in spring

Chapter 291 Second Master
The second master, Li Yan, arrived in Beijing on the afternoon of the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, which happened to be New Year's Eve, and everyone in the East Mansion was very happy.

After the second master returned home, he first came to pay his respects to his mother.The second old lady held her son, unable to say anything, but shed tears silently; the second old man patted his mother's hand lightly, with red circles and tears in his eyes; Zhuo covered his mouth and nose tightly with a handkerchief , trying not to cry too much; the fourth young master and fourth young lady surrounded their grandmother and father, sobbing softly.The maids and women inside and outside the house all had hot eye sockets, and some old family members who had served for many years couldn't help crying.

Although Chunying didn't intend to cry at all, Ying Jing'er also wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, and twisted her thigh to make her eyes glow, then walked gently to the second old lady and whispered comfort , For example, the old lady should take care of her health, the family will be reunited when the master comes back, and the New Year's Eve coincides with a happy event, so you should be happy.Mrs. Zhuo and Miss Si also stepped forward to persuade them, and the second old lady reluctantly let go of her son's hand, wiped away the tears, and everyone sat down again to talk about family matters.

Chunying let the little girls go out, and personally brought Qiuyan Bailing and Jinyu three people to serve tea, send snacks, add incense and charcoal fire, and looked at the second master a few times.

The first feeling of the second master Li Yan is that he is thin, and the second feeling is that he is dark. He should be less than 35 years old next year, but he looks at least 40 years old, and he has gray hair on his sideburns. His face is weathered and frosted, his beard is sloppy, he is wearing a half-worn blue padded gown, and he has no accessories on his body. He looks like a poor scholar, but he has a calm temperament, good facial features, and a few eyebrows. It looks like the second old lady, and it can be seen that her appearance was quite handsome when she was young, but it makes people feel a little bit fond of her at first sight.

The second old lady noticed her son's downcast appearance, and felt distressed: "Why are you so thin? You don't even have any good clothes? This robe is old, where is it warm?! No wonder your hands are as cold as ice." Hearing this, Zhuo said hastily: "Move over the charcoal plate quickly, and bring my hand stove." Then she personally brought the hand stove to her husband.

The second master, Li Yan, smiled and waved his hands: "No need, I'm used to the wind and snow in the north, and the weather in the capital is already much warmer for me, Madam can keep this thing for herself."

Zhuo knew that he felt that the hand stove was exquisite in workmanship and was a thing commonly used by women, so he was a little sad. When he turned his head and saw the magpie who had followed her husband to the north to greet the second old lady, he felt tight in his chest and said coldly: "I was thinking of you. You are a decent person, the old lady let you follow the master to the north, look how you have taken care of the master?! The master has worked hard, you will not give him body? The master is traveling in winter, you will not Prepare warmer clothes for him?! The master’s clothes are old, don’t you even have time to make new ones?! How can you be worthy of the old lady’s trust like this?!”

The magpie was scolded by the main room, without any excuse, kowtowed directly to the second old lady, and said with red eyes: "The servant has a trust from the old lady, the servant deserves to die, please punish the old lady!"

The second old lady sighed and looked at her son.Li Yan smiled slightly: "It's not her fault. My son is busy with business in the north, and he doesn't dare to owe the emperor's favor, so he has to be cautious and fulfill his duties. Maybe it's because he thinks too much and can't relax. It's hard to get back. Thanks to Jing's favor, the son was in a hurry to come back, and he was on the road all night. The road was windy and sandy, so he could save good things from being wasted by wearing old clothes. When he got home, he would come to see his mother immediately, and the son hadn't had time to wash up yet, which made him look a bit embarrassed. She is a conscientious person, as expected of a person trained by her mother herself. Even if the supplies in the border town are not abundant, she can often find ways to make up for her son. With her to take care of the housework, the son is much more at ease. The son would like to thank his mother for letting her Going out with my son."

The second old lady patted the back of his hand: "I thought she was careful, so I let her go with you. Since there is no dereliction of duty, it's fine. When you are in the north, you still have to fight. Naturally, there is no way." Don't worry, when you get home now, don't think about those things anymore, it's serious to take a good rest for a while. No matter how important the business is, you must take good care of your body!"

The second master bowed his head to be taught. Seeing this, Zhuo couldn't say anything more, so he said to the magpie lightly: "Since the old lady has spoken, you should get up and go down to wash up first. I have worked hard all the way, and I won't need you for two days." Come to the house and set the rules so you can have a good life." The magpie kowtowed to her, then got up, and stood aside respectfully to wait for the second old lady's order, saw the latter wave her hand, and then went down.Qingluan beside Zhuoshi immediately followed, and called two little girls when she went out.

The second old lady continued to hold her son's hand and ask him about his life in the north. Mrs. Zhuo and a pair of children were by her side, occasionally interjecting a few words, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.Standing behind the second old lady, Chunying noticed that the hem of the second master's clothes seemed to be getting more and more wet, and suddenly remembered that there was a light snow outside just now, there must have been snowflakes falling on his clothes, and now they were roasted by the charcoal fire, and it seeped into brie.If you wear such clothes for a long time, you will get sick.So she spotted a gap in the conversation among the people and reminded the second old lady: "Old lady, the master hasn't washed and washed since he returned home, and it will be time for dinner in half an hour. Do you think..."

The second old lady woke up with a start, and hurriedly said: "I almost forgot! Hurry up, go, my wife will also go to serve, and after the bath and freshen up, the kitchen will prepare a table of good wine and vegetables. Today is the New Year's Eve, Let's have a reunion dinner as a family!" He ordered Chunying: "Didn't I just make a big velvet bell? Send it to the main courtyard, wash and dress your master!" Chunying hurriedly responded , everyone dispersed without mentioning it.

The return of the second master added unprecedented vitality to the East Mansion. Many servants, male and female, seemed to gain confidence in their actions and behaviors, their waists straightened, and they spoke loudly.Zhuo didn't know if it was because her husband returned and stayed in the main courtyard for a few days, she had a smile on her face and kept a good temper.When the servants of the family saw that her housekeeper was relaxed, some people dared to violate the order a little bit, dragging the servants who followed the master to go north to gossip about the master's family, or drinking some wine and playing two hands of Pai Gow in their free time.

Chunying anxiously waited for the news of her brother-in-law.The letter has been out of the house for a few days, and it seems that it is only a few days away from New Year's Eve, why hasn't brother-in-law Lu come?You know, if you speak now, you can use "accepting your parents for the New Year" as an excuse. When the New Year comes, things will not be so easy.After the beginning of spring, several Zhuangzi will sow seeds. During the busy farming season, if there is not enough manpower, who knows if my father will be recruited?
Fortunately, on the 25th day, the news finally came from the second door that brother-in-law Lu came to find her.She almost jumped off the kang immediately, moved a little, then stopped, looking at the big girls who were also sewing on the kang, she smiled: "Could it be that my sister has something to do? I'll come as soon as I go, If the old lady calls for someone, you should answer first." Bai Ling smiled: "Sister, go ahead, we are here."

Chunying smiled at her, got off the kang unhurriedly, put on her shoes, and walked out of the Songyi Courtyard at a normal walking speed, then immediately accelerated the speed of her feet, and when she reached the second door, she saw her brother-in-law standing outside the door and walking back and forth After wandering, she trotted over: "Brother-in-law, why did you come here today?! I've been waiting for days!"

Lu Renyi smiled wryly and said: "Second sister, this is not the Hou's mansion. Your sister doesn't know anyone, and I only came in after entrusting the wife of the second child of the Mu family. But sending letters and things in the past was not as strict as it is now. Your mansion Is there something going on recently?"

Chunying thought to herself, could it be because of the return of the second master?But she quickly put aside this question, and asked directly: "Did you explain it to brother-in-law? Does brother-in-law know how to say it?"

"I know, it's all about filial piety!" Lu Renyi looked around, "Look... I wanted to talk to the manager of your mansion about this, but I heard that Manager Xu has gone out. I don’t recognize it. The second gate is the inner courtyard, I can’t go in, what should I do?”

Chunying was about to suggest that he find Aunt Xu, but suddenly she heard Aunt Xu's voice from behind: "Miss Chunying?" Several wives.She hurriedly stepped forward to salute, and then explained the identity of her brother-in-law to the other party.Only then did Aunt Xu put away her puzzled expression, and said: "When I came out just now, I heard the old lady was looking for you, so go back quickly after you finish speaking." Chunying agreed, and was about to tell her about her brother-in-law's visit, who would Zhi Lier ran out from the second door and called her loudly: "Sister, the old lady is calling you!" She hesitated for a while, and Aunt Xu left, so she had to let her brother-in-law go to the second uncle's house first, and later Let's find Director Xu again.

In the evening, someone from the main courtyard came to pass the word that the second wife wanted to see Chunying.Chunying had no choice but to hand over the work at hand to others and went to the main courtyard.

Mrs. Zhuo called her into the ear room, asked the second old lady about her diet and daily life as usual, and then said inadvertently: "Listen to Mrs. Xu, your brother-in-law came to ask for grace, and he wants to take your parents to his house to take care of you. Can you help me with this matter?" Know?"

Chunying quickly calmed down, and stood respectfully: "During the day, my servant's brother-in-law came to see my servant and mentioned it."

"Oh?" Zhuo took a sip of tea slowly, "What do you think? You must be expecting me to agree, right?"

Chunying quickly raised her eyes to look at her, then lowered her eyes quickly, and said cautiously: "To tell you the truth, Madam, this matter... this slave is really uncertain. Logically, the parents of this slave are in their prime of life, and they can't handle it for a while. Although I have a leg problem and have some inconvenience in my actions, I have seen that the account manager is still fine, and can continue to do errands for the master. If you ask for it like this, others may think that the servants and maids are not good to the master. Infidelity!" Show weakness first, block the other party's rebuttal, and then naturally come up with a reason, "It's just... my brother-in-law is a commoner outside, and doesn't know the rules of a family like us. He is filial again, thinking The father-in-law and mother-in-law are getting old, their health is not good, and their family is rich, so they want to take the old man out to take care of them. Although his idea is not in accordance with the rules, it is also a good intention. Therefore, the servant does not know how to make a decision."

Zhuo smiled.She should have known earlier, Chunying has always been careful in serving, and she has reminded her of many things, and she has made a lot of contributions. Knowing that her father's legs and feet are not good, she is still hesitating whether to let the old man go out to live a happy life, which shows that Chunying Loyalty.All the doubts she had had disappeared like this.

Originally, she already knew that Chunying would leave the government, it was decided long ago, her mother-in-law had already spoken, and Chunying's younger brother was released by her with grace a few months ago. Both the husband and wife were taken out by the son-in-law, so no one from the Lu family stayed in the East Mansion, only the house of Li Jing, the eldest son of the West Mansion, and Lu Er's family, but that was of no use to the East Mansion.She was a little suspicious, could Chunying do it on purpose?If the whole Lu family leaves the house, what will she have to do in the future?Knowing that Chunying's future fiancé-in-law is quite powerful and capable, if there is no contact, this way may not work.

But now that she has confirmed Chunying's loyalty, she thinks again: the young man surnamed Hu is not a first-class servant, but a decent and decent son of a good family. When he marries Chunying and goes back, if she still keeps his father-in-law Being a slave at home, I am afraid that the kindness will turn into hatred, so it is better to let him go early and let his family marry a daughter as a decent commoner. Chunying is more prosperous in her husband's house, so naturally she is more grateful for the kindness of the old master.What's more, the Lu family couple are not young anymore, and Lu's thighs and feet are not good. A few months ago, I heard that Chunying was inquiring about the prescription for treating windy legs. Aunt Xu also said that he was walking with a cane when he came to deliver the New Year's goods, and he walked with a limp. It's abducted, even if you have some talent, how long can you use it?Besides, the Zhuangzi in Daxing was sold, and there was nowhere to house the couple. If they were allowed to move back, they would have to allocate another house for them to live in...

She made up her mind to let him go, and she wanted to show her kindness, but she couldn't completely cut off the road. Perhaps it would be a good way to reverse the employment after releasing the mansion.

Chunying looked at the change of expression on Zhuo's face, and knew that the matter was probably done. She was in ecstasy, but suddenly heard the voice of the second master from inside: "Madam, come in." Immediately, a basin of cold water poured down .

(The record is about to be broken, tomorrow... is a historic moment!)
(End of this chapter)