The Concubine's Survival Manual

Chapter 13

She was right in guessing, for the next period of time, Fourth Aunt was indeed often taken by the Elder Master to visit outside.

Mother Wang looked down on her frivolous behavior, and often complained to Li Chun that Si Yiniang's behavior was so unreasonable, and the eldest wife's face would inevitably be damaged.

No one thought about the marriage of the third lady. The second wife and the fourth aunt had never been close or had any contact. During this period, when the second wife sent some seasonal fruits to the Yang family, the fourth aunt also sent someone to Go back with some viburnum.

Qin Niangzi saw it in her eyes and remained calm.

This month everyone was very quiet, nothing went wrong, the third lady seemed to have forgotten the quarrel with the seventh lady, and when she saw her, she was still the affectionate and talkative seventh sister.

Soon it will be May, starting from Duanyang Day, every morning when she wakes up, Bailu will bring realgar wine and draw the Chinese characters for king on the forehead for Qiniangzi.Li Xia has been wearing long-lived strands when she is free recently. Not only did she make exquisite five-color strands for Qiniangzi to hang on her arms, but she also hung them on the bedside and beside the bed, to bless her with a long life.After discussing with Lichun, Mrs. Wang smoked wormwood and Artemisia annua every day from Duanyang, so that the smell of wormwood inside and outside the house was strong and not lacking in fragrance.

Six Lady sent two sachets to the West Side Courtyard, one for Brother Nine and one for Seventh Lady, "I made these two with all my heart, don't hold them back!"

Ninth Brother and Seventh Lady had just finished their meal, and they were sitting in the main room chatting, talking about things in Jiuge's school, when they saw Sixth Lady coming, they both stood up and said hello, and when they heard her say that, they both said, "Thank you Sixth sister's kindness."

The sachet sent by Liu Niangzi was really exquisite. It contained peace charms, money and realgar powder. The one for Brother Nine was embroidered with a monkey climbing a tree, and the one for Seventh Lady was embroidered with a tiger snoozing. They are all cute and humorous patterns. , the embroidery is exquisite and vivid, both of them like it very much, and they can't stop looking at it over and over again.

Ninth brother discussed with Seventh Lady, "What kind of gift should I give back to Sixth Sister? Sixth Sister is so skillful, I don't know what to give."

Seeing his sensible appearance, Qin Niangzi felt a little sour in her heart. Regardless of Lichun watching, she patted his head and said with a smile, "I can give you anything, just as a good intention."

Brother Jiu was very angry, holding his head and shouting, "Don't touch my head, I'm not a child anymore!"

Lichun and Bailu laughed so hard that even Lixia in the east room and Xiaoxue in the west room laughed.

Qin Niangzi smiled and replied, "Well, I'm not a child anymore, Brother Nine is an adult now."

"That's right." Brother Jiu puffed up his chest, very proud, "I'm a man now, from now on, it's my turn to touch your heads."

Seventh Lady smiled and wanted to say something else, when she saw Shuang Jiang enter the West Side Courtyard.

The laughter of several people stopped.

What was Si Yiniang sending someone to the West Side Courtyard at this time, and at noon, Mother Wang was not in the West Side Courtyard either.

Lichun went down the steps, went to Shuangjiang's side and asked in a low voice.

Shuangjiang and Lichun spoke a few words in a low voice, and Lichun looked back at Qiniangzi in surprise.

Seventh Lady frowned.

Unexpectedly, I remembered the scene where Jubaxian and Shuangjiang met unexpectedly.

Ninth Brother gave Qiniangzi a questioning look with some unease.

Apart from being lively and lively, his eyes are always a little melancholy, black and angry, like two small gemstones, bright and mysterious, making it hard for people to guess his thoughts.

Qin Niangzi saw the concern contained in it.

Her heart warmed, she smiled and shook her head at Brother Jiu, signaling him to rest assured.

Li Chun walked into the house and whispered in Qiniangzi's ear, "Mrs. Feng's family is here, waiting outside the side door..."

Aunt Jiu's maiden name is Feng.

#
Jiu Yiniang's parents and younger brother have both passed away for several years, and her family background was not considered good, otherwise Jiu Yiniang would not be needed as a embroiderer to supplement the family income.

The ones still alive today are Jiu Yiniang's younger siblings, who brought a pair of children and earn a living through embroidery. In the past, they never spoke to the Yang family until two or three years after Brother Jiu was born, Mrs. Feng His eyesight was failing, and he couldn't embroider any more, so he had no choice but to bear the shame and enter the Yang family's door.

At that time, Jiu Yiniang was still in the northwest, and the eldest wife never shorted them. Every year in the twelfth lunar month, she would always give 20 taels of silver and send some medium cloth to send them away. Last year in the twelfth lunar month, Li Xia made great inquiries The wife also gave an extra pair of gold bracelets.

Auntie's family members are not serious relatives of the Yang family, every time Mrs. Feng came to the door, she would ask someone to come in through the back door to inform the main courtyard.Sometimes the eldest wife is too lazy to see her, so she asks someone to send things out, and gives them at the gate, without even leaving a sip of tea.

However, now that the eldest wife is not at home, and the fourth aunt is in charge of the aunts, it is only natural that the woman on the second door returns to the fourth aunt, there is nothing to worry about.Si Yiniang sent Shuang Jiang to tell Qin Niangzi, and it was right. When the Feng family came, they always wanted to talk to Qin Niangzi.

Why did you come here again at the Dragon Boat Festival?Could it be that something happened at home?
Seventh Lady couldn't sit still anymore, she looked at Brother Nine who was curious, and winked at him.

Brother Nine stood up and yawned, and went into Xili's room.

Only then did Qiniangzi let Shuangjiang go up the steps and enter the threshold, and asked in a low voice, "What's the matter?"

A trace of disdain flashed in Shuang Jiang's eyes.

Although the fourth aunt is a concubine, her natal family is considered well-off. Over the years, the elder and them have been walking around frequently, and every time they come to the door, they always come as guests of the elder's grandfather's house. What is the guest seat.

Where is he sneaking around like the Feng family, coming to the back door to ask someone to report?

"It's nothing else." She answered very modestly.

Qin Niangzi blushed: nothing else, just came to ask for money.

She had never seen Mrs. Feng, and Jiu Yiniang hadn't seen any relatives for many years. Last year, Li Xia secretly went to the back door to meet Mrs. Feng, and sent Jiu Yiniang some greetings.

Now that Mama Wang is not around, she has no choice but to use her private house.Seventh Lady was a little frustrated, but she didn't care about the money: Mother Wang found out, and turned around to learn from the eldest wife, and the eldest wife felt that her heart was for Jiu Yiniang's natal family, and she didn't kiss her anymore.She has just arrived in the main courtyard, how can she bear such a toss?
"Fourth Yiniang asked, would Seventh Lady want to see Mrs. Feng?" Shuang Jiang's tone was very disapproving.

Qin Niangzi bit her lip and looked at Li Chun questioningly.

Lichun has something to ask of himself, and this matter should not be a hindrance.

"I'll stay with Seventh Lady!" Li Chun said with a smile, "Mother Wang and Mrs. Wang asked about it later, so I might have an answer."

Qin Niangzi gave Lichun a grateful look, called Lixia to her side, gave some instructions, and then entered the room, changing into bright clothes for meeting guests.

"Why bother?" Shuang Jiang and Li Chun walked far away in front of the corridor, curled their lips and discussed with Li Chun, but the voice was loud enough for Qin Niangzi to hear, "Just press the clothes on Mrs. Feng, and our third-class maids go out, and everyone Hold it tight!"

Seventh Lady felt that if she was not a family, if she really didn't want to enter a family, what Shuangjiang said was similar to what Third Lady said?
Fourth Yiniang was still very considerate, even though she didn't show up in person, she still led Mrs. Feng to the Yu Rong Garden at the side door for guests.

Yurong Garden has three entrances, it is very spacious, and it has been taken care of by people throughout the year to prepare for emergencies. Now it is the season of peonies and peonies, and a clump of peonies in the courtyard is in full bloom.

There was a mother and son standing in the yard, both wearing green cloth clothes, but fortunately there were no patches on them, Mrs. Feng's hair was gray, her eyes were slightly squinted, and there were deep crow's feet around her eyes.The boy standing beside her was about twelve or thirteen years old.

This young man looks somewhat similar to Brother Nine, but he is much more beautiful than Brother Nine.

Although he was dressed in shabby clothes, his skin was as white as the finest suet jade.

About to hear someone coming, the boy turned around slightly.

Qin Niangzi met his eyes and couldn't help but froze.

Those eyes were black and bright, as bright as stars.Against the white jade-like face, it is indescribably beautiful.

Seventh Lady never knew that a person could look so good-looking.

This young man just stood here casually, even though he was dressed in rough clothes and looked cautious, he already compared the beautiful peony flowers to the soil.

A little spring appeared on the faces of several girls at the same time.

#
Qin Niangzi stopped at the gate of Yu Rongyuan, and winked at Bai Lu with a smile.

Bai Lu stepped forward to pull Shuang Jiang, and began to praise the clothes she was wearing, and the compliments burst out like a cannonball.

Lichun smiled knowingly, stopped at the door, sang with Bailu, and praised Shuangjiang.

Qin Niangzi brought Li Xia into Yu Rong Yuan.

Mrs. Feng knew that it was Jiu Yiniang's daughter who had come - she recognized Li Xia.

We are about to salute.

Seventh Lady took a few steps forward, supported her, and said softly but hastily, "Don't do this."

She looked back at Shuangjiang and Lichun, "Let's talk in the corridor!"

They can enter the mansion only when the eldest wife is not there, but they are not serious guests after all, and no one brings tea and water. Yu Rongyuan is empty, there are no other maids who just talk.

Mrs. Feng opened her misty eyes, looked at Seventh Lady several times from top to bottom, and from bottom to top before wiping away her tears, "It's very similar to Jiu Yiniang!"

Seven Niangzi and Nine Brothers are actually not like their parents.

Seventh Lady pursed her lips and smiled, and saluted Mrs. Feng, "I've seen you."

Speaking of being aunt, she can't be called aunt, nor is she a serious guest, nor is she a servant of the family, so she had to call her vaguely.

Mrs. Feng hurriedly returned the salute. Although she was dressed in shabby clothes, she behaved well, and it was obvious that she had been strictly brought up.

"Gunzi Feng Jin." She wiped away her tears and introduced.

Seven Lady glanced at him, Feng Jin looked a little embarrassed, but it didn't make his beauty fade away.

"Brother Feng." She saluted, and Feng Jin returned the salute, pursing his lips, as if he were licking the petals of a peach blossom that just fell in spring, he didn't speak, but just looked at Qin Niangzi quietly.

There was a gloomy pain in his eyes, making his beauty like the deep night sky, with a faint depression.

"It's a big festival, and I couldn't send someone to greet me. It's my fault." Seventh Lady apologized first, "My wife is out now, not at home, and Mama Wang, who is in charge, is not here, so I can sneak out to meet each other, but Also neglected."

Mrs. Feng could not help but look bitter when she heard the string song, but she still maintained her politeness, "If it's inconvenient to meet you, go back quickly, don't get left behind in front of your wife, right?"

Qin Niangzi understood that Mrs. Feng's taboos towards the eldest wife were crystal clear.

"Although it hasn't been long since I entered the main courtyard, I still have some spare cash on hand!" She winked at Li Xia, and Li Xia took out a small box from her arms, "Is there something wrong at home? I can help, just say it."

Give the money first, and then ask questions, so Mrs. Feng can open her mouth and show that she really cares.

Mrs. Feng blushed, and motioned for Feng Jin to take over the brand-new camphor wood box, "It's not...it's a happy event." She tugged at Feng Jin coyly, "This child was doing odd jobs while studying at the private school. Studying, this year's spring exam, somehow, he got into Tongsheng."

In Daqin’s imperial examination system, after passing the county and government examinations, one is a child student, and after passing the court examination, one can be called a scholar. You can get two taels of silver a month, and you can be exempted from taxes on a few acres of land. Among the neighbors, It's also a character.

"Congratulations! Brother Feng this year——" Seventh Lady is very happy. She usually hears from her servants that she also knows that Master Yang is a 13-year-old middle school student and a 14-year-old middle school scholar. At that time, he was regarded as a child prodigy. , that is, the size of twelve or thirteen years old.

"13 years old." Feng Jin replied calmly.

His voice is also very pleasant, slow and quiet, refreshing, like the ding-dong sound of spring water in the mountains.

It's somewhat similar to Brother Nine.

Judging from his tone and demeanor, Feng Jin has gradually relaxed.

"Good thing!" Seventh Lady cheered up and understood why Mrs. Feng came to the door again.

Feng Jin may usually be studying while doing some odd jobs, and relying on the needlework of another daughter of the Feng family to maintain the family.

Now that he has been admitted to Tongsheng, and he is still young, Mrs. Feng naturally wants him to go further, at least to get a reputation as a scholar.

Then the expenses for the past six months must have become a problem... There is no other way, so I came to the door with shame.

She took Mrs. Lafon's hand, helped her to walk a few steps deeper into the corridor, and said in a low voice, "There are 30 taels of silver in the box, take it back, name the Yang family, buy a few Mu of land, one year's production is enough for the whole family to eat. If there is any surplus, I will buy a little girl to help you do something."

The Feng family has no parents, so it's easy to be deceived by a first-class rogue... It's not at ease to spend money.

But it's different when the Yang family's name is slapped. No one in Jiangnan dares to lose face to the Yang family.

Mrs. Feng was very grateful, and thanked Mrs. Seven repeatedly, "Enough is enough, Mrs.... I only give ten taels a year. I also wanted to buy some land, but I can't save money. With these 30 taels, You can also buy ten acres of land, hire two people, and still have a surplus until after autumn!"

Seventh Lady smiled.

Ordinary people hold 30 taels in their hands, and maybe they can only buy ten acres of land.

It shouldn't be difficult to buy fifteen acres of good land under the name of the Yang family.

Although she hadn't been outside, but in Yangjia Village, Qin Niangzi knew a lot about the society outside.

She thought for a while, and then said tactfully, "If it's not enough... you can go to the courtyard at the back and find Li Xia's mother-in-law, Mrs. Li, and ask her to bring me a message... Don't come to the door in person, and bring Brother Feng! In the end It's Tongsheng, so we can't let him suffer like this."

Although she had never met Mrs. Feng, Yiniang Jiu was her mother, and Mrs. Feng was her aunt. She felt uncomfortable even when she was half-blind and humbly asked Ann for money.

Mrs. Feng was very grateful for the first sentence of Qin Niangzi, but she didn't take the latter sentence seriously, "You can't spoil him, let him know the pain of asking for help, so that he knows how to cherish money... My son must be raised cheaply."

The same is an only child, the ninth elder brother is rich in gold and jade, rich in clothes and fine food, but Feng Jin wants to come to the house with his mother to fight the autumn wind. To Mrs. Feng's hand, "This is for you... Jiu Yiniang still thought about you before she died. If Brother Feng can really be admitted to the scholar, and she can settle down and start a career, she can feel at ease in the underground."

Mrs. Feng wiped away her tears again, "My sister-in-law's life is bitter, my sister's life is bitter."

Seventh Lady had to go to an embroidery class in the afternoon, so she couldn't stay too long, so she brought her back to Feng Jin while talking to Mrs. Feng.

"Brother Feng, I wish you success in your exams." She said to Feng Jin with a smile.

Feng Jin's eyes are very similar to Brother Nine's, they are sparkling black gemstones, shimmering mysteriously, sparkling and moving.

It's just that Qiniangzi can see through Brother Nine's emotions, but she can't see through Feng Jin's thoughts.

Feng Jin nodded to Seventh Lady, and bowed deeply again.

Although he only said a few words, he was not rude.

Maybe a good-looking person like Feng Jin, no matter what he does, won't make people feel wrong.

"Seventh Lady." Li Chun called out with a smile at the door, "It's time for class."

Mama Wang is going back to the West Side Hospital soon.

Qin Niangzi was a little flustered: she didn't want Madam Wang to know about it in a short time.

"Take care of yourself!" She hurriedly told Li Xia, "It's best to send Mrs. Feng and Young Master Feng outside, and then go to your house to have a look. Let you take half a day off." In front of you, it's easy to reveal your bottom line. "I'm going back now, in case I'm late, and..."

In front of Mrs. Feng, she didn't want to talk too much about the Yang family, so she kept her mouth shut, smiled at Mrs. Feng, and walked out of Yu Rongyuan.

Shuang Jiang, Li Chun and Bai Lu surrounded her and walked back together.

Seventh Lady walked a long way, and when she looked back, Feng Jin happened to look back at her too.

The eyes of the two met, and at that moment, Qin Niangzi's eyes seemed to be stung by Feng Jin's beauty.

(End of this chapter)