stormy clouds

This is Zhang's first visit to the Hou Mansion.

Mrs. Mu likes flowers and plants, and she has long heard that in addition to apricot flowers, lotus flowers are also excellent in the Hou Mansion.

When I saw it today, it was indeed unusual. The lotus pond in the Hou Mansion is huge. Although there are no lotus flowers, there are lots of lotus leaves. Some newly extracted lotus leaves are tender green and sparkle in the sun.

Because it is open, the cool breeze is blowing from all sides, and with the faint fragrance of flowers, it is really pleasing to the eye to see the coolness everywhere.

Pastries have been placed on the waterside pavilion in the lotus pond. Yuncai specially placed a thick mattress on Mrs. Mu's seat. Everyone waited for Mrs. Mu to sit down and then took their seats one after another. Mrs. Zhang smiled and sat next to Mrs. Cheng Anbo. When she saw the pastries on the table, she smiled and said: "It's because of my aunt and sister-in-law. The pastries from Qingxiangzhai have always been hard to buy. I'm afraid I queued up to buy them before dawn." ”

"It's not difficult for the government to send someone to buy it," Mrs. Mu said with a smile, "If you like to eat, just eat more."

Mrs. Cheng Anbo picked up a piece of pastry and handed it to Mrs. Mu, "I remember that my sister doesn't like sweet pastries, but the pastries from Qingxiangzhai are light and not greasy after eating."

Mrs. Mu took the cake and said with a smile: "You only know that I didn't like sweets in the past, but you don't know that I have changed my taste now. I take so many medicines every day that my taste buds are dulled. Sweet things can dilute it just right." Take the bitter taste out of your mouth.”

Mrs. Cheng Anbo said with shame: "Sister, are your legs really that bad?"

"I'm getting older now. In addition to my bad legs and bad waist, I can't live as good as one day." Mrs. Mu smiled and took a bite of the pastry. "On the other hand, sister, you don't look as energetic as before. some."

Mrs. Cheng'anbo felt a little sad, "My sister is in poor health, and I feel unhappy. In fact, this person is really boring to think about. I married my uncle when I was sixteen and devoted myself to running the family. Seeing Youkang marrying Wife, I originally thought that I could enjoy a few days of happiness, but I didn’t expect that my uncle actually took a concubine. It’s okay that he doted on the concubine, but he still said something about the good things. I want to feel comfortable, then it’s strange. .”

Mrs. Zhang heard what Mrs. Anbo said, smiled and finished the last bit of cake in her hand. She smiled and whispered to Chang Luoyun: "I have long heard that the scenery of Hou Mansion is very beautiful. I wonder if my sister-in-law can take my sister to experience it." One or two.”

Chang Luoyun understood and stood up with a smile and said to Mrs. Mu and Mrs. Cheng'an: "It's rare for Lian Zhen and her siblings to come over. I'll take them around."

Mrs. Mu smiled and said: "You can go shopping, your aunt and I haven't seen each other for a long time, so we are happy to chat here."

Chang Luoyun, Zhang and Lian Zhen got up and walked slowly around the path beside the lotus pond. Green willows are planted all over the lotus pond. At this time, the willow branches are showing new green, and each branch is decorated with beads and jade, like a whole green bead curtain. When you are in it, you can only feel the cool breeze, which is very comfortable.

Lian Zhen and Chang Luoyun hadn't seen each other for a long time. When they walked together, they talked familiarly about their respective experiences during the time since they said goodbye. Mrs. Zhang smiled and felt she was two steps behind.

Lian Zhen said: "I heard that you went to Qingzhou with brother Jingyi, but I don't know what's going on in Qingzhou."

"Qingzhou is better than Lindu," Chang Luoyun said: "With Prince An on guard, although a small number of Xia soldiers entered the city before, they only burned a few houses, and the number of people killed and injured was not as many as in Lindu. .”

"That's great." Lian Zhen stretched out her hand and folded a willow branch in front of her to play with it. After walking a few steps, she suddenly turned around and smiled at Chang Luoyun, her eyes clear, "I'm engaged."

Chang Luoyun smiled lightly and said, "I already know."

Lian Zhen took a few more steps with the willow branch and whispered: "You know, except for brother Jingyi, it doesn't matter who I marry."

Chang Luoyun was silent. "But, I think about it now." Lian Zhen smiled brightly, "No matter who I marry, I will live a good life."

Chang Luoyun smiled and said: "If this is true, both the Marquis and I will be happy for you."

Xu Lianzan threw the willow branch in her hand and said with a smile: "I wore a little more when I went out today. After walking for a while, I am already sweating. Let me go change my clothes first."

Chang Luoyun then smiled and said to Qing Luo: "Take Miss Lian Zhen to change clothes and come to us in a moment."

Qing Luo, who had been following him, came forward with a smile and took Lian Zhen to change clothes.

Here Zhang only took two steps forward, smiling and walking side by side with Chang Luoyun. The two exchanged some pleasantries. Mrs. Zhang fanned herself twice, put the fan on her chin, and said with a smile: "I wonder if my sister-in-law has heard about it. Aunt Chang came back some time ago and said she wanted to enter the house. I I don’t have any objections, it’s just that my father-in-law and mother-in-law don’t agree.”

Chang Luoyun stopped, glanced at Mrs. Zhang with a smile, and then continued to walk forward slowly: "Aunt Chang is from the uncle's house, so it is naturally up to the uncle's house to decide whether she should be allowed to stay in the uncle's house. "

Mrs. Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, shook her fan with a smile and said, "I'm worried that if this matter isn't handled well, my sister-in-law will misunderstand me. To be honest, I'm not the kind of person who can't tolerate others, but Aunt Chang gave up after all. The uncle's house comes first, even if I am willing to let my sister-in-law into the house for the sake of her face, it is really difficult to explain in front of my father-in-law and mother-in-law."

Chang Luoyun walked a few steps, looked back at Mrs. Zhang with a half-smile and said: "I also heard that my younger siblings are virtuous and generous, but my younger sister didn't live up to expectations, so she abandoned the uncle's house and ran for her own life at this juncture. My uncle and I It was understandable that Mrs. Bo wouldn't let her enter the house.

However, I also heard that Prince Xu valued my sister very much, and despite the objections of his uncle and his wife, he insisted on taking her to his house as his aunt. My younger sister is outstanding in appearance, but she is also a fool, otherwise she would not be chasing someone else's serious wife instead of being a aunt. "

Chang Luoyun sighed and wiped his smooth forehead with the handkerchief in his hand, "If it hadn't been for the miscarriage, I'm afraid there might have been some misunderstanding between her and Prince Xu, and she would definitely not have abandoned the uncle's residence and fled on her own."

Zhang's hands shook and her smile was a little forced.

Chang Luoyun looked at her and smiled more and more meaningfully, "You also know that although my sister has a bad brain, her body is not bad. Why did she just say she was aborted? Without a child, what else does a concubine have? Living a good life, but others don’t understand the hardships involved, don’t my brothers and sisters understand?”

Mrs. Zhang only felt hot all over her body. She picked up the fan and fanned it hard a few times before forcing a smile and saying: "Of course I have these. When I go back, I will go and talk to my father-in-law and mother-in-law."

"You don't need to worry about it." Chang Luoyun still walked forward with a smile on his lips, "If she really wants to go back to the uncle's house, there is no need for you to embarrass her, just ask Jing Yi to tell the uncle. . It’s just a concubine, and it won’t cause any trouble. What’s more, Prince Xu married my sister as a concubine, and the uncle’s house is considered respectable.”

Being able to marry the sister of the Changping Marquis's wife as a concubine is naturally prestigious. What's more, after the war, Mu Jingyi, who has a large number of soldiers, is very popular in the court.

The reason why Mrs. Zhang wanted to tell Chang Luoyun this was because she was afraid that Chang Luoyun would blame her and cause her father and brother to suffer. Who knew, but it was counterproductive.

Ms. Zhang tried hard to maintain a natural and leisurely posture, but her slightly trembling hand holding the fan still betrayed her emotions. After a while, she smiled and shook her fan and said, "That's natural. If Lord Marquis opens his mouth, there is no door that Aunt Chang cannot enter."

Chang Luoyun smiled and stopped talking.

Mrs. Zhang also smiled and enjoyed the scenery. The two of them understood each other tacitly and said no more.