Proud Maid Chunmei

chapter 20
Since suing Chen Jingji, Wu Yueniang's side has become much calmer, but there are also some small things: Xiuchun girl became a disciple with Aunt Wang and became a monk.Everyone Laizhao died, and his wife Yizhangqing married with his son Tie Guner.Lai Xing'er guards the gate.It turns out that Xing'er has never had a wife since the death of his daughter-in-law Huixiu, so he has an affair with his nanny Ruyi'er.Yueniang found out what had happened, scolded her, she should not show her family ugliness, and gave this grandma a set of clothes, four hairpins, a silver longevity character, and a back comb. After picking a good day, she and Lai Xing The son finished the house and became a daughter-in-law.That Dai'an'er is already 20 years old, and she and Xiaoyu had a secret intention in the past, and they did it at this time.one day.The two of them did a good job on the kang; accidentally, Yueniang came to look for Xiaoyu, bumped into her, and cursed a few words.Two days later, a house was vacated, and two beddings were made for Dai'an, new clothes were put on a suit, a new mesh hat was put on, a pair of new boots and socks were made, and a bun was made for Xiaoyu. , with a few pieces of gold and silver jewelry, four gold-headed and silver-footed hairpins, pendant rings and the like, and two sets of satin and silk colored clothes.Choose a day to finish the house and teach them to be husband and wife.

That Ping'an is two years older than Dai'an, and she is 22 this year. Seeing that Yueniang matched Xiaoyu with Dai'an, gave it to the room, and dressed it with clothes, but she was still a bachelor, she felt angry.It was still a month ago that Mr. Fu pawned a pair of gold heads and a gold-plated hook for 30 taels of silver.Ping'an also saw it at that time.On this day, the family will redeem it with silver and interest.Buddy Fu and Dai'an found it out and put it in the big cupboard of the shop.When Ping'er saw it again, he had evil thoughts and even stole the box. He went to the house of Wu Changjiao, who opened a workshop in Nanwazi, and found the private nest to rest for two nights.When Wang Ba saw that he had made money so big, that the box contained gold-headed noodles, that he was holding out a silver stick to make wine, and that he was shopping with the bustard, he poked the local fan to know.The Tufan stopped Ping'an'er in the house, slapped him twice, and took it down.

It so happened that Wu Dian'en, who had just been promoted to inspector, was coming from the street on a horse with a pair of boards in his head. When he saw it, he asked, "Who is it tied to?"

Tu Fan knelt down and told him again.Wu Dianen ordered him to be taken to the inspection hall for interrogation.

Seeing that it was Wu Dian'en, Ping'an recognized that he was Ximen Qing's buddy back then, so he didn't panic anymore and said, "The young one is Ping An'er from Ximen Qing's family."

Wu Dian'en said: "Since you are his family, what are you doing with this gold thing in this workshop?"

Ping An said: "The little aunt borrowed it from her relatives to wear it on her head, and asked the little one to fetch it. It was late, the city gate was closed, and the little one was put in the workshop for a night. Unexpectedly, the natives took it."

Wu Dian'en scolded: "You slave is talking nonsense! Your family is just so famous and rich in gold and silver. How can I teach you to take out the heads and spend the night in the nest? It must be the gold and silver jewelry you stole. Tell me as soon as possible, so as not to worry about it." I will execute the sentence."

Ping An'er wanted to argue, but Wu Dian'en was furious and cursed: "This slave is a real thief! How can you admit it if you don't beat him?" He ordered around: "Use a stick to clamp this slave with me!"

Putting the stick on, Ping'er yelled like a pig being killed in pain, and shouted: "Master, don't clamp the little one! Let the little one tell the truth." So he confessed the truth.

After loosening the stick, Wu Dian'en asked, "Why did you steal it?"

Pingan said: "The younger one is 22 years old this year. The aunt promised to marry the younger one, but not for the younger one. The family envoy Dai'an'er, who is only 20 years old, matched the girl in the house with him to finish the house. Little Because of this, he was not angry, so he sneaked out of the pawn shop and left."

This Wu Dian'en originally relied on Ximenqing to send generous gifts to Cai Jing and got a half-job. When he took office, Ximenqing borrowed 100 taels of silver from him without interest or through a contract, and he has not yet paid it back.At this time, I don't know how to think, but the case is tried like this.He said to Ping'an'er: "It must be that this young man, Dai'an'er, had an affair with the Wu family, so he first married the girl to him. You just tell the truth, it's nothing to do with you, so I will forgive you."

After hearing this, Ping'an didn't dare to lie: "I don't know." Wu Dian'en shouted: "You're not telling the truth, fight me!"

Left and right will come up to set the stick.Ping'er has already tasted the power of the stick, dare to taste the taste of the stick again?Hastily said: "Master, don't worry about the little one, just wait for the little one to say it!"

Wu Dianen said: "Isn't it? You just said it, it's none of your business." Ping'an'er said: "It's true that my aunt and Dai'an had an affair. Dai'an first asked for Xiaoyu girl, and my aunt saw it and said nothing. I poured out a lot of clothes and jewelry to him, so I can finish the house with him."

Wu Dianen ordered the officials to come up, copied his words, took the confession, put Ping An in the inspection department, and waited for the card to be issued, and brought Wu, Dai'an, and Xiaoyu to interrogate the matter.

That day, the jewelry box disappeared from the cupboard of the pawnshop, which alarmed Mr. Fu and asked Dai'an.Dai'an said: "Put it in this cabinet. I'll go to the herbal medicine shop to see the business. I don't know." Buddy Fu went to look for Ping'an'er again, but couldn't find it, so he was so anxious to swear.

That family came to ask for jewelry, but Mr. Fu had no choice but to say that he hadn't found it yet.The man came several times, but nothing came out, and he just shouted in front of the door: "I have a lot of capital and profit for you, why don't you give me a head and a hook? It's worth seven or eighty taels of silver!"

When Buddy Fu saw that Ping An'er didn't come home all night, he knew he had stolen it.I had to come and tell Yueniang that I would pay her 50 taels of silver.But the man refused, saying: "My head is worth 60 taels, and the hairpins are inlaid with precious stones and beads, which are worth ten taels in total. I should pay 70 taels of silver."

Buddy Fu added another ten taels to him, but he still refused.Just as they were making noise, someone came to report: "Your Ping'an'er stole his head and raised his wife in Nanwazi. He was imprisoned by inspector Wu. If you don't teach people to confess the stolen goods!"

When Wu Yueniang learned about it, she thought she could rest assured.On the one hand, Uncle Wu was invited to discuss, and he quickly wrote a collar.The next day, the teacher's buddy went to collect the spoils.

Unexpectedly, Wu Dian'en scolded Buddy Fu as an "old dog" and "old slave" as hard as he could, and told Zaoli to pull Buddy Fu down, take off his clothes and expose his buttocks to be beaten. Here you have confessed many adulterous affairs between Wu and Dai'an, and I have applied to the prefecture and county here, and I have to issue a license to extract Wu to prove it. You old dog bones, how dare you come to claim the stolen goods?"

Buddy Fu was scolded to come out, so he rushed home in a hurry.When I got home, I didn't dare to hide it, so I told Yueniang.When Yueniang heard this, it was like splitting the eight bones of the roof and pouring down half a bucket of ice and snow, her hands and feet were numb and cold with anger.The person begging for honor was yelling and making a scene in front of the door again, so Mr. Fu had to go out to accompany him. If he was nice to him, that person would go.Wu Yueniang became more and more worried, and she didn't raise her eyebrows, so the servant invited Uncle Wu to discuss and teach him to find favors and tell Wu Dian'en.Uncle Wu said: "I'm afraid he won't be favored, and I want some bribes to deal with him."

Yue Niang said: "When he was an official, our family took care of him, and he borrowed 100 taels of silver from our family, and my father also confiscated his paperwork. Today, he turned against him and avenged him."

Uncle Wu said: "Sister, I can't say that anymore. What's the matter with being ungrateful and treacherous?"

Wu Yueniang said: "Brother is involved, hurry up and find a way out, I'd rather give him a few dozen taels of silver. Bring out the head and the hook, and return it to him. Save yourself the trouble of talking."

So he sent Uncle Wu to eat.Yueniang sent her elder brother to the gate, but she saw Mrs. Xue carrying a flower box and leading a little girl over.Then he stopped and asked, "Old Xue, where are you going? Why don't you come to my place?"

Mrs. Xue came over and said: "Your old man said it well. I have been very busy these two days, but I have a lot of clues. At my little grandma's place, the jailer and senior officials have called me several times, so I have no time." go."

Yue Niang said: "Look at this mother's flirting, she has become my little grandmother again!" Mrs. Xue said: "Now she is not a little grandmother, but a big grandmother."

"How does she become a grandma?" Yueniang asked.

Mrs. Xue said: "You old man doesn't know, she is such a good luck! Ever since she gave birth to her brother and the eldest grandmother died, the guard master helped her into the main house and made her a conferred wife. The grandson of Zhengjing's second grandma Shi is not as good as her. I bought two nurses and four maids to support them. There are also two sisters in the house who have to love and learn to sing. Who is the master? I’m afraid I’m angry with her. I didn’t know what happened that day, I beat up Mrs. Xue’e, her hair was smoothed out, and I was asked to fetch it in the middle of the night, and I sold it for eight taels of silver. Now Erniang Sun’s room is only A maid, she has four or five in her hand, and two tits, and she said that there are few people. The second mother dare not speak, and the grandma is always short, and she only coaxes her. She said to me the day before yesterday: "Old Xue, find a little girl for me to use." I think that little girl can't do life, but can only go to the stove. There are many things in her house. I was still sleeping this morning, and the jailer called me again. I asked me twice, and told me to go to the house quickly. Ask me if I want two sets of big emerald and heavy cloud tins, and another pair of nine phoenix tins and silver roots. The gold medal, I gave me five taels of silver first. I don’t know where I sent the silver, and I haven’t sent Life to her yet. Seeing me now, I don’t know how to scold me. I’m giving this now. Go girl."

Yue Niang said: "Come in, go to the back, and wait for me to see what kind of Cui Tian'er it is." At the same time, she asked Mrs. Xue to sit down in the open room at the back.Mrs. Xue opened the flower box, took it out and showed it to Wu Yueniang. They were indeed exquisitely made and looked good.About four fingers wide, through the bun, the gold and emerald are hidden, the emeralds overlap, and the back is pasted with gold. The nine phoenix tins, each holding a jewel card in the mouth of the phoenix, are very ingenious.Mrs. Xue said: "Since this pair of tins is made, it costs three to five silver coins; the heavy cloud one is only one or two five silver coins, and I haven't found her money yet."

At this time, Dai An'er came to Yueniang and said: "The beggar came to the front again and yelled, saying that he can't wait to get the stolen goods. When will he get it? If he doesn't have the honor tomorrow, he will fight with Uncle Fu. We will deal with it somewhere." Miles. Second Uncle Fu was in a bad mood and went home. The man yelled and went back."

Mrs. Xue asked, "What is it?" Yueniang let out a long breath, and then she told about Ping'an's theft and Wu Dian'en's troubles, and then said: "The man is dead, and the failure comes together, just waiting to be bullied like this." It's so hard!" As she spoke, tears fell from her eyes.

Mrs. Xue said: "Good grandma, you won't be able to find the way if you leave it alone. Our little grandma, you can write a post here, wait for me to tell her, teach the master to send someone to order the inspection department, don't say a face, I also asked for ten heads."

Yueniang said: "Zhou Shoubei is a military officer. Can he manage the inspection department?"

Mrs. Xue said: "Grandma, you don't know yet. Now Lord Zhou, the imperial court has issued his imperial edict so as not to worry about things. Local rivers, military horses, money and food are all written and handed out by him. There are rivers in the east and west in the west. Catch the robber, the thief is in his hands."

Yue Niang said: "Since I'm in charge, Old Xue, I'm tired of you talking to Miss Pang, not bothering the second master with one guest, and teaching her to speak nicely in front of Master Zhou, and ask the inspector to ask for a favor. I will spend five taels of silver to thank you."

Mrs. Xue said: "Good grandma, Qian Xunzhong! I saw that your old man was in a state of distress just now, and I couldn't let it go. You taught someone to write a post. Don't eat tea. When I go to the mansion, I will tell my little grandma. If it is done, I will follow you, old man; if not, I will talk back and forth with you, old man.”

Wu Yueniang asked Xiaoyu to serve tea with Mrs. Xue.Sister-in-law Xue said: "It's too late for us, let's not eat. You just taught the senior officials to write a post, and I will take it. You don't know, I have everything on me."

Yueniang refused.Xiaoyu has served tea and food, and Yueniang eats tea with her, and then teaches Dai'an to ask someone to write a post.Mrs. Xue gave the girl some snacks to eat.Yueniang asked the girl how old she was.Mrs. Xue said, "I'm 12 years old this year."

After a while, Dai'an'er wrote a post and came. Mrs. Xue took off her sleeves, had tea, bid farewell to Yueniang, carried a flower box, led the girl, and came to the garrison mansion round and round.

Chunmei was still sleeping on the heating kang, and she didn't get up. When she heard that Mrs. Xue was coming, she asked the girl to open the window inside, and the screen window was brightly illuminated by the sun.

Mrs. Xue went in and said, "Grandma hasn't gotten up here yet." She put down the flower box and kowtowed.

Chunmei said: "If you are not in charge of the family, why do you kowtow." Then she said: "I feel uncomfortable, and I got up late today."

So, first look at the jewelry flower tin, then look at the girl who brought it, and bought it for four taels of silver.Chunmei taught Haitang to lead the little girl to Er Niang's room.It is also called Yuegui: "Take a big pot with Jinhua wine in it, sieve it and eat it with Mrs. Xue, and it will be hot. If you have any snacks, take a box to eat with her. To save her from saying that she will be fed with widow wine early in the morning. "

Mrs. Xue said: "Sister Gui, don't sieve it up, wait until I talk to grandma. I also ate some there just now."

Chunmei asked: "Whose house do you think you are eating?" Mrs. Xue said: "Just now, my aunt left me to eat some tea and food. She looked at me so as not to cry. She said that Ping'er stole someone's house in the seal shop." He has a golden face and a gold-plated hook. He raised his wife outside and was beaten by the fan in the inspection department. People here want to make a fuss and let Fu get the stolen goods. Then the inspector Wu used to be our guy there. , I have my father here, and I will take care of his officials. If you don’t show any kindness today, you will beat the servants and grab people, and you will not be allowed to get the stolen goods here. You need money, otherwise, report to the county and transfer the servants to beat and scold them. Ask me to come and sue you, old man. I don’t know that our master is in charge of this inspectorate. I’m so pitiful that I have no relatives. I will teach you to speak to the master for her, show her face, and hand it over to others. Auntie came to thank you, old man."

Chunmei asked, "Is there a post? It doesn't matter. Your grandfather is on a tour. I'll tell him when he comes home tonight."

Mrs. Xue said: "She said that the post is here." She took it out of her sleeve.

Chunmei took it over to look at it, and placed it on the window sill.When the food and wine came, Mrs. Xue was also hungry.Chunmei poured her a few cups, and her face turned red immediately, and then she took the big plate of crispy rose cakes with the top skin, Mrs. Xue ate only one, and told her to keep it in her sleeve, and there was also a plate of fire bacon and cured meat. The geese were all wrapped in straw paper and cloth, and stuffed in her sleeves, asking her to take them back: "Take it with your old bastard to eat." Haitang girl drank another half cup of wine, and only took it away when she saw her vomit. Go over the guy, don't let her eat it.

Chunmei told her: "Come to talk to me tomorrow, and I'll give you that girl's money." Sending her to the door of the room, she said: "Bring some other good sets of flowers and jade tins to me tomorrow. The child did not do well."

Mrs. Xue was a little drunk, and said: "I know. Grandma asked a big sister to see me off, don't teach the dog to bite my leg."

Chunmei said with a smile: "My dog ​​has eyes, and it only bites to the bone and stops." At the same time, she sent Lanhua out of the corner gate.

Zhou Shoubei came home at sunset, entered the back hall, and the maids on the left and right took the crown clothes.Entering the room and seeing Chunmei and her son, she was overjoyed.Sit down, Yuegui and Haitang drink tea and tell about the tour.After a while, put the table and set the meal.After the meal, hold a candle in your palm and arrange a cup for drinking.The guard asked, "Is there anything going on ahead?"

Chunmei read the posts and guards brought by Aunt Xue, and told about Wu Yueniang's affairs.The guard looked at it and said, "This matter is in my yamen. How can I report it to the prefecture and county? That fellow Wu inspector is so disgusting! I will play the card tomorrow, and even he will bring it up." He said, "I once heard It is said that Wu Xunjian is a servant of Ximenqing's family, and he was brought to be an official just because he went to Tokyo to pay tribute to Taishi Cai, so how could he frame his family?"

Chunmei said: "This is true. You can do everything for her tomorrow."

The next day, I immediately taught Wu Yue's mother's family to make up a paper, and a large flower column was issued in the hall, which was wrapped in an envelope, and it was approved: "Shandong Shouyu Mansion is responsible for the theft, and the inspector and the inspectors and officers are involved. Release the payment. On the right, Yuhou Zhang Sheng and Li An are on the right. Approve this." At that moment, the two men took out the official documents and went to Wu Yue's mother's house first.Yueniang took care of the wine and food, and gave each of them a tael of silver for shoes and feet.Buddy Fu had already fallen asleep at home, and Uncle Wu followed him to the inspection department.

Inspector Wu saw that Ping'an had been in prison for two days, but no one from Ximen Qing's family came to take care of it. The orthodox official code should be submitted to the prefecture and county for documents.But he saw two gentlemen from Shouyu's mansion arrived and took out the approval document to share with him.Wu Dian'en was only puzzled when he saw the vermilion pen marked on the envelope, "Release and handover by the inspector and inspector." When he opened it and saw the case of Wu's case inside, he panicked and apologized. silver.Immediately make paperwork and explain people up.

When I arrived at the garrison mansion, I waited for half a day before I saw the garrison promotion hall.Inspector Wu hurriedly submitted the documents.The garrison looked at it once and said: "This is exactly what I do in this yamen. Why don't you come to me and send it to me? It's obvious that there are emotional disadvantages."

Wu Xunjian said: "The small official is waiting to do the paperwork. The application is under the master's case. Unexpectedly, the master Jun has approved it."

The garrison shouted: "You dog official is disgusting! What an official position, this kind of deceitful method, disobedience to the superior. I am ordered by the imperial court to protect the place, patrol and arrest thieves, admiral the military gate, and also manage the river. The official duties have been clearly stated. How can you take the case, fail to explain it, use the torture rod to torture the prisoner, falsely accuse the innocent, it is obvious that there is love and evil."

After hearing this, inspector Wu took off his crown and hat, and just kowtowed before the steps.

The guard said: "I should take part in treating you, a dog official, and let me forgive you. If there is a crime next time, I will investigate it." Then he brought the peace to the hall and said, "You slave, you stole property. , and even wantonly slandered the master, who is like you, and dare not make slaves!" He ordered around: "Hit me with thirty sticks and let them go. Seal up the stolen goods and teach my family to come and go." Call in Uncle Wu and hand over the collar.The defense sent Zhang Sheng to take the post, and sent it to Ximen Qing's house together.

At this time, Wu Yueniang was already in suspense, and sent Zhang Sheng to drink and eat, and gave him another tael of silver.Zhang Sheng returned to the mansion and returned to the defense, and Chunmei talked.Inspector Wu took Ping'an'er for a while, and lost several taels of silver.

Yueniang returned the face and the hook to that person, and finally settled the matter.Buddy Fu had contracted typhoid fever and fell asleep. It was only seven days old, and he couldn't get well. Alas, he died.Yueniang had no choice but to collect the money from the pawn shop, redeem it, and then go out without borrowing the money.The herbal medicine shop taught Uncle Wu to open it with Dai'an, earning some money for monthly use at home.

Two days later, Wu Yueniang called Mrs. Xue to come and gave her three taels of silver.

Mrs. Xue said: "Don't do it, it's rumored that the little grandma in the house blames me."

Yueniang said: "Heaven doesn't make people empty, so you're tired. I saw her, so I just didn't say anything."

So I bought four big dishes, slaughtered a fresh pig, another jar of southern wine, and a horse's silk ruler, and asked Mrs. Xue to keep them in custody, and sent them to the garrison mansion to thank Chunmei.Dai'an, wearing green silk pleats and holding a gift card in a gold-painted box, followed.

When they arrived at the Garrison Mansion, Aunt Xue led Dai'an into the back hall.Chunmei came out, wearing a gold beam crown, golden hairpin comb, phoenix tin, embroidered jacket and brocade skirt, served by maids and adoptive mothers.Dai'an fell to the ground and kowtowed.Chunmei ordered the table to be set, set tea to eat with Dai'an, and said: "It's nothing, your grandma will excuse me, why bother to bring so many gifts. Your Lord Zhou will definitely not accept it."

Dai'an said: "My grandma said: The matter of Ping An'er the day before yesterday was a lot of trouble for Master Zhou and Grandma Zhou. It's nothing, just a little courtesy, and it's easy for you and Grandma to appreciate you."

Chunmei said, "How do you feel better?"

Mrs. Xue said: "If you, old man, don't accept it, then it's my fault if you offend the other end."

Chunmei invited her into the garrison again to worry about it. She only accepted pig wine and big dishes, and brought the ruler back to the future. She gave Dai'an a handkerchief and three silver coins, and the box bearer two coins.He asked Dai'an again, "How are your grandma and brother?"

Dai'an said: "My brother is so cute."

"When did you cage your head and wrap a net towel? When did you finish the room with Xiaoyu?"

"It's within August."

"When I get home, I'd like to thank your grandma, thank you for the great gift. I will invite your grandma to sit down, and your master Zhou will go on tour sooner or later. I will go home for my brother's birthday in the first month of the Chinese New Year."

"If you go to the old man's house, the younger one will tell my grandma when she gets home that she will come to pick her up that day."

After finishing speaking, Chunmei sent Dai'an out.Aunt Xue still needs to sit down for a while and talk to Chunmei.

Dai An'er came home with a box and a burden, and met Yueniang and told about Chunmei's reception and coming home in the first month, and then told: "She lives in five main rooms, wears brocade skirts and embroidered jackets, and wears golden beam crowns. , Chu Luo became fatter and bigger, and there are many maids and milkmen under him to serve."

Yueniang asked: "Did she really say she would come to our house next year?"

Dai'an said, "Tell me the truth."

Yueniang said: "On that day, we will send someone to pick her up here." Then she asked: "Why hasn't Mrs. Xue come?"

"I went out, but she was still sitting and talking, so she told me to come first." Dai'an said.From then on, Wu Yueniang and Chunmei's family kept in touch.

Time flies, the sun and the moon are flying fast, and the 21st of the first lunar month will come.Chunmei talked to Zhou Shoubei, and prepared a sacrificial table, four kinds of soup fruits, and a jar of southern wine, and sent her family Zhou Ren to send it to Wu Yueniang.One is Ximen's third anniversary, and the other is Brother Xiao's birthday.Yueniang accepted the gift and sent Zhou Renpa and Yin three coins.He hurriedly made Dai'an wear Tsing Yi, and asked the book to go.

Chunmei didn't come until the middle of the day.Wearing a head full of pearls and emeralds, a golden phoenix hairpin comb, and a beaded ring; wearing a red sleeved four-beast court unicorn robe, an emerald blue ten-pattern brocade and hundreds of flowers skirt, a jade pendant, and a gold belt; red embroidered white flowers at the feet Aya high-soled shoes.Sitting in a sedan chair for four people, the sedan chair cover is covered with green satin and gold.The military prison shouted with rattan sticks, and the family companions should follow, carrying the clothes box; the two family and daughter-in-law small sedan chairs followed closely behind the big sedan chair.

Wu Yueniang invited Wu Dajin to accompany her, and asked her two singing daughters to play and sing.Yueniang is also dressed in plain makeup, with a five-beam crown on her head, a few pieces of gold and emerald jewelry, two beaded rings on both sides, a gold rubbed collar, a white silk jacket on top, and a gold drag mud skirt woven with emerald blue satin. Wearing jade-colored satin high-soled shoes.Hearing that Chunmei had arrived, she and the eldest concubine greeted her in the front hall.

Chunmei's big sedan chair was lifted to the head of the Yimen Gate before it got off the sedan chair. Surrounded by family members on both sides, they went to the hall to recite the ceremony, and bowed down to Yueniang as if inserting candles.Yue Niang hurriedly answered the gift and said, "I was so tired and troubled in the past, but my thick ruler refused to accept it. Now I have to accept the generous ceremony and funeral. I am very grateful."

Chunmei said: "I'm afraid, the family's government has nothing to do with it. These small gifts are just expressive. I always want to invite grandma over, but the family's government often goes on tour, so I never invited."

Yueniang said: "Sister, when will you be happy? Then I will buy a gift and go see my sister."

Chunmei said: "Slavery Day is April 25th."

Yueniang said: "The slave will definitely go on that day." After the two ceremonies, Chunmei insisted that Yueniang accept the two rites.Meet Wu Dajinzi again.

The eldest concubine also bowed, but Chunmei refused.The eldest concubine said: "Sister, you are not what you used to be today. You have killed your old body." She only accepted half of the ceremony, and let her sit up.Yueniang and eldest concubine accompany each other.Then the family's daughter-in-law, maid and adoptive mother all came to see.

When Chunmei saw her grandma Ruyi hugging Brother Xiao, Wu Yueniang called out, "Little brother, why don't you come to kowtow to sister, thank you sister for coming to celebrate your birthday with you today." Get off your body, lie down on the ground and sing with Chunmei.Yueniang said: "Good boy, don't kowtow to sister, just sing!"

Chunmei hurriedly took out a brocade handkerchief and a pair of golden eight auspicious children from her sleeve, and taught him to put on his hat.

Yueniang said: "Teach my sister to worry about it again." Thank you again.

Xiaoyu and Naizi kowtow.Chunmei gave Xiaoyu a pair of gold-headed hairpins, and Naizi two silver flowers.

Yueniang told Chunmei: "Sister, you don't know yet, Naizi has become a daughter-in-law with Lai Xing'er. Lai Xing'er's daughter-in-law died of illness."

Chunmei said: "It's good that she wants to be with us all the time."

The maid brought tea.After tea, Yueniang said: "Sister, please sit in the open room behind, it's cold inside."

When Chunmei came to the back, she saw that Ximen Qingling had already lit the candles and put down the table she had given as a sacrifice, so she stepped forward and burned the paper, shedding a few tears.Then set up a screen around it, and a charcoal fire is lit in the stove.There are large tables and mats for the Eight Immortals, and the tea is served with exquisite steamed crisps, exotic sweets, delicious vegetables, rare fruits, golden dishes, ivory chopsticks, snow ingots and bowls, and superb ivory tea.Yueniang and eldest concubine had tea with them, and asked Chunmei to go into the upper room to change clothes.After taking off the upper gown, the family and daughter-in-law opened the clothes box and took out the clothes, and changed into a set of green and brocade makeup and flower jackets, and lilac-colored gold skirts.Sitting in Yueniang's room, talking.

Yueniang asked: "How is brother? Why don't you take him here for a walk today?"

Chunmei said: "If not, bring him here to kowtow to grandma. His grandfather said that the weather is cold and he is afraid that the wind will blow him. He is not willing to stay in the room, as long as the person on duty carries him out and walks outside the hall. For two days I somehow just cried."

Yueniang asked: "When you come out, he doesn't look for you?"

Chunmei said: "There are two nipples on the left and right, so it's fine to take turns looking at him."

Yue Niang said: "His Master Zhou is also very old, it is enough for you to raise this little child for him, and it is also a blessing on your skirt. It is said that Erniang Sun has a sister, how old is she?"

Chunmei said: "Her second mother's name is Sister Yu, who is four years old this year. My name is Brother Jin."

Yueniang asked again: "You said there are two sisters in the room beside Master Zhou?"

Chunmei said: "They are two girls who are learning to play and sing. They are both sixteen or seventeen years old. They are naughty all the time."

Yueniang asked: "Does his grandfather often go to their side?"

Chunmei said: "Grandma, how can he spend time at home! He spends more time outside than inside. Nowadays, thieves and thieves are everywhere, and the imperial edict teaches him to take care of many things, guarding places, patrolling rivers, catching thieves, training troops and horses." , I often go out to patrol a few times from time to time, it's really hard."

Saying that, Xiaoyu ate tea again.

Chunmei said to Yueniang: "Grandma, lead me to walk down the hill in my mother's garden."

Yue Niang said: "My sister, Shanzi Garden is still the same as Shanzi Garden back then! Since your father passed away, no one has taken care of it. Now it is broken, the stones have fallen, and the woods are dead. I won’t go any longer.”

Chunmei still wanted to go, and said, "It's okay, I'll go to see my mother."

Yueniang was not strong enough, so she had to teach Xiaoyu to open the door with the key. Yueniang and eldest concubine accompanied Chunmei, and everyone followed inside to have a look.But only see:

The walls are damaged, and the terraces are crooked.Moss grows on the painted walls on both sides, and green grass grows on the tiles all over the floor.The strange rocks in front of the mountain are not steep after being destroyed; the cool bed in the pavilion has been leaked and has no frame.There are spider silk webs at the entrance of the stone cave, and groups of toads in the fish pond.The fox often sleeps in the Lying Cloud Pavilion, and the ground squirrel travels to and from the Tibetan Spring Pavilion.It is expected that there will be no people for many years, and I also know that there will be clouds every day.

Chunmei looked at it for a while, then went to Li Ping'er first, and saw some folding tables, broken stools, and broken chairs upstairs, the rooms below were all empty and locked, and the underground grass was barren.When Fang came to Jinlian, there were still some crude herbs and spices piled upstairs, and in her mother's room below, there were only two cupboards, and the bed was gone.Yin asked Xiaoyu: "Why is my mother's mother-of-pearl bed missing?"

Xiaoyu said: "My third mother got married, and I lost my third mother." Yueniang came over and said, "Because your father is here, I took the eight-step bed she brought with my eldest sister to stay in Chen's house. After she got up, I took your mother's bed to accompany her to get married."

Chunmei said: "I heard that after the death of the eldest sister, your old man could carry the bed home." Yueniang said: "At that time, there was no money to use it, so I sold the bed for eight taels of silver and sent Zao Li in the county. gone."

Chunmei nodded when she heard the words, the star's eyes couldn't help being sour, she kept silent, and said to herself: "I think of my mother, who was fighting for the strong and not subduing the weak. Seeing Liu Niang's room with a mother-of-pearl bed, I also asked my father to buy this mother-of-pearl bed. I really hope that I will go back to this bed, and I will also be her old man's souvenir, and I don't want to go with someone again." There was a tragic moment.

At this time, Zhou Ren, a family member, came to pick up Chunmei and said, "Father asked grandma to go home earlier, and my brother will find grandma to cry." Chunmei withdrew and went to the back.Yueniang taught Xiaoyu to lock the garden gate, and they came to the back together.In the Ming Dynasty, a banquet had already been set up. Two prostitutes, silver zithers and pipas, began to play and sing. Wu Yueniang handed wine to the banquet, and An Chunmei sat on it.Chunmei refused, so she had to pull the elder sister to sit with her.The Moon Lady presided over the table, and the wine was served before the banquet, and the soup, rice and snacks were cut and served.Chunmei taught Zhou Ren to reward the cook with three silver coins.

At the moment, pass the cup and change the cup, and eat until the sun is about to fall, and I see another companion in the house to pick it up with a lantern.Where is Yueniang willing to let it go? She taught two prostitutes to kneel in front of her, played and sang to persuade her to drink, and said: "You two should be filial to your grandma Zhou with a good song." Mei Chi: "Sister, tell your favorite song, teach her to sing and listen to wine."

Chunmei said: "Grandma, I can't afford to be a slave, I'm afraid the child will find me at home."

Yue Niang said: "Brother Xun, there are boobs watching on the left and right, it's still early, I know you can drink too!"

Chunmei then asked the two prostitutes, "What are your names? Whose family do you belong to?"

The two knelt down and said, "The younger one is Han Jinchuan's sister Han Yuchuan, and the other is Zheng Aixiang's niece Zheng Jiaoer." Chunmei knew Han Jinchuan and Zheng Aixianger when they were in Ximen's courtyard, and they often came to sing songs and serve wine. Then he asked, "Can you sing "Lazy Thrush"?"

Yu Chuan'er said: "Grandma told me, the younger two can do it."

Yueniang said: "Since you two can sing, pour wine for your grandma Zhou to eat, and you sing slowly." Xiaoyu poured wine quickly beside her.Two prostitutes, one playing the zither and the other the lute, sang:

When will your friend rest for you?After spring comes and autumn comes again, who knows my heart.God, it made me lonely and thin, and I burst into tears listening to the music.In the past, I went to tell the reason, who would have thought that you would throw me away mercilessly!

Chunmei has already emptied the wine in the glass.Yueniang ordered Zheng Jiaoer to hand over a glass of wine and Chunmei.Chunmei said: "Your old man also accompany me to drink." Both families poured it.

The two whores sang again:
Friends will make you less romantic!The magpies are not willing to rest in front of the eaves, and there is no reason for the sound of death and vitality.My God, it made me so emotionally procrastinated, and made me desolate and tearful.Ever since he left, I have never ceased to think, who would want you, Gu En, to throw me away?
Chunmei said: "Grandma, you can also teach my sister-in-law to drink a cup." Yue Niang said: "My eldest sister-in-law can't eat it, so teach her to take a small cup to accompany you." .The two whores sang again:

Enemies cause trouble for you!Sitting, thinking, thinking, worrying day and night, fragrant muscles are thin and gentle.God, I can't see you, I'm so bored that I burst into tears.I used to work together with you, who would have thought that you would throw me away this time!
Now that Chunmei saw Xiaoyu in front of her, she also poured out a big bell to teach Xiaoyu to eat. This is to thank her for her benevolence and sisterhood when she was expelled from Ximen Qing's house, but it is inconvenient to say it at this time.

Yueniang didn't know, and said, "Sister, she can't eat."

Chunmei said: "Grandma, she also ate two or three cups. I was at home then, didn't I eat with her?"

Yueniang didn't stop her anymore, and Xiaoyu also ate a cup.the whore sang:
Enemies make trouble for you!Sickness rests on the bed without rest, full of sorrow and frowning, my god, forgetting is still the same, it makes two tears flow down my cheeks.I used to be with you without rest, who would have thought that you would leave me for so many years!
Chunmei even ate a few cups, together with the set of songs she ordered to sing, it was all about the worries and melancholy caused by revisiting the garden today, missing the dead golden lotus, and thinking about Chen Jingjing who was still wandering in nowhere.Seeing that the two prostitutes sang well, their mouths were sweet, and their hearts were full of joy. They asked their family members Zhou Ren to come forward and took out two bags of rewards, each with two coins.The two prostitutes put down their instruments and kowtowed their thanks.After a while, Chunmei got up, and Yueniang couldn't keep the money, so she lit the lantern with her companion, bid farewell and went out, and got into the big sedan chair.The family and daughter-in-law all sat in the sedan chair, with four lanterns at the front and back, and the military prison shouted and left.

After returning to the mansion, Chunmei was bedridden for several days, feeling unhappy.The guard knew what he meant, and said, "I'm afraid I'm missing your brother, right?" On the one hand, he called the generals Zhang Sheng and Li An, and said, "I've always entrusted you two to look for your grandma and brother, why don't you look for them carefully?"

The two said: "The little one has been looking for it all the time, but he can't find his whereabouts all over the place. I have already told grandma."

The guard said: "You two are limited to five days. If you can't find it, let's find out!"

Zhang Sheng and Li An led Junyu down, all with sad faces, wandering around the streets, looking for questions everywhere.

Chen Jingji had already returned to Qinghe County, and he didn't have the face to see Mr. Wang of Xing'an.

One day, Jiji was standing on the street, and he saw Yang Dalang with iron nails wearing a Silla hat, white silk jacket, black satin open coat, agarwood color socks, and plain qin shoes, riding a donkey. Picking up the silver saddle bridle, a young servant followed, walking through the middle of the street.Ji Ji stepped forward and grabbed the bit, and said, "Brother Yang, I haven't seen you for a long time. We were originally friends, but you deceived me too hard, and you made me miserable. Today I am poor, you But it will be swayed and useful!"

Yang Dalang was taken aback at first, and when he calmed down, he saw that it was Chen Jingji, another beggar Chen Jingji, and said with a smile: "It's unlucky now, I ran into a plague ghost when I went out! If you don't let go, give me a whip."

Ji Ji said: "I'm poor now, you have some money to eat with me. Otherwise, let's go to the government."

Yang Dalang jumped off the donkey, whipped him a few times, and ordered the servant: "Follow me with this young bastard!"

The servant at the side pushed Jiji hard, and Yang Dalang kicked him a few more times, making Jiji scream strangely.

After a while, many people surrounded him, and one came up, wearing a tall green hat, wearing a handkerchief, and wearing a purple jacket and white cloth, with neat feet and sandals; Three-beard man, with purple flesh on his face, and tense tendons on his wrist, with a bit of drunkenness, raised his fist and said to Yang Dalang: "You brother is so unreasonable, he is young and poor, why do you only care about beating him? Since ancient times, the fist of anger has never hit a smiling face, and he has never hurt you. If you have money, be with him; if you don't have money, that's all. How can you just beat him?"

Yang Dalang said: "You don't know that he is talking nonsense here."

The man said: "Then you adults don't count the faults of villains. Your Excellency is so rich, according to me, let's have a meal with him!"

Yang Dalang didn't want to make things worse, so he took out four or five yuan of silver from his sleeve, threw it to Chen Jingji, raised his hand to the man, got on the donkey and walked away.

Ji Ji got up, looked up at the man, and recognized him as Hou Lin'er, the earthwork leader and flying ghost who slept in the same cold bunk in the old days.Hou Lin'er took Ji Ji with one hand and said: "Brother, if I hadn't teased him with a few words just now, would he have given you the five coins? He is a thief, but he knew Fan; otherwise, he would give me a good fist. Let's go, let's go to the hotel for a drink."

In the hotel, Hou Liner let Chen Jingji have a full meal, and then said: "Brother, you sleep with me in the Fangzi today, and tomorrow I will take you to Shuiyue Temple in the south of the city, where Elder Xiaoyue is there." Gaijialan Hall, and two corridors for the monks. Your brother and I led fifty workers to earn food there. When you go there, you don’t need to do heavy work. You only need to carry a few baskets of soil. Four cents of silver. I rent a mansion outside, and we will rest there in the evening. Cook some food for our people to eat. You lock the door, and the house will be handed over to you, okay? It's better than you ringing the bell and clapper for Huazi in that cold shop, it's more official."

The economy is at the end of the road at this time, why not?Seeing that he agreed, Hou Lin'er rushed to pay for the food and drink, and leaned on the back of the economy, and went to the workshop together. The two of them lay down together, both of them were drunk.In the evening, this Hou Lin'er worked in the backyard of the economy for a whole night, "brother", "dada", "man", "lord", and he would come out with all kinds of calls.

At dawn, the two got up and went to the Shuiyue Temple in the south of the city together. Sure enough, what Hou Liner said was true.The economy does what he says.Seeing that Ji Ji was under 24 or five years old, with a fair face and handsome features, they knew that he was Hou Liner's companion and brother, and they all teased him.

"What's your name, young man?" Someone asked.

"My name is Chen Jingji." Chen Jingji said.

"Chen Jiji, you can't help but squeeze." Someone laughed.

"You are so young, would you like to do this job and suffer such a big fight?" Someone said again, and everyone burst into laughter.

Hou Lin'er came over to drink away the crowd and scolded: "Damn Huazi, why do you only care about ridiculing him!" On the one hand, he scattered the shovels and baskets, and sent people to carry the soil, to mix the mud, and to fight the mud.

Elder Xiaoyue assigned Ye Toutuo to make a fire head, cook rice and eat it with Luozuo craftsmen.This Ye Toutuo was about 50 years old, he was blind, he could not read scriptures, he could only chant Buddha, and he was good at the appearance of sackcloth. Everyone called him Ye Dao.

One day, after work, everyone finished their meal and took a rest.Ji Ji asked Ye Toutuo for tea, but Ye Toutuo just looked him up and down with one eye.Someone saw it and asked him to play tricks for the new boy.Ye Toutuo taught him to come closer, looked at it for a while, and said: "I am afraid of tenderness and tenderness, and my voice is delicate and tender, and I will not forgive you. The tenderness of the old is hard work, and the tenderness of the young is not strong. I only suffer from your tenderness, I have been favored by Yin people in my life. At the age of eight, eighteen, and 28, I went down to the root of the mountain and went up to the hair. Whether there is work or not, I will disappear at both ends. At thirty, I will not be evil. I have a good eye and a clever heart. I can be a person without reading poetry. Pretentious All kinds of people are cute, even if they are fake, don’t blame me for saying that they are ingenious all their lives, and they often get rich. How old are you this year?"

Ji Ji said: "I am 24 years old." Ye Dao said: "How did you call here the year before last! After eating your house is too narrow, your son lost his wife and died; the hanging wall was dark, people died and their homes were broken; No; the nose is like a kitchen door, and the family property is lost. That year, I was sued by a lawsuit and my family lost my business, have you ever seen it?"

Economy: "I've seen them all."

Ye Toutuo said: "One more thing, you should not cut off the roots of the mountain. Patriarch Mai Yi said two good words: the roots of the mountain are broken, and the flowers are empty, and the ancestral property is gone. The family will be ruined. In the early years, the father and grandfather left the family property, no matter how much, it is in your hands. It’s done. You go up and down and down and down, the master will succeed and fail. Money will be exhausted and you will come back. After a long time, you will be able to make a fortune, just like the scorching sun shining on the frost. You take two steps and I’ll see.”

The economy really took two steps.Ye Toutuo also said: "Let's go first, the first master is good, but the later life is poor; the feet are not touching the ground, selling all the farmland and leaving for another country, and never keeping the ancestral property in your life. You will be good in the future, and you will have three wives. Overcome one wife and palace. Never?"

Economically said: "It has been overcome."

Ye Toutuo said: "Later there will be a meeting of three wives. Your face is like peach blossoms. Although you are late, but you want to drink and have fun, I am afraid that the beauty is not good. The villain in his thirties has some shortcomings. Few of the flowers and willows have to walk. Calculate."

A person next to him said: "Ye Dao, you are out of date, and he is still married to someone else, how can he have three wives?" Everyone laughed together.

After a month or so, in the middle of March, one day, Jiji was being carried out of the soil with all the people. Under the gate wall of the temple, leaning against the base of the wall to face the sun, squatting to catch lice.I saw a man wearing a swastika turban on his head, a golden ring on the back of his head, a green narrow shirt, a purple belly wrap, a belt around his waist, and boots on his feet. He was riding a yellow horse and was holding a basket of flowers in his hand. , seeing the economy, jumped off the horse suddenly, stepped forward and sang deeply, and shouted: "Uncle Chen, there is nowhere to look for the villain, so you are here!"

Ji Ji was taken aback, and hurriedly returned the salute: "Brother, where are you from?"

"The villain is guarding Zhang Sheng in the mansion. Ever since my uncle was arrested in the mansion, the official affairs came out, and grandma is not good. Until now, the master has sent the villain to look for uncle in all directions. I don't know where he is. It wasn't my grandma who sent the villain out this morning. Zhuangshang took these peony flowers and passed by here. How can I see you here. It is your fate, and the two villains are destined. Please don't hesitate to ride the horse. I will go to the mansion with you. go."

All the workers watched and looked at each other, not daring to make a sound.Chen Jiji handed the key to Hou Lin'er, got on his horse, Zhang Sheng followed closely on foot, and went straight to the garrison mansion.

(End of this chapter)