in spring

Chapter 277
The Hai family came from the eldest nephew of the second old lady's natal family, and brought the eldest daughter and a group of male and female servants. There were fifteen or six people in the group, including people and luggage, and they hired four or five cars from the pier to finish pulling them.

After Mr. Hai entered the mansion, he brought his daughter to visit his aunt first. With the support of Chunying Qiuyan, the second old lady rushed to the second gate tremblingly to meet her.Master Hai choked with sobs and knelt down: "Since the imperial examination 11 years ago, my nephew returned to his hometown, and then my aunt went to the north. Four years ago, my nephew went to the capital, but my aunt went to the south again. I just met again today. Now my nephew has gray hair, but luckily my aunt is still healthy..."

The second old lady only felt that thousands of words came to her throat, but she still chose the one she wanted to ask the most: "I'm fine, how are your parents?"

"My nephew told my aunt that my parents are well. Before leaving for Beijing, my father specially asked my nephew to bring a lot of scenery from my hometown. My aunt will play with it in her free time, and she will treat it as seeing her family. Tonight, my nephew My son ordered someone to send a letter home to let the parents know that my aunt is well, so that the two elders can feel at ease."

The second old lady nodded with tears in her eyes: "Okay, okay..."

Everyone in the room lowered their heads and wiped their tears. Only Chunying saw the second old lady's throat trembling frequently and her hands trembling slightly. She knew that she must be very excited to see her natal relatives after many years, and worried that she would make some mistakes when she was old. , hurriedly persuaded softly: "Old lady, meeting relatives is a happy event, why are you crying? You should be happy. The guests must be very tired, why don't you go back to the room and sit down and talk about it?"

This reminded Mrs. Zhuo, and she hurried over to support her mother-in-law: "Yes, mother, let's go back to the house and sit down and talk about it, so that my cousin, father and daughter can take a break." The second old lady wiped the corners of her eyes lightly with a handkerchief. , Said: "I am happy in my heart, but you are here to spoil the fun!"

The young girl standing behind Master Hai persuaded him softly: "Father, my aunt is old..."

Hearing this, Master Hai looked up at the second old lady, and bowed down again: "It was supposed to be my nephew who went to visit my aunt, but Aunt Lao came to welcome me and killed my nephew. Please let my aunt go back to the inner room and wait for my nephew to take care of the family. Tell me everything in detail."

Only then did the second old lady help the maids to go back, and when they arrived at the main room of Songyi Courtyard, Master Hai brought his daughter to meet again formally, and ordered his daughter to meet his aunt and cousins.

Originally he was a man, so he should not have entered the inner courtyard, but he was the nephew of the second old lady, we hadn't seen each other for many years, and the master of the East Mansion was not there, so he stayed in the main room to talk with the second old lady in order to appease the second old lady.Zhuo Shi had sent a letter to Xueshi Liu's mansion earlier, called the Fourth Young Master back, and asked him to sit with Master Hai.

Perhaps the second old lady was too excited just now, and felt that her forehead was a little protruding, and she didn't want to delay her conversation with her nephew, so she didn't say anything.Chunying sensed that something was wrong, so she quickly told Zhuo Shi quietly and asked her to invite a doctor just in case.Zhuo was startled, and hurriedly sent someone to go, and secretly ordered someone to invite Mrs. Xu over.Aunt Xu is older and has experienced many things. If there is no doctor present, she can handle it better.Chun Ying quickly asked the other girls to pour calming tea, and persuaded the second old lady to drink a few sips, so that the old man would feel better.

The second old lady began to inquire about the daily life of her natal family, and was relieved to learn that her younger siblings were in good health and living happily.Master Hai introduced his situation again.

It turned out that since he was admitted to Jinshi that year, but he was not admitted to Shujishi and was not really short on wheels, so he returned to his hometown to wait for an official.But not long after, his wife gave birth to her second child, but her vitality was seriously injured due to dystocia, and she has been bedridden since then. Then his parents also fell ill one after another. Although it was not life-threatening, it dragged on for a while.In order to take care of his family, he missed several opportunities to get an official.After the daughter turned ten years old, she took care of her younger brother while taking over the housework. She was taught by her grandmother and mother, and she gradually got used to it.Four years ago, his parents were in good health and his wife's condition was improving. He originally planned to try again. After all, he had passed the Jinshi examination but he hadn't found a real shortage. He also lacked confidence in his hometown. It's a pity that he was confused that time. At first, his friend told him that he was missing the wheel, but someone else got it. In desperation, he had no choice but to go home.This spring, his wife changed to a doctor, and her health has improved, and she can even take charge of housework again. He received a letter from a friend, and hurriedly brought his daughter over.

Master Hai was a little ashamed and said: "Four years ago, the family said that it must be because my nephew didn't take care of it, so this time I must bring my daughter with me. With this child to remind me, maybe I can save a lot of money." Make some mistakes."

Everyone couldn't help looking at Miss Hai, looking at the delicate, elegant, dignified and silent girl, they didn't expect to have such great ability.Miss Hai noticed that everyone was looking at her, she was neither angry nor shy, she just sat there quietly with her head bowed, as if she didn't notice anything.

The second old lady sighed: "What's the matter? A few years ago, our family was not in Beijing, so we can't help, but this year we have returned to Beijing, so we have to take care of it for you, even if we leave it to us."

Master Hai hurriedly said: "No way! Auntie doesn't have to worry about my nephew. My nephew has already entrusted a friend to help!" Miss Hai looked up at her father, then lowered her head again.

The second old lady was very surprised, but it was Zhuo who smiled: "Cousin, don't worry, it doesn't take much trouble, just ask someone to inquire about it. There are good and bad vacancies every year, and everyone will inquire clearly in advance. Don’t have to go to a place to suffer. If you encounter poor mountains and rivers, the road is hard to walk, and after three years, half of your life will be lost! In some places, there are powerful people, bullies, and bad customs. Thieves are rampant. Going to this kind of place to be an official, even the future and life are in danger! I am afraid that my cousin will not know the truth, so I will leave the hot potato to the next."

Master Hai secretly heaved a sigh of relief, stared at the floor in front of his feet, and said cautiously: "Then don't be afraid. Since you are going to be an official, you should be the master of the people. How can you despise the people there because the place is poor?"

Chun Ying noticed that when Zhuo heard this, she quickly glanced at the second old lady, who had a wry smile on her face.Do you think the second old lady also knows?Her natal nephew is a bit brainy, maybe because he has never been an official and has been staying at home, so he is a little bookish.Chunying couldn't help but glance at Miss Hai again. Since Mrs. Hai and Mrs. Hai insisted on letting this granddaughter go to Beijing with her, they probably believed that she could make up for Mrs. Hai's shortcomings, right?

Speaking of which, this Miss Hai's single name is Shu, and she is already old, perhaps because she is concerned about her mother's health, she is still in her boudoir.She is not very beautiful, but she is delicate and dignified. She has an oval face that is rosy in color, makeup is very light, hair and jewelry are very simple. It is obviously a hot day, and she is wearing a tight green jacket and blue skirt. Although The material is relatively thin, but not see through at all.

Chunying looked down at the gauze shirt on her body, and looked at Miss Hai again with admiration in her eyes.

Zhuo probably guessed Master Hai's temperament, so he didn't say much, changed the topic, praised Miss Hai, and then pulled his daughter to ask her to learn more from Miss Hai and exchange experiences of housekeeping.

Standing behind the second old lady, Chunying observed that her mood had stabilized, reached out to touch the cup of Dingshen tea, brought it over and ordered the little girl to heat the water, but suddenly caught a glimpse of someone wandering back and forth outside, saw herself looking over, and then Keep waving.She recognized that it was Zhuo's lady in charge, looked back at the second old lady, gave Qiu Yan a wink, then walked lightly outside the house and asked: "What's wrong?"

The lady in charge leaned close to her ear and whispered: "The people below are going to move the luggage of the Hai family, but the steward of the Hai family said that their master won't ask to move it." Jing came to report again, it should be to live in the mansion, right?Why is it not called moving?
She was thinking about the reason when she heard the voice of the second old lady from inside the room: "What is Chunying doing outside?" She hurriedly waved her hand to let the lady in charge go away, then returned to the room, and cautiously said: "It's getting late Now, the lady in charge outside came to ask, where should the guests be placed?"

Zhuo hurriedly said: "Look at me, I almost forgot! We still have a vacant house, the east..." Suddenly remembered that the east courtyard has been given to his son, but the west courtyard has always been used by concubines to entertain the second old lady Her natal family is a little bit neglected, if it is placed in the study outside, Master Hai and the servants will be fine, but Hai Shu is not very convenient, and can't help but feel worried.

The second old lady said: "Brother Dun has already moved out. Let Shu'er live in my east wing. Her father lives in the room opposite the outer study. It's a big place and it's easy to get in and out. If Brother Dun wants to It is also very cheap for his cousin to ask for homework."

Mrs. Zhuo rushed to make arrangements when she heard the words, but Master Hai hurriedly got up and said, "Auntie and cousin sister-in-law don't need to bother, I have already ordered someone to rent a house in Beijing. After visiting my aunt, I will go there with my family and luggage."

The second old lady said displeasedly: "You are my nephew, and it's not like there is no house at home. How can there be a reason why a nephew doesn't entertain and stay, but drives people out? Don't say that!"

But Master Hai insisted: "The house is very close to my nephew's friend's mansion, so it's easier to come and go, my nephew dare not chatter about my aunt."

The second wife helped persuade her for a while, seeing that he was still stubborn and she didn't really want to invite such a large group of people to live at home, so she turned her head to persuade her mother-in-law.The second old lady kept a straight face, and only let go after half a day, agreeing to let her nephew live outside, but the grandniece must stay in the house.

Hai Shu knelt down and said, "Shu'er accompanied her father to Beijing to take care of common affairs for her father. She didn't leave her father behind and enjoy the blessings at her aunt's house. Please forgive me."

The second old lady sighed. Although she was reluctant, she didn't want to force them to stay. She reluctantly agreed, and ordered someone to look at the rented house. The family reported that it was half a yard, only the main house and the east wing, and the west wing had another room. A tenant, she became angry and insisted that someone rent a quiet two-entry courtyard nearby, and sent a few family members to help, so that the father and daughter of the Hai family could not refuse, and finally ordered her grandniece to come to accompany her often .Master Hai reluctantly responded one by one, and finally had another meal before taking his daughter out of the inner city.

Afterwards, the second old lady sent people to pick up her niece and granddaughter to talk almost every day. Mrs. Zhuo also visited the wife of the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and briefly mentioned the relatives who came to Beijing recently. The other party smiled and promised that they would take care of them. It just depends on Master Hai's luck.

The old lady of the Hou Mansion was very interested when she heard that there was a charming guest in the East Mansion.Because of her poor health, she couldn't go out, so she stayed in the house all day, very troubled, and occasionally she was free, and invited the old wives or younger daughters-in-law of the clan to talk, and it didn't take long, and she felt that they flattered her too much. ring.Only the second old lady in the East Mansion has not yet received her supercilious look.Firstly, the blood relationship of the two families is the closest, and secondly, with the rise of the second master's official position and personal prestige, the second old lady has become faintly equal to the old lady in the clan.Therefore, in her opinion, the second old lady is the only person of the same generation who will not flatter her. Hearing that the grand-niece of the other party's natal family is here, she is also a dignified and handsome young lady. I sent a big girl to deliver the post, and asked the second old lady to bring the guests to have tea.

The second old lady didn't want to refute her sister-in-law's face, so she brought Haishu and Yajun over, and Chunying led a team of girls and women to stand behind.Arriving at the courtyard of the old lady of the Hou Mansion, she was already fully dressed and waiting for the guests. Looking carefully, Mrs. An and the two young ladies were present, and they looked quite formal in their attire.

The opening remarks were naturally a pleasant exchange. Afterwards, the two sides began to introduce. Naturally, it was inevitable to mention the story of Haishu helping the housekeeper and teaching her younger brother at a young age. Everyone sighed again.With sparkling eyes, the old lady took Haishu's hand and asked kindly about her birthday and her family situation, and even gossiped about the official positions of the Hai family ancestors.

Chunying couldn't help but had a thought: She must not be planning to let the third young master marry Miss Haijia, right?This is obviously a big girl and a little boy!
Everyone in the room vaguely felt this way, but An Shi, who was sitting by the side, had already turned pale.

(End of this chapter)