After the whole family was swept away, I lay down flat

Chapter 274 A trip to other villages

Haitang happily followed her second uncle's family and walked around Chang'an City for a long time.

They went to the temple fair, watched a sideshow, tasted Chang'an-style pastries in a teahouse, listened to a play for half an hour, and walked around the streets for half an hour before returning home with large and small bags.

Little Shitou's belly was round after eating, but his legs were so tired that he couldn't walk on his own, so he had to ride on his father's neck again. He held the candied haws in one hand and the candy man in the other. His fingers were covered with syrup, making Hai Changan's hair sticky. But the young father just complained a few words and happily put the matter behind him. He only told his son to sit still and not to move around all the time, otherwise it would be bad if he fell.

Hai Changan's hands are not idle now. In addition to one hand that continues to steady his son, the other hand is carrying cakes and snacks that he wants to take home to enjoy with his parents and nephews. He also holds the clothes he bought for his wife in his arms. , I can no longer spare my hands to hold my wife.

Mrs. Hu pursed her lips and walked beside her husband with a smile. One hand was holding his sleeve, and the other hand was full of big and small bags. Not only did she remind her husband to buy new materials for her parents-in-law, nephews and nieces, but also Here is the new jewelry that her husband bought specially for her. This was the first gift of the new year. She felt sweet and happy in her heart, and the smile on her face did not disappear all morning.

Haitang walked quietly by the side, not disturbing the festive atmosphere of the family's intimate reunion. She just wanted to go out for a walk in the name of her second uncle and second aunt. She didn't really want to go out for fun.

Ever since she came to Chang'an, her grandmother Ma had been much stricter on her control. In the past, when she was in Suzhou City, she could occasionally take the girl out. Now, even if she goes shopping with her brother in a store near home, her grandmother has to think twice. Haitang didn't know whether it was because she was one year older and was about to become a "big girl" or it was Chang'an's custom, but she still wanted to fight for more rights for herself. At least, she needs to find out what kind of city she lives in first, right? When she can go out on her own in the future, she must know the way.

Now after only half a day of shopping, she knew the direction of the streets clearly, and had a look at each store. She could match the topography of the main streets in the city with the map her brother drew for her. She had tasted the products of several time-honored brands. The food was delicious, and I also recognized the addresses of several familiar families, which made me very satisfied. She was holding a red windmill for the festival in her hand, and on her wrist was a fragrant wood bead bracelet that her second uncle had just bought for her. She felt that this trip was complete.

By the time I got home, lunch time had passed. Ma couldn't help complaining, but when she saw the pastries and clothing materials brought back by Hai Chang'an and his wife, she calmed down and just said that they shouldn't give Xiao Shitou too much outside food: "I can't even eat anymore, I know Eat some snacks! Aren’t you afraid that he’ll accumulate food and vomit later?!”

Mr. Hu bowed his head and repented. She remembered that her son had indeed suffered several physical discomforts due to eating too much in the past year or so, and she couldn't help but regret it. She reflected that she should not have soft-heartedly allowed her child to eat too many outside foods just because he acted like a spoiled child. dessert.

Hai Chang'an saw this and said quickly: "Don't be angry, mother, it's all my son's fault. My son thought that Xiao Shitou hadn't been out for so long and finally went out to play. It's the New Year again, so let him try something new. I let him eat too much without realizing it, which is my son’s negligence.”

When Ma saw that they knew their mistake, he calmed down and said, "As long as you know your mistake, go back and ask the kitchen to boil some strong hawthorn tea. You all can drink some, and let Xiao Shitou eat something good for supper." Just clear the porridge and wait until he feels hungry. Don’t mess around like this again!”

Hai Changan and Hu both bowed their heads in response. Only Xiao Shitou had a sad face, feeling sad that his supposed sumptuous and delicious dinner had turned into porridge.

Hai Changan's family went back to their house. Ma turned around and started to scold her granddaughter. Hai Changan and his wife were just soft-hearted and doted on their children. Why didn't she give a warning?

Haitang admitted her mistake honestly, and then began to describe in detail her experience of going out today, where she went to play, what she bought, what snacks she ate, what theater she watched, what gossip she heard... She tried her best to tell her story Speak interestingly and attract the attention of grandparents.

Ma and Hai Xiya began to discuss with great interest whether the old couple also wanted to visit the teahouse? From my granddaughter’s introduction, the drama being performed in the building now seems quite interesting...

Haitang took the opportunity to escape and leave.

After going out, she went to the east chamber to take a look. Seeing that her brother Hai Jiao hadn't come back yet, she couldn't help but wonder where he had gone to make an appointment with the young masters of Zhenguo Palace. It was already evening when Haijiao arrived home. The sun came out this morning, but it was cloudy in the afternoon, so it got dark early. When Hai Jiao went to the upper room in the main courtyard to see his grandparents coming out, it was already dark.

Haitang had already lit the lamp in his room, prepared tea and snacks, and asked him where he had been today.

Haijiao changed his clothes, took a sip of hot tea, and felt that his body had warmed up again, and then said: "I originally made an appointment with some new friends to go to the school playground to play. Unexpectedly, I met my great-uncle on the way, so I went with him. Let’s go to the other village to meet Jin Jiashu together.”

Zhou Shigong?

When Haitang heard this, she couldn't help but said "Hey": "Why did my uncle go to see Jin Jiashu?"

"Jin Jiashu now lives in the Zhou family's three-bedroom villa. His killer was protected by Mrs. Ma and almost escaped. Of course, my great-uncle must visit the victim." Hai Jiao said, "I see what he means. He hoped that when Jin Jiashu wrote to his aunt in Beijing, he could explain to him that he, Mrs. Ma and Zhou Shuyi were really not in the same group. The third family member of the Zhou family was loyal to the emperor and had absolutely no involvement in the Sun family's conspiracy to harm anyone. the meaning of."

Haitang couldn't help but laugh and said: "Is his old man in a hurry and seeking medical treatment now? How did Jin Jiashu know about the messy things going on in his family? He just needs to explain it clearly to the Zhenguo Government."

Hai Jiao said: "Of course Duke Zhen Guo trusts him, but with the current situation of the third room of the Zhou family, there are still many people who are suspicious. Although the two young masters of the Zhou family who are going to the other village with me today may not know Jin Jiashu's life experience, But I have heard some rumors, so I am not very trusting about my great-uncle, so I took the initiative to propose to accompany him."

Haitang blinked: "The person who suspected him was...the son of General Tuesday and General Thursday?"

Hai Jiao said: "General Thursday's son is fine. General Tuesday's second son probably heard the rumors about the Zhou family's three bedrooms from his mother and maternal family, right? My great-uncle has been fooled by Madam Ma and her daughter for so many years. , it is human nature to be doubted by others. He is well-known as a smart person in the Zhou family. He is the only one in the family who has taken the imperial examination and became an official. He has been manipulated by the mother and daughter for so many years. It is inevitable that some people will suspect that he is He pretends to be a pig and eats the tiger, and when something goes wrong, he pushes his stepmother and sister out of the tank."

Haitang coughed: "This... my uncle really can't explain it clearly." Idiot or careerist? How to choose Zhou Shigong?

She changed the subject, "How is Jin Jiashu? Did he spend New Year's Eve alone last night?"

Of course Jin Jiashu spent New Year’s Eve alone. The hired errand boy received the reward and left, and the veteran who was originally the guard also went home to reunite. All the servants in charge of the villa have their own families, and there is only one lonely old servant who keeps him company. Although the people from other villages gave him a meal that the filial piety keeper could eat, and the kang kept him warm, and he had no worries about food and clothing, the material conditions could not make up for the pain in his heart.

Almost all of his close relatives have passed away, and those who are still alive are thousands of miles away. They are not allowed to meet or recognize each other. How can the psychological loneliness be easily eliminated?

Hai Jiao thought of the expression on Jin Jiashu's face when they met and talked today, and hesitated: "What will he do in the future? Will the Zhou family adopt him?"

(End of this chapter)