Lady Zhao

Chapter 23

"This person left just as he said. I heard that she asked Li Guanshi for a half-day leave before, saying that the sister at home became the embroiderer of Yunranfang. Go back and have a look. It is obviously a happy event. Why did you turn around?" Can't wait to hang yourself?" In the corridor, the servants hurried to and fro, and the maids and maids gathered around a large group, whispering to each other.

In the yard, a yellow-robed Taoist priest held a wooden sword in one hand and a bell in the other. There were many offerings on the long pear-blossom wooden table. Three sticks of high incense were burning in the censer, which flickered in the wind. White smoke curled up into the sky, and the Taoist priest muttered words and concentrated on doing it.

"Before I saw that she had a bad complexion, and I asked about it. She said that she offended the young lady when she was on duty in Qingfengju, and she was always trembling. It must be because she was afraid of being punished by the young lady. It's not like you don't know how the young lady uses... ..." A cowardly person in the same room as Ding Xiang said, now watching the Taoist priest do it, he added, "The eldest lady invited the master to do it. On the surface, she was afraid that the young master would be weak and be infected with evil spirits, but secretly Everyone doesn't know that it is to clear the debt for the eldest lady."

The person who originally made the sound showed a look of understanding, "No wonder this is the case, ah, speaking of it, Ding Xiang is really unlucky, with such a family in the stall, it's finally getting better, and I've lost my life again."

"Yes, Sister Dingxiang treats us very well, and she is dedicated to serving the master. Such a nice person will fall into the hands of the eldest lady. The life of a maid is cheap, but this is too bad." The maid who spoke was young and said. Then he wiped away his tears, thinking that they had a good relationship on weekdays.

An older man secretly pinched the little maid when he heard the words, glanced at Xueyan Baochan who happened to be passing by at this moment, and warned in a low voice, "If you don't want to follow Lilac's footsteps, seal your mouth tightly. Let people hear, take care of your little life."

The latter pursed his lips in dissatisfaction, but he was also afraid after all, so he didn't say any more, and instead talked about the maids around him asking for a few peace talismans after the master finished the ritual.

Xueyan glanced at those people, pulled Baochan who was about to say something, and went straight back to Xiangzhu Garden without stopping.When it came to the door, Baochan couldn't hold back anymore, "Sister Xueyan heard it too, and with Ding Xiang's weak temperament, she might not be able to think about it...Right now, there are rumors in the house that the eldest lady forced her to death."

"You think so too?" Xueyan paused and asked back.

Baochan’s face was embarrassing, if she used to be, she must have felt that, but after these days, sometimes she made a rash and made a mistake, and the eldest lady never punished her again, if she followed the rumor, she should have been dragged out to die. A hundred times.

"Although the young lady has a bit... big temper, she often beat and scolded servants in the past, most of which were because she didn't know the rules and provoked the young lady, but this time, if the young lady deliberately finds troubles to punish her for no reason. Ding Xiang, I don't believe it."

"It's not too stupid after all." Xueyan loosened the corners of her tense mouth and smiled slightly, and then saw the person behind her, and quickly saluted, "Miss."

Zhao Wenwan, who was notified by the maid to go to the front hall for dinner, just heard this conversation, and her face turned pale.Earlier, Zhao Zhong sneaked up to confess his mistake in shame, saying that he squinted his eyes for a while at night and didn't keep an eye on Ding Xiang's safety, which made people hurt, but Zhao Wenwan comforted him instead.Ye's side is very vicious, and the quick action must have paid a high price to hire outside killers. Even if Zhao Zhong finds out, it may not be able to save Ding Xiang, and Zhao Wenwan has too few contacts now, and there are even fewer trustworthy people. It is also powerless to protect Ding Xiang's life. Although he is aggrieved, he will not complain about it.

Given time, when she has gained a firm foothold, it will not be easy for Mrs. Ye to dare to behave like today.

Zhao Wenwan stood at the door, and subconsciously lingered on Baochan for a while, seeing that the latter's ears were red before he could let it go. Apart from being amused, he also had a new understanding of the two people following him.

Of course, I don't deny that when I heard Xueyan's rhetorical question, I didn't come out, but I also had another thought in my heart. If Baochan didn't have that insight, it would not be suitable for him to stay in Xiangzhuyuan.

"Ding Xiang's matter is aimed at me, but I don't have the habit of taking the blame for others. Since someone dares to hit me, there is no reason to stand up and be beaten. This matter will come to fruition in a short time. Until then, you just do your part." In the end, Zhao Wenwan had a dark light in his eyes, and after explaining this, he left.

Baochan, who was left behind by Dudu, grabbed her hair in a bun, watched Xueyan go with the eldest lady before returning to her senses, was stunned for a long time before opening her mouth to retort for herself, "I'm not stupid, I'm just smart. It's obvious!"

In the Yanbo hall, because the Xipinghou barracks had to leave early due to important matters, a family banquet was held for him to practice. He Jingyuan talked about some insights on Jiangxi's floods, which attracted Mr. Zhao to insist on staying for two more days. If he is willing to let him go, he will stay with Mrs. Xiping Hou until the Qiqiao Festival, so that he can spend more time with the old lady.

The twelve spacious hall windows are fully open, and the furnishings are not so rich, but there are only half-person-high blue-and-white Ru kiln vases placed in the eight corners, and various fresh flowers are inserted, which is simple and gentle, yet flexible and charming.There are several ice basins in the far corners of the house, and there are famous maids standing in each place, holding big cattail fans to slowly send some cool breeze over.

The cold dishes and fresh fruits had been prepared, and after Mrs. Ye led all the female family members to sit down at the table, he ordered hot dishes and wine to be served, and prepared lighter fruit wine and freshly brewed sherbet for the ladies. , the men on the other side also sat around a table, drinking and chatting with great interest.

As the maids brought the dishes to the table like flowing water, everyone picked up their chopsticks and took chopsticks.On the table, not to mention chicken, duck, fish and other regular dishes, there are also a lot of delicacies from mountains and seas. A stir-fried duck gizzard with mushrooms and fungus, sweet and sour pineapple spare ribs, sesame and silver eel soup in bamboo tubes, and a braised tenderloin with double mushroom sauce are extra delicious. , Everyone was quite satisfied with the food.

After a meal, the men hadn't left the table yet, the women's family had already cleared away the empty plates and waited at the table, and served melon and fruit refreshments, chatting around.The sister-in-law's family took up the old lady's side and got tired of it, and the co-authors were also young, and the old lady couldn't see her on weekdays, so she was very accommodating at the moment, holding grapes and feeding them one by one.

Lin Qingyue was no more dull than Lin Qingshuang, cleverly held up the honey kumquats and fed them to the old lady's mouth, and said sweetly, "Grandma also eats."

Zhao Wenxuan was sitting next to Rui Geer, looking at the scene, secretly pinched Rui Geer again, which made the latter teary, but she refused to join her grandmother, obviously there was no place left, and in the end she seemed to be Suddenly thought of something, stared at the honey kumquat in Brother Yue's hand, and suddenly said, "Grandma can't eat it!"

This sudden sound made the honey kumquat in Brother Yue's hand fall to the ground. Looking along, it was Aunt Xia's youngest son, his eyes showed a hint of disdain, as if he was jealous that he was loved by his grandmother, his tone was slightly offended Said, "I gave my grandmother to eat, why can't I eat it!"

Brother Rui scratched his head anxiously, and tugged at Zhao Wenwan's sleeve, "Eldest sister said, you can't eat these things!"

Zhao Wenwan was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Brother Rui to have such a good memory. He remembered it when he said it that time. Seeing the two young ones confronting each other, he had to say, "Doctor Yuan also said that grandma really It is not suitable to eat processed and pickled things, fresh fruit or squeezed juice is acceptable."

Both parties are for the good of the old lady, plus Zhao Wenwan moved out of the doctor, Brother Yue will not be able to make fun of himself, he squeezed the grapes and peeled them, but he remembered the two people who made the noise in his heart, especially looking at that The smiling face that the young one showed after receiving Zhao Wenwan's support was really an eyesore.

After this little episode, the atmosphere of the dinner was a bit condensed, Mrs. Xiping Hou invited He Jingyuan, and asked him to perform a boxing show for his grandmother, so as to liven up the atmosphere.The venue was big enough, and He Jingyuan didn't hesitate, and used a set of majestic military fists to calm down the scene.

The few little ones who were originally entangled in their hearts also stared intently, thinking that the big cousin is really powerful. When the action was over, there was a burst of applause, especially Lin Qingyue, who slapped his palms red, look Looking at He Jingyuan was full of admiration.

He Jingyuan retreated and sat beside Mrs. Xipinghou, drinking tea to quench his thirst. Hearing the continuous compliments from several women, he answered them one by one with a calm and modest attitude.From the beginning to the end, Zhao Wenwan felt that there was a chill spreading, and the only thing in his mind was...it must be painful to be beaten by him.He doesn't hit women...well?When Zhao Wenwan noticed that He Jingyuan's eyes finally fell on him, he felt a little uncertain.

I don't know if Lin Qingyue's brat was at odds with him. Just as an ominous premonition flashed through his mind, he heard a childish voice say, "Cousin Wan, this is the peace talisman my aunt gave me. My cousin's maid is dead. Yes, I heard that it has something to do with you, I think it's better for Cousin Wan to wear this amulet."

Zhao Wenwan looked at Mrs. Ye when he heard the words, and the latter seemed to not understand, and smoothed things over, "Brother Yue, keep it yourself, everyone in the house has them, and your cousin Wan naturally has them too."

"Is it related to me? What's the relationship?" Zhao Wenwan glanced over coolly, returned his eyes to Brother Yue, and asked kindly.

Unexpectedly, Brother Yue stepped back as if he saw some monster, and said in a low voice, "They said you were the one... you forced him to death."

Zhao Wenwan originally wanted to be kind, but seeing that no one appreciated him, he suppressed his smile now, and glanced at the people with different expressions one by one. Except for the old lady and Mrs. Xipinghou who showed their faces, the others were also thinking. Good guess.

"The servants gossiping and breaking the rules should be punished. Brother Yue, as the master, doesn't know right from wrong. He came to ask me about my responsibility as a cousin without evidence, the tutor of the Lin family?" With an uncertain face and a reckless posture.

Mrs. Lin didn't dare to criticize Zhao Wenwan openly because of the old lady's reprimand a few days ago, so she kept silent.

"You..." Brother Yue became more impatient and speechless, staring at Zhao Wenwan with a blushing face.

"You say evidence, what if I'm the evidence?" A deep male voice suddenly uttered from the corner, and then a sharp gaze caught Zhao Wenwan, it was He Jingyuan who couldn't see her complacency.

Mrs. Xipinghou frowned slightly, and ordered softly to her son, "Sit down."

It seemed that He Jingyuan couldn't hold back his anger. Last time, it was because of his mother that he didn't say a word of justice. Cousin Xuan was pushed and injured by Zhao Wenwan!This time another life was belittled, and he really couldn't see it.

This man followed the temperament of the Marquis of Xiping, and grew up in the military camp. He has a straight temper and a passion for fighting against injustices.Let him see such a weak and pitiful girl being threatened by her eldest cousin and become a wronged soul, how can he keep silent this time.

Zhao Wenwan didn't expect this person to show up, and when he heard the evidence, he was even more unclear, but he didn't show it on the surface, and looked at each other unwillingly, waiting for the next sentence.

"Ding Xiang serves the master wholeheartedly, but you, cousin, have a small stomach and think that she is seducing the master, threatening in private, and even saying that there are some ways to deal with it. Even though she is a maid, it is also a life. How can you be so indifferent when you force someone to death? Are you frighteningly cold-blooded, or are you simply disgusting!" He Jingyuan stood up, facing Zhao Wenwan, and said with a hint of anger on his face that there was a full sense of oppression from his height.

After hearing this, Zhao Wenwan guessed that she was bumped into by this person for what she did that day, but this indiscriminate scolding aroused her anger, especially since this person was He Jingyuan who cheated her a lot in the script.From the corner of the eye, I caught a glimpse of Mrs. Ye's secretly proud expression, her eyes darkened, and she said immediately, "Okay, since you feel that something is wrong, and I don't want to take the blame, then let Ding Xiang tell who killed her!"

After finishing speaking, he left the table with a flick of his sleeve, leaving behind a bewildered and inexplicably startled Mrs. Ye.

(End of this chapter)