Concubine like a house

Chapter 21
Chuxiu lowered his head all the way, and walked back to Zhiyanxuan based on memory, and no one was embarrassed on the way.She remembered that before she went to see Mrs. Tai, Zhu Ying said that Yun Ci wanted to see her, so she thought about going to wait outside the study door first.

The layout of Zhiyanxuan is simple, not as complicated as imagined.Chuxiu walked in the garden for a while, and found that there was no smell of makeup and powder, and the decoration was very tough. Even if there were a few servants in the garden, their clothes were simple.

Chuxiu was a little pleased with this discovery.After walking for a while, she was already familiar with the pattern of Zhiyanxuan, but she searched all over the garden, and she couldn't find the study even when she went out of Xiuxiu, so she had to go back to her own courtyard first.

Fortunately, Danxin was still there, Chuxiu compared her for a while, Daoming thought, Danxin replied: "Master's study is not in Zhiyanxuan."

Danxin said while gesturing: "The study is a separate garden, connected to Zhiyan Pavilion, two entrances and two exits, passing through the side hall. Here, it's there." She pointed to the direction as she spoke.

Chu Xiu heard the words and nodded, went back to his room to put away the earrings, and then touched them by himself.During the period, I met a few nursing homes, but they were very polite, Zhu Ying should have explained it in advance.It wasn't until she found out where the study was that she understood why Yun Ci set aside a separate garden for the study.

"Qingxinzhai" is the name of this garden. There are several houses inside, all of which are filled with books, and small signs are hung outside the houses to classify books.There are several huge boulders paved in the garden, which are flat and sunny, and should be used for drying books.

In addition, there is a large empty room with four long mahogany square tables in the center, on which are placed eight sets of brushes and inkstones, and more than forty carved sandalwood chairs are placed around it, which should be used for receiving guests or discussing matters.

Chuxiu stood outside the house, leaning her head to look inside.After just a few glances, I heard a joking inquiry behind me: "Did you have a stiff neck?"

Chuxiu turned around and looked back, just in time to see Zhu Ying pushing Yun Ci in.She hurried up to meet her, and asked with gestures: "You were looking for me just now?"

"Yes, I need you." Yunci signaled Zhuying to push herself into the small study, and said to Chuxiu, "Follow me."

When I came out of Xiu and heard the words, I found that there was no threshold in this garden, just like the Zhiyan Pavilion, they were all gentle slopes.Zhuying Shun Shun pushed Yun Ci into the small study, then withdrew wordlessly, only Chuxiu was left to serve.

Yun Ciwu took a pamphlet from the case, and said to Chuxiu: "This is your household registration in Fangzhou and the deed of prostitution in Yunfu, you should take a look first."

Household registration?Yun Ci moved so fast!Chuxiu hurriedly took the brochure and looked through it. There were only a few pens on it, which were the sixteen years of life experienced by a woman named "Chuxiu". Clearly.The writing is meticulous and there are no loopholes.

Moreover, the paper of this booklet is yellowed, which seems to be some years old.If Chuxiu was not the person involved, she would never believe that the household registration was forged.

In fact, it is not a forgery. Although Chuxiu's identity is fake, this household registration book is real.Not only the special seal of Fangzhou household registration, but also various anonymous red clay seals and handprints, which should be the witness of the person who handled it.

Chuxiu was at a loss as she clutched the booklet, until Yunci tapped on the table lightly, and she was awakened from the inexplicable feeling.

"Do you remember everything clearly?" Yun Ci asked with a slight smile.

Chuxiu nodded.

Yun Ci pointed to a blank page of the household registration book, and said with a half-smile: "Write your name here, press your fingerprint, and you will be a member of my Yunfu."

"Why is there no word on the deed of sale?" Chuxiu first pointed to the household registration book, and then asked with a pen.

"I haven't had time to write yet. Why, you think I'm lying to you?" Yun Ci's eyes suddenly rippled, and he asked with a teasing smile, "Afraid I'll sell you to a trafficker?"

Chuxiu laughed.It was true that she was worrying too much.The household registers were all bought by someone ordered by Yunci, and it was also stated in the booklet that the person who came out of Xiuxiu was a servant girl in Yunfu, so what can I do if I press my fingerprints?Left and right are also true.

Thinking of this, Chuxiu picked up a pen and wrote down the name in the blank space of the booklet, then dipped the red mud with the thumb of his right hand, and solemnly pressed his fingerprint on the name.

Yunci took the opportunity to put the brochure on the table and said, "You are someone who knows Yanxuan, so you don't need to visit anyone except your mother. If you meet at the family banquet in the future, you will know each other naturally."

He pondered for a moment, and then continued to ask: "Did you tell me everything about Danxin? How many aunts, younger brothers and younger sisters?"

Chuxiu nodded, thought for a while, and wrote: "The names of the masters and ladies are very nice."

"It's all started by my father." Yun Ci seemed unwilling to mention this matter, "You are new to the mansion today, so you should rest well. You will officially start work tomorrow, and the errand is still to serve the pen and ink. Come here on time at three o'clock every day Qingxinzhai."

Go out of Xiuxiu to salute and take orders.

"And..." Yunci looked at her, and said again, "Tomorrow I will teach you abacus."

Plan?It was so sudden that Chuxiu was surprised.

"Didn't you agree before you came to Fangzhou?" Yun Ci looked at her calmly and asked, "Do you want to study ink and write in the study for the rest of your life?"

In fact, studying ink and writing for a lifetime is not bad, but it is obviously not practical.Chuxiu thought to himself that what Yun Ci said was right, settling accounts is always a personal skill, and it will not hurt you if you learn it.Thinking of this, she saluted and thanked Yun Ci, and Shi Shiran withdrew.

For half a month thereafter, Chuxiu followed Yunci to study at Qingxinzhai every day, first planning abacus, memorizing formulas, and then looking at some simple ledgers.Yunci was very pleasantly surprised by Chuxiu's memory and comprehension, and gradually taught him faster.

By the end of March, Chuxiu was able to understand the account book, and it was an annual account.She herself didn't think that this was a great ability, but in Yunci's view, it was considered "extraordinary talent", especially when Chuxiu was still a girl.

How many women in this world are illiterate all their lives, and those who can read and write are mostly ladies.Although some women run businesses in public, they are also small businesses.And Yunfu is a wealthy businessman in the world, the complexity of the book records and the huge amount of money involved are rare in the world.

But Chuxiu was able to figure out an old account from two years ago in just [-] days, and it was also the annual account of Brocade Workshop. How could this not make Yunci admire?The silent girl in front of her seems to be never tired of learning, and what's even more rare is to understand by analogy!
This made Yunci have to adjust the plan again and again. Originally, he only wanted to teach Xiu some simple and simple accounting methods, but now, it has unconsciously increased the difficulty.

One learns deeply, and the other teaches carefully.Yun Ci knew that if things went on like this for a long time, no matter how advanced the account book was, it would be hard to get out of Xiu.But sooner or later.

At the same time, Chuxiu also noticed that there were more and more people coming and going in and out of Yunfu in recent days, or more and more strange faces in Qingxinzhai.The consequence of this phenomenon was that Yunci began to order her to avoid him, and even did not summon her to serve in Qingxinzhai for a whole day.

Chuxiu has become more and more leisurely, but the strange thing is that in the whole Zhiyan Pavilion, other people are getting busier and busier.Especially the light heart and shallow rhyme, they seem exhausted every day.

This phenomenon is more prominent in the last few days near the end of March.Seeing others in a hurry and looking at her own leisure, Chuxiu gradually felt a sense of incompatibility, as if there was an invisible barrier separating her from the outside.Although the body is in Yunfu, but the heart cannot blend in.

Chuxiu didn't like this feeling, hesitated for a whole day, and then took the opportunity to grab Danxin and ask why.

Unexpectedly, Danxin smiled and said: "You don't know about this. Our Yunfu has countless branches and shops in various places. In the past, managers from various places and industries all came to pay their accounts a year ago, but in recent years the business has become bigger and bigger. , there are more and more side branch children, and everyone rushed to come here before the year before, and the mansion really couldn't bear it."

"It is a centuries-old tradition that the local branches met with the Tai Furen and the master before the year before, and it is not easy to change. Therefore, from the year before last, the Tai Furen made the decision and postponed the time for reimbursement of various industries in various places until the end of March. In this way Come on, the stewards can wait until the next year to leave, and report the annual account of the previous year and the plan for the next year together, killing two birds with one stone." Danxin explained to Chuxiu in this way.

It was only then that Chuxiu figured out that the faces these few days were the managers of the Yun family in various places.That being said, since I'm new here, I don't understand the situation, and I can't speak, so I really can't help much.Such self-consolation made Chuxiu feel much better.

"I've been busy greeting the stewards these days, and my arms are going to be broken." Danxin complained a few words, and then said, "The master is in the meeting hall right now, I have to serve, let's go first." After saying that, she After taking a sip of tea in a hurry, he ran out of the house in the blink of an eye.

When I went out of Xiu, I saw that I was indifferent and went far away. I wanted to find something to do, to help the little maids, but I walked around the garden, and none of the little maids were in the room.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door, accompanied by a rather modest and polite male voice: "Excuse me, how can I get to Lord Hou's Qingxinzhai?"

When she came out of Xiu, she saw that there were no other people around, and the courtyard was where the servants lived, so it was not convenient for strange men to come in, so she had no choice but to go forward and open the concealed courtyard door.

Outside the door was a man about 20 years old, with a handsome appearance, dressed as a scholar, very elegant.The moment Chuxiu opened the door, the man's eyes flashed with astonishment, and with a "click", even the book in his hand fell to the ground.

Chuxiu looked down at the brochure on the ground, feeling quite familiar.She remembered that this was the rice bank account book in the Huainan area. The account book was from the year before last, and Yun Ci had just tested her two days ago.

Thinking in this way, Chuxiu unconsciously leaned over and picked up the account book, and when he got up again, he saw the young scholar still standing in front of the door, muttering: "Fairy..."

Chuxiu couldn't laugh or cry when he heard the words, quickly waved his hand to bring him back to his senses, and handed back the ledger.Only then did the scholar regain his composure, his ears turned suspiciously red, he quickly took the account book and said, "Just now... I was being rude, I hope... Miss forgive me."

Chuxiu pursed her lips and smiled, expressing that she didn't care.

"This... dare to ask girl... how to get to Qingxinzhai?" The scholar was a little incoherent, and he lowered his eyes and dared not look up at the beauty in front of him.He was still waiting for an answer, but there was no movement for a long time, and then he looked up again, only to see the beauty in front of him pointing to her throat, with a sorry expression on her face.

The scholar tentatively asked, "Miss, do you have a throat problem?"

Chuxiu nodded.

"Is the girl unable to speak for the time being, or..." The scholar knew that he asked rashly, but he still couldn't control his mouth.

Chuxiu didn't take it seriously, and just made a calm expression, and said two simple words: "dumb."

The scholar understood, and a look of disappointment flashed across his face.He originally thought that this beauty should have a beautiful voice like a yellow warbler coming out of the valley, but he didn't know that she was a dumb girl...

The scholar tried his best to calm down his mood, not wanting Chuxiu to see his disappointment and offense. After a while, he remembered his intentions and hurriedly explained: "Just now I went to Qingxinzhai to meet Lord Hou. I brought last year's account book with me. I don't know when I left. I lost my mind and took the account book from the previous year by mistake. Now I want to change it back, but I don’t know the way.”

Hearing this, Chuxiu didn't believe it.Not to mention that this scholar looks quite young, not like a seasoned manager.Even though he is a young talent, how could the chief manager of the Yunfu not know the way to Qingxinzhai?It should be noted that the stewards have to go back to the government to pay the bill every year.

The scholar seemed to understand Chuxiu's hesitation, coughed lightly in embarrassment, and then explained: "To be honest, I just took over the post of steward last year, and this is the first time I have met Lord Hou... That's why this incident happened. It's a joke." He said with a hint of shame on his face.

Chuxiu thought about it carefully, the scholar had no reason to lie to her, and besides, the account book from the year before last was in his hands, so it can be seen that he had been in and out of Qingxin Zhai.If you have only been here once, it is normal that you cannot find your way.

However, after all, Qingxinzhai is the important place of Yunci's study. To be on the safe side, Chuxiu said to the scholar, "I'll take you there."

The scholar's eyes lit up, and he quickly thanked: "Thank you, miss."

There was no longer any delay in going out of Xiuxiu, so she took the scholar to Qingxinzhai. After finding last year's account book, she wrote on the case with a pen and paper: "I will keep the account book, and I can only give it to you after asking Master Hou."

The scholar was a little surprised, he didn't expect this stunning dumb girl to be so cautious.But he came quietly because he was afraid that Yunci would blame him, so how could he ask Chuxiu to ask Yunci for instructions?Thinking of this, the scholar earnestly said: "If Lord Hou knows about this, I will definitely be scolded. Miss Danxin knows it, you can ask her for proof."

I have to forgive others and forgive others, I heard that I acquiesced, and followed the scholar to the meeting hall.

The Yunfu Assembly Hall does not belong to any courtyard, but is located on the west side of the back garden of the outer courtyard. The huge tiled house is independent from the west corner, which looks remote and quiet.

At this moment, Danxin was waiting outside the council hall, and when he saw the two men coming, he hurriedly asked Chuxiu, "Why did you come with Guanshi Yun?"

This manager is also surnamed Yun?This thought flashed across Chuxiu's mind, before he had time to reply, he was preempted by the scholar and told Danxin the whole thing.

After listening to the cause and effect calmly, she covered her face with a smile and said to Chuxiu: "What Manager Yun said is true, you can give him the account book." She had taken the new account book from Chuxiu and exchanged the old account book, He said with a smile: "Guan Yun, if there is another time, the servant will not speak for you."

Manager Yun nodded his thanks repeatedly, and hurriedly carried the ledger into the meeting hall.Chuxiu quickly glanced in through the crack of the door, wondering what was going on in the meeting hall, when she suddenly heard a light voice whispering in her ear: "If it's the manager next to you, there's no need to show face. But the manager Yun is different. , he is Steward Yun's own nephew."

No wonder this scholar is young enough to manage the rice business in the Huainan area. It turns out that there is such a relationship.Immediately after leaving Xiuxiu, he understood, put away the old account books, said goodbye to Danxin, and returned to Zhiyanxuan alone.

As soon as he entered the back garden, he almost bumped into someone, Chuxiu hurriedly lowered his head, stepped aside to make way for the road, unexpectedly the person's footsteps were unsteady, and he bumped into him anyway.

Chuxiu Shengsheng staggered from the bump, and dropped the ledger on the ground by mistake.She wanted to lean over to pick it up, but unexpectedly the man picked up the ledger before her, looked at the words on it, and read half-drunkly: "Huainan District Rice Bank Annual Account."

The ending of the last "account" is extremely long, almost ambiguous.The oncoming smell of alcohol made Chuxiu understand that the person in front of him was drunk.And those who can drink unscrupulously in broad daylight must not be the servants of the Yun family who are strictly disciplined.

This person must be a master in the mansion.Either the second master Yun Qi, or the third master Yun Xian.

Chuxiu wondered in his heart, not to mention raising his head to look.Out of the corner of her eyes, she caught sight of a patch of brown shirt hem, and quickly lowered her head to salute and admit her mistake.

But obviously, the drunk master didn't intend to stop there, and asked her instead: "Which room do you belong to? How do you have this account book?"

Chuxiu pointed in the direction of Zhiyanxuan, and then pointed to his own throat.

"Are you from the elder brother?" the man asked again.

Chuxiu still didn't dare to look up, and just nodded.

"Why don't you speak? Is it so rude to ask you something, master?"

Chuxiu heard that the master should be sober, and she was no longer drunk when she spoke now, she felt relieved, and pointed to her throat again.

Seeing this, the other party was silent for a moment, then suddenly leaned forward, stretched out his hand to pinch her jaw, and forced her to raise her head.

This rude move was so sudden that Chuxiu was caught off guard.She was forced to look up, only to see a young man squinting his peach blossom eyes, looking over meaningfully.The shrewd and admiring gaze in those eyes reminded Chuxiu of the prostitutes in Zuihualou.

This is the way a man looks at a woman. It is not like the simple amazement of Manager Caiyun just now, but a kind of pure covetousness.

Chuxiu has seen this kind of gaze too much before, and he has long been used to it.She glanced at the brown-clothed man in front of her. He looked very young, but his peach eyes and the corners of his mouth drooped slightly, and his eyes were still faintly blue. It wasn't sick, but more like excessive indulgence.

Based on his previous experience in the world, Chuxiu guessed that this is a rich kid who has been hollowed out by wine and sex.Reminiscent of the indifferent reminder when she first came here, she has been able to determine the identity of the other party - the second son of the Yunfu, Yunqi.

The frivolous behavior of this strange man made Chuxiu very angry.But in the current situation, she couldn't express her resistance, or she didn't want to cause Yun Ci to have a quarrel with her younger brother because of herself.

(End of this chapter)