in spring

Chapter 253 Job Hunting and Parting

Aunt Xu's appearance hasn't changed much compared to when I first met her, except that the hair on her sideburns is grayer, and the jewelry on her head is less, her expression is still calm. Quietly looked at Chun Ying, without making a sound.

Chunying kept a moderate smile, and stood very calmly two meters away in front of her, her eyes fixed on the pedals in front of her.

After a while, Aunt Xu finally said: "I heard Brother Chen said that she was the daughter of shopkeeper Lu, so I was wondering, I remember that the eldest daughter of the Lu family was married, and the second daughter was kicked out, so where is there another daughter? It turned out to be you."

Chun Ying gave a blessing and said: "Because the whole family is unemployed at home and lives in the village, they are just helping out during the busy farming season and have no serious errands. After all, it is not a long-term solution. Because I heard that the East Mansion wants to select male and female servants, Families from both prefectures are eligible for the election, so Chunying wanted to try her luck. If she is lucky enough to get a job, it will also make life easier for her family."

Aunt Xu smiled: "You're just coaxing others, but I don't believe it. I know that your old man used to manage a shop, and even if he has changed his job now, he still has a lot of savings. I'm not the head of the house, I'm just like you It's the waiter, what are you coaxing me to do?"

Chunying hurriedly laughed and said: "But it made my aunt laugh. Chunying didn't intend to coax aunt, but... my father's errands are not lucrative. Others don't know about this, but aunt doesn't know? After three years , although I have some savings, it is only enough for one or two years of expenses, and I will have to fight the famine after that. Besides, there is still a little brother in the family, so I can't think about the future."

Aunt Xu seemed a little interested in her words: "Do you have a little brother? How old are you?"

Chunying was afraid that she would transfer Xiaohu to be the fourth young master's servant, remembering that the fourth young master seemed to be only two years younger than herself, she said, "My younger brother is only five or six years old this year, and he is not sensible yet. He is mischievous all day long. I can't calm down either. The whole family is worried about him."

Aunt Xu heard that she was such a young child, so she was not interested anymore, so she seemed to say unintentionally: "You are the one who was kicked out by the wife of the Hou Mansion, how can we make good use of you in the East Mansion?"

Chunying thought, and replied with a smile: "My wife just kicked me out in a moment of anger that day, and there was another family that went with me. Now my wife has nothing to say, saying that I will deal with my family, and the other family The person has to be reused again, and he was promoted to a manager, so it can be seen that that matter has passed. Besides, the wife only said that he should be dismissed, but she didn't say that she can't go to another place to work?"

"But she didn't say that you can work elsewhere." Aunt Xu smiled, "It's not that I don't want to help, but I'm really worried that it will discredit Mrs. Hou Fu. I'm just a servant who offended the relatives of the master's family. Instead, it will make our wife ashamed."

The smile on Chunying's face remained unchanged: "My aunt's words are wrong. What kind of person is the wife of the Hou's mansion? Why would she quarrel with her own sister-in-law because of me, a little girl? Besides, the two families belonged to one family. I am the son of the Li family, and it doesn't matter which mansion I serve in. Even the wife of the Hou mansion, doesn't she say the same? I have heard others mention that the aunt wants to pick someone in the Hou mansion. I have personally said that any child born under the name of the Hou's mansion, as long as he has no duties, the aunt can ask for it. Could it be that a shrewd person like the wife would not have thought that Chunying is also a family child without duties? Since the wife has said it, it is naturally the default meaning. How can the aunt not appreciate the kindness of Mrs. Houfu?"

Aunt Xu couldn't help laughing when she heard her say that.Everyone knows that the wife of the Hou Mansion, Mrs. An, is not in charge of things now, and it is their eldest grandma who is in charge. Mrs. An's words are just polite words, and she also wants to save face with her family.Unexpectedly, this Chunying hit the snake with the stick.If she really used her, when Mrs. An finds out about it in the future, she will stop her talking, and the other party will be too embarrassed to get angry again. It's hard to admit that she was careless and negligent, right?Besides, so what if he offended Mrs. An?The reason why the Lu family was demoted has been mentioned by her grandson long ago, and even her husband sighed at home.This Chunying girl, since she was not at fault, it doesn't matter if she uses it.

Chunying looked at her face except for a three-point smile, but there was no response, but her eyes changed slightly, her heart moved, and she said with a smile: "Chunying has had the opportunity to be taught by her aunt since she was a child. Although she has not seen her for many years, she does not treat her as an outsider. Please forgive Chunying for talking too much, the aunt wants to choose girls for the second old lady, the second wife, the fourth young master, the fourth lady and the aunts, I'm afraid most of them can only choose the little girl. The owner of the second bedroom has not been in the house for many years, and suddenly picked Those who came back to the capital with the intention of returning to the capital, where can they find a familiar girl? No matter if they are from the Hou Mansion or the Dong Mansion, most of the people who need to be used have duties. It's not a long-term solution, and how many people can we borrow? It's good to buy it from outside, but you don't necessarily know the rules of a family like us, so it's better to train it yourself. However, the little girls are newcomers, so you have to teach them slowly. The master's family may not be able to teach well when they return to the mansion. On the contrary, among the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law, there may be a few people who know the rules of serving and serving. It's just that the servants in the house cannot be without girls. In the mansion, if there is someone who has no errands at that time, but knows the rules and serves well, since the wife has already spoken, you might as well choose to come here, just to fill this vacancy, even if they are older, it doesn't matter. When the little girls are trained, why don't you worry about no one to take care of you?"

Aunt Xu raised her eyes to look at Chunying, her expression moved slightly.These words touched her heart, but she still couldn't make up her mind: "Your words are also reasonable, but... how many girls like this can there be? How many of them are honest? If there is nothing wrong You won’t be dismissed from your job, so you can’t check them one by one, right?”

Chunying said with a smile: "How can we check everyone? Besides, not everyone is nearby, but choose those who know the details and live nearby to see each other. If they are good, they will help you Auntie. I think the master's family is working in other places, and there are a few maids who can be used, but after all, they are not as familiar with the names of the two prefectures and the situation in Beijing as the people in Beijing. The second wife only has a little girl by her side. Let alone the second old lady?"

Aunt Xu nodded secretly.This is what she is most worried about. In the second wife's letter, it has already been mentioned that the newly added manpower must be the best for the second old lady. Come to make people angry.She glanced at Chunying, and suddenly remembered that her grandson Muchen had mentioned that this girl wanted to serve the second old lady. I wonder if she has the ability?Then he asked: "What have you learned in the mansion over there all these years?"

Chunying hurriedly replied respectfully: "Since I was taught by my aunt that year, I was selected as an errand in the third young master's courtyard. Later, Miss Huo's Biao came and was transferred to serve in Miss Biao's courtyard for more than three years. It wasn't until Miss Biao got married that I was idle. From being a little girl on the sweeping floor, to being a helper in the small kitchen, and then to doing meticulous work in the upper room, I have done everything that can be used in the inner courtyard, and I am the most proud of it. The most important thing is cooking, female celebrities are no worse than others. I have learned arithmetic at home, and the sisters around Ms. Biao have taught me etiquette. Ms. Biao has also taught poetry and books for several years. Although I am not as talented as others, the copybook I can still read and write, and I have also copied scriptures. Besides, I don’t want you to be annoyed. Dowry, I have also seen it with my sisters." The implication is that she is both civil and military, can do all kinds of work, weddings and weddings are fine, she is a very comprehensive and excellent good girl.

Aunt Xu raised her eyebrows: "I tried your female celebrity that year..."

Chun Ying hurriedly said: "I was still young at that time, but now I do it year after year, every day, it is very different. If you don't believe me, I can show you on the spot, but I don't know what you want to do?"

Aunt Xu asked the little girl to bring an embroidery shed and some needles and threads, and ordered her to make a forehead wipe.Chunying secretly thought that this kind of thing is usually loved by middle-aged and elderly women, so she picked brown scraps, made a wider forehead, and embroidered the patterns of the Chinese character "Wanzi" and the simple version of "Five Blessings and Longevity".

Aunt Xu went out to do housework for a while, and when she came back an hour later, Chunying had already done it.She looked at it and thought it was good, so she tried it on and was very satisfied. Then she asked some details about the kitchen work. Chunying answered them one by one, and said that she could cook two dishes for her to try.She just smiled.

Next, Aunt Xu tested Chunying's service level again. First she asked her to make tea, then asked her to comb her hair, wash her hands and face, and then took a few questions about coping.After working like this for half a day, Chunying was so hungry that she was so hungry that she stopped, looked at Chunying's unchanging smile and respectful expression, nodded with satisfaction, and said: "I see you are really good." , It’s just that what I say doesn’t count, and our old lady and wife have to nod. You live in the village now, don’t you?”

Chunying responded, and said again: "My second uncle is the housekeeper at the eldest young master's house. His house is in Gouwei Alley. If you have anything to say, feel free to pass it there."

Aunt Xu nodded, and said: "Then you go back first, and I will call you when the master sends a letter stating the departure date, and you will be in the mansion within three days, and then prepare to welcome the old lady, wife, young master and miss in the mansion." I will greet them at the other end of the Hou Mansion."

Chunying breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, and was about to bend down to answer, but she heard her suddenly ask: "I almost forgot, do you know how to beat your legs?" Do you want to try, Madam?" In fact, I don't have any experience, I just helped my mother squeeze her shoulders.Fortunately, Mrs. Xu didn't go into it: "That's good, the old lady's legs are not as sharp as before, and she just likes someone to beat her in front of her."

Someone came in to answer, and Aunt Xu ordered Chunying to retreat. Chunying walked out of the second door, secretly deciding to practice massaging and kicking her legs after returning home. Suddenly, she saw a strange boy standing outside the second door, and ran away as soon as she saw her. , she was puzzled, but saw the boy leading Mu Chen to come.

While wiping his sweat, Mu Chen said, "Are you alright? I have to hurry to see Uncle Wang, hurry up." Chunying quickly followed, thanking him for the kind words he said for herself along the way, Mu Chen I don't care about it: "Please tell my sister a lot of good words in front of my tenth sister. By the way, there was a boss Lu from Weitang yesterday, urging for a sum of money owed by Jiuyue..."

Chunying was displeased, but she just got a benefit, so she had no reason to kick him immediately, so she could only respond: "I remember that Boss Lu was the most stingy, and it is extremely rare that the payment can be delayed for two or three months. Maybe it's because the Chinese New Year is coming soon. Brother Mu, why don't you prepare a gift and come to ask for it in person? He is actually very flattering, and he likes to eat auspicious fruits from Baiyuzhai in Dongsi Pailou. Erge Mu went to Baiyuzhai to buy every snack Buy a copy and give it away, he will be happy. It’s just that it has to be delayed, and it can only be delayed for the first month, and then he should turn his face.”

Mu Chen secretly calculated that two months was enough, hurriedly thanked Chun Ying, led her out excitedly, left her behind and ran away.

Chunying went to the second uncle's house, and used the old method to ask the children nearby to help spread the word, and invited Hu Fei to meet him, but Hu Fei had an appointment for dinner at night, so he could only meet in a hurry. He gave her the silk bracelet and said: "Do you remember the jade pearl I gave you that year? Put it on this bracelet and take it with you, don't lose it."

Chunying was puzzled: "What is this for?"

Hu Fei just smiled and said: "You will know this later." After saying that, he stuffed the bracelet and ran away in a hurry. Chunying chased all the way out of the courtyard, then turned around resentfully, looked at the bracelet carefully, and found that the silver thread on it was twisted into a There are small plum blossoms, which are exquisite and tight. They are obviously not valuable materials, but they are gorgeous. Where did Hu Fei get them?
The next step is to go home, study, practice, and celebrate the New Year. I don’t know if it’s because Hu Fei is about to leave. Chunying always feels that she can’t cheer up, but she doesn’t want Hu Fei to worry, so she can only force a smile. Accompany him to paste window grilles and Spring Festival couplets, decorate the house, make lanterns, set off firecrackers, make dumplings...

After the third day of the Lunar New Year, Hu Fei returned to the capital and officially set off for the south.On that day, Chunying watched him walk away, so she went back to her room and was bored for a whole day. On the second day, she began to practice pressing people's shoulders and beating their legs, until Lu's mother and Qiuyu both ran away when they saw her. Shi'er didn't show up for a few days, so he restrained himself a little.

Entering February, spring returns to the earth again.There was news from the middle of Beijing that the second room was already halfway there and was about to enter Beijing soon.

(End of this chapter)