks like, but the other garden keeper needs to be replaced by a reliable one."

Seeing Mrs. Tong's hesitation, she continued: "The Linzi road in the back mountain leads directly to the side of the main road, and the road is smooth and easy to walk on. When I go back for a walk, won't Eniang just walk by? It is a small monastery, and there are no other people. When he comes, the garden guard will report to the front, and Emiang will send someone to guard the garden gate. Who else in the family can go there? Even if others know, they can avoid it. Suspect."

Tong Shi thought about it carefully, and thought it made sense, so she smiled: "Although this method is free from suspicion, it's just living in the garden, so it's a bit deserted." Shuning said with a smile: "Such a beautiful view in the garden, If it were me, I'm afraid I still feel quiet. If Erniang wants to talk to people, the Linyuan Pavilion has a big place. Looking at it, I think it is much more spacious than Zhilan Courtyard, and I don't have to worry about others hearing it."

Tong Shi just smiled and said nothing, only talked about some housework with her daughter, asked how the luggage was packed, and let her go back.But she still cared about her daughter's words, and when Zhang Bao came back, after discussing with him, she called Ermo to give her detailed instructions, and Ermo went to buy the beds, bedding, curtains and other things needed.

In the early morning of the next day, the family dressed up, and those who rode horses rode horses, and those who rode carriages rode to the capital.

(The wind is really strong, but luckily it didn’t rain. Fortunately, last night I got through most of the chapters first, so I updated it smoothly today~~~ ^_^ Plot preview: The long-awaited cousin Xuxu of some book friends is about to appear!! !)
(End of this chapter)