Fair Lady

Uncle Gui, the chief steward of Prince Yong's Mansion, is a tall and strong middle-aged man of 44 to [-] years old. He looks less tactful than the general housekeepers of big aristocratic families, but more heroic.

Shu Yao heard Qi Haoning focus on describing the three or four servants of the palace, and Uncle Gui was the first of them.He was originally Prince Yong's personal guard, but he blocked the knife for the prince with his own body, and was seriously injured on the waist. He could no longer go to the battlefield, so he stayed in the village and became a steward.

Soon after, the first princess discovered his talent and transferred him to the mansion as the second housekeeper.Because of his ability and the prince's trust in him, he was promoted to chief executive two or three years later.

After Concubine Zhao was in charge of Zhongshou, she put eye drops on Uncle Gui several times, trying to pull him off the horse and replace him with her own people, but unfortunately, Prince Yong ignored her and said directly, "Ah Gui is not As a prostitute slave, if even Ah Gui has a different heart, will all the servants in the mansion be kicked out? You can take care of the inner courtyard, don't worry so much."

Concubine Zhao was so angry that she almost gritted her silver teeth. With such a one-third-acre land in the inner courtyard and a fixed household, what good is it for her to manage it well?She doesn't have a rich dowry like her cousin, and her natal family is attached to Prince Yong's mansion and her cousin's natal family, so she can't reach out to the outer court, can't touch the property of the palace and the dowry of the former concubine's cousin, what kind of relationship can she use to push herself and Qi Haoxiang to the top?What can really establish prestige in the palace?What can I do to help my mother's family? ...

In this way, many years have passed, Concubine Zhao still can only guard her backyard, and Uncle Gui and several major stewards, she can't move any of them.I can't win over either.

Concubine Zhao was not sure if Uncle Gui knew about her eye drops. Uncle Gui was always respectful, polite, and impeccable, but he was also cautious and kept his distance. There was nothing she could do.What's more, Uncle Gui was not a slave at all.

It was the first time for Uncle Gui to visit the Two Marquis Mansions (people outside called Yongping Marquis Mansions and Wenyuan Marquis Mansions that way), but everyone knew that there were not many masters in the Liang Marquis Mansions, and they couldn't be counted with two hands.Seeing the three hostesses sitting above, he hurriedly saluted and said, "The young Gui Youtian is ordered by the prince and the son to greet the old lady, and the younger one to Mrs. Yongping Hou. To Miss Xia."

Mrs. Jin smiled and said: "The housekeeper Gui is free of courtesy, please sit down quickly. You are an old man in Prince Yong's residence, and now our two families are also in-laws, so you don't need to be so polite."

Uncle Gui was not pretentious, but he didn't dare to make too much of a fuss. After presenting the New Year's gift list and a letter with both hands, he thanked him neither humble nor overbearing, and sat down: "The New Year's gifts are mainly sent back by the prince and the son. Specialties. Uh, two of the brocade boxes are for Miss Xia. The blue one is a piece of nude jade, which the prince said was a New Year gift for his future daughter-in-law, and the red brocade box contains South Sea pearls, which was sent back by the prince. .”

The two fathers and sons give gifts in the same way (giving raw materials, not jewelry. You can make whatever style you like), and they are both extraordinary.

Qi Haoning specially prepared gifts.Shuyao didn't think it was strange, but she never thought that Prince Yong would also prepare a special gift for her prospective daughter-in-law who had never met before, fortunately she was prepared.

Shuyao gave a half-respect to Uncle Gui: "Thank you, Uncle Gui, for making this trip in person. Can Shuyao ask, has anyone gone to the southwest of the palace recently? Shuyao made a big cloak for the prince and foster father, and a set A scarf, gloves, and a pair of fur boots. The prince’s set. Can I ask Uncle Gui to arrange delivery to the southwest?”

Surprise and approval flashed in Uncle Gui's eyes, and he hurriedly replied: "Yes. It happens that tomorrow there will be some things designated by the prince to be delivered, and Miss Xia's gift can go with her." If Shuyao received it from Prince Yong, After the jade was ready to return the gift to the prince, then Uncle Gui would not be so impressed.

"Thank you very much, Uncle Gui, wait a moment, I will ask the servant girl to fetch the things immediately." Shu Yao said happily.

It was a coincidence that Qi Haoning saw that Shuyao's female celebrity was exquisite and outstanding, and wanted to show off to his father on purpose. Before leaving that day, he said to Shuyao with a serious face: "Father has a very high vision, and he only sees mother and concubine. The things I made for him, those big cloaks are old and still in use. Yaoer, when will you help me make one for my father? He must like it if his daughter-in-law honors him. Waiting for that girl Yueer to make it I don't know when will I have to wait?" Princess Yue Qi Yueling is most afraid of taking needles and threads.

The foster father Jin Xida had a close relationship with Prince Yong. His father Xia Linxuan was injured in the southwest. Whether it was inviting a famous doctor or sending someone to pretend to send a "secret letter" back to Beijing to cover Xia Linxuan, Prince Yong gave him great help. Quasi father-in-law, Shuyao is still very happy to express her feelings for the younger generation.

According to the customs of Dazhou, the daughter-in-law who is already engaged will often present one or two hand-made gifts to show filial piety on the birthday of her parents-in-law or during the New Year, and also show off her female red embroidery skills.What's more, now that Qi Haoning has brought it up, Shuyao will naturally not shirk it.

Therefore, when preparing winter clothes for the new year for foster father Jin Xida, Shuyao also made a few for Prince Yong, all of which were high-quality new furs.Originally, I was going to wait for Jin Xida to find out when there would be supplies to be sent to the Southwest General's Mansion, but now that Kuibo just came over, wouldn't it be convenient?

Soon, Zijin came with a stout woman holding a small red lacquered wooden crate in both hands.Shuyao explained: "I was afraid that the fur would be crushed on the road, so I had someone nail a thin wooden crate. It looks bigger, so it shouldn't be heavy."

Uncle Gui smiled and said: "Miss Xia is very considerate. You don't have to worry, the lord wants more things this time, and it will be delivered in a special carriage. I will definitely watch them put this box in the innermost place." face."

Just kidding, at the prince's place, maybe a cart full of things can't compare to the filial piety of the prospective daughter-in-law, right?You know, the prince's most important thing is the son and daughter of the eldest son and princess Yue.Don't say that there is a car, even if there is no car, Uncle Gui will arrange a carriage to send it alone.

Nangong Miao also asked someone to bring over a large box of freshly baked dim sum: "Housekeeper Gui, we will send another person to deliver the annual gift to the palace. This box of dim sum is specially for you and your family to try."

Uncle Gui hurriedly thanked him: "Thank you, Mrs. Hou! The young one is better off than our prince and son. Hehe, I'm afraid that several grandchildren in the family will hang around me." The most anticipated New Year's gift is probably the snacks from the Two Marquis Mansion.They are not short of money, and things that can be bought with money are not rare. The problem is that these beautiful, suitable and delicious snacks cannot be bought with any amount of money before Qiaoweiju is officially launched.

After seeing off Uncle Gui, Mother Ke took someone to sort out and register the New Year's gifts from Prince Yong's Mansion, and soon sent over two brocade boxes with special red notes pasted on them.

Women, no matter what age, are interested in jewelry.It doesn't have to be possessive, gossiping, admiring, and commenting are all fun.What's more, it was given by Shuyao's prospective father-in-law and fiancé, which have different meanings.

Under the eager gazes of Mrs. Jin, Nan Gongmiao, Ms. Liu, and other maids and mothers, Shuyao first opened the blue brocade box given by Prince Yong. Inside was a piece of ruby ​​bigger than a man's palm. , as bright as a cockscomb, with oily luster, the purple part is like blood coagulation, the red part is like cinnabar, and the tentacles are delicate and moist, it is definitely the best that is rare to see.

Mrs. Jin praised: "This piece of jade is carved into a complete set of head and face, well, it should be able to add a pair of bracelets, it must be gorgeous and noble, and shock everyone. It is the best to wear when you get married."

Nangong Miao also nodded and smiled, "Isn't it? Yaoer doesn't often wear red, but in fact, we Yaoer look best in red."

Shuyao also felt that this piece of red jade was made into head and face jewelry, and it was a complete set with the blood jade rose hairpin, so it must be amazing.However, Shuyao didn't want to be monopolized by one person. She wanted to find out several novel and suitable styles from her mother's booklet, and ask the jade craftsman to plan carefully and make two sets. There is also a Chinese rose hairpin.Moreover, Yue'er always liked red.

"Sister, open the one that Shizi Ning gave you and have a look." Mother Liu became the most anxious one, she was not looking at the pearls, but looking at "the thing that Shizi Ning gave her girl".

Shuyao smiled, carefully put away the blue brocade box and handed it to Zijin, then took the red brocade box from Lanjin's hand and opened it. Inside were six drop-shaped pearls. They are all the same size, about the size of a thumbnail. What's even more rare is that the six pearls have exactly the same shape.

Everyone said "Wow" in unison. Round pearls are common, but drop-shaped pearls are rare. What's more, the drop shapes of these six almost identical pearls are extremely beautiful, as if they were hand-carved by a master carving.

"My God, it's so beautiful!" Rao Nangong Miao, who had seen many rare treasures and precious jewelry since childhood, couldn't help but marvel.Such unique and beautiful pearls are hard to find, but it is incredible to find six identical pearls.

Shuyao was also stunned, she was so beautiful!It was so beautiful that it made her heart tremble.However, Qi Haoning just went to the South China Sea. Calculating the time, it took only two months to arrive in Guangdong City. How did he find such a treasure?

Even Mrs. Jin was curious: "Six beads like this can't be arranged in a short time. After all, jade beads can't be carved, and pearls are all natural. Yaoer, look at Ning Shizi's letter , it must be mentioned that the origin of this bead must not be simple."

Nangong Miao nodded straightly. Originally, she thought that the letter written by Ning Shizi to Shuyao should naturally let her go back to her Mingyue Garden to read slowly by herself.But she is too gossip now, she really wants to know the story of these six pearls, what kind of person can collect these six pearls, and will it take a lifetime?How did Ning Shizi get it from others?She is curious, Ning Shizi is not a domineering and unreasonable person, it is impossible to grab him by force, right? (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation.)

ps: Thank you Ye Mei Zhi Ye book friends for their pink tickets!Thanks to Huihui 113 book friends for their pink tickets!Thank you for the 2 pink tickets from book friend A Feather Spirit!Thanks to Xiaojinbuchongniu book friends for their evaluation votes!Thank you!