A Thousand Hills

Chapter 11

Xie Moru doesn't plan to have any in-depth communication with Xie Moyou, this is not a difficult matter, when Xie Moru puts on a cold look, Mrs. Xie will not have the desire to communicate with her, let alone a Xie Moyou.

It couldn't be easier.

On the contrary, Xie Moyou went back to the Peony Courtyard and complained to his mother, "For some reason, I offended my elder sister again, and I tried to persuade her kindly, but she ignored me anyway, and she was still in that suffocating way."

Aunt Ning said, "Although she is bored, she is caring. You talk a lot, but you are not more caring than her." Thinking of the banquet at home that day, Xie Moyou spent so much effort to entertain the ladies who came, Xie Moru made it easy He picked up a mistake, sold Su's one, and compared Xie Moyou, so why didn't Aunt Ning feel depressed.No matter how rare she is for the reputation of being a virtuous person, she refuses to neglect Xie Moyou. After all, Xie Moyou is her flesh and blood.

Xie Moyou pouted, looked out, and said, "Mother, at this time in the past, grandma should have come back after entering the palace, why hasn't she come back today?"

Aunt Ning said, "Perhaps the empress left your grandmother to eat in the palace." There is no need to worry about this, the lunch in Songbaiyuan is ready, Mrs. Xie should be ready when she comes back, it doesn't matter if she doesn't come back.

The mother and daughter talked back, but didn't mention lunch together.

Mrs. Xie came home in the afternoon, before it was time for the afternoon class, Xie Moyou hurriedly picked her up with her mother.Aunt Ning saw Mrs. Xie's face looked good, and she helped Mrs. Xie change out of her appointed clothes, took a cup of tea and said with a smile, "Madam just came back now, I think she had lunch in the palace."

Mrs. Xie smiled and sipped her tea, "Graceful concubine, let me eat."

Xie Moyou said, "The kitchen has prepared bird's nest porridge, grandma, do you want to use some?" As she got older and Aunt Ning was the housekeeper, she naturally taught her daughter some housework.

Mrs. Xie smiled, "I'm not hungry yet, let's talk about it later." Then she asked Xie Moyou, "Haven't you gone to school yet?"

Xie Moyou said, "It's not time yet. I heard that grandma is coming back. I'll come to see grandma first, so I'll go now."

Mrs. Xie smiled, "Then go, don't delay your homework."

Xie Moyou saluted and left.

Because Xie Moru was really cold in the morning, Xie Moyou didn't tell Xie Moru about Mrs. Xie's return home.Xie Moru didn't pay attention either, and went back to the Dujuan Courtyard after school in the afternoon, and heard Madam Zhang mention that Mrs. Xie had returned home, Xie Moru didn't say anything either.Nanny Zhang thought, maybe it was because she was treated coldly in the morning, and the eldest girl was a little unhappy.It's just that in this family, if the wife can be liked, it will be very beneficial to the eldest girl in the future.Zhang Momo sighed inwardly, and said, "Madam came back from the palace, do you want to go over and say hello?"

Xie Moru was not at all interested, changed into a homely soft shirt, and said calmly, "Grandmother said earlier, there is no need to go there at night, be filial and filial, by the way, filial piety."

Grandma Zhang watched Xie Moru grow up, and knew that the eldest girl in her family was a very assertive person, so she looked at her and knew that it would be useless to say more, so she stopped talking.

After changing his clothes and taking off the hairpin, Xie Moru went for a stroll in the garden.Spring in March, people do not want to miss a day.Xie Moru sat on the swing and watched his mother take care of the huge rhododendron tree up and down, quietly lost in thought.

Xie Bai came to visit at this time.

Xie Moru entertained Xie Bo in his small courtyard, and invited Xie Bo to taste the newly made wisteria cake.Looking at the wisterias in full bloom in a yard, Xie Bo sighed, "It's really good to clean up the yard." The yard of the little girl's house should be so delicate and beautiful.Xie Bo said again, "The last time I came here before the wisterias were in bloom, I thought I'd come and have a look when they were in full bloom. It's even more beautiful than I imagined."

Xie Moru showed a clear look, she understood that Xie Bo must not have come to see the wisteria flowers on purpose, Xie Bo just came to comfort her because of the morning incident.It's just that there is no such thing as a perfect parent.Xie Bo couldn't tell what was wrong with Mrs. Xie, so he came over to talk.

The gap between people is here.Thinking about Xie Moyou, and then looking at Xie Bai, Xie Moru couldn't help smiling.

Xie Bo smiled, "What are you thinking, so happy." The smile of ordinary people is worthless, but Xie Moru's smile is very rare.

Xie Moru said, "Second Uncle is a good man."

"Naturally, it's up to you to say." Second Uncle Xie accepted the compliment jokingly, knowing that Xie Moru was in a good mood, he was relieved.In fact, both Xie Moyou and Xie Bai thought too much.Mrs. Xie is not suddenly indifferent, even Xie Moru is not enthusiastic towards Mrs. Xie, the relationship between the two has always been like this, so what is there to be sad?Xie Moru is a cold and calm person, she can't go one way, if she doesn't go, she doesn't have many other emotions.She looked at Second Uncle Xie, wondering if she should remind him.

Xie Bo took a bite of the wisteria pancake, paired with the fragrant Chinese New Year tea, feeling lazy and comfortable in the evening wind and sunset, he said, "Mo Ru, you seem to have something to say to me."

Xie Moru was a little surprised, Xie Bo blinked and smiled, "How old are you, you can't hide something in your heart."

A wisteria flower fell into the teacup with the wind, twirling leisurely, Xie Moru picked up the tea and took a sip, saying, "It's nothing, I just think it's strange that grandma entered the palace this time."

Xie Bo was puzzled, "What's so strange?"

"The imperial concubine is just giving some good fruits from the south, just to thank you. It's the same for the second uncle to go to the palace to thank you."

Xie Bai thought that Xie Moru probably didn't understand the process of entering the palace to thank him, and explained, "If I go to thank you, I'm a foreign minister, and I can't see the imperial concubine, so I can only hang out at the Zhuquemen."

Xie Moru saw that Xie Bo was thinking sideways, and said softly, "The fresh fruit this time was specially given to let my wife enter the palace." The time for Mrs. Xie to enter the palace is regular. She is also ranked among the nobles in the imperial capital, Xie Guifei is also one of the most famous concubines in the palace, and Mrs. Xie enters the palace about once every two months.It was only a few days before he entered the palace last time, and Mrs. Xie was allowed to enter the palace again, and it was the imperial concubine who took the initiative to signal Mrs. Xie to enter the palace, so there must be a reason for entering the palace this time.

In recent days, the biggest thing for Xie's family is Xie Baichunwei's success.Then, why did the imperial concubine invite his wife into the palace, and what matters in the Xie family could be related to the inner lady, you can easily understand the reason.Xie Moru looked at Xie Bai and didn't say anything more.

Xie Bo is not a stupid person, he may not be as thoughtful as Xie Moru, but Xie Moru reminds him that he can pass the exam at a young age, then there is no reason why Xie Bo can't think of things that Xie Moru can think of.

Xie Bai's face was slightly stern.

Xie Bai sat quietly for a while, picked up the tea to drink, but found that most of the tea had just been drunk, he couldn't help laughing.Xie Moru carried the pot to refill Xie Bo's tea, his face was calm, Xie Bo sipped the tea, "I didn't realize it."

"Second Uncle has been busy recently, so I didn't notice it." Xie Moru said, in fact, it's useless to notice, if she didn't like Xie Second Uncle, she wouldn't say much.

Xie Bo sighed inaudibly, and asked, "You went to say hello in the morning, do you want to wake me up?"

Xie Moru said, "It's useless whether to remind or not." Being able to see it doesn't mean that anything can be changed.Besides, she didn't go there just to remind Xie Bai.

Xie Bai's eyes flashed, "Then why did you say it just now? If it is true, even if you don't say it, I will always know."

"Second Uncle is a good man." Xie Moru repeated calmly, "You came to see me, I guessed it, so naturally I want to tell you. I think Second Uncle would also like to know in advance."

This was Xie Moru's judgment. She felt that her judgment was quite accurate, so she asked, "Is it true that Second Uncle doesn't want to know?" Doubts that one's own judgment may be wrong.

"No, you're right." Xie Bai pursed his lips and said, "I want to know."

Xie Moru drank tea quietly.

Xie Bo could still sit still and did not lose his composure, his eyes were fixed on Xie Moru.If other girls were looked at like this, they would have felt embarrassed and wanted to say something, but Xie Moru didn't say a word, turning a blind eye to Xie Bai's gaze.

What should be said has already been said, Xie Moru feels at ease.

It was Xie Bai who spoke first, and he said, "You are so smart."

Xie Moru tilted her head slightly, there was neither joy nor humility on her face, she said, "It's just a little care."

No, how many members of the Xie family can have such a careful mind?

Xie Moru thought it was normal, but Xie Bai didn't think so. Xie Moru was so alert at such a young age. When she grew up and experienced more and more, how transparent would she be?
Xie Bo said, "I'm going to ask about your grandmother's entry into the palace. Your grandmother may know what you told me today." If it was Xie Moyou, Xie Bo would not have asked any more questions.However, facing Xie Moru, Xie Bo was extra cautious, he didn't quite understand Xie Moru's temperament, but in his heart he had put Xie Moru on an equal footing with himself.

Xie Moru's eyes were calm after insight, "Since I've said it, I won't mind others knowing." There is nothing you have to say to others, and if it is really unspeakable, she will not say it.What's more, Mrs. Xie wants to know, and she will know it anyway.She was just stating the fact that it might be about to happen, so why not.

Xie Bai got up to say goodbye.

Xie Bai went to ask his mother first, and Mrs. Xie smiled, "I was thinking about discussing with your father after your father came back. How did you know?"

But Xie Bai didn't mention Xie Moru, only said, "I don't know anything, I just think that the imperial concubine intends to let my mother into the palace, I think I have something to talk to my mother about."

"Yes." Mrs. Xie dismissed the maids in the room, Fang said, "This time I entered the palace, the empress mentioned Princess Yi'an."

Princess Yi An.

If it is a matter of Shangshu, it must be Princess Yi'an.

Although Princess Yi'an is the honorable princess, she is not His Majesty's daughter, but His Majesty's cousin, and Princess Yi'an's father is His Majesty's cousin King Jin.King Jin and his current father, Emperor Taizu, are cousins. Because the relationship between the brothers of Emperor Taizu is weak, and the blood relationship is slightly closer, except for this cousin King Jin, he is the half-brother King Jingjiang.King Jin don't look like he is the cousin of today, his age is similar to today's, and the two of them grew up together.

King Jin's bloodline is a little far away from today's. He is the light of the thin bloodline of the royal family. Moreover, he has a friendship with today's, so he was named King Jin with a side branch.When he was an adult, he was catching up with the emperor's nephew to be in charge of the government. The Jin king would not have time to take over the feudal clan in the future, and the Xining Pass wars broke out frequently.The emperor's nephew couldn't even stop him, so he had to say, go ahead.As a result, after this trip, King Jin was really loyal to his country.Moreover, the cause of death is quite self-inflicted.Anyway, no matter how he died, there was a daughter under his knees, and the emperor adopted the princess.Moreover, after all, Tang Shu died at the frontier gate, and there was only one daughter, so he made an exception and named her a princess, and raised her under the empress dowager's knee, named Yi'an.

In terms of seniority, Princess Yi'an is the current cousin. Generally, the emperor's sisters are the eldest princesses, but because Princess Yi'an was originally the daughter of a prince, it is an exception to be named a princess, and the eldest princess is out of the question.

If this marriage can be pushed away, Concubine Xie Guifei will directly push it for her younger brother.Since the noble concubine asked her mother to enter the palace just to talk about this matter, it seems that the palace has already reached a conclusion.

Xie Bo was silent for a while, and then said softly, "Once you are the Lord, why do you come here after learning for many years?" Of course, a son-in-law can also hold an official position. Xie Bai was already a talent at a young age, and after three years in the Hanlin Academy, six departments would be assigned as officials, and in another 20 years, he would only be in his prime.With Xie's family background, even if Xie Bai was mediocre, 20 years would still be enough to survive to the third rank.Even if you seek to let go, you can also be in charge of one side.Although Princess Yi'an has a noble status, she is not the emperor's own daughter after all, even if she is the emperor's own daughter, for Xie Bai, Shangzhu may not be a good choice for the upper class.

Mrs. Xie looked gloomy, and said, "If Your Majesty and the Queen Mother have this intention, what can our family do?"

Shepherd was speechless for a moment.Xie Moru reminded him, and he also slightly thought that the imperial concubine's intention to let his mother enter the palace might be to mention his marriage, but he never expected it to be about Princess Shang.Xie Bai's mind was spinning quickly. Civil servants have their own ways to promote themselves. If they are really Shangzhu, it is impossible to confer a courtship and worship in this life. However, Shangzhu also has the benefits of being a Shangzhu. Knighted.Moreover, Xie Bo himself will have some limitations in his official career, but it does not mean that his son will be subject to such limitations.Thinking further, the noble concubine in the palace... Queen Mother Hu is the biological mother of His Majesty, and Princess Yi'an was raised by Queen Mother Hu after all.

The pros and cons are obvious, and you can see it at a glance.

Mrs. Xie saw her son's brow furrowed slightly, she couldn't help but patted the back of the younger son's hand, and said, "Why don't we discuss it together when your father and brother come back."

It is too tactful to talk about the negotiation. If the royal family only takes a fancy to someone, who would dare to resist the order?
The family of four discussed in the middle of the night. Princess Yi'an has never said anything about her bad temper in these years, nor does she have any weird temperament.The key point is that the royal family is interested in this matter. The Xie family can only nod their heads, not shake their heads.

It was late at night and the two sons were sent away. Mrs. Xie Fang asked her husband, "What do you think of this?"

"Let's look at fate." Xie Shangshu was taking off his clothes, when he suddenly said something irrelevant, "You were so indifferent to Mo Ruhe this morning?"

Mrs. Xie was about to talk about her son's honoring the Lord, when she heard her husband say Xie Moru, she couldn't help but pause, her face turned pale, and she asked, "Why are you so cold?"

Xie Shangshu sighed, "Mo Ruyi's surname is Xie. I think her temperament is not as lively as Mo You's, but she is also steady and generous. She grew up in the Du Juan Academy. You should take care of her more."

Mrs. Xie helped her husband take off his coat, and Fang said, "At first I wanted to bring her to be raised, but..." Swallowing this sentence, Mrs. Xie said, "You said I was cold, could it be that she is so considerate? I can’t even say a word of flattery, what else should I do, do I want my grandmother to rush to please her?”

Xie Shangshu was not in a hurry, and patiently said, "Everyone has their own temperament, some are naturally clever, and some are clumsy. As elders, we should treat everyone equally. She is a junior, either has a bad temper, or is not thoughtful in some way. , we should guide more, shouldn't we?"

"She's clumsy?" Mrs. Xie snorted, "Mo Ru is a caring person." When the banquet was held in the mansion that day, Xie Moru asked the cook to prepare children's meals for Xie Jing. Mrs. Xie inevitably said, "I've also been short-spirited recently, and I didn't expect this."

Xie Shangshu smiled, "Isn't this very good, the girls are getting older, and they should also learn about family management."

Mrs. Xie helped her husband to rest on the bed, and sighed softly, "This person, I've seen it since I was a child, I wish she didn't have such a heart."

"We are all descendants of Xie's family whether we want to or not, we just need to have a clear conscience." Xie Shangshu naturally hoped that Xie Moru would be stupid, but no matter from the perspective of patrilineal or matrilineal, Xie Moru could not be a stupid person. Especially after hearing what his wife said, Xie Shangshu said even more, "If you are caring, if you treat her well, she will understand."

How can Mrs. Xie not understand this, it's just Xie Moru's temper... that's all, her husband said so, Mrs. Xie said, "I know, at my age, is it possible that I really care about a little girl like her?"

Xie Shangshu smiled, took his wife to bed and rested without mentioning it.

Xie Shangshu actually just casually mentioned it to his wife. He is the patriarch of the Xie family, the patriarch of the family. Xie Moru is the granddaughter of the eldest son, even the Fang family... But Xie Moru's identity as the eldest son is ironclad Among the Xie family girls of the same generation, Xie Moru is the oldest, and her family background is also the best in terms of etiquette.

Even though there are some old things that he doesn't want to mention, in Xie Shangshu's heart, Xie Moru is always surnamed Xie, and she is a girl, why should he be treated harshly?
Xie Moru is ten years old, he knows good and bad age, no matter what, he is also a descendant of Xie family.At least, the Xie family should have a clear conscience towards Xie Moru, as for the others, let's see God's will.

Xie Shangshu has a lot of opportunities to deal with every day, and it is considered his intention to say a word to Xie Moru.On the other hand, Xie Bo, it was Xie Moru who reminded Xie Bo of the Lordship matter. In the face of such a big event, no matter how good Xie Bo’s psychological quality is, it is actually somewhat uncertain, but one side is the supremacy of the monarch, and the Xie family can’t do much. .Xie Bai had always been open-minded, and the royal family intended to marry the princess, but not to kill him. Thinking about it the other way around, Xie Bai could still live happily ever after.

Scholars in the new department have holidays, and those from other provinces can return to their hometowns in brocade clothes. For example, Xie Bai, who is originally from the imperial capital, can also relax at home for two months.Xie Bo was idle at home and had something to worry about, so he simply went to talk to Xie Moru, and when it came to his own marriage, Xie Bai actually wanted to hear Xie Moru's opinion, Xie Moru didn't know much about the royal family, What can I think, she thought for a while, and said, "My second uncle and I drink tea under this flower stand. When I return to the house, I can either enter the house around the veranda, or walk along the gravel path in the courtyard. Go straight, from here to there, there is never only one road.”

Xie Bo laughed when he heard this, and held the pot to refill Xie Moru's tea, saying, "I have to toast you a cup."

Xie Moru laughed, "Second Uncle is laughing at me."

Xie Bai raised his glass, "I really admire your eloquence."

Xie Moru tilted her head slightly, she thought it was just a simple truth, there was nothing to admire, or maybe the second uncle was joking, seeing the second uncle raised his glass, she also toasted to him and drank half a cup of tea.

Xie Bai said, "If it's a drink, you have to drink it all in one go to be considered refreshed."

Xie Moru asked, "Do all men drink like this?"

"nature."

Xie Moru thought for a moment and said, "I'm not a man."

Xie Bai couldn't help laughing, Xie Moru asked, "What's so ridiculous?"

Seeing Xie Moru's serious questioning, Xie Bo couldn't help laughing again and again, fearing that her little girl would be thin-faced, he said, "It's nothing ridiculous."

Xie Moru asked again, "Then why does Second Uncle always laugh?"

Xie Bai smiled and said, "I'm just giggling, don't worry about it."

Xie Moru looked Xie Bo up and down, and felt that Xie Bo was silly enough to laugh endlessly for no reason.

Xie Bo went to chat with Xie Moru from time to time, and often found some interesting objects for Xie Moru to play with. Xie Shangshu saw that his son was in a good mood, and he was not depressed because of Shangzhu's affairs, so he felt relieved and said with a smile, "You We can talk to Mo Ru."

Xie Bo shook the lacquered folding fan in his hand, "Why not—" A smile flashed across the corner of his lips, and Xie Bo said, "Father, I used to think that I was barely considered a smart person. This is not an exaggeration."

Xie Shangshu smiled, "Not too much." The second son was able to pass the exam in the year of weak crown, so it is not too much to say that he is smart.Even if Xie Bo himself said this, it would not be an exaggeration.

"Now I know that I'm not stupid at all." Xie Bo sighed, "At first I didn't believe in genius. Everyone said I was talented. Only I knew how much hard work I had. If you ask me to say it is all nonsense. Looking at it now, there are indeed people with outstanding talents in this world." Xie Moru's knowledge is naturally inferior to him, it is because Xie Moru is still young, but this kind of insight into the world Isn't alertness a kind of talent?Xie Bai is not a simple nerd, he is willing to be an official through the imperial examination because he has the ability to become an official through the imperial examination. In Xie Bai's view, it is not difficult to become an official, but how far he can go in the official career requires another special ability up.

Xie Shangshu was a little surprised that the second son praised Xie Moru so much, he asked with a smile, "I thought you liked Moyou more."

Xie Bai smiled, "Don't worry like a shallow stream, nothing like a beautiful jade, each has its own advantages." They are all his nieces. In the past, Xie Bai was busy studying for the imperial examination, and occasionally talked about books and articles to his nephews, and the relationship with his nieces Getting along with each other is much less, so naturally Xie Moyou, who is often at Mrs. Xie's place for joy, sees more.What's more, Xie Moyou has a lively personality and can act coquettishly to please Xie Bo, so much so that Xie Bo thought that all girls belong to Xie Moyou's style. Now he knows that there are girls like Xie Moru in the world, who are so smart and transparent.You will never get tired of talking to her, and you don’t have to talk about clothes that girls like, eating flowers, birds, insects, and fish, and you can even talk about deeper topics, don’t worry that she won’t understand, you just show your meaning, she already knows it Ten, how wonderful.Xie Bai and his own mother, Mrs. Xie, may not have such a tacit understanding, and he and Xie Moru naturally have no tacit understanding. Xie Moru is just too perceptive, and when others have to think, she has already seen your heart.

Even Xie Bai had to admire him.

Xie Bai was born in the Minister's Mansion, and he was proud to be admitted as a young man. There is always some reason for him to say such a thing.Xie Shangshu raised his eyebrows, "Listen to you, she is a good girl."

"It's more than good." Xie Bai smiled, although he still had something to say, he didn't say more, anyway, his father was not a person without judgment.Xie Moru reminded him, and he reminded his father that with Xie Moru's qualifications, the Xie family should give her corresponding respect and status.

(End of this chapter)