A Thousand Hills

Chapter 1

Might as well.

It is said that her mother was upset at seeing her father's beautiful concubine before the delivery date, so she directly beat her into a rotten sheep's head, and even had a big fight with her father, causing her fetus to become angry.Therefore, Xie Moru was born in early August, which was supposed to be in September.Hearing that a girl was born, her father sighed and said, "Don't let her be like your mother, let's call her Mo Ru."

Of course, it is said.

How exactly, no one knows.Even if it is clear, no one will discuss the origin of her name in front of Xie Moru, let alone such an origin.

It's just that Xie Moru has never seen her mother beat her father and concubine fiercely in her own memory. Most of the time, her mother is in her own courtyard, except for silence, she is still silent.

When Xie Moru was young, he occasionally heard maids and women discussing in private, "There is no voice all day long, the eldest grandma is like this, and the eldest girl is also like this. The master only comes three or five times a year. We say that this is the main courtyard. It is as quiet as a temple. Yes, fortunately the eldest girl can bear it."

Xie Moru didn't think there was anything she couldn't stand, she thought it was good to be quiet, but she couldn't stand Aunt Ning's colorful flowers, of course, people are more proud, and the colorful flowers are also what they should mean.

Her mother Fang seldom left the hospital, and Xie Moru actually didn't like to go out, but, as the eldest daughter of Xie's family, she was not forgotten by her family, so it was a blessing.Hearing his wife asking someone to come and talk to her, the maids and women beside her were all beaming with joy, as happy as Chinese New Year.Nanny Zhang smiled, "Didn't the eldest girl like the lotus color the most in the new dress that I just delivered. Now that the spring is warm and the flowers are blooming, it would be nice to wear the one embroidered with magnolia flowers."

Xie Moru was reading a book in an armchair in the courtyard, when she heard the words, "According to Mammy's wishes." She went over and said to her mother, "Mother, I will have dinner with grandma at noon."

Fang is pruning a rhododendron tree in the yard.Most of the rhododendrons grow on the mountain, and they are often low planted. It is rare to have such a thick crown and pavilion in their yard, and their yard is even famous for the rhododendron tree.Fang doesn't pay attention to other flowers and trees, only loves this rhododendron tree, prunes and takes care of it every day, and is a hundred times more careful than her own daughter Xie Moru.Fang Shi just nodded when he heard Xie Moru's Xie, and ignored it, and continued to take care of the tree.

Xie Moru has changed into a new shirt, she is getting older, in recent years she has changed to the double buns she wore when she was a child, and changed to a hanging bun, decorated with brilliant and elegant bead flowers, which looks like a girl's softness.It's just that Xie Moru has always been quiet, unlike his half-sister Xie Moyou, who is lively and lovable. The nanny Zhang often talks about Xie Moru like this, "Children who can cry have milk, big girl, don't keep silent, my wife loves you Woolen cloth."

Xie Moru said, "I know, and grandma knows too." Some things don't make people like you just because you like them.Many times, liking is not an emotion, but a situation.Her mother has only one daughter under her knees, and her father's true love, Aunt Ning, has given birth to one daughter and three sons, which is a proof of her strength.How could the wife like her, the eldest granddaughter who has no title, more than the child born to Aunt Ning?Even thinking about it a hundred years later, Mrs. Xie knows it well.

Nanny Zhang was talking about going to Mrs. Xie's courtyard with the eldest maid Jingwei and two younger maids. When Xie Moru arrived, the wife's room was busy. When Aunt Ning saw Xie Moru, she said, " Big girl, come quickly, my wife got a good thing today, and anyone who sees it will have a share, I will quickly ask people to call the big girl, otherwise it will be too cheap, so don't worry about this monkey."

Xie Moru adjusted her facial expression when she left the main courtyard. There was some joy in her eyes, but it was also within the reserved range, which was in line with her quiet temperament.Don't ask Xie Moru how he has such scheming at such a young age, it's not a scheming, but Xie Moru feels that he has to deal with these people every day, even if it is rare to have a break today when he is not in class, he can't be quiet. Tired, but inconvenient to show.Therefore, prepare a few emotions in advance, which is good for everyone.Xie Moru greeted Mrs. Xie first. Not only did she adjust her facial expression well, but her voice was also just right, "The things here must be good. My sister is beautiful, so let me do it for her." Nanny Zhang always babbled that she didn't know Talking to make Mrs. Xie like her, really wronged her, Xie Moru felt that he was good at human relations.

Aunt Ning smiled, "You are a big sister, the eldest girl in our family, you should pick everything first." She then asked Xie Moru how he ate in the morning and how he slept well last night, all kinds of considerations, no need to elaborate .It's just that every time Xie Moru sees Aunt Ning's face that cares about her, she has an illusion, as if Aunt Ning should be her real mother.To be honest, her own mother never asked her like this one day.Therefore, many things in the world do not develop according to common sense.Like her mother, she is the only daughter under her knees, and the mother and daughter live together, but they seldom say a word every day.For example, Aunt Ning has nothing to do with her, she is just her father's favored concubine, but she is considerate and considerate to her, just like her own mother.Moreover, a concubine like Aunt Ning and an official wife like her mother should be in a natural hostile relationship, but Aunt Ning's virtuous name broadcasts to the imperial capital, her mother... Besides, how do other people's wives and concubines fight? However, when it comes to Aunt Ning, even if she has the upper hand now, everything is fair, and the expenses for their mother and daughter's hospital have always been more or less.Moreover, as for the things at home, as long as there is Xie Moyou, there is her Xie Moru.Even Aunt Ning's private subsidy is the same.So much so that Xie Moyou felt that Aunt Ning was not like Aunt Ning, but rather like Qingtian.

With Aunt Ning waiting for the blue sky, and her mother living in a small house, Mrs. Xie naturally has to rely heavily on her.What's more, it is said that Aunt Ning is also from a serious family and has a close relationship with Xie's family. Everyone in the family said that Aunt Ning is her father's true love. Apart from Aunt Ning, there is no other favorite.Otherwise, Aunt Ning would not be able to have three sons and one daughter.It's just that the true love is not perfect enough, her mother lived in the Du Juan courtyard and occupied the position of Aunt Ning's main wife.She would come out every day to remind her father, hey, what a pity and heartache that she didn't marry the woman she really loved back then.Every time Xie Moru thinks that her mother and her occupy such an important position in true love, Xie Moru secretly feels refreshed even though he has always been taciturn.

After hearing Aunt Ning's concern for her, Xie Moru didn't like to say those repeated polite words, so she thanked Aunt Ning, and Xie Moyou was half-acting and complaining in Mrs. Xie's arms, "Auntie said to sister Better than me." See, Aunt Ning is so kind to her that even her own daughter Xie Moyou is jealous.

Xie Moru sat upright in the huanghuali chair on Mrs. Xie's right, just smiled and did not speak.Mrs. Xie patted Xie Moyou on the back, and said with a smile, "You are sisters, how to care about this is not a joke. You are only one month younger than your elder sister, so you should learn to be as stable as your elder sister. "

Su Lan, the eldest maid next to Mrs. Xie, brought tea, Xie Moru took it, and Su Lan said with a smile, "Today my wife called me into the palace, and the lady in the palace rewarded my wife with two sets of honors. My wife said that the girls are getting older. Put it on for the girls."

The two sisters stood up and thanked each other.

Mrs. Xie waved her hand and ordered the two granddaughters to sit down, but she still held Xie Moyou in her arms and smiled, "This is a new look in the palace, a set of ruby, a set of amethyst, and a few rare ones. At my age, it’s outrageous to use such bright things, whichever you sisters like, share among yourself.”

Aunt Ning smiled, "The eldest girl is an older sister, so the eldest girl will choose first."

Xie Moru said, "My younger sister is younger, so my younger sister should come first."

Xie Moyou got up from Mrs. Xie's arms, and came to Xie Moru like an elf, holding Xie Moru's hand and laughing, her voice was like a yellow warbler out of the valley, clear and pleasant, "I was joking with my sister just now, if my sister doesn't pick first, I don’t dare to choose first.” Xie Moyou described her as very similar to Aunt Ning, she was as young as January, as beautiful as a morning dew in March, lively, charming and bright, everyone in the family didn’t like her.Xie Moru also likes Xie Moyou very much, she and her mother are almost half invisible in Xie's house, but Xie Moyou has often been jealous in recent years, it can be seen that this child still can't let go of his concubine.Xie Moru is deeply honored to make the beautiful Xie Moyou jealous.

The two pushed back, neither of them was willing to pick first, Aunt Ning smiled and said to Mrs. Xie, "Our girls are all polite, and the little sisters are so harmonious. It's because of my wife's teaching."

Mrs. Xie smiled and nodded. Her old man is only about fifty years old now, but she has been treated so kindly by the years. She looks a little thinner, but one can imagine Mrs. Xie's life when she was young.It is said that Concubine Xie, who is loved by His Majesty in the palace, is slightly inferior to Mrs. Xie when she was young.

Mrs. Xie has two sons and a daughter. There are not many children, and they are all promising. Not to mention that the daughter is a noble concubine in the palace, the third prince is ten years old and is very popular with His Majesty.The two sons, the eldest son, Xie Song, have just passed away, and are now in the official residence of the doctor of the fifth-rank household department. The second son, Xie Bai, just a few days after the end of the Spring Festival, and the gold list has not yet been released. Xie Bai invited three or five friends to the Zhuangzi to see Xinghua .Regardless of Chunwei's performance, at least Xie Bai's mentality is rare.In Xie Bai's words, it doesn't matter if the children of their kind of family don't take the imperial examination, it's easy to donate to an official and do something. Among them, Xie Bai is a very outstanding character.What's more, he was born with a handsome face and handsome eyes, and he has such a family background. He has a real reputation. One sister is a noble concubine in the palace, one brother is a fifth-rank doctor, and his father is the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment. Although Xie Bai is not engaged, but The matchmakers who were interested in Xie Jiaerlang almost knocked down the gate of Xie's mansion.Xie Shangshu still insisted that it would be more decent for the second son to pass the Jinshi examination before discussing the marriage.

With such a husband and such children, Mrs. Xie is a well-deserved winner in life.Concubine Ning's compliments to her mother-in-law were not entirely out of flattery. In fact, Concubine Ning felt that if her daughter learned [-]% of her mother-in-law's tricks, she would not have to worry about it for the rest of her life.

Seeing that her granddaughter was polite, Mrs. Xie said with a smile, "I specially asked you to pick it out, because you can agree with each other. Sisters know that it is a good thing to be courteous. Since you don't pick first, then I will pick it. The big girl wears it today." The lotus root shirt, this set with amethyst embedded is just right. The second girl is either bright red or peach red, silver red, pink, cherry red, so I will give you this set of ruby."

They both thanked each other, and Mrs. Xie smiled, "You are still young, and you don't need a whole set of jewelry, so keep them by yourself. Let's discuss and choose these materials, and a tailor from the embroidery workshop will come to measure them in the afternoon. The size, the girls are getting bigger, so make a few more fresh dresses, so that you can learn how to dress up and look good even when you go out."

Aunt Ning hurriedly said, "Usually, the sisters have ten new sets every season. Since this is the case, each of them will add five more." She just got a new shirt for the season, and now Mrs. Xie is going to cut clothes for her granddaughter again. Aunt Ning There is already a draft in my heart, and I blurted it out at this moment.

Mrs. Xie laughed, "Girls are different from sons. Sons are raised poorly so that they don't develop arrogance. Otherwise, if they really become a prodigal son, they will shame the family's reputation. Daughters need to be pampered, not to mention that people like us are not I can't afford it, now that the children are growing fast, it will be troublesome if the clothes are too long or too short in terms of seasonal tailoring. From now on, people from the embroidery workshop will be called over every month. Don't count too much, at least six sets of new shirts for each person in January. The children are no different than when they were young, but now they are older, and more and more things are going out, so this limit should be increased. This is the public limit, and the rest I will give you some jewelry, pick out the ones you like The material is also the same, you have maids who can sew by your side, ask them to make whatever you like. I just like to see young girls dressed brightly and smartly, so that people like them." In front of teaching Aunt Ning, The latter is said to the two sisters.

Hearing Mrs. Xie's words, Aunt Ning couldn't help feeling embarrassed. It wasn't that she was stingy, it was the Xie family's rule for many years that each person had ten sets of new clothes per season. Put on a new shirt, just because the rest is not enough, each house will do it in its own private room, cut and embroider it, otherwise, you will never dare to go out to meet people.For business affairs, Aunt Ning thought it would be almost reasonable to add another five sets. She didn't want Mrs. Xie to be so generous all of a sudden. In comparison, she seemed petty.Aunt Ning smiled, her head drooped, revealing a section of white and slender neck, which was very charming, "Madam is still wise, I have been taught."

Mrs. Xie had no intention of admiring Aunt Ning's slender demeanor. Xie Moru appreciated it for a while, and felt that a beauty is a beauty, and this bowing of the head is a style, and the vision of true love is really good.Mrs. Xie reminded Aunt Ning once, and she also showed great face to Aunt Ning. She patted her hand, "Don't worry, take your time."

Aunt Ning's method is better.The two sisters thanked their wife again, and stayed for lunch at Mrs. Xie's place until Mrs. Xie took a lunch break before returning to their respective courtyards.

Because she got many things from Mrs. Xie, Nanny Zhang was more happy than Xie Moru, so she opened the jewelry box and showed it to Xie Moru.Since it was specially rewarded by Concubine Xie, it will not be bad, not to mention that Xie Moru was born in Xie's family, although he is not favored, he has seen many good things.However, this set of amethyst heads is still amazing.Amethysts are always rare, Xie Moru usually sees amethysts that are lighter in color, the color of amethysts used on this set of hair is very strange, deep purple with a hint of bright red.Nanny Zhang couldn't help admiring, "God, this old slave has opened his eyes today. It's not like he hasn't seen amethyst before. Today, he knows that there are such fine amethysts in the world."

Who doesn't like beautiful things, Xie Moru naturally likes them too.She enjoyed it for a while, and said, "Yes, such a color is extremely rare, please put it away first."

Nanny Zhang said, "Take it out tomorrow, my wife must be happy to see her."

Xie Moru said, "I don't need the bigger hairpins." I picked out the smallest amethyst hairpin with a gold background, and the warm spring sun came in through the window and landed on this small hairpin. The shining brilliance can almost burn people's eyes, Xie Moru said, "I will use this tomorrow, and then find a similar silk flower to wear it." Wearing multiple jewelry pendants on the head is a panic, so Xie Moru unless Necessary, less make-up.

Nanny Zhang nodded, and said, "This time, the materials that my wife gave me are also quite good-looking. I made some new clothes for the girl, and I just want to wear them now."

"Ma'am, let's see."

Jingwei came over to serve Xie Moru and changed into a spring-colored homely shirt, and ordered someone to place the usual armchair in the courtyard where the winter jasmine flowers bloom.Xie Moru took off the blue soft shoes embroidered with winter jasmine flowers on his feet, curled up in the chair, picked up the scroll he read in the morning, faced the spring light, and continued to read.

Nanny Zhang took a thin quilt to cover Xie Moru outside, and Mrs. Fang was still pruning the green and budding Rhododendron tree not far away.The spring breeze is blowing warm, and there are a few warblers in the distance.

(End of this chapter)