swear not to be concubine

Chapter 40

In Yuzhao Building, Mrs. Wu, Mrs. Jian and others were chatting with Cui Huiniang and others.

At first, Cui Huiniang brought Cui Jinniang, Cui Wenchang and his son Du Cheng came to visit Wu, and the delighted Wu got out of his seat immediately to welcome him.

Cui Huiniang's father is currently the Minister of Taichang Temple who is the third rank in the current dynasty, and her husband is the right counselor of the General Administration Secretary who is the fifth rank, so his status is not ordinary.

"Oh, it's Mrs. Du who came." Mrs. Wu said with a smile, "Why are you here to play in Taoyuan today? If I had known that you would come today, the two of us should make an appointment to come together." .”

Cui Huiniang laughed and said, "I didn't want to come today. I didn't know there was such a big peach garden in such a remote place. It's just that my third brother and fourth sister came to my house to play two days ago. Er, I mentioned this peach garden by chance, saying that there are thousands of peach trees in this peach garden, and the peach blossoms are in excellent bloom, like clouds and brocades. I came here to enjoy the peach blossoms when I was here. They urged me and their brother-in-law to come too. No, no, their brother-in-law and I can only bring a child, but we will go out to play with them two."

Cui Huiniang's mouth is really very clever, and she speaks wittily and neatly.At that moment, Wu Shi couldn't stop laughing, the wrinkles on his face were squeezed together, like a chrysanthemum that has experienced frost in three autumns.

After laughing, she took Cui Jinniang's hand again, and asked affectionately: "This is Jinniang and Brother Chang? I vaguely remember that they were only seven or eight years old when I saw them last time. It's so big. And they are a pair of good children who were born neatly."

Cui Jinniang and Cui Wenchang hurriedly saluted Mrs. Wu.Mrs. Wu sighed a few words, then looked at the nanny standing behind Cui Huiniang.The nanny was holding Cui Huiniang's son Du Cheng in her arms, and asked with a smile: "This is Brother Cheng? I only heard that you gave birth two years ago, but I haven't seen him in the past two years."

On the other hand, she yelled at Cui Huiniang: "I'm not in good health, and I'm lazy to go anywhere, so I never visited your house. But our two families are so close, why haven't you hugged Brother Cheng in the past two years?" Why don't you come to the humble house for a walk?"

Cui Huiniang smiled, and just said: "Since I gave birth to Brother Cheng, I have not been in good health, and I am too lazy to go out every day, otherwise I would have hugged Brother Cheng long ago to greet you."

In fact, Xu Zhongxuan moved to Nanjing two years ago from a bachelor's degree in the Imperial Academy.Although on the surface he went to Nanjing to take charge of the Imperial Academy over there, and he was promoted to an official, but Nanjing is the capital of Liuzhou, and ordinary officials there are the same as pensioners, no matter how difficult the official career is. There was no future, so Cui Huiniang gradually alienated the Xu family at that time.But a few years ago, no one expected that Xu Zhongxuan would actually move back to the capital, and his official position would be promoted to the third rank of the Rites Zuo Shilang, so Cui Huiniang thought about it a long time ago and wanted to take Cui Jinniang to Xu's house. Those who visited Wu and Qin.It's just that I didn't expect to meet Xu Zhongxuan in this Taoyuan today. Knowing that Wu and Qin are also here, she immediately brought Cui Jinniang and Cui Wenchang over to meet Wu and Qin and others.

After all, Cui Huiniang is older, so her thoughts are naturally deeper.She knew that the order of her parents and the words of the matchmaker were the most important thing, and the pleasing relationship between the two was secondary.As long as Xu Zhongxuan's grandmother and aunt nodded and agreed to the marriage of Cui and Xu's family, what else could Xu Zhongxuan say?Wasn't it also the few words between Uncle Xu and his father at the banquet that sealed the marriage between his second sister and Xu Zhongxuan?If the second sister hadn't died early, I'm afraid they would all have children by now.

Thinking of this, Cui Huiniang called Cui Jinniang to come forward, led her to the Qin family, and said with a smile: "Mrs. Qin, it is rare to see you, are you in good health?"

Cui Jinniang blessed Qin's body in a regular manner, and said in a soft voice: "Jinniang pays her respects."

Sitting in the chair, Qin did not get up, but leaned slightly, raised her eyelids to look at her, and then said with a smile: "This is Yuniang's sister? And she has a good appearance, she is a lovely girl. people."

He wiped off the twisted gold bracelet on his hand, pulled Cui Jinniang's right hand over, put the bracelet on her wrist, and said with a smile: "Meeting in a hurry, my aunt didn't bring anything valuable body. This gold bracelet is fine, I'll put it on for you to play with."

Cui Jinniang hastily declined, stretching out her hand to wipe off the bracelet, Cui Huiniang who was on the side hurriedly said: "Since Mrs. Qin rewarded you, you can go ahead. Just refuse to do it? I will have more time to accompany you in the future." Mrs. Qin, what's worse than that?"

"Exactly." Mrs. Qin also said with a smile, "good boy, although I saw you for the first time today, I feel that I am very close to you. In the future, when you are free, come and accompany me more , Let's have a good talk, my wife."

Cui Jinniang saw that her sister and the Qin family had said this, so she had no choice but to agree.

And Wu's face on the side is not very good-looking at this time.

The first time Qin saw Cui Jinniang, she generously gave her a twisted gold bracelet as a gift, then asked if this was Yuniang's sister, and praised her for her good looks, saying that she hit it off with her, and then asked her. What is the meaning of inviting Cui Jinniang to visit her more in the future?Could it be that she actually wanted to make this Cui Jinniang the wife of the big house?
If it is serious, Xu Zhongxuan's marriage should naturally be decided by the Qin family.After all, she was just a grandmother, and she was also a step-grandmother, so it was not her turn to intervene in Xu Zhongxuan's marriage.It's just that she has always had the idea of ​​letting her nephew and granddaughter be the wife of the big house, but Wu Jingxuan's background is really low, her parents died early, and her grandfather is only a seventh-rank magistrate. How can she compare with Cui Jinniang?His father is serious, but he is a third-rank Taichang Temple minister.

At this time, Qin Shi was holding a teacup, sipping tea slowly, while peeking at Wu Shi.

Seeing that Mrs. Wu's expression was not very good, she couldn't help but feel extremely relieved. For a moment, she just felt that the twisted gold bracelet just now was not in vain.

Looking at her, I don't know what kind of wishful thinking she has in mind?No matter who Xu Zhongxuan marries, it will definitely not be the daughter of Wu's nephew.Has she been less angry all these years?Why is it that her daughter-in-law, who is officially a concubine, wants to live in a small courtyard, but let the main courtyard live in the second bedroom?Isn't it because the one in the second room crawled out of Mrs. Wu's stomach?Besides, a few days ago, under the banner of frugality, Mrs. Wu said that she wanted to cut expenses, but she actually reduced the monthly bills in her house by quite a bit.But why didn't the five rooms decrease?If it's about being sympathetic to the orphans and widows in Wufang, seeing if she has a man or what?Why didn't Mrs. Wu come to show sympathy for her?At this time, the society was thinking of forcibly forcing the grand-niece to come to her big house, so she had no choice but to dream of his mother's sweet dreams day and night.Whenever she was around, Wu Jingxuan couldn't help entering the door of her big room.Let alone a wife, even a concubine, it's better not to make claims.

At this time, Cui Huiniang took Cui Jinniang and Cui Wenchang to visit the other wives.

In the past few years, Cui Huiniang and the Xu family had a close relationship, so she knew all the wives in each house.At that time, because Cui Jinniang was young and unmarried, there were few people who came out to socialize, but everyone didn't know her, and now she introduces them one by one.

At that time, all the wives in the rooms of the Xu family had finished their visits. When they arrived at Mrs. Jian's place, Cui Huiniang looked at Mrs. Jian without any trace, and then asked Wu with a smile: "Who is this lady? seen."

Wu shi was still thinking about what Qin shi's actions meant just now, and she felt a little uncomfortable in her heart.And after what happened just now, now that she sees Cui Huiniang and Cui Jinniang, she just thinks that Cui Huiniang brought Cui Jinniang here to show Qin, so as to please her and make Cui Jinniang and Xu Zhongxuan's marriage that's all, so Wu Unable to help, the expression on her face became a little weaker than before, and she simply said: "This is Mrs. Jane, the sister of my fifth daughter-in-law."

Cui Huiniang then knew that this Mrs. Jian must be the girl she had just met, Jian Yan's mother.

She smiled and blessed Mrs. Jian with Cui Jinniang, and Mrs. Jian hurriedly stood up and returned the gift.

After all, Cui Huiniang's status is there, so even though she is a junior, Mrs. Jane does not dare to accept this gift from her.

But when she sat down, Mrs. Jian was also feeling annoyed. If her parents had told her about an official marriage, she would be an official wife now. What about paying back the courtesy?Just accept it generously.

And when she thought of this, she thought again, no matter what, Jian Qing had to pass the exam and get on the official career.In this way, there will always be a time for her to be appointed wife in the future, or if her hair is gray, is it possible that she has to return when she sees a junior salute her?
Thinking of this, she immediately thought of Jian Yan again.I just thought in my heart, I don't know if Jian Yan went out and talked to Xu Zhongxuan?If she could win Xu Zhongxuan's blue eyes and be taken into his house, Jian Qing's official career would be much smoother in the future, and the money she had spent on Jian Yan over the years would not be in vain.

And at this moment, a servant girl came in to report that the eldest son had come.

Mrs. Jane couldn't help but looked up.

Today, the weather was bright and clear, the wind was breezy, and everyone came here for the purpose of admiring the flowers, so the four fans on the Yuzhao Building were opened, so Mrs. Jian saw Xu Zhongxuan calmly. He stepped out of the fan and walked in.The golden sun shines outside the porch, the sky is clear and the flowers are in full bloom.

Mrs. Jian looked up at him carefully, and saw that he was tall and elegant, and although he was simply standing there, he still couldn't take his eyes off him.She couldn't help but gave a compliment in her heart, thinking, this is a good young man, even if Jian Yan made a concubine with him, it would not be a loss.

It's just that when I think of Jian Yan, and then I look at the door, there is no one there?So this Xu Zhongxuan came back alone?Where did Jian Yan go, why didn't she come back with him?

After Xu Zhongxuan stood still, he gave a simple salute to Mrs. Wu, and then said: "When I was in the garden just now, Jin'er said that she didn't feel well, so Sanmei and Miss Jian accompanied her. Go back first. Before Jin'er leaves, let me tell you that I will accompany you to enjoy the flowers some other day."

He nodded to Mrs. Jane politely and distantly, and said, "Please trouble Miss Jane about the sister-in-law's matter. Please don't blame Mrs. Jane."

Mrs. Jian hurriedly said: "The eldest son is too polite. Yan'er and sister Jin have always played well together, and it is only natural to send her back."

Xu Zhongxuan nodded to her again, then turned to Ji and said, "Third Sister asked me to tell you that she went back with Jin'er first, so you don't have to worry."

Ji hurriedly said: "Why should I worry about this? It's just what happened to Jin'er's body? Does it matter?"

Mrs. Wu was also busy asking Xu Miaojin how she was, and whether it was important or not.

Xu Zhongxuan replied: "It's not really important. It's just that she didn't go out for a lot of shopping in the past. Today, she suddenly visited so many places, and she's not used to it."

"Xu Shilang loves his sister very much," Cui Huiniang said from the side, and then she turned to Wu and Qin and said with a smile, "From this, it seems that Xu Shilang is not only careful, but also a kind person." It will hurt."

Wu's forced a smile on his face, but didn't answer.Instead, Mrs. Qin continued: "Isn't that right? I'm not the one who praises Brother Xuan. Even though he occupies a high position in the officialdom, his inner thoughts are extremely delicate, and he is the most considerate of others. "

Cui Huiniang also laughed and said: "Oh, if Mrs. Qin said so, I don't know which girl will be so lucky to marry Xu Shilang in the future."

Mrs. Qin glanced at Xu Zhongxuan, and saw that his expression was very flat. Although he couldn't tell whether he was happy or angry, he still didn't dare to answer Cui Huiniang's words.So she just smiled, then took the teacup on the table next to her hand, bowed her head and drank tea.

Although she is said to be Xu Zhongxuan's aunt, and Xu Zhongxuan has been filial to her all these years, no matter how good her etiquette is, but she didn't crawl out of her own stomach, it is always worse .Besides, Xu Zhongxuan has been a deep-minded person since he was a child. Whether he likes someone or hates someone, no matter how hard it is to show it on the surface, she can't figure out whether Cui Huiniang's words just touched his rebellion. Lin, so he didn't dare to answer.

Since the Qin family did not take over, Cui Huiniang's one-man show would not be able to continue.She also smiled and lowered her head to drink tea.Xu Zhongxuan walked to the side and sat down, and sat drinking tea by himself, very calmly.

Everyone sat like this for a while, chatting with each other again, and another servant girl came in outside to report that Miss Biao had returned.Two other girls also came with her, one was Miss Li from Zheng Guogong's mansion, and the other was Miss Guo from Wukangbo's mansion.

When the people in the room heard this, they all turned their heads and looked outside the door, with surprise on their faces.

The Xu family and the Duke's Mansion, as well as the Wukangbo Mansion, have never had much to do with each other.Although everyone has met a few times on weekdays, but after all, it is the girls of the Duke's family, so it is unprecedented to come here first to find them.

Only Xu Miaohua snorted softly, raised her head and just looked aside.

She and Xu Miaolan had come back a long time ago, talking to Cui Jinniang whom they just met.When she heard that Li Nianlan and Guo Danqin had also come, she couldn't help but snorted softly, and said in a low voice: "What's the matter with the air? No matter if it's the daughter of the Duke's family, after all, it's just a concubine." That's all, what is it?"

It's just that although her voice was soft, it was still heard by Xu Miaolan.Xu Miaolan's small face immediately turned pale, and her hands were only twisting the pale pink handkerchief in her hand vigorously.

She has always known that Xu Miaohua looked down on the children of concubines, but who doesn't have some self-esteem?It's fine if you keep these words in your stomach and don't say them out. What's the point of saying them so straightforwardly?What's more, sitting next to them were Cui Jinniang and Cui Wenchang, whom they had just met.

Thinking of the Cui brothers and sisters, Xu Miaolan couldn't help but glanced at Cui Wenchang.

Cui Wenchangsheng has beautiful eyebrows and clear eyes, and he speaks in a soft voice, so gentle that he doesn't talk about it alone, and he has such a prominent background...

At this time, Cui Wenchang's gaze also looked over inadvertently, and it happened to meet her gaze.

Xu Miaolan only felt a jump in her heart for a moment, she immediately looked away, and at the same time lowered her head deeply.But in the end, his heart was still pounding like a deer, and his face was also flushed and hot.

And now Wu Jingxuan, along with Li Nianlan and Guo Danqin have already walked into the room.

Although Li Nianlan and Guo Danqin are concubine daughters, they are girls from the Duke's Mansion and Wukangbo Mansion, so Wu and the others stood up in a hurry.

"Miss Li, Miss Guo," Mrs. Wu walked two steps forward with the support of Caizhu, and said with a smile, "you are also here today to enjoy the flowers?"

"Old lady," Li Nianlan said with a smile as she blessed her body, "I just met Miss Wu and the others in the garden, and I knew you were here today to enjoy the flowers, so I came here with Sister Qin, together I came here to greet you, and I came here to ask you for a cup of tea, will you not refuse?"

Miss Wu didn't dare to accept her gift, so she hurriedly returned it, and then smiled with Xiaoxin: "What is Miss Li talking about?"

At the same time, he ordered Caizhu and Mingzhu to quickly serve tea to Li Nianlan and Guo Danqin.

But Li Nianlan doesn't care about tea.When she was talking to Mrs. Wu, her eyes could not stop wandering around the room, and she saw Xu Zhongxuan sitting in a chair by the window at a glance.

She couldn't help being overjoyed, and for a long time forgot that her original purpose of coming to this Yuzhao Tower was to make Jian Yan unhappy, but she was just talking to Mrs. Wu, but her eyes kept on looking at Xu Zhongxuan.

Mrs. Wu is introducing Mrs. Jian, Cui Huiniang and others to her.It's just that Li Nianlan's full attention was only on Xu Zhongxuan, and she was a little impatient to answer these people, so she just casually said a few polite words and that's all.

Cui Huiniang is a person whose thoughts cannot be more exquisite. She saw that Li Nianlan's eyes were only on Xu Zhongxuan after she entered the room, and she immediately guessed what was going on.But she didn't show anything, she just smiled and said a few decent words, that's all.

When it was his turn to introduce Mrs. Jane, Li Nianlan kept looking at Xu Zhongxuan and finally gave it to Mrs. Jane.

"Jian Yan is your daughter?" She frowned and asked in displeasure.

Mrs. Jian didn't know what Li Nianlan's words meant, but she could still see that she was unhappy, so she asked cautiously: "Miss Li has seen the little girl?"

Li Nianlan snorted softly, thinking in her heart, not only has she seen it before, but she is almost in pain from being angered by your daughter.It's just that when you talk about it, you don't see Jian Yan. Where did that girl go?

So she looked around the room, and there really was no sign of Jian Yan.

"Where is Jian Yan?" She didn't talk nonsense, and asked straight to the point.

When Mrs. Jian saw that Li Nianlan was asking about Jian Yan, she had a serious face and frowned brows, she was extremely unhappy, she couldn't help feeling a little uneasy in her heart, and hurriedly said carefully: "Miss Xu Si The health is not very good, the little girl accompanied her and went back first."

When Li Nianlan heard this, she was about to have a fit, but she thought that Xu Zhongxuan was sitting there, so if he saw her arrogant attitude and made him feel unhappy, the gain would outweigh the loss.

So she had no choice but to suppress the unhappiness in her heart, snorted from her nose, and then ignored Mrs. Jian, but walked to Xu Zhongxuan's surroundings by herself.

Xu Zhongjing, Xu Zhongan and others were sitting beside Xu Zhongxuan, they didn't realize Li Nianlan's thoughts at all, so they didn't have any intention of giving up their seats at all.

Li Nianlan couldn't help being a little annoyed, but she didn't want to say anything, she just picked a chair around and sat down unhappily.Guo Danqin also picked a chair next to her and sat down.

Caizhu and Mingzhu brought tea on lacquered tea trays, and carefully placed them on the table next to Li Nianlan and Guo Danqin.

Li Nianlan didn't drink tea, on the contrary, she had a smile on her face, her voice softened a bit, and she said to Xu Zhongxuan: "Xu Shilang, long time no see."

Xu Zhongxuan nodded slightly to her, and replied politely and distantly: "Miss Li, long time no see."

His voice was slightly cold.Like the wind in early spring, although it sounds mild on the surface, it still cannot escape the bitterness of winter inside.

Li Nianlan didn't notice it, but she said with a joyful smile on her face, "Since the last time we left, my father often wanted to invite you to visit the mansion, but I only heard that you have a lot of government affairs, and you don't have time to spare." , I don’t want to meet you in Taoyuan today because of fate today.”

Xu Zhongxuan frowned.

In fact, Zheng Guogong said twice about letting him go to the house to get together, but he tactfully pushed him away.How could he not know what Zheng Guogong meant, but Zheng Guogong is now on the side of King Ning, if he and Zheng Guogong became Weng son-in-law, he must also be on the side of King Ning.And he really doesn't like Li Nianlan, even if she pretends to be gentle and gentle in front of him, but her domineering and bullying nature remains the same.Didn't she just rely on her own status to ridicule Jian Yan like that in Zhuixia Pavilion?
Xu Zhongxuan felt that he was too lazy to say anything to Li Nianlan, so he just prevaricated her a few words casually, and then looked outside the door.

Qi Hui was standing outside the door.

Qi Sang and Qi Hui are two brothers, both his bodyguards.Now Qi Sang sent Xu Miaoning, Xu Miaojin and Jian Yan back, but Qi Hui stayed here.

As soon as Qi Hui saw Xu Zhongxuan's gaze, he immediately understood, walked in hurriedly, stood in front of Xu Zhongxuan with his hands down, and said what Xu Zhongxuan had told him before: "My lord, just now a small official from the Ministry of Rites came to look for you and said It's something urgent, please go out and see him as soon as possible."

As soon as Xu Zhongxuan heard this, he put down the teacup in his hand, walked to stand in front of Wu and Qin, and said respectfully: "Grandmother, mother, I have something to do, I can't be with you anymore, for now Take your leave first."

He said it so respectfully, what else can Wu and Qin say?To be honest, if he comes and leaves whenever he wants, who can force him or keep him?Since someone gave them this face, they naturally have to give him this face.

So Mrs. Wu nodded, and said kindly: "The left and right are family members, when can't we get together? Naturally, it's business matters, so let's go first."

Xu Zhongxuan agreed, and nodded politely to everyone present, then shook his sleeves, turned and left.

It's just that he just got off the bluestone platform, and not long after, Li Nianlan's voice came from behind urgently: "Xu Shilang, please wait a moment."

Xu Zhongxuan frowned, but when he turned around, he couldn't see anything, he just asked: "Miss Li, what do you want me to do?"

Li Nianlan ran down by herself regardless of her status, her face was flushed from running, and she was quite out of breath.

She stood still in front of Xu Zhongxuan, panted for a while, then took out something from her sleeve, took it with both hands, put it in the palm of her hand, and handed it over with a blushing face.

Xu Zhongxuan looked down and saw that it was a gauze green sachet, on which the pattern of peonies and flying butterflies was delicately embroidered with gold and silver thread.

Xu Zhongxuan didn't answer, didn't speak, just stood there with his hands behind his back, the wind blew his clothes slightly, the son was like jade, like cutting like learning, like cutting like grinding.

Li Nianlan couldn't help but blushed even more, and the heart in her chest couldn't stop beating like a drum.

"Here, this sachet is for you."

Although she was domineering and bullying in normal times, she still acted like a shy little girl in front of the person she liked, with her head lowered and her voice lowered a lot.

But half a day passed, and Xu Zhongxuan still reached out to take the sachet in her hand.Surprised in her heart, she couldn't help but looked up.

I saw Xu Zhongxuan's eyes were as cold as ice.

"Miss Li," he said indifferently, "the difference between a man and a woman is more important than a mountain. If people see such things as giving and receiving privately, it will only ruin our reputation. You must not do this in the future."

After finishing speaking, she turned around and left, leaving Li Nianlan standing there angrily and shyly, her arms holding the sachet were a little weak from anger.

What is this?Thinking that Li Nianlan is the daughter of the Duke, and her sister is the side concubine of King Ning, and her appearance is not bad. Is she not worthy of him due to her birth, or is her appearance not worthy of him?She was infatuated with him again, regardless of the face of her daughter's family, Baba sent him a sachet, not wanting that he not only didn't pick it up, but even said that to her.

Li Nianlan was so angry that she gritted her teeth secretly, and was about to get angry, but when she thought about Xu Zhongxuan standing in front of her just now, with the elegant appearance and temperament like a fairy, she couldn't help feeling that she couldn't express any anger.

So she changed her mind and thought about it. A few days ago, she heard her father and aunt gossiping about why the current emperor valued King Ning so much. In the future, King Ning has a great chance of becoming a great treasure. Wouldn't my sister be at least a noble concubine?Mo Ruo begged her sister to go and let her find a way to talk about it in front of King Ning, and after asking for a marriage grant, even Xu Zhongxuan would not dare to disobey it no matter what.

Thinking of it this way, the anger in her heart gradually disappeared, and on the contrary, she felt that her mood gradually became happier.

At this time, Guo Danqin also chased her out, and when she saw her standing here, she said, "Sister Lan, what are you doing standing here? Old lady Wu invited you inside for lunch."

Li Nianlan curled her lips in disdain.

Xu Zhongxuan had already left, why would she still stay there with a group of women for lunch?
"I'm too lazy to go up again," so she said lightly, "You sent a maid up casually to tell Mrs. Wu that I'm tired, so I'll go back first, and I'll be free some other day." Let's meet again."

After all, she did not wait for Guo Danqin, took her maid, turned around and left straight away.

(End of this chapter)