in spring

Chapter 287 Change
The Dongfu family breathed a sigh of relief.

This time the imperial decree not only clarified the innocence of Li Yan, the male owner of the Dongfu, but also praised him for his achievements in defending the border in the north and stabilizing the hearts of the people, and rewarded him with a lot of property, including a horsewhip that was worth a lot of money at a glance The body of the whip is made of jade, the handle is made of emerald jade, and it is inlaid with colorful jewels.Qiu Neijian, who came to deliver the decree, packed the things on a tray and handed them carefully to the second old lady, and added: "This thing is precious, old lady, be careful, don't touch it."

The second old lady took a deep breath, solemnly took the tray, handed it to her daughter-in-law, and then spoke to Qiu Neijian politely.Qiu Neijian had dealt with their family several times, and he was much more friendly. He laughed and gossiped for a while, and complimented the male master who was far away in the north before leaving.

Zhuo commanded the butler to set up the altar, carefully placing the golden whip and the imperial decree on it.The second old lady stared at the golden whip with a gloomy expression.Chunying was wondering just now that eunuch Qiu glanced at him again, but he didn't know what the other party meant. Seeing that the second old lady's face was not very good-looking, she asked: "The old lady is tired? Go back to the hospital to rest first?"

Zhuo heard it from the side, and hurried over: "Is mother tired? It's all the daughter-in-law's fault. She only cares about receiving the order, but forgets that mother is overwhelmed and tired."

The second old lady smiled and waved her hands: "I'm fine, I'm just thinking about the emperor's will..." After a pause, "You arrange things well and come to see me. I have something to say." Zhuo was puzzled, I had no choice but to agree first, and the second old lady helped Chunying go back.

Back in Songyi Courtyard, the second old lady still had a straight face.Chunying thought and thought, wondering if there was something about the imperial decree that made the old man unhappy, and wanted to ask a question tentatively, but felt that the imperial decree sounded innocent, and if it hinted at something, it was related to the government It's a secret, why should she meddle in it?So he only offered the tea fruit that the second old lady always liked, and then quietly withdrew.

After a while, Mrs. Zhuo came over. The second old lady dismissed the crowd and said to her daughter-in-law in a low voice: "Although our ancestors were born in the military, they were scholars. Your master is also a civil servant. After getting connected, what he does is still a civilian job, but it is farming, taxation, punishment, etc., but what the Holy One bestows today is a golden whip, which is always a reward for military generals, but it was given to our family, you Say... isn't it a bit weird?"

Zhuo was stunned: "This... can't it? Maybe the Holy One just saw that the master's achievements were military achievements, so he rewarded the horsewhip?"

The second old lady was silent for a moment, and then said: "The negotiation between the two countries is successful, and our family must not be the only ones who have won awards for their meritorious deeds. Go to other houses to inquire, and they all got something."

According to Zhuo's words, the Zhuo family sent people to investigate. As a result, the first batch of rewards were civil servants and generals who had been stationed in the Northland for many years. There were different types of rewards. Someone got the emperor's calligraphy, and a lucky one received the order to be promoted back to Beijing.Without exception, all of these families have female relatives who have been granted imperial orders.In contrast, Dongfu only has rewards.

The next group of people who received the rewards were all generals who arrived after the war started, or officials who made contributions during the negotiation process. Most of what they got was property, and there was nothing special in it. By order, two or three people were promoted.

Mrs. Zhuo also sensed that something was wrong, and hurriedly reported to her mother-in-law, saying: "Although the master took office in a hurry before the war, he has been an official in the north for many years. If he hadn't done a good job in persuading the peasants and planting enough food and grass, the war would have been difficult. It may not be so smooth. But according to the Holy Majesty's will, he is regarded as a person who came later, this...does it mean to be jealous?"

The second old lady glanced over, and Zhuo immediately stopped talking.The former sighed: "There are some things that our mother and daughter can talk about in private, and you must not utter a word in front of people!" Zhuo lowered her head in response, and the second old lady said: "Actually, it's nothing, our family was just arrested. A person has filed a lawsuit. Even though they are found innocent, they still have a bad reputation. It is better to be quiet at this time, why bother to take that risk? Besides... I just listened to what you said, and I figured out what it means, come on The Jade Horse and the Golden Bow and Arrow family are similar to ours. Our ancestors started their careers with military exploits, so there is a sense of jealousy, but the Holy Majesty did not mean to blame them. In fact, it’s just for display, it can only be used as a sacrifice, it can’t be used for real, the meaning of the Holy Majesty... Do you understand?”

Zhuo thought for a while, suddenly realized, and a little sad: "What do you say? The master has always been loyal..."

"It's not a bad thing." The second old lady straightened up, picked up the tea bowl and took a sip, and found that the tea was made of red dates and wolfberries. If something tells him, he will naturally understand. We have been separated from him for half a year, and we miss him. It is better to reunite with the family as soon as possible. If he can stay in Beijing, everything will be more convenient than going outside. I spend more time with my relatives. I am too old to walk anymore, Brother Dun and Yajun have also reached the age of marriage, so it is not a problem to stay outside all the time."

Zhuo was both sad and happy, feeling very complicated. After a long while, he responded and went back to his room to write a letter.

The East Mansion survived the crisis safely and got an extra reward. There were rumors in the capital that the second master Li Yan would soon be transferred back to the capital for promotion. When the news spread, all relatives and friends went to congratulate him. Zhuo was busy receiving guests , Arranging to receive gifts in return, and at the same time, he had to go around arranging gifts to give away for the redress of the grievances of his previous husband. He was so busy that he was dizzy, so he simply pulled his daughter out to help, and let her get to know a few more female relatives by the way.

There was still one thing on her mind, that was why Qiu Neijian's attitude suddenly changed, and what was the meaning of his glances at Chunying.She specifically confessed to Mr. Xu to check his tone when she went to give gifts.

The bustle of the outer courtyard also spread to the inner courtyard.The second old lady's courtyard has not stopped guests for several days, sometimes they are sisters-in-law or juniors in the clan, and sometimes they are female relatives of other aristocratic families in Beijing.The second old lady is not used to seeing customers, and she is also getting old. After a day, she is too tired to talk.Chun Ying felt that it was not possible to go on like this, so she quietly told Zhuo Shi, Zhuo Shi hurriedly came to persuade her: "Mother, why should you force yourself? If there is something good or bad, the master will definitely blame himself in his heart, and even the daughter-in-law will feel ashamed. Please also ask the mother Take care of your health for your children and grandchildren.”

The second old lady glanced at Chunying with a smile, and Chunying hurriedly said: "This is the wife's filial piety, so the old lady should accept it?" The second old lady sighed and shook her head: "Forget it, I really can't stand it, I should come if I think about it." Most of the people have come, let the rest of the family let the daughter-in-law receive them."

Within two days, the number of people who came to congratulate and give gifts gradually decreased. I don't know if it was because the follow-up decree of promotion has not come down, but the masters of the East Mansion didn't care much.Zhuo took her daughter, the housekeeper, to pass on her experience for many years, the fourth young master went to class again, and the second old lady recently became interested in storytelling, and from time to time, she called the daughter in to talk about it, chatting and laughing with the girls. In a word, one day passed.

At this time, the Hai family and the young master of the Hou's mansion just sent congratulatory gifts.Master Hai got the vacancy of a county magistrate under the jurisdiction of Wuchang. The place is not big, and it is not very rich, but it is not bad because it is close to Wuchang Mansion. It is convenient to transfer from the canal to the Yangtze River.Satisfied, he brought his daughter to give a congratulatory gift, and bid farewell by the way.

The second old lady gave him many instructions, and asked about Haishu's marriage in private.Master Hai said: "The same year that the official department helped my nephew, there was a son who was 19 years old this year. Because he lost his mother at the beginning of last year, the marriage was delayed. My nephew sees that child is very polite. I got married with Shu'er, so I exchanged tokens with that same year, and betrothed the children. Now I will take Shu'er home to report this matter to my parents, and when I take office, I will send it over to get married."

The second old lady was a little displeased, thinking that this nephew was arranged too hastily, and she didn't inform her, and wondered if he insisted on living outside, might it be because he had intended to get married with him a long time ago?Seeing that her nephew was full of joy, and Haishu didn't show anything unusual, she didn't say anything, but made up her mind to send someone to find out about the son's behavior.

On the other hand, the congratulatory gift from the young master was quite generous, and he himself brought his son over, chatting and laughing with the second old lady very respectfully.Although the second old lady didn't like his mother, she had some appreciation for this low-key grandnephew. Seeing the cute little great-nephew was even more joyful.Qiuyan Bailing and the other maids hadn't seen such a young master for a long time, and they only thought his timid appearance was very cute, so they took candies to tease him.Chunying looked amused, but suddenly felt that someone was pulling her sleeve.

She turned her head and saw that she recognized the girl next to the young mistress, who might have been sent to take care of the young master, so she smiled and asked, "What's the matter?" The girl whispered, "Second Master Lu is here today too." , in the outer court, he seems to have something to say to my sister."

Chunying hurriedly went to ask the second old lady for instructions, the latter was in a good mood, and said with a smile, "Since he is your uncle, I will go see him. I have Qiuyan and the others here." Chunying thanked her and withdrew, and ran to see her second uncle.

Second Uncle Lu was watching people carrying presents. He was overjoyed to see her, and dragged her into a corner, saying, "Earlier, when something happened in Dongfu, when your parents heard about it in the outer city, they didn't care to go back, so they rushed over to inquire about it. The second wife issued a death order, and they couldn't find anything, and they were almost dying of anxiety."

Chun Ying said with shame: "I was negligent, I should find a way to send them a letter, are they at ease now?"

"Fortunately, because there is still something to do in the village. As soon as they heard that the second master was promoted, they knew that you were fine, so they went back first."

Chunying breathed a sigh of relief, and said with a smile: "Thank you, Second Uncle, for telling me. If my parents write to ask again, you can tell them that I am fine, but I'm afraid I have to step up what I said that day."

Second Uncle Lu nodded, and lowered his voice again: "I'm looking for you today for no other reason, because a few days ago, the Eldest Young Master went around to inquire about the Second Master, and met with people from Prince Wen's Mansion. He said one thing, that is, the fleet accompanied by his prince..."

Chunying's heart was lifted at once: "What?! What happened to the fleet?!"

"It's okay, it's just that one of the westernmost ports in Nanyang has recently sent a message back, saying that their fleet is resting there, depending on the time, I'm afraid they have left there now. The sea has been windy for the past two months, and the fleet is going away. Stop and go, it’s not sure about the itinerary, but if everything goes well, we will arrive in Xiyang around the Mid-Autumn Festival. I remembered that Brother Hu was in the fleet. I was worried that you hadn’t heard from him, and I was embarrassed to tell us, Just come and tell you."

Chunying was delighted.If he can reach India around the Mid-Autumn Festival, he will spend all his time there and not stay for a year, then Hu Fei will be able to set off to return to China by next autumn at the latest. Adding up the days before and after, it may not take three years!Chunying took a deep breath and told herself that the plan really needs to be stepped up!

Just when Chunying was delighted by the news about Hu Fei, the second wife, Zhuo Shi, also heard a piece of unbelievable news from Mr. Xu: "Are you sure? Chunying's fiancé...is really that Hu Fei Nephew of the inner eunuch?!"

Mr. Xu said: "I don't know if it's my nephew or not, but I heard that the surname is Hu, but he comes from a good family. I heard from Eunuch Qiu that the young man surnamed Hu once saved the life of Hu's internal supervisor, and he is also very capable. , almost entered the Western Affairs Department, and made good friends with the people in the Ministry of Household Affairs. In the spring, he went to the West with Prince Wen. A letter was received from Prince Wen's mansion, saying that the old prince was sick on the way, and this young man was taking care of him. "

Zhuo lowered her head and pondered for a moment: "This and Chunying's words... are also compatible, but how can the inner eunuch Qiu see that Chunying is the fiancee of the Hu family's younger generation?"

"He said Miss Chunying had a token on her hand, so he recognized it. It was an inner-made bracelet. Because the empress thought the interface was not good, she shared the rewards. Hu Neijian got a pair and gave them to that nephew. , several servants who are familiar with Neijian Hu all recognize it. The bracelet looks ordinary from a distance, but it is actually very delicately crafted, and the pattern can be seen at a glance. The bracelet was given to the fiancée."

Zhuo breathed a sigh of relief and nodded: "I understand, you don't need to tell others about this. I have my own plan."

Manager Xu retreated with a salute, but he was lamenting Chunying's good luck in his heart, and decided to let his granddaughter-in-law get closer to Chunying.

Zhuo, on the other hand, carefully considered the relationship between the imperial servant, Wenjun Wangfu, and the Western Affairs Department, as well as the benefits to his family, and smiled on his face.Maybe in the future, she will change her attitude towards Chunying a little...

(End of this chapter)