Yutai Bi

Chapter 133 Missing 2
Du Xifu was stunned, thinking to himself, why didn't he think of it before.Only then did I realize that selling floors and selling fish was probably the young lady's idea.Previously, she only thought that she was young, and she wanted to be the credit of Young Master Sun.

"And that pot of famous peonies, you should have someone carry it and sell it."

Du Xifu remembered Du Yansui's words that day, and hesitated: "Young Madam likes it, why not keep it for now."

Cen Sanniang shook her head: "After the flowering period in April, you can't sell it for a good price. Sell it while the flowers are in full bloom. In the future, when the Duke's mansion is rich, why not worry about not being able to buy famous flowers?"

What he said made everyone laugh.

Cen Sanniang asked everyone to leave.

She felt that it was necessary to report to the old lady what happened today.

It is one thing for the old lady to delegate power. You report to her to show respect, and she will like and support herself more.

Thinking of this, Cen Sanniang got up and asked Ah Qiu and Feng Chun Nuan Dong to lead the four girls back.He only took Xia Chu to the Zhengqi Hall.

Her back was sore, she twisted her waist, and seeing that there was no one around, she asked Xia Chu: "How was my performance today?"

Xia Chu smiled and stretched out his hand to rub her back: "Young Madam shocked the scene today. After listening to your orders one by one, I have a good understanding of all parts of the Duke's Mansion."

Cen Sanniang said to her sternly: "Xia Chu, you have always been prudent and you can read. Study hard and be a girl in charge in the future."

Xia Chu's face was full of joy, and he said, "I will work hard."

After entering Zhengqi Hall, Yin Sanniang told the old lady about today's arrangements.

"Grandmother, it's just that I let Mama Yin take care of the Zhengqi hall alone, and not under the control of the inner courtyard, so I didn't discuss it with you in advance." Cen Sanniang said with a embarrassed expression.

Mrs. Du laughed loudly: "That's good. Each takes care of one place, and if there is a problem, you can find the supervisor in that place. Sanniang, your method is very good. Grandma actually wants to watch you make a joke, and then give pointers." Yours. I didn't expect you to be so smart, and grandma is relieved. You will be able to enjoy the happiness in the future."

Cen Sanniang was a little embarrassed: "Actually, it's not that I don't want to appoint a chief steward of the inner courtyard, but there are few people in the house. Mama Yin has to wait on you and she can't get away. Mama Fang used to be in charge of the kitchen. She is more than honest and inexperienced. I We have to split it up. If she were to take care of my yard, the kitchen, and the embroidery room, her mind would definitely be a mess."

Mrs. Du glanced at Chu Xia, and she had a clue in her heart: "Talents are cultivated slowly. Loyalty comes first, ability comes second. There's no mother who will be a steward all her life. The young ones learn slowly. , to take over."

Xia Chu understood that it was for himself, his eyes flashed, and his expression became more respectful.

Mrs. Du smiled and took Cen Sanniang's hand, telling her to eat in Zhengqi hall at noon.

At this time, a girl reported from the outside: "Old madam, the second family has passed a message. Young madam's natal sister-in-law, young madam Cen and the seven girls of Cen's family handed over posts, saying that they are coming to visit tomorrow."

On the tray were worship stickers, which belonged to Mrs. Zou.

Mrs. Du glanced at it, and forwarded the note to Cen Sanniang: "Since it's your natal sister-in-law and cousin, let's order the kitchen to set up a table for lunch tomorrow."

Cen Sanniang agreed.

On the way back, she remembered the gift Zou gave and Qiniang's strange attitude on the day she returned home.

"Do you still remember what the second sister-in-law gave as a gift?"

Xia Chu thought for a while and said, "It's a pair of pure gold bracelets. They are not light. One is three or two heavy. You usually don't wear such heavy gold bracelets, so you put them at the bottom of the box and never took them out."

Cen Sanniang was taken aback, Mrs. Zou was not giving a gold bracelet, she was clearly giving gold.

She muttered more and more about the intention of the two of them.

The next day, Cen Sanniang changed her clothes to meet the guests, and told Director Du to let him handle the affairs of the mansion on her behalf, leaving Xia Chu to attend.

I took Aqiu to the Zhengqi Hall.

About six hours later, two soft sedan chairs took Zou and Cen Qiniang in from the door.

Mrs. Zou wore a lake-green jacket, a goose-yellow long skirt, and a red tulle one-piece cardigan with large sleeves on the outside.The gauze dress was as thin as a cloud, and it fluttered when the wind blew, and the colorfully embroidered flowers and birds seemed to come alive.It is worth a lot of money at first glance.

She combed a bun that was more than a foot high, with intricate gold ornaments on her thick black hair, and red and sapphires hanging from her long tassels.There are several wide and thin gold bracelets on the wrist.

There are not only purses, jade ornaments, gold ornaments, and tassels on the belt.

The whole body is shimmering with golden light.

Cen Sanniang was dumbfounded.

This is too gorgeous and grand, right?Zou is here to show off his wealth?
Compared with her, Cen Qiniang immediately paled.The double-ring bun is small and exquisite, with a light purple silk dress, a white high-waisted skirt, and a thin gold bracelet with a white jade rabbit hanging on her wrist.Decent and simple.

At the age of 13, she can already show her full breasts, her face is white and round, with a pair of big eyes, like a cute peach.

The two met the old lady and sat down to have tea and talk.

Mrs. Du was also dazzled by Zou's body.Hearing that her maiden name was Zou, I remembered: "Is the famous Yuanwai Zou in Chang'an City your father?"

"It's my father." Mrs. Zou replied with a smile.

It can be seen that Mrs. Du did not introduce Zou Wanwan like Cen Siniang did, but politely referred to her as an outsider. Mrs. Zou was very happy.

Datang is open to business, and there are many people doing business.Although it is still at the end of the four lines of scholars, agriculture, industry and commerce on the table, this is the prosperous Tang Dynasty.The status of a wealthy businessman is not low.

This is also the reason why Mrs. Zou was able to successfully marry the son of the minister's mansion.

Mrs. Zou praised the old lady for her spirited spirit, and Cen Sanniang for her elegant appearance.He praised the architectural grandeur of the Duke's Mansion, and praised the exquisite and gorgeous decoration of the old lady's place.There is no doubt that the true colors of the merchant's daughter are all well-rounded.

Flower sedan chairs carry people.

Zou's mouth was full of compliments, and he made the old lady happy with festive jokes.

Mrs. Du is also very face-saving, and she laughs heartily from time to time.

Cen Sanniang saw Qiniang interjecting cleverly, while quietly winking at herself.He just gave her a look back, telling her to be calm.

Zou's reason for coming is not clear, let's postpone the matter of the little girl.

It may feel that the distance is getting closer, and the words are no longer so vivid.Mrs. Zou said with a smile: "My in-laws, you should walk around frequently. I heard that Mrs. Du's health is not very good. It happened that my father received some old ginseng, so I asked for it. I don't know how to visit Mrs. Du. , will it scratch her?"

Cen Sanniang secretly guessed that Mrs. Zhang had leukemia or something.Not to mention in ancient times, modern times are all serious diseases.At this time, there was no chemotherapy, and it was impossible to perform bone marrow transplantation, so I could only procrastinate and resign myself to fate.

Old ginseng nourishes qi and blood.As long as the Duke's mansion has money, Zhang's medicine will not be cut off from ginseng.

Hearing that Mrs. Zou was the old ginseng, Mrs. Du was also moved: "I gave such an expensive gift when I came to the door for the first time, and it would be embarrassing for the Duke's mansion to return the gift!"

Generally, when people come to the door, they will bring gift boxes of six colors and eight colors.Mostly it is a courtesy.When going back, the host will also prepare a corresponding return gift, so as not to be rude.

The old ginseng has a price but no market.After decades of age, it can be sold for a thousand taels of silver.If it is a ginseng that is rare in a hundred years, it is worth a few thousand taels of silver.

This gift from the Zou family really made the Duke's House embarrassing.

Mrs. Zou said with a smile: "The old lady's words make me ashamed of being a junior. These two ginseng are my concubine's heart. The old lady is a lady of the first rank, so I casually sent my concubine two boxes of snacks, and I was flattered I hope the old lady will accept it."

Thinking about Mrs. Zhang's illness, the old lady sighed secretly.If it was the former Duke's Mansion, how could he appreciate these two old ginseng.Now that Zhang's medication can be improved, the old lady couldn't bear to refuse.

The gift from the Zou family was too coincidental, so there must be a plan.The old lady quickly exchanged glances with Cen Sanniang.Quietly waiting for Mrs. Zou to say what she wanted.

Mrs. Du smiled and said: "Since it was your heart, I accepted it for my wife. I should have taken you to see it, but she is too weak and might be rude."

Mrs. Zou said: "It's the same when Mrs. Du's health is better in the future... Hey, why don't you see the second girl?"

Cen Sanniang was stunned.

Mrs. Du's heart skipped a beat.

Could it be that the Zou family has taken a fancy to Yan Wan?
Yan Wan is a serious girl in the Duke's Mansion.No matter how rich the Zou family is, they are also businessmen.

Mrs. Du's smile faded a little: "On weekdays, Yan Wan personally takes care of her mother. My wife can't leave her for a moment. When I have free time, I will ask her to meet Mrs. Cen."

This is the meaning of refusal.

Mrs. Zou gave a great gift, so it doesn't matter if you can't see anyone, the key is to tell your purpose of coming.

She smiled and said, "Second Miss is really filial. Third Niang is lucky to have such a young lady." She winked at Qiniang as she spoke.

Qiniang was eager to talk to Cen Sanniang alone, she stood up and blessed the old lady, and said charmingly: "Old lady, Qiniang wants to have a private conversation with third sister."

Mrs. Du also wanted to hear Mrs. Zou's explanation, so she said to Cen Sanniang: "Leave your cousin sister-in-law to accompany me, my old lady, and you sisters can talk on your own."

It was not her turn to speak about sister-in-law's marriage.Cen Sanniang got up and took Qiniang to leave.

Mrs. Du signaled Madam Yin to go out and watch, and when only she and Mrs. Zou were left in the room, Mrs. Du smiled and asked, "Young Madam Cen, feel free to say anything."

Mrs. Zou sighed, with a cloud of sadness on her face: "Forgive me, old lady. My father is well-run and well-known in Chang'an City. But no matter how rich he is, he is still a lowly businessman. The second girl is Miss of the Duke’s Mansion, the old Duke was a meritorious official who was invited into the Lingxiao Pavilion by the late emperor to be enshrined and admired by generations of incense. No matter how rich my natal family is, it is not worthy of your girl. My father has always respected and admired the old Duke, Since I married into the servant man's mansion and became relatives with Sanniang, I have been asked to say this repeatedly. Old Furen, if you blame this concubine for being rude, I will never dare to complain."

(End of this chapter)