married daughter

Chapter 330 Chapter 381~382

Seeing the third wife entering the Pine Age Hall in a hurry, Ruan Yunting was very complicated.At this moment, there seemed to be two voices talking in her heart, one was lamenting for the second prince and Xu Ningxia, who were obviously brothers and sisters, but were teased by fate because of the grievances of the previous generation; The cycle of retribution is not good, the third wife has done so many bad things, Xu Ningxia is not a kind person, and now it is really retribution.

Ruan Yunting frowned slightly, and didn't know whether she should be happy or shed tears of sympathy for them. The lotus steps lightly moved up the steps, and the big maid, Huamei smiled, pulled up the blue plain brocade plywood cotton curtain for her, softly Said: "Miss, step carefully."

Ruan Yunting nodded and smiled, and walked into the room with a short body. The hot air blowing towards her face carried a quiet lily fragrance, which made people feel happy physically and mentally.

Huamei and Chanjuan took off the cloak for her, and when they were waiting for her to take off the wooden clogs on the outside of the embroidered shoes, they heard the joyful voice of the third master from inside:
"...So Xia'er's behavior is also very good. It can be seen that the mother has trained her well, and the madam has put her heart into it."

Then came the words of the second grandmother Wang Yuanshuang: "That's right, the ancestors are used to conditioning people. All the girls in our Xu family are like spring onions. Which one is not a leader? If the girls walk in the Together, that's called a hundred flowers blooming. If you want me to say, the eighth girl has a top-notch appearance, and the ancestors and the third wife have taught them well. Now that they are studying in the university department of Fengxian Academy, they are rare talents. If it is true Isn't it a great thing for our Xu family to win glory for our Xu family?" After a pause, the speed of his speech before jumping beans turned into a soft and coquettish voice: "Old ancestor, do you think it's a good thing? ?”

Ruan Yunting had already taken care of herself at this time, walked around the Eight Immortals holding the birthday screen and walked towards the West Nuan Pavilion where the voice came from. From a distance, she saw the old lady sitting on the heated kang frowning slightly, her face sober, and the third wife also frowned. Slightly nervous.

"Old ancestor." Ruan Yunting bowed her knees and saluted when she arrived at the ground.

The old lady glanced at her, seeming to change the subject on purpose, ignored Wang Yuanshuang, and said with a smile, "Ting'er is back, go to your seventh sister's place, and I left some of the wine rice balls that were just sent by the small kitchen for you."

"Thank you, grandpa."

Ruan Yunting thanked her sweetly, walked around the armchair in the middle, went to the Eight Immortals table by the window, and sat side by side with Seventh Girl Xu Ningqiao, and they looked at each other and smiled.

Xu Ningqiao handed the delicate enamel bowl to Ruan Yunting, her long and fair fingers and the rim of the enamel bowl were shining brightly under the bright candlelight.

"Eat quickly, it will be cold later."

"Thank you, Cousin Seven." Ruan Yunting thanked her, focusing on her back.

So did Xu Ningqiao.

The old lady said: "Miss Xia is naturally good, but her temper is too pure, and she is still being taught as a good student. Now that she is in the University Department of Fengxian Academy, she should cherish the opportunity and not waste her studies. Marriage should not be rushed."

"Yes." The third master saluted respectfully. He only felt that what the old lady said was reasonable, but he didn't understand the meaning of evasion.

The old lady glanced at the third wife who breathed a sigh of relief, then turned her gaze to the second wife, "The sisters in our house are all grown up, and when they reach the age of discussing marriage, the elders and children should be orderly, and we should start with sister Qiao."

The second wife bowed and said yes respectfully.

When Xu Ning heard the words, a blush immediately appeared on her delicate face.Ruan Yunting saw it, and winked at her teasingly, Xu Ningqiao became more and more shy, and gave Ruan Yunting a coquettish look.

"I mentioned this to you earlier, after so long, have you found a good family?" The old lady asked the second wife again.

"There is just one candidate who is very suitable for our family." The second wife smiled and said: "The fourth master Ying of the Jun family is about the same age as sister Qiao. He has no family character and is the nephew of the third brother and sister. , the one who knows the basics and the bottom line, it’s good for me to see.”

Xu Ningqiao's brows were beaming with joy, and she couldn't help laughing.

The third wife was a little dissatisfied.Thinking back to the time when Jun Zhaoying rushed into the house with a big knife in his hand, scaring her so much that she peed her pants, I will cherish it for the rest of my life.Sister Qiao is the jewel in the palm of Master Xu Er, and the Xu family has such a prominent position, such a good marriage, wouldn't it be cheaper for him to give it to that bastard who has no superiors for nothing?Like him, he should be matched with an ugly monster, or a fire girl!

When the third wife held grudges, she obviously forgot the honor of her mother's family.

The old lady liked Jun Zhaoying very much, and she smiled with satisfaction when she heard the words: "What you said is that Brother Ying is now on duty, and he is still on duty at the Zhenguo Division. Lord Jun, you are right with our clever sister Qiao."

After hearing this for a while, Xu Ningqiao was already too shy to get out of the crack of the floor, stood up and flicked her sleeves, stomped her feet coquettishly, and went out with her head down.

The old lady, the second wife and the second master all smiled knowingly when they saw each other, and they could guess how much the little daughter's family was thinking.

The second wife smiled and said to the old lady: "Since the old ancestor agrees, let's find a chance to mention it to Mrs. Jun?"

"Don't worry, it's almost the New Year's Eve. When the New Year's Eve is free, both of our houses will be free, so I ask Caiyue to talk to her sister-in-law."

The second wife also nodded when she heard the words, Xu Caiyue is the wife of the second room of the Jun family, of course it would be great for her to mention it.

Xu Ningqiao has never concealed her thoughts on Jun Zhaoying, Ruan Yunting naturally knows it, now that the old lady and the second wife agree with this matter, although she has not written a word, but Ruan Yunting is also happy for Xu Ningqiao .

"Ting'er."

The old lady's soft call brought Ruan Yunting back from her thoughts.

He stood up and saluted with a smile: "Old Ancestor." The clear and lively eyes looked at the other party questioningly.

The old lady looked at Ruan Yunting, who was getting more and more eye-catching, frowned slightly, and admonished: "Seeing that the end of the year is approaching, and the academy has given a holiday, it is understandable that you want to go out to play, but now you are too old after all." Now, it’s better to be a good student and learn from female celebrities. Don’t delay your studies for other things. The most important thing is to get in touch with people. You must know how to choose and know how to control yourself.”

The person she has been in contact with the most recently is Jun Lanzhou, remembering what the third wife had said at the door just now, ridiculing her for climbing up to the envoy of the Xiwu Kingdom, Mr. Jun, who knew that was not the old lady's mind?Maybe the old lady also mentioned it on weekdays?
Ruan Yunting was full of thoughts, with a faint smile on her face, as if she didn't understand the deep meaning in the old lady's words, she said calmly: "Don't worry, old ancestor, Ting'er will not waste her studies, and will not disappoint your cultivation. , and will not lose the face of the Xu family."

Her words were sincere, but her expression was pure. The old lady couldn't figure out what Ruan Yunting was thinking, whether she understood what she was alluding to just now.

Although Jun Lanzhou is good, she had a good relationship with Ruan Yunting when she was young, and now she knows her roots well. In the early years, her identity was not the same as hers, but now she is also a senior official of Xiwu Kingdom, and the adopted son of Prince Duan.If Ruan Yunting was his regular wife, she would be considered a high-marriage.It's just that Jun Lanzhou is now from the Xiwu country, and marrying him involves the affairs of the two countries. The emperor's mind is unpredictable. Who knows if he has a good relationship with Xiwu today, will he turn his face against him tomorrow?Rather than being difficult then, it is better to decide her mind now.

But now, the meaning of Ruan Yunting's performance is unclear, and what she said is in place, and she can't go any further.

The old lady felt a little tired, especially the matter between the second prince and Xu Ningxia upset her.

"I'm tired, you all should go to rest earlier."

"Yes."

Everyone should have arrived outside, dressed properly and left Pine Age Hall after exchanging greetings.

The third wife and the master walked side by side in the secluded alley, with two servants carrying lanterns at the front and back respectively, but the bluestone road was very slippery due to the snow falling, the third master was wearing flat cotton boots, and naturally walked briskly, bringing the three together The wife gradually left behind.The servants carrying the lanterns also gradually divided into two groups.

The third wife felt cold in her heart, remembering what Chang's mother said to persuade her, she forced herself to smile, and called out: "Master, my concubine has already ordered someone to stew pigeon meat, which is the most nourishing. Would you like to go to Xinlanju?" Sit down?"

The third master waved his hands without looking back: "Madam can use it herself, I'll go to the study."

Seeing the pace of the third master speeding up, getting closer and closer, the third wife gradually stopped, her hand holding the brass hand stove unconsciously tightened, and she didn't recover until she felt it was hot.I found myself standing at the fork in the road leading to Xinlanju and East Garden, the cold wind swirled past, rolled up whitewashed snowflakes, and fell on my face, feeling chilly.

"Madam?" Biqian, the maidservant, asked anxiously.She only recently followed the third wife.

The third wife waved her hand impatiently, "Let's go."

The group of people walked forward for less than ten steps, and from a distance, they saw two maidservants in green clothes, one on the left and one on the right, walking ahead with octagonal carved lanterns, followed by a tall figure wearing a lotus-colored brocade cloak, three The wife's heart moved, and she greeted her with a smile.

"Hey, isn't this sister Qiao? It's so late, and you still go to Youdong Garden?"

Xu Ningqiao stopped and bowed her knees politely: "Third wife."

The third wife smiled and walked up to her, and said: "The night wind is cold, why doesn't Miss Qiao wear a thick cloak?" Then she reprimanded Xu Ningqiao's two maidservants: "How do you serve the master? Don't you care at all?"

Xu Ningqiao couldn't get used to the domineering appearance of the third wife, and she stretched her hand too far to control the people in her room.Without waiting for the maidservant to speak, she asked first: "I can't blame them, I am not cold. If the third wife is okay, I will go to Songling Hall first." Xu Ningqiao lives with the old lady so far.

The third wife said teasingly: "Sister Qiao is afraid that her heart is warm, so naturally she doesn't feel cold?"

Xu Ningqiao frowned: "What did the third wife say?"

"Hey. How should I say, I am also your third aunt, and I have to chatter a few more words, but it is for your own good. Brother Ying and I are of the same clan, but even if I am his aunt, I can't be partial Have a conscience toward your nephew, don’t you? He has the strength, poor knowledge, and character that doesn’t match yours. If the old lady really agrees with your marriage, I’m afraid she will wrong you.”

When the third wife said this, she looked around, lowered her voice and said, "I won't tell outsiders about this matter. Back then, he was going to kill me with a big knife. You said, he was handsome and handsome outside. Tangtang, if I don't tell you, who would know how sanctimonious he is? So sister Qiao should be careful."

Xu Ningqiao curled her lips mockingly, "Yes, I would like to thank the third wife for her kindness. But Qiaoer is curious, so I dare to ask, what medicine did the fourth young master use to kill you with a knife instead of others Woolen cloth?"

The third wife choked, her face sank.Without waiting for her to speak, Xu Ningqiao said again: "Besides, Third Wife, you have spoken too much. Although I am old, I am a girl who has not left the court after all. Don't you think it is inappropriate for you to tell me this. Besides, since ancient times Marriage is the order of the parents and the words of the matchmaker. Naturally, the old lady has the final say. What can I, a girl, do? Don't say he wants to kill you with a knife, even if he has Killing you is a murderer, and my ancestors think he wants me to marry, so I have nothing to say."

"You!" The third wife pointed at Xu Ningqiao with one hand, the words stuck in her throat.

Xu Ning gifted a blessing, and took her maid, Wang Songlingtang, to go.

The third wife stared at her tall and slender back that was fading away for a while, and then stomped her feet unwillingly: "You little bitch who doesn't know what's good or bad, you deserve it!" She spat hard again.

Ruan Yunting led Chanjuan to the path leading to the Jingsi Garden, only a few steps away from the Jingsi Garden, and suddenly saw a person standing at the door.

"Who?!" Chanjuan leaned forward holding the lantern.

I saw a figure of medium build and dressed as a woman walking quickly, and it was only when I got close that I saw that the figure was actually the most powerful mother Chang beside the third wife.

"Greetings to Miss Ruan." Mother Chang saluted respectfully.

Ruan Yunting was a little surprised.

Chang's mother has always vented her anger with the third wife. Even though the two had a slight rift last time and the third wife was a little alienated from her, Chang's mother is still loyal to the third wife.

Now that the key is about to be released, she is not born to serve in Xinlanju, so what is she doing here?
"Mother Chang, what is the third wife's order?" Ruan Yunting only thought that she was here to deliver a message.

Chang's mother bowed her head respectfully, and said: "Your maidservant is not here today by order, but I have something to say to the girl in private."

Ruan Yunting smiled, "It's cold, don't stand in the wind, mother Chang, come in and sit down."

"Thank you, miss." Chang's mother did not refuse and followed Ruan Yunting and Chanjuan respectfully to the main hall of Jingsi Garden.

When Hongdou and Chanjuan waited on Ruan Yunting to get rid of the cloak, Chang's mother stood by the door with her head bowed all the time, which was quite different from her usual demeanor.

Ruan Yunting had doubts in her heart, and then smoothed her thoughts while changing clothes, and then said: "Mother Chang, please sit down. Red beans, serve good tea."

"Yes."

"Thank you girl."

Ruan Yunting took the first seat, and Chang's mother sat halfway on her side, with her buttocks only daring to stick to the side.

Not long after, Hong Dou came in with a black lacquer tea tray, put down the blue and white tea bowls, and retreated.

Ruan Yunting picked up the tea stand with her hand, and said with a smile: "Mom, let's try it, this is my new high-quality Pu'er, it is naturally incomparable with the good tea from the third wife, but it is still easy to drink .”

Unexpectedly, as soon as Ruan Yunting finished speaking, Chang's mother hurriedly knelt down, kowtowed and said: "Miss, all the mistakes I made in the past were due to confusion, please forgive me."

Ruan Yunting narrowed her eyes slightly, then smiled, and said softly: "What did Mama Chang say, please get up quickly. You are an old man next to the third wife, how can you kneel to me?"

Chang's mother became more and more frightened, kowtowed her head several times, and choked up her dusty forehead: "At the beginning, when the girl entered school, it was the idea of ​​pouring red sugar water on your uniform... The servant always thinks of this. I feel very guilty about everything. Later, all kinds of detrimental things that the third wife did to the girl were all ordered to do. The servant girl and the girl have no enmity. Please also ask the lady to forgive the sins of the servant girl. "Chang's mother pressed her forehead to the ground again.

Ruan Yunting gently placed the blue and white tea bowl on the table.

Mother Chang is like this suddenly, could it be that the third wife has some tricks?If not, is it because Chang's mother recited the Buddha's name and discovered it with all her heart?

She doesn't need either.

"Mom, get up quickly." Ruan Yunting supported Chang's mother with both hands, and said with a smile: "There is no need to mention the past, who doesn't have a time when he can't help himself?"

Mother Chang looked at Ruan Yunting. In the candlelight, half of her face was hidden in the shadows, making it impossible for her to distinguish the truth from the fake one. "Girl, slave..."

"It's getting late. It's time for the third wife to return to Xinlanju. For your own good, I won't keep you here today. I'll invite you to drink tea another day." Ruan Yunting didn't wait for Chang's mother. After finishing speaking, he raised his voice and said, "Sister-in-law Zhao, send off Mama Chang for me."

"Yes."

Zhao Linmu's family came in, smiling and making a gesture of invitation.

Mother Chang's eyes hesitated, but in the end she followed Zhao Linmu's house helplessly.

Hongdou and Chanjuan wait for Ruan Yunting to wash and change clothes.

Hong Dou asked: "Girl, what does Chang's mother mean by what she said today? Could it be that the third wife is playing tricks and wants to shoot an undercover agent first?"

"It's hard to say." Chanjuan curled her lips and said, "When did they find the girl pleasing to the eye? The better the girl lives, the more jealous they are. The eighth girl is not as good as our girl. The third wife doesn't know how to curse us behind her back. Mother Chang used this It would be too naive to attract the girl's sympathy."

Ruan Yunting listened quietly, and blew the long oily black hair down her chest. In fact, Cai Chang's mother's attitude was sincere just now. Although she couldn't completely believe her, she couldn't say she didn't believe her either.After the third wife was beaten a while ago, Chang's mother was anxious about the master's affairs, and she was so anxious that she became ill for a long time. Since then, her temperament has changed a lot, and she is no longer as proud of people as before.

Could it be that this matter has something to do with the board of the third wife?
"girl."

A gust of cold wind came in, and Zhao Linmu's family lifted the curtain and entered the back room.

Ruan Yunting asked: "What did you hear?"

The gazes of Zhao Linmu's family met Ruan Yunting's in the polished bronze mirror, and he said with a smile: "Mother Chang may have been frightened and surrendered to the girl."

"Really?" Ruan Yunting turned around: "Why is she so frightened?"

"She said, 'She was the one who caused Concubine Wangui to fall and put one hand in the charcoal stove. I don't know how many days to live in the future'."

Ruan Yunting understood a little bit after hearing the words, and thinking about it, Chang's mother might be really scared, but it might also be another trick of the third wife.

"Don't talk nonsense about today's affairs."

"Yes, girl, don't worry."

Ruan Yunting kept the red beans from last night, and let Chanjuan and Zhao Linmu's family go down to rest.

%%%%
On New Year's Eve, except for the second master who was stationed in the north and couldn't go home, the Xu family gathered together.In the middle of the night, the emperor specially rewarded ten exquisite dishes, saying that the concubine Renxian and the noble concubine Wan were serving the holy driver and could not reunite with their families. Hereby, this gift was given to express their hearts and thoughts on behalf of the two daughters of the Xu family.

The old lady was naturally overjoyed and led others to kowtow to thank her.The whole family feels proud.

After the New Year's Eve, Ruan Yunting stayed quietly in the Jingsi Garden on the first and second day of the new year.The old lady made it clear last time, asking her to practice more needlework, not to walk around at will, and contact people she shouldn't be in contact with.Although she disapproved, she still had to give the old lady some face and not touch her nipples blatantly. After doing this, the old lady's eyes softened a lot when she looked at her.

On the third day of the new year, it was time for my aunt to return home.

Ruan Yunting arrived at Famous Residence early in the morning, and played with Luo Shimin to play with Sister Rui. After hearing the servant's report, Luo Shimin asked, "Who did the aunt bring here?"

"Going back to Fourth Grandma, the eldest aunt brought Fourth Young Master and Brother Yu."

"Go down, tell the old lady, it's cold, hurry up, I'm afraid I'll freeze Miss Rui, we'll be there later."

"Yes."

The little girl went out, and Ruan Yunting helped Luo Shimin dress the seven-month-old Rui.Luo Shimin said: "Cousin is here this time, I'm afraid the old lady will mention Miss Qiao's marriage."

"It should be so." Ruan Yunting frowned and said, "I'm not worried about them, but you. I heard that the third wife is going to find a concubine for the fourth cousin again?"

"Yeah." Luo Shimin smiled wryly, "I can't escape this encounter after all. I also thought about it, men are greedy cats, how can they not eat fish? Since he likes it, I just let him go. My heart. The fourth master is well-read in poetry and books, so he naturally likes talented women. The smoke my mother-in-law sent this time is certainly a stunning beauty, but she has never read books, and her taste is not good. Help me find a talented and beautiful woman outside."

"You want to give fourth cousin another concubine?"

"Exactly, if this kind of thing is done by my mother-in-law, it will inevitably make people think I am jealous, and concubines are not allowed. There must be left and right. Why don't I choose people myself, and I must have talented and beautiful people by my side. The fourth master can't look down on those idiot beauties who only have looks. I just want to let those little hooves know that if they want to serve the fourth master, it depends on whether I, the fourth grandma, allow it. Otherwise, I have ten thousand way to bring them out of favor."

As Luo Shimin was talking, she gently put on the little tiger's cotton hat for Sister Rui with her hands.The child was giggling, and stretched out his small hands to play with Luo Shimin's long hair hanging on his chest.

Ruan Yunting looked at Luo Shimin and Sister Rui, and suddenly felt sad.

What about being a regular wife?Instead of seeing her husband being with other women and knowing how to be a man, she also had to personally select women one by one and send them to her husband's bed.Could it be that in ancient times, it was really impossible to expect a relationship between two people for a lifetime?

(End of this chapter)