Ordinary clear day

Chapter 163
In the early morning of the next day, Shu Ning put on the new green dress, dressed neatly, and went out with her parents and elder brother, preparing to go to her grandfather's house.

Speaking of which, although I have been to my grandparents' house several times, the last time I went was already in spring.Now that it's out of service, it's time to visit.

On the second door, Shu Ning met Wan Ning who was also beautifully dressed, and she seemed to be waiting to go out, so she asked, "Where is Second Sister going?" Parents, are you going out too?" Then he said hello to Zhang Baotong and Duanning.Shuning nodded and said, "We also want to visit my grandfather and grandmother."

At this time, a woman's cry came from a distance, which was indistinctly audible, as if she was begging for something.Wanning frowned and said nothing.It happened that Dafang's carriage drove over, she greeted Shuning and the others, and boarded the carriage first.The car stopped at the corner outside the second gate, and Nalashi hurried into the car.I saw a 40-year-old daughter-in-law threw herself to the side of the car and kept crying: "Madam, madam, please forgive her, you can beat her and scold her, but don't drive her away, madam, please You..."

But she was quickly pulled away, and the carriage continued to move forward.There was a young girl who gave her a hand, but she was scolded back. The two women next to her caught a glimpse of some masters, scolded them and drove them out.

Shu Ning watched from a distance, and felt that the young girl looked familiar, she seemed to be the girl who kept making mistakes yesterday, and she seemed to be punished and kicked out.

At this time, Sanfang's carriage also arrived, Shuning and her mother got into the carriage, Suyun and Suxin also got in.On the way, Shu Ning asked about the girl just now, Suyun said: "The girl went to bed early last night, I don't know, the eldest wife got angry, the second girl begged for mercy, the girl didn't get boarded, she just kicked her out." Go out." Tong Shi smiled and said nothing, closed her eyes and rested.

Su Xin whispered to Shu Ning: "Actually, it's a good thing. That elder sister, who used to sweep the floor in the outer courtyard, was notoriously clumsy and knocked over things all day long. This time, she heard that she had to choose her appearance during the banquet." The little girl wanted her daughter to stand out, so she used money to push her out, but she didn't expect such a mistake. It's good for the eldest wife to drive her away, at least she didn't suffer."

Suyun glared at her: "Going out, it's worse than being boarded. She's not young, if something like this happens, she won't be a good candidate even if she is a kid." Suxin shrank her head and stopped talking.

Shu Ning secretly sighed in her heart, that girl may not be very smart, but she looks more delicate, she does some rough work in the outer courtyard, although she can't get ahead, she is safe and stable.But her mother was not reconciled, and asked her daughter to do things beyond her capabilities, and no one taught her the rules, and now she even lost her job.Shu Ning felt a little sympathetic, and glanced at her mother, but Tong opened her eyes slightly, and said softly: "It has nothing to do with us, don't mind other people's business." Shu Ning could only sit upright and put this matter aside.

Tong's house is located in the north of the east and east of the city. It is a long way from the earl's mansion, and it takes more than an hour to arrive.After entering the mansion, Shuning's family first visited their grandfather and grandmother, and then said hello to their aunt, then stood together and listened to their grandfather's lecture.

Tong's father is already in his sixties, thin and serious. Every time he sees his daughter and son-in-law, he will scold his daughter and son-in-law first.For example, the reason for scolding this time was a little incident that happened in the court yesterday, and because Zhang Bao was considered an official, he got involved.Everyone took it for granted, knowing that Tong's father was just looking for an excuse to show off in front of the younger generation, so they obediently listened to the lecture.But although Tong's father was serious, he was not long-winded. He would drink two sips of tea after speaking ten or eight sentences.

Mother Tong sent her husband away, sat down again, and asked her daughter and son-in-law to sit down with a kind face.Aunt Tong's aunt heard her mother-in-law cough, said that she had to do housework, pleaded guilty and left.

Tong's mother said: "You also know the old man's temper, don't take it to heart." Zhang Bao and Tong Shi hurriedly said no, and she continued: "I heard from my daughter-in-law about the banquet yesterday, and I haven't entertained it for several years. It’s okay to treat guests decently, it’s just that it’s not good to be too extravagant, and you should persuade them when you go home.” Zhang Bao and Tong agreed one by one.

Tong's mother asked about some daily housework, and then asked about her two grandchildren.After repelling all the servants, Tong gradually told her mother about Duanning's official appointment and engagement.

Tong's mother frowned slightly, called Duan Ning to her for a closer look, and sighed: "Brother Duan is such a good boy, naturally you don't have to worry about the future, and you don't have to worry about it either. It's just that Wu Dan's family is not high. , Why did you choose such a relative? I have helped look after several ladies, but I didn't expect you to make an appointment first."

Mrs. Tong didn't dare to speak, Duanning was a little nervous, and carefully said a few good words to accompany her. Mother Tong listened for a long time before sighing: "Forget it, I've heard of the girl from the Wu family too, and it's not bad. Since the child likes it, you can That's enough. The girls from those families have to take advantage of my brother's cousins."

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone secretly heaved a sigh of relief.Before Shu Ning had time to finish saying "Buddha" in her heart, she saw her grandmother beckoning her to go over.

She obediently approached and let her grandmother hold hands to look carefully, and obediently answered a few questions, only to hear Tong's mother sigh again: "This child looks a bit royal, it's a pity." Shuning was shocked. , quickly glanced at his mother, Tong said hurriedly: "Er Niang, this child is clumsy, but I can't take you seriously."

Tong's mother smiled slightly and glanced at her: "What's the hurry? Good boy, how clumsy is it? Thanks to you who can speak. Don't worry, I know your thoughts, and naturally I won't let my granddaughter suffer."

She held Shu Ning's hand and looked at it for a while, then turned her head and said to her daughter and son-in-law: "Since you want Brother Duan to become an official, you might as well take him to the second uncle's house. I heard that he is at home today. By the way, help me bring a few boxes of snacks to your second aunt. It's just that the two granddaughters haven't finished school yet, so let your girls accompany me to talk."

Zhang Bao agreed with Tong, and the latter gave his daughter a consoling wink, and took Duanning away.

Although Shu Ning and her mother had met her grandmother several times in the past, it was the first time they were alone together.Fortunately, my grandmother is not difficult to deal with, she is completely different from my old lady.She always smiled kindly, spoke slowly, and was good at adjusting the atmosphere.At first Shu Ning sat upright, not daring to neglect her, but when she saw the old man's friendly face, she relaxed.

At first, Tong's mother asked some questions about the needlework girl, and the questions were very detailed, including what kind of needlework she learned, whether she can make clothes, what she usually does, and so on.Shu Ning also promised to honor her a few pairs of cotton socks and cotton gloves before the snow this year, so she changed the subject in satisfaction.

Next is to ask homework, not piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, but classics and history.It was many years ago that Shu Ning studied Confucian classics and history, and she had already forgotten it. Mother Tong said: "We women don't need to go deep into these learning matters, but we should know the generalities. If others ask, they won't be ignorant. I think You have learned it before, so this winter, you should read the book carefully and pick up all the lessons you have learned before." Shuning could only bow her head and agree.

It was almost dinner time when Tong's two serious granddaughters came over, one was eleven years old and the other was nine years old, both were still young.The cousins ​​sat down to talk again after seeing the ceremony.Only then did Shuning realize that the two cousins ​​were also studying Confucian classics and history at a young age, and she couldn't help admiring.But Mother Tong laughed and said, "It's just a superficial knowledge. Could it be that they are really expected to write articles?"

The two cousins ​​smiled shyly, said a few words modestly, and chatted about other things.Shu Ning watched coldly from the side, and felt that although the two cousins ​​were ordinary in appearance, they behaved dignifiedly, were very strict in every move, and were very good at observing words and demeanor. At a young age, they were better than many adults.

You really deserve to be a famous descendant, but isn't it tiring to live like this?Shu Ning thought she had done a good job in terms of etiquette, but she still felt a little ashamed when facing her cousins, so she quietly sat up straight again, became more careful when speaking, and arranged her hands and feet more neatly.

Mother Tong talked about housework with her granddaughter and granddaughter.Shu Ning has been in touch with this aspect for several years, but the answers are fluent, and the old man is very satisfied.But the two cousins ​​are still young and have many deficiencies, so Mother Tong imparted a lot of her own experience.Shuning listened from the side and benefited a lot.

After a while, the housekeeper came to report that the aunt's family was staying at the second master's house for lunch.So Mother Tong waved her hand: "Shu girl, come and eat with us."

Shuning had a hard time eating this meal.Firstly, the rules are strict, even if the bowls and chopsticks accidentally touch each other, grandma will look at them a few times; secondly, they eat pasta, but the cooking skills are average, and the pickles are very salty.With half a plate of pickled vegetables, Shu Ning managed to survive two pastries, and stopped eating after drinking a bowl of noodle soup. She missed the delicious pasta made at home very much.

Fortunately, there were only female relatives at the dinner table, and my uncle went to the Yamen on business, while my grandfather always ate by himself.Shu Ning thought to herself: Maybe my grandmother was also afraid that my grandfather would scold people during meals, which would spoil everyone's appetite.

After dinner, I took a rest to serve my grandmother. The cousins ​​left early, leaving her to beat the old man's legs.Her mouth was so dry that she could only hold back.

Finally, the parents and brothers came back.Shuning barely resisted not rushing forward, but still bowed to them very dignifiedly and asked her.Tong's mother looked at her with satisfaction, and asked Tong to help her into the inner room under the pretext that she wanted to give her daughter some things.As soon as they left, Shu Ning immediately poured a cup of tea and drank it by herself, so that she felt better.

It took nearly two quarters of an hour for Tong to come back, and then hinted that her husband was leaving.On the way home, Shu Ning asked her mother what she had said to her grandmother, and Tong said with a smile: "It's nothing, it's just about your talent show, your grandmother has promised that when she enters the palace in a few days, she will ask your mother to go. As soon as the Yanxi Palace is empress, the Tong family will not produce another empress, so it is better to find a good family for the girls. As for the prince, I am afraid that your cousins ​​are more suitable."

Shu Ning was overjoyed, with the help of the concubine in the palace, she had at least a [-]% chance of losing the election.Seeing her daughter's happy face, Mrs. Tong couldn't help laughing and said: "Don't be too complacent, let people see the signs, you just need to know about this. Also, even if you don't want to be selected, you still have to learn the rules, otherwise Let people know that you are the granddaughter of the Tong family, but they don't know the palace etiquette, and they will laugh at you. Just now your grandmother said that you are good in everything, but the rules are a little loose, and I need to find a nanny to teach you. "

Shu Ning hurriedly said: "Er Niang, I will learn the rules well, just teach me, don't look for Mammy." What if we find Mammy Rong?Even Nanny He is not good.

Tong laughed and scolded: "Little ghost, you don't know what's on your mind when you're a mother? Don't worry, if you want to find someone who is kind, you won't be wronged."

Shuning smiled, and immediately felt relaxed.

She hasn't started to learn the rules yet, so she will do other things first.I had planned to visit Xinran for a long time, but I had to prepare some suitable gifts for the mother-to-be.She asked her mother and Ermo, collected some snacks, and made a purse out of bright red satin, embroidered with a delicate pattern of "Nine Sons Playing Lotus". Pregnant women were affected, so they gave up their minds.

She asked Tong for advice, and Tong said, "It's good to put some flowers and plants, such as daylilies, which are very suitable."

Hemerocallis is also known as "Nanniancao". In ancient times, it was given to pregnant women to wish them a male birth, and it is indeed very suitable.but……

"Where did the day lily come from at this time? It's all gone." Shuning asked.

Ermo interjected: "Girl, daylilies are daylilies, don't they have them in the other courtyard? It doesn't matter what you do, right?"

Shuning was reminded by her that Fangshan Garden originally had produce, some of which were sold, and the family kept a few catties.However, the embroidered pouch contained day lilies... She has some black threads.

Forget it, it means auspicious.She sent a servant back to Fangshan to pick it up, and it was delivered the next day.Putting the dried day lilies into the purse, packing snacks and fruits for others, Shu Ning went to the main room to meet her mother, in order to get permission to go out tomorrow.

At this time, Tong and Zhang Bao were bothered. Zhang Bao was going to visit Chen Liangben tomorrow, and he didn't know what gift to give.Zhang Bao wanted to give a set of the Four Treasures of the Study, but Tong thought it was too thin, so he wanted to give two antiques.Zhang Bao said: "Master Chen never accepts heavy gifts. I'm afraid he won't accept them if I send them over." But Mrs. Tong said: "If you want to recover, you have to ask him to give you a lot of good words. If the gift is too small, others will be unhappy." Yes." The husband and wife each have their own reasons, but there is no conclusion.

Shu Ning thought for a while, and then said: "Ama and Er Niang are both reasonable, but the ordinary four treasures of the study are indeed too thin, it is better to give a more elegant antique, only those who know the goods will know its benefits, but it does not need to be too expensive , so as not to be said to be bribery. Anyway, Ama is only asking for a recovery, and it is not the first time asking for an official."

Zhang Bao twirled his beard and nodded.Tong Shi said: "But your Ama's official position after recovery is good or bad, so I need him to contribute a lot." Shuning said with a smile: "It's not like you can only rely on him, there is no need to put your figure too low. Ama The political achievements are still there, and there is a relationship with my grandfather, and our house is not a commoner. Besides, when Ama visited in the past, it should be treated as a communication between friends. If it is too obvious, it will make people gossip."

Zhang Baodao: "This is reasonable. I am not as good as I was then, and I have a title. I am no longer a petty official." Tong Shi was right when he thought about it, so he didn't insist anymore.

Shuning helped her father choose a gift, and finally chose a Ziduan Inkstone carved with bamboo. It is an old thing from the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 100 years. Although it is not very expensive, it is still rare.After finishing her work here, she helped her mother pick out a few gifts to celebrate the fourth elder brother's wedding, and while she was happy to get permission to go out, she happily asked someone to arrange a carriage to go.

(Today I saw Shenqi [-] out of the cabin...@[email protected]）

(End of this chapter)