Ordinary clear day

Chapter 135 August
Shuning was very happy to receive the letter, and told Fangning that her good friend whom she hadn't seen for many years was coming soon.Fang Ning heard her talk about Miss Zhou Yinlan's behavior, and she also looked forward to getting acquainted with her.

Zhang Bao sent his family members to the Zhili Academy early on to guard him. As soon as he got the letter from Zhou's family, he immediately reported it.It's just that I was concerned that I had two candidates in my family, but I wanted to avoid suspicion, so I only wrote to say hello, and didn't meet each other.

After Qiu Wei started the exam, Mr. Su and Mr. Yang naturally wanted to go back to Beijing to take the exam, and Zhang Bao also went back to Beijing.Duanning's Guozijian suspended classes, so he studied at home.Seeing that Chen was alone at home, Mrs. Tong invited her to come and talk.

Chen Shi was originally the daughter of a family in the south of the Five Ridges, and she was educated and respected. She grew up in Guangdong, and her behavior and views are quite different from those of northern women.Mrs. Tong talked with her about the scenery of Guangdong, and the customs and customs she saw and heard when she went out, and Mrs. Liu also joined in the fun, talking very enthusiastically.Fang Ning had never heard of these, and was very interested, so Shu Ning explained them to her one by one.

When Fang Ning heard them mentioning foreign ships, foreigners with red hair and green eyes, mountains of tea and mulberry fish ponds, ships on the sea and people on both sides of the canal, Fang Ning felt a little envious, and lamented that she did not Opportunity to see these in person.Seeing this, Shuning smiled and said: "Although those are good, my sister may not be able to see them in the future, not to mention, we haven't even seen all the mountains and rivers around here. When we first enjoy the beautiful scenery in front of our house, It's not too late to think about other things." Fang Ning smiled: "That's true."

After the imperial examination, while waiting for the results, the two candidates were a little anxious.Because the next day was the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhang Bao simply asked someone to send a letter back to Fangshan, asking his wife and children to bring Mrs. Chen back to Beijing, and celebrate the festival with his family by the way.

The last time Shuning saw Wanning was at the old lady's anniversary ceremony last month, but I heard that Wanning was not in good health at the time and it was inconvenient to see guests, so I only met briefly during the big ceremony, except for Wanning's expression Apart from being pale, there is no other impression.This Mid-Autumn Festival reunion, Shuning finally saw clearly the legendary Wanning's reborn appearance.

I saw that she was wearing a pea green cheongsam with a pine flower border, her hair was tied up, a velvet flower and a few hairpins were inserted, her feet were on the bottom of the flower pot, her head was slightly lowered, her eyes were at a 45-degree angle Sloping down, the arms hang naturally in front of the abdomen, and there is an embroidered silk veil in the hand.Whisper softly, move lightly with lotus steps, and speak auspicious words one after another, not only in line with the preferences of middle-aged and elderly noble women, but also revealing the elegance that young girls should have.When facing parents, uncles, brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces, as well as maids and servants, the etiquette and attitude they should have are all the same.Even Shuning and Fangning, who are used to being polite, think that they are not as thorough as her.

Wan Ning really has everyone's demeanor now, but it's too stylish, which makes people not used to it. If she didn't see that face, Shu Ning really couldn't believe that it was Wan Ning, she almost thought that she was captured by someone who really The rich lady of your family is wearing it.

Because the first year of filial piety has just passed, the Earl's Mansion is not in a good place to celebrate, so only two or three tables were set up at home, with a little food and wine.Because the second room and my aunt's house lived separately, so the banquet was always peaceful.Nala smiled at Yanyan, and greeted her sisters-in-law and nieces, looking very complacent.Now her housekeeping has been managed smoothly, and her daughter has started to give her face again; the eldest son is sensible, and may be promoted in the near future, and the grandchildren are well-behaved; and the second son has also been praised by the boss in his job, and the relationship between husband and wife has also improved; In addition, the eldest daughter of the concubine became more and more provocative, and maybe the marriage was also settled. Several big stones in her heart fell to the ground, and some of them were unconsciously brought out during the conversation.

Naturally, Mrs. Tong would not pour cold water on her. Although Mrs. Shen was cold, she just watched coldly.In this way, it made Nala's show off at the banquet.It's just that when the banquet was over, Shu Ning was a little behind two steps, and saw that Wan Ning was a little unsteady when she stood up, Nala Shi glanced at her, and then hurriedly stood up straight, but her complexion was very pale.

Shu Ning went to visit Wan Ning the next day, Wan Ning invited her to sit in the room very enthusiastically without being rude, and softly asked the maids to pour tea, and greeted her politely, making Shu Ning bear I couldn't help but secretly fought a cold war.

Before she entered the room, she seemed to see Wanning embroidering a purse, so she took a second look, and found that the style was used for good fortune during the Chinese New Year. Start embroidering the New Year's purse?"

Wan Ning half lowered her head and said: "I'm doing it slowly, Er Niang told me to make a few more in advance, and to do it carefully, so that it will come in handy during the Chinese New Year." She picked up one and handed it to Shu Ning: "Look, is it okay?" Shu Ning looked at the embroidered winter jasmine flowers on it, nodded and said it was beautiful, Wan Ning just smiled and took it back.

Seeing that there was no one outside, Shu Ning sat next to Wan Ning, and asked softly, "Second Sister, I see that you have changed a lot, have you had a hard time these past few months?" Wan Ning's hands paused, The circles of her eyes were red, and she said: "Indeed, it was very hard work." She rolled up her sleeves to show her a few black and blue marks on her arms, and pulled up her trousers so that she could see the dozen or so thin red marks on her two calves. Hen said with tears in his eyes, "I almost couldn't make it through. I don't know where Er Niang found an old woman. She said that it was a nanny brought out of the palace by a certain old concubine to teach me the rules. It was agreed in advance that my mother would not interfere. The old woman forced me to practice every day, if I was disobedient or did not do well, I would be beaten without telling, and sometimes I would not be given food."

She took the handkerchief and wiped it twice, and then continued: "I scolded her, but she scolded me back, saying that she had taught the clan family, what am I? Suffering is suffering, Fang is the master, and told me to support me. You don't know how hard I am, but you and the eldest sister are not here, and I am the only one left, and I have nothing to say. I..."

Before she finished speaking, Qiao Yun's voice came from outside: "Nurse He is back. The third girl is visiting inside." Wanning hurriedly stopped talking, wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, and stood up.Shuning also stood up, and only then did she see the appearance of the well-behaved Nanny He.

She looks to be five or sixty years old, with a round face and a bit fat body. Looking at her facial features, she is originally a kind-hearted person, but for some reason, her eyebrows and eyes are a bit fierce.She just glanced at Shu Ning lightly, then looked Wan Ning up and down, and nodded slightly, but when she saw the purse in Wan Ning's hand, she suddenly widened her eyes: "Young lady is doing what my wife ordered." Purses, right? It’s just that the color of the purses is too plain. If you think about where these purses are going to be sent, the girl knows, so it’s better to add more rich and noble peonies.”

Wanning responded in a low voice, but Shuning faintly heard her grinding her teeth.Then Nanny He asked again: "What time is it?" Qiaoyun flattened her mouth and said nothing, and Yuehe replied, "Go back to Nanny, it's quarter to three now." Nanny He nodded, turned around and said : "It's almost time for the girl to learn the rules. The third girl came to visit our girl today. It's really intentional, but the two of you have talked for so long. Please come back, the third girl."

When Wanning heard this, she hurriedly grabbed Shuning's arm.Shu Ning was stupefied by Nanny He's demeanor at first, but after being caught by her, she regained consciousness, but she heard Nanny He say: "What is this like?! Miss, have you forgotten everything I taught you?" Already?!" Hearing this, Wanning let go of her hands quickly, and stood upright.

Shu Ning smiled and said: "Nurse He, I seldom stay at home on weekdays, and now I finally come back, and I want to have a few more words with my sister, can you forgive me for half an hour?" Wan Ning glanced at her gratefully .

However, Mother He said indifferently: "Third Miss is confused. Learning the rules is like sailing against the current. If you don't advance, you will retreat. How can you be lazy? Anyway, you don't want to leave today, come back next time. If you are interested Let’s learn together.” After saying that, he ignored them, and only told the maids to prepare the kneeling mats to be used, and to learn palace etiquette today.Qiaoyun was clever, and quickly laughed and said, "It's already been prepared, and I have made the cloud mist tea that Mammy likes to drink most. Why don't you take a couple of sips first to moisten your throat?" went.Qiaoyun quietly turned her head and gave Wanning a wink.

Seeing this, Shu Ning knew that she couldn't stay, so she bid farewell to Wan Ning with some apologies.Wanning whispered to her: "If you have time, come and visit me more, so that I can catch my breath." Shuning nodded: "Don't worry."

Shu Ning left Wan Ning's courtyard and was walking out when she saw Tang Yuan'er, Tong's little girl, coming towards her, and said with a smile: "So the girl is here, and the wife is talking in the eldest wife's room. Tell me to invite the girl." go."

Shuning followed her to the main room of the bamboo courtyard, and saw that Nala, Tong, and Fangning were all there, smiling and talking, while Aunt Chen stood beside her, lowering her head timidly.

When Nala saw Shuning, she said, "We haven't seen each other for a few months, and Miss Shu has grown taller again, and her appearance is becoming more and more outstanding. Looking at her, she looks a bit like her siblings when they were young." Tong said with a smile : "She does look a bit like me, but she can't be considered a pick, not to mention a beauty like Wan girl, even Fang girl, she can't compare with her." Nala waved his hand: "That's too much. Yes, I see her very well, she is gentle and elegant, and she is generous and prudent in her actions. The third sibling is the best at managing people. Not only does our daughter teach well, we Fang girl lived with you for a few months, and she seems to have changed. It’s all thanks to the third sibling.”

Tong Shi hurriedly said a few words modestly, but the look of complacency in the corner of his eyes couldn't be concealed.Nala said again: "I remember that it will be Shu girl's birthday in two or three days. I used to be away from home, even if I was at home, I was delayed because of something. This year, since you are all in the mansion, why don't you do it for her? "

Mrs. Tong hurriedly said: "How can her child's family afford it? Besides, she is still observing filial piety now, so there is no need to make a fuss." Nala said: "Even if it is not a big deal, there should be something." After finishing speaking, he ordered Lvyun: "The few pieces of material sent by my uncle and wife two days ago, I said that the two lake silk ones are very good, and you can send them to the third girl's room later. Also, last time I asked someone The few pairs of jewelry I went to buy, didn’t I say that they would be delivered in two days? Pick a few good ones and send them to the third girl’s room. When the day comes, I will order the kitchen to make birthday cakes, and I will follow the example of the second girl in previous years. .” Lu Yun responded one by one.

Shuning hurriedly thanked her eldest aunt, Tong said: "Sister-in-law is too polite, as I said, it will be Fang girl's birthday in a few days, why not do it for her." Nala glanced at Fangning , smiled and said: "That's true, it seems that I will only have two more birthdays at home. It won't be long, and I will be from another family."

Shu Ning was a little surprised, but Fang Ning blushed, and said shyly: "Aunt Erniang, sit down slowly, my sister and I go into the room to talk." After saying that, she dragged Shu Ning away.Nala laughed, but Aunt Chen looked sad.

Mrs. Tong laughed a few times and asked: "Speaking of which, I only know that girl Fang has made an appointment, but I don't know which family it is." Home, do you remember? It’s the son of Shun’s daughter-in-law’s aunt’s aunt.”

Tong naturally remembered: "The one who had a wife before?" Nala nodded and said: "As the saying goes, seeing is better than hearing a hundred times. Rumors are the most untrustworthy. A few days ago, my in-laws brought a The mother and son of Shu Mulu's family came to visit. I think his son is not bad. Although he is a few years older than Fang girl, he is not out of character. I have been close to her, but her temperament is really good. I thought, Miss Fang is also a hard-working person. If she changes to another family, I don’t know if I can treat her kindly. Although the Shu Mulu family is not doing well right now, it is a big family after all. It's a good one. If Fang girl marries in the past, she will not suffer. And we pushed his family before, but they still come to ask for marriage, which shows their sincerity, so my master and I agreed. Fortunately, Fang girl heard last night At that time, I also agreed, and now I only have to wait until the service is full, and then we can have a wedding."

Tong's congratulations are repeated, while Nala is happy, Leng might as well see the bitter look on Aunt Chen's face, frown, and don't reveal any strangeness, just gossip with Tong.When Tong Shi left with her daughter, she turned cold and scolded: "Why are you putting on such a look?! Is there any dissatisfaction?!"

Aunt Chen choked with sobs and said: "Madam, our girl is not sensible, please bear with me, and please choose another good marriage for her. Now this family is really..." Nala's face darkened: "I You and the master have both agreed, don't we understand? Don't put on such an appearance, this marriage is the most suitable, and the son of Shu Mulu's family has a good personality, and he is a good match for Fang Ning. You don't have to Talk more!" Then she ignored Aunt Chen and got up to leave.

On Shuning's birthday, although she didn't make much arrangements, she received many gifts.She asked her mother what to do in private, and Tong knew that Nala was secretly thanking them for their help to Fang Ning, so she asked her daughter to just accept it.Shu Ning happily asked Su Xin to put it away, and at night the master and servant closed the door and counted these jewelry and delicate playthings, almost laughing from ear to ear.

Before Shuning returned to Fangshan, she went to see Wanning almost every day, but each time she spoke for at most two quarters of an hour, then Nanny He would definitely come out to chase her away.Although Wanning showed a very pitiful look every time, there was nothing Shuning could do, so she had to make a few more exquisite purses in her spare time, and then secretly stuffed them for her.

Qiu Wei's results came out soon, Mr. Su didn't say he was in high school, even Mr. Yang took the last seat with respect, and got the bottom eighth in the exam. He was really overjoyed.After everyone returned to Fangshan Bieyuan, Zhang Bao specially booked a few tables for them in a restaurant in a nearby town, and also booked a room in a nearby inn just in case, so that Su and Yang could invite their relatives and friends to celebrate Fan.

Mr. Su told Zhang Bao that he was thick-skinned and wanted to ask the proprietor to allow him to continue preparing the spring chamber in the other courtyard. Zhang Bao replied with a smile and asked Mr. Yang what he meant.Mr. Yang was very self-aware, knowing that even if he joined Chunwei, he might not have any hope of becoming a Jinshi, it was just an experience, so he said that he still hoped to stay and continue teaching the two boys.

Zhang Bao was very happy when he found out, but the ones who were the happiest were Xianning and Xiaobao.From now on, the tolerant, kind and talkative Mr. Yang is back again!
The autumn wind is blowing in September, and it seems that Chongyang is almost here again.Because Tong had made an appointment with Mrs. Fucha's family before, and she was going to see her after Xinran got married, she ordered someone to prepare a car and prepare to go back to the house.Unexpectedly, the day before the departure, Zhang Bao accidentally stepped on a stone and turned his foot while watching someone collect lotus roots. Although the injury was not serious, the doctor said it was best to rest.Tong's family didn't know what to do, so Shuning volunteered to stay and take care of her father, and asked her mother to help her bring Fangning's birthday present home.Only then was Tong relieved and took her two sons back to Beijing.

Zhang Bao's injury was almost healed after two days, he walked around with a cane all day long, Shuning persuaded him a lot, and finally persuaded him to stay in the room and read a book.Shu Ning even went to the kitchen to cook braised pig's knuckles by herself, saying that she wanted to complement her father's shape, which made Zhang Bao a little dumbfounded.

One evening, Shu Ning practiced calligraphy for a long time in the study, felt tired, put down the pen, and saw that the maids were not around, so she went to the backyard to scoop up water and wash her hands.Suddenly, she felt a shadow appearing above her head, and when she looked up, a person jumped down from the wall. She was startled and screamed out.

But as soon as she made a sound, the man covered her mouth and circled her neck, and the man whispered: "Don't make a sound." Then a sound of horseshoes accompanied by several people's voices passed by in the distance.After those voices disappeared, Shu Ning felt that the man's arm was loose, she quickly broke away, walked four or five steps away, and then asked in a deep voice: "Who are you?"

Only now did she see that the man was young, about the same age as Duanning, with a dark complexion and a thin figure. Although the clothes he was wearing were a bit torn, they were of good material, but there were a few bloodstains on his arms.Although he looked embarrassed, this person still gave people a sense of extraordinary bearing, and, strangely, she actually felt that this person looked familiar.

The man looked at Shu Ning carefully, and suddenly smiled: "Little girl, don't you recognize me?"

(I hesitated for a long time about where to pinch this chapter... Guess who this person is?)

(End of this chapter)