in spring

Chapter 274 The Invisible Confrontation
After being stunned for a while, Zhuo smiled in surprise: "Where did the mother hear the news? The daughter-in-law only knows that the girl from the Fan family is likely to marry into the palace. Recently her uncle is busy tidying up the house. She took her out of the Hou's mansion, but she has never heard of... what does she have to do with Brother You."

The second old lady said: "Yesterday, some old family members came to greet me. During the chat, it was said that it was spread all over the Xifu. The daughter of the Fan family has long been interested in Brother You, and Brother You is also very fond of her." Admiration. Although I wondered, the two of them usually can't see any traces, and they don't seem to be in love with each other, but when I think of the appearance of the daughter of the Fan family, and the lovable energy, I don't think it's unusual .It’s just that both of them are of great family background, abide by etiquette, and never forget their sense of propriety, so others can’t see it.”

Since you can't see it, how did it spread to everyone in the family?Chunying just felt that something was wrong, and said: "I have never heard of such a thing. When I was in that mansion, the third young master was not very close to Miss Fan. If it is said that he abides by etiquette...he was much more kind to Miss Huo's Biao. ..." Suddenly felt that it was inappropriate to say so, and immediately added, "Everything that the second and third misses have, Miss Huo's cousin will definitely have a share, and she is also very elder brother in front of the old lady, but he is right Miss Fan has always been polite."

The second old lady smiled and said: "It's not surprising, he and the girl of the Huo family are cousins, so they are naturally closer than Miss Fan. But according to what you say, this news is a bit weird." She turned to her daughter-in-law: "If there is such a This kind of rumor, you should also inquire about it, what is going on, you are in charge of the affairs of the mansion now, if there are any bad rumors that are known to the outside, you will also lose face, your sister-in-law, you should say it all the more You can't take care of the house."

Mrs. Zhuo hurriedly responded, and felt that she was ignorant of such rumors, and she was really remiss. Even if she ordered them to ask someone to inquire, who was spreading such rumors, and why? Passed out.

After inquiring for a few days, the news reported back became more and more strange.It turns out that the so-called "everyone in the house knows it" was discounted. At first, only a few wives spread it. Later, it was spread to ten, ten to a hundred. The gossip that only circulated in the inner court also has a tendency to spread to the outer court, and in the process of spreading, some so-called corroborating evidence or witnesses have been added, for example, seeing Miss Fan give things to the third young master with her own eyes, and she still had a smile on her face when she spoke. or the third young master ordered someone to send newly bloomed roses to Miss Fan's room; there was also a saying that the third young master flirted with Miss Fan when he went to pay his respects to the old lady; The young master and Miss Fan's close maid delivered letters for them, back and forth four or five times a day...the words were clear and sharp, but many people seemed to have a tacit understanding, no one would tell the first and second class girls with dignity, I didn't let the stewardesses hear it, they only gossiped in private, so the masters didn't know anything about it, and even the housekeepers had to wait a few days before they vaguely heard the wind, and by this time the news had already spread to the back street up.

After listening to the reports from the subordinates, Zhuo immediately asked someone to inquire, and it turned out that these so-called evidences were true, but the truth was quite different from the rumors.

Miss Fan sent something to the third young master, but she actually dropped by for the second young lady. No one can remember whether she blushed at that time; They all got a copy, so naturally it is impossible to miss Miss Fan who is a guest; the third young master went to the old lady's place to say hello, and sometimes met Miss Fan, but the two of them were always well-behaved, and the latter would get up and avoid them. No one can tell whether people are flirting or not; two of the maids in the third young master's courtyard are close to the railings next to Miss Fan, so they often come and go. It's an errand to send things or pass on messages, so as not to be called lazy by the host, so they often have things in their hands, but if these things are love letters from Li You and Fan Xiru, how will others know?

Zhuo's vigilance became more and more vigilant. These rumors are actually three parts true, but five parts false, and two "heard" points are added. Who spread these words?
At this time, another news came. The princess of Wen County Prince's Mansion celebrated her birthday. The Fan family's uncle and nephew gave a generous gift and even visited the house to celebrate her birthday. However, there is only one thing that was specifically ordered by the princess of the county, and it was given to Miss Fan alone, but it was a pair of jade bracelets, which were said to be the dowry of the princess of the county.The amount of this gift was not ordinary, so it was sent to Miss Fan's yard. That night, her girl publicized the precious beauty of the bracelet and the princess's love for their lady.

Prince Wen's Mansion has always kept a low profile, but because the male master went abroad not long ago, it became popular in Beijing.There are three sons in his family. The eldest son and the eldest son have already made a marriage agreement. The woman is the granddaughter of an old Hanlin who has become an official. Man, not yet married.People quickly contacted the young prince from the pair of bracelets, and all guessed that this should be the one the Fan family wanted to marry.

Zhuo heard another story from the old lady in the Hou's mansion. It is said that Princess Wen liked Fan Xiru very much. People around her suggested that she recognize her as a goddaughter, but she did not respond.

Fan Xiru, a girl from a prominent family, has a good reputation and is very popular. Why doesn't the princess of the county want to admit her as her daughter?Naturally, she planned to marry home and be her daughter-in-law.

This rumor quickly overwhelmed the scandal between Miss Fan and the third young master, and once again became the gossip headlines in the Hou Mansion.Zhuo breathed a sigh of relief, beat up the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the Hou Mansion, ordered them not to talk about the guests in private, and then went home and reported everything to the second old lady.

The second old lady frowned and said: "This is not a good thing. If rumors about the daughter of the Fan family and Brother You spread to the Prince Wen's mansion, the marriage may not be possible. Although the Fan family has no foundation in Beijing, it is a family of officials and officials. The father of the daughter of the Fan family is still a local official. The two families are relatives by marriage and have always been close, so don't let the two families form an enmity because of this incident."

Zhuo said hurriedly: "My daughter-in-law has already sent a message, ordering the servants not to spread any more nonsense, and even our house has issued a ban!"

The second old lady nodded slightly: "I'm afraid there are people who are behind the scenes, so don't take it lightly." Mrs. Zhuo agreed, but she was a little embarrassed: "The daughter-in-law is not the mistress of the West Mansion, I'm afraid she may not be able to suppress those people. "

Chunying stood by and cautiously interjected: "Although the wife is not the wife of the Hou family, this matter affects the reputation of the third young master and Miss Fan. If something happens, they belong to the same clan. Our family is more or less going to influenced."

The second old lady hurriedly said: "That makes sense. Don't ruin the reputation of Brother Dun and Yajun for the matter of Xifu! Brother Dun has also reached the age of marriage, and the reputation of a girl is even more important. Don't worry about it." It makes people think that the Li family's door is not strict, which makes such things happen to the guests."

Zhuo stood up and responded solemnly, before mentioning other things: "Brother Dun's yard has been tidied up, when will mother be free, will you go and have a look? There is also a new girl in his yard who also wants mother It's good to have a look at it. Yajun is young, so he may not be able to handle things properly."

"Yajun's work is not bad. If it's really inappropriate, you mother should pay more attention." Although the second old lady said so, she still took the girls to look around and inspected the girls herself. .Although the fourth young master had a few good girls around him, they were all second-class, so the second old lady decided to pick one from the people around her, and lead the others to serve her grandson and take care of the housework, which made her feel more at ease than others.

Chunying naturally wouldn't go into this muddy water, Qiuyan was also very indifferent, only Bai Ling and Cui Ling were a little moved, and the latter was the most active. In the end, Cui Ling won and became the first class in the fourth young master's courtyard. The big girl in charge.She also managed to persuade the second old lady, and brought a woman and a little girl from Songyiyuan there.

Chunying watched with cold eyes, noticing the hint of ambition in Cui Ling's eyes under the quiet and docile appearance.She couldn't help but secretly sneered, she wasn't worried that Cui Ling would cause a storm in the Fourth Young Master's yard at all.There is nothing wrong with being a girl who wants to climb up, but the method must be chosen correctly.There is a shrewd and powerful mistress in the East Mansion, and the second old lady is not just for nothing.If Cuiling is honest, she may not be unable to fulfill her wish in the future, but if she foolishly wants to take a shortcut, the second wife will be the first to spare her!
People like the second wife seem to be very virtuous and kind on the surface, but they are actually quite resourceful. For example, although the number of concubines next to the second master is not many, there are several, but none of them can give birth to children, except for the concubines given by the second old lady. The magpie is still considered a favorite, and the other concubines are just invisible people.The flower narcissus sent by the general's mansion made a mistake last time, so she was ordered to stay in her room to reflect, and has not appeared in the sight of everyone until today, and the few servants she brought were all ordered The boy came and took it away.In the future, let this Narcissus girl make trouble again, and without helpers, nothing can happen. If she falls ill because of being angry, she might disappear from then on.

The virtuous and kind second wife has all the means she should have. Don't think she can do anything under her nose!
Chunying calmly watched Bailing propose to the second old lady to pick one of the second-class girls to fill Cuiling's deficiency, with a slight smile on her face.What will happen to Cuiling in the future, for her who will leave sooner or later, it is just a floating cloud!
The East Mansion was preparing for the relocation of the fourth young master Li Dun, but the third young master Li You suddenly came to the door, saying that he came to congratulate his younger brother on his housewarming, and specially presented him with a pair of precious four treasures of the study and two decorations.Li Dun was originally annoyed that he did not respect his grandmother's maids, but after so long, it was not a big deal, so he forgot about it, and saw that his brother was very polite today, respecting his grandmother, and being very polite to the maids, Then he calmed down and talked to him affectionately.

Li You has lived alone in a small courtyard for many years and has rich experience. Dang even taught him many tips, such as how to arrange the furniture, what flowers to put in the season, which position is the most suitable for reading and writing, etc. The maids explained all the methods of dispute, and Li Dun's eyes widened when he heard it.These things used to be taken care of by his grandmother, mother and younger sister. How did he know this?At the moment, he was a little apprehensive, wondering if he could manage his subordinates well, and he was relieved when he remembered that his grandmother's eldest girl was working in front of him.

Li You disagreed with his idea: "If you are used to someone since you were a child, just leave it to her. Since this girl was recently given by your uncle and grandparents, and she is too old, she may not be able to serve you for a long time. She alone will not be enough." It’s better to let the people around you experience more.”

Li Dun became more and more convinced of his elder brother, and the two cousins ​​talked, from tidying up the new house to the study, from the study to the homework they learned recently, and from the homework they learned recently to the situation of studying at the teacher's house.Li Dun didn't come to study every day, and he was not the only one who attended classes on weekdays. In Xueshi Liu's family, there was never a shortage of young people who were appreciated by him. Li Dun, who was born, didn't think much of him, which made him very worried.

When Li You asked for the specific names, he told his younger brother about the origins, origins, and dispositions of these young students like a few treasures. He chose three people who could be friends and told his brother, and taught him how to make friends with them. Seeing Li Dun nodding and nodding non-stop, he was secretly proud, and sighed again: "My brother is not so lucky. I can ask Xueshi Liu for advice. I am very envious of my brother, but I didn't expect that your situation there is so pitiful. It's a pity. You don't have a companion to read, otherwise you would have a companion when you were in school, and it wouldn't be so boring."

Li Dun disagreed: "In the teacher's house, those who have no real talents dare not show their shame in front of him. It is a place for real learning. How can it be boring? The so-called companions are just servants who help grind ink, memorize Carrying schoolbags, talking and laughing occasionally, I still think he is noisy. What's more, if the teacher sees that I have to be attended to even a little thing, maybe he will be angry."

"I'm not referring to the kind of rough servants, listen to me..." Li You sat upright, and was about to sell his friend who was outstanding in learning, but his words were interrupted by someone outside the door.

Chunying cursed bad luck in her heart, but her face was respectful and cautious, she saluted Li You and Li Dun brothers, and said with a smile: "The old lady said that the two young masters have been talking for so long, and it's time for her to rest. Good tea and snacks are served, please come over and have a taste, young masters."

Li Dun hurriedly replied, "We'll go right away. Thank you, sister, for inviting me." Li You, who was sitting opposite him, darkened slightly and turned to stare at Chunying with annoyance in his eyes. Han, I was even more unhappy: I didn't want to come, but the second old lady said, what can I do?Do you think I want to see you? !

(End of this chapter)