The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 193 Madam Fu Er loves to eat sweets

Yanzhou.

Taining Army.

At the Jiedu Government Office and the Duke of Wei's Mansion.

A three-story pavilion in the back house is the boudoir of Fu Yanqing's daughters.

Fu Yanqing has six daughters in total, three legitimate daughters and three concubine daughters.

Among the legitimate daughters, the eldest daughter, Jinzhan, married young. The second wife, Yang, had a younger daughter, Jin Wan, who was only seven years old, so Yang took care of her.

Two of the three concubines are already married, and the third one was also married at the beginning of the year and has a separate courtyard to live in the house.

The whole boudoir became the boudoir of Fu Jinhuan, the second daughter of the couple.

Fu Jinhuan, Fu Zhaoxin, and Fu Jinzhan were all born to the same mother. Their mother was Fu Yanqing's first wife. Unfortunately, Fu Jinhuan died of illness within a few years of giving birth.

The current wife, Mrs. Yang, and the first wife were married to Fu Yanqing. For many years, the sisters got along harmoniously and the Fu family lived in peace.

Yang had a general understanding and regarded Fu Zhaoxin's brother and sister as their own children, and the three brothers and sisters also regarded Yang as their legitimate mother.

In terms of good family management, Fu Yanqing is definitely on the list of nobles in the dynasty.

In the bedroom on the second floor, Fu Jinhuan was sitting in front of the dressing table.

She was dressed in a long red dress with long sleeves, a shawl draped over her shoulders, a flower bud on her smooth forehead, and a red hairpin in her hair. She looked forward to the brilliance while smiling. Without losing youthfulness and agility.

A beautifully crafted paper box was placed in front of Fu Jinhuan. On the paper box were written several words in clear calligraphy: Guanghe Sugar Gift Pack
Fu Jinhuan wrinkled his nose and sniffed carefully, and smelled a unique sweet smell wafting out of the carton. His bright eyes suddenly turned into crescents, and he couldn't wait to open the box.

There are also colorful paper packages in the carton, decorated in the shape of flowers, which are quite unique and beautiful.

Each flower paper bag contains a different candy, with different names written on the paper bag: white sugar cake, orange candy, flower candy, sesame candy, peach candy, and oil candy.
There are about a dozen kinds of candies with different flavors in a big gift bag.

Fu Jinhuan's favorite flavor is called toffee, which has a thick syrupy burnt aroma, and sweet cheese will flow out after one bite, which is so sweet that it is also called fudge and lactose.

Fu Jinhuan found the toffee paper package and carefully untied the thread with his two tender jade fingers. There were eight pieces of toffee wrapped inside.

She picked out a piece and put it into her mouth. She pursed her lips tightly and closed her eyes to reflect carefully.

When the sweet and glutinous cheese touched her taste buds, a shiver came from the depths of her soul, making her face intoxicated and her brows showing joy.

After thinking about it for a while, Fu Jinhuan smacked his lips vigorously, opened his eyes, looked at the paper bag with only seven toffee pieces left, and felt a pain in his little face.

He could only pouted angrily and carefully tied the paper package with silk thread.

"Only one piece a day!"

Fu Jinhuan muttered, telling himself seriously.

But after thinking about it, one piece a day is only enough for seven days.

"Then eat one piece every two days?"

She tilted her head and talked to herself again, but the thought that it would take two days to taste the sweet feeling in her heart made her a little unwilling, and her heart felt like a kitten tickling, very unbearable.

Fu Jinhuan was so tangled that he could only untie the paper package containing the flower candy, take out a piece and stuff it into his mouth, swirling the candy piece in his mouth, soothing his heart with the sweetness of the flowers.

"A small portion of toffee costs 25 yuan. The small portion costs 25 yuan, which is enough for me to eat for ten days. The large portion costs [-] yuan, which is [-] yuan, which is enough for me to eat for [-] days. My monthly income is Always. Which one is more cost-effective to buy?”

Fu Jinhuan summoned up great courage, closed the candy gift bag, pushed it aside, and counted it carefully with his fingers.

"Oh, it's so difficult!"

But she gave up soon, her little face wrinkled, and she lay in front of the dressing table, her chin resting on the back of her hands, her face full of depression.

Her arithmetic was the kind that could make her husband angry to death. Fu Yanqing once hired a doctor of arithmetic from the Imperial Academy of the Southern Tang Dynasty to teach arithmetic to the children of the Fu family.

The second wife, Fu Jinhuan, was the most scumbag among the middle school students, and she almost made the old doctor so angry that he kicked his legs up to the sky.

Fu Jinhuan held his chin depressedly and complained: "It would be great if a piece of toffee only cost one penny! Humph~ What a black-hearted businessman~~"

A faceless virtual villain seemed to form in Fu Jinhuan's mind, and she stabbed him hard with a needle to vent her dissatisfaction.

"Giggle~~" Soon, she was made to laugh again and again by her own bad taste.

"Oh~ but candies are really expensive!" Fu Jinhuan thought that he only had the same amount of money every month, and if he spent all of it on candies, he wouldn't have much left.

Touching his empty wallet, Fu Jinhuan's mouth narrowed and he almost cried sadly.

Three months ago, a new Guanghe Commercial Hui opened in Kaifeng city, mainly engaged in the trading of goods in Hexi, Shu and the Western Regions.

The iconic product of Guanghe Shanghui is Guanghe white sugar.

Once launched, it caused a sensation in Kaifeng City and became a must-have candy for the homes of dignitaries.

This kind of sugar is also called icing sugar. It is as white as snow, as fine as gravel, sweet and delicious, and looks quite high-end just from the appearance.

Of course, the price is also two to three times that of ordinary maltose and honey, making it easily one of the luxury goods.

In terms of current productivity, sugar, as a small and expensive product to satisfy cravings, is not a standing item or a necessity in ordinary people's homes.

Guanghe Sugar quickly made a name for itself in Kaifeng. Thanks to the popularity of officials, nobles and wealthy merchants, ordinary people only heard of its name, but never saw its true appearance.

Fu Yanqing went to Kaifeng to meet an official. When he came back, Guanghe Commercial Center opened. After listening to friends' comments, he learned the name of frosting, so he sent someone to buy some. He also bought some candies of various colors sold in the store and brought them back to Yanzhou. Give your children a taste.

As the most favored second girl, Fu Jinhuan naturally had the right of first choice. Seeing the interesting names of the toffees, she picked some and took them back to the attic. Unexpectedly, after eating them, she couldn't help herself from then on, and was deeply fascinated by the sweet and greasy fragrance. .

These novel candies could only be sold at Guanghe Shanghui in Kaifeng City. Fu Jinhuan could only call his servants at home to go to Kaifeng every month to purchase them.

The Second Lady naturally does not need to pay travel expenses or remuneration when using her servants, but she has to pay for the candies herself.

Although Fu Yanqing and Yang doted on her, they would not dote on her too much. They only had a regular amount of money every month for her own expenses. Anything more than that would be beaten to death by the accountant, unless Fu Yanqing approved.

Even so, with her meager monthly income, she still cannot afford the high price of candy.

Toffee is worthy of its name. It is a high-end product among all candies in Guanghe Commercial Center. It is supplied in limited quantities every month and the price is prohibitively high.

In order to be able to eat toffee every month and satisfy his appetite, Fu Jinhuan had to tighten his skirt and live a life.

Spending money every month to eat the sweets she cherishes is the happiest and most heartbreaking time for her.Every time I eat it, I will poke a needle in my heart at the evil proprietor of Guanghe Shanghui.
The candy gift package is a new product launched by Guanghe Commercial Center. I heard that it is only available during the New Year and holidays, and you need to book in advance.

The gift bag contains a wide variety of candies, and the price is much cheaper than buying them individually.

What Fu Jinhuan sent someone to buy back this time was a new model to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival.
She saved up her regular money for two months and borrowed some from several personal maids, so that she could buy a big gift package.

In the next two months, Mrs. Fu had to tighten her skirt belt even more.
There were footsteps at the top of the stairs, and the maid Mo Xiang brought a plate of fresh fruit upstairs.

"Second wife, please use some of the freshly washed cherries and red apples. They are so fresh!"

Mo Xiang put the fruit plate on the table, walked to the dressing table and smiled.

Fu Jinhuan was lying on his stomach weakly, crying with his mouth puckered: "Mo Xiang, I'm so poor~~"

Mo Xiang said helplessly: "Second lady, eat less candies and save money."

Fu Jinhuan tugged on her sleeves and said aggrievedly: "I can be poor, but I can't not eat sweets."

Mo Xiang rolled her eyes, pushed Fu Jinhuan's hand away, and prepared to go downstairs.

"Wait!" Fu Jinhuan hurriedly grabbed her and begged pitifully: "That's such a good moxiang. Lend me two more coins."

Mo Xiang shook her head decisively and said: "Second lady, you throw a lot of money into Guanghe Shanghui every month and make your wallet empty. It's really not worth it! The black-hearted proprietor of Shanghui is afraid that he will You offer it as the God of Wealth.

It’s not that the maid doesn’t want to borrow it, but it’s true that the maid is also in trouble.First of all, the slave girl’s monthly wages will be taken home to support her parents.Secondly, the madam has already spoken, and the maids are not allowed to lend money to the second lady to buy sweets. The maids dare not disobey the madam's order. "

Fu Jinhuan said with a sly smile: "Didn't you also hide some private money? Saving it for dowry?"

Mo Xiang's face turned red and she said shyly, "I gave it to my second wife last month. There really isn't much left!"

"Good Moxiang! Lend me some more! A little bit is enough! When the eldest brother comes back, I'll make him pay you back! It's still worth the interest!" Fu Jinhuan shook her arm, begging with a bitter face.

Mo Xiang was unmoved and just shook her head: "No! Madam will scold me to death if she knows!"

"Hmph!~" Fu Jinhuan pretended to be angry and puffed his mouth: "If you don't lend it to me, I will imitate my father's handwriting and write a note to the accountant to pay!"

Mo Xiang said hurriedly: "Second lady, you must not do this! I was reprimanded by the master last time. If you do it again, you will have to be grounded!"

Fu Jinhuan said angrily: "If you're banned, you're banned! Anyway, you're with me!"

Mo Xiang couldn't laugh or cry, and felt a headache.

The second wife has a unique skill. She is good at imitating handwriting, especially imitating the master's handwriting. It is so lifelike that the fake can be confused with the real one.

In order to buy Guanghe candy, Fu Jinhuan had already used it once in desperation. When the cashier was checking out, he quickly discovered something was wrong and reported it to Fu Yanqing. Fu Yanqing knew at a glance that it was his daughter who had done something good, so he called her over and scolded her once.

If he repeats his old tricks, Fu Jinhuan will have to be punished, and even the maids in the boudoir will be punished.

Mo Xiang bit her lip and said a little aggrievedly: "I'll just borrow the second lady's help. That will be my last fortune."

"Mo Xiang, you are so kind!" Fu Jinhuan beamed and hugged her waist tightly.

The two girls laughed for a while, and Mo Xiang said resentfully: "Second lady, please pay me back as soon as possible. Those are all the dowry money I saved, and she will get married in the future!"

"I know! Brother is rich, let him reward you more when the time comes." Fu Jinhuan laughed, "Mo Xiang, you are only sixteen, one year younger than me, and you are in a hurry to get married? You are really not shy!"

Mo Xiangfen's face turned red, and she argued: "As maids, of course we must find a good home for ourselves! Otherwise, when we get old in the future, we won't be able to work, and we won't be able to stay in the house to take care of ourselves! The second lady doesn't marry, It's because she has a high vision, and ordinary husbands can't catch her eye! If the second lady wants to get married, and if word gets out, the officials' sons who come to ask for marriage will probably come from Kaifeng to Yanzhou!"

Fu Jinhuan lay on the couch, curling her hair with her fingers, and said with a coquettish smile, "Who said you can't stay in the mansion for the elderly? When I get married in the future, you can just be my dowry maid!"

Mo Xiang shook her head hurriedly: "No! Who knows who the master will marry the second wife to! What if it is a bad old man in his 60s or [-]s?"

Fu Jinhuan was so angry that his face turned red with embarrassment, and he rushed towards her with his teeth and claws bared: "You damn girl, you dare to curse me to marry a bad old man? Tear your mouth apart! Stop!"

Mo Xiang laughed and ran away, and the two women chased and quarreled around the table, tickling each other, and finally they both fell on the couch.

The second daughter was panting from the fuss, Mo Xiang's black eyes rolled around, she lay beside Fu Jinhuan's ear and whispered: "Second Madam, when I went to the bedroom of the main house just now, I heard the master and his wife talking! It seems like It’s about your marriage.”

Fu Jinhuan was startled and asked hurriedly and vigilantly: "What did dad say?"

Mo Xiang frowned and tried to think back: "It seems. It seems that the master received a letter from Hezhong Mansion. The person who wrote the letter is called Guo. Who is Guo?"

"Guo Wei?" Fu Jinhuan asked doubtfully.

"No! It's not that name, it's called Guo Guo Shumi and Guo Dashuai." Mo Xiang nodded with affirmation, "Second lady, does this person have two names? It sounds weird."

Fu Jinhuan smiled and patted her on the forehead gently: "Idiot Mo Xiang, his name is Guo Wei. He was the privy envoy of the dynasty, and he also led the imperial army to preside over the counter-rebellion war. He was the commander-in-chief of the army, so dad called him Privy Secretary Guo and Marshal Guo. !Uncle Guo is a family friend of my family!"

Mo Xiang covered her forehead and pouted: "I am a little maid, how can I know this?"

Fu Jinhuan urged: "Tell me quickly, what did Uncle Guo say in the letter?"

Mo Xiang blinked and thought for a moment: "My maid just heard that before going out. The master muttered to his wife, what? Marshal Guo wants to get married to the Fu family. Why are the two families like each other's horns, watching and helping each other? It seems that they want to Send the Second Lady away. Where are you going? The maid didn’t dare to listen more, she didn’t know!

Oh, by the way, the eldest lady’s letter from home has also arrived. The master and his wife were very happy to read it!The eldest lady is safe and sound. It is really the blessing of Bodhisattva. I will go to the temple tomorrow to offer incense and thank Bodhisattva."

Mo Xiang talked nonchalantly.

"Sister, did you send a letter home?" Fu Jinhuan was overjoyed.

The news of Fu Jinzhan's safe escape was revealed in Puzhou City and he was sent back to Yanzhou as soon as possible. The Fu family wept with joy.

Fu Jinhuan is also looking forward to meeting his eldest sister again soon.

Mo Xiang asked curiously: "Second Lady, do you want to marry you to the son of that high official Guo?"

Fu Jinhuan frowned and thought for a while, then shook his head and said, "Probably not. Uncle Guo has an adopted son who has been married for many years. I heard that the other parents and children are still young."

"That's the nephew? Nephew?" Mo Xiang judged again.

Fu Jinhuan rolled his eyes at her, stood up and pulled her downstairs: "You'll know if you go and listen to what they say!"

"Oh, Second Lady, I don't dare to go!" Mo Xiang struggled.

Fu Jinhuan thought for a moment and let go of her: "I'll go by myself!"

Running briskly downstairs, Fu Jinhuan ran out of the courtyard and slipped towards the main house.

(End of this chapter)