Linglong

Chapter 33

Linglong invited Qiao Zhijun to the courtyard where she lived, "cousin, choose for me." She ordered the maid to open the jewelry box and then the wardrobe.

Qiao Zhijun was surprised, "Little cousin, you are very rich."

At a young age, Linglong has four big boxes full of jewellery, not to mention gold and silver jewellery, there are also quite a lot of transparent sapphire and white jade jewellery, as well as famous and colorful pearl ornaments, crystal ornaments, headgear inlaid with gemstones, etc. , a dazzling array of beautiful things.The closet is full of hangings, some are plain, some are gorgeous, some are elegant and pleasant, and some are pink and delicate, red, yellow, green, purple, blue, blue, pink, colorful and different styles.

Linglong giggled, "My mother only has me as a daughter, and she tried to dress me up in different ways. I can't do without these things."

The little aunt dotes on Linglong, and Qiao Zhijun knows a thing or two about it, so he nodded with a smile, "No wonder, you are simply better than me." He picked up the jewelry and looked at it, comparing it to Linglong's head from time to time, as well as clothes, The color and style of the skirt are very busy.

Seeing how busy she was, Linglong really wanted to boast, "I have white skin, big eyes, a watery face, and a slender figure. A person like me can look good in anything. Cousin, don't worry too much." It's just delicate and handsome, not a peerless beauty, besides, she is really focused on choosing clothes, it can be seen that she is very attentive and caring.Forget it, let her do it.

In the end, Qiao Zhijun picked out for Linglong a delicate scarlet pink Song Brocade shirt with waist and wide sleeves. It was paired with a pink and blue embroidered butterfly and flower satin wide skirt, and a pair of small light blue flat embroidered shoes on her feet. "The spring is warm and the flowers are blooming. Gold clothes are too vulgar. Why don't you use jade hairpins, or pearls are also fine." After picking out the clothes, I started thinking about jewelry.You can still wear gold in winter. Now that the weather is getting warmer, let’s forget about gold jewelry. Jade is good and elegant.Among the four boxes of jewellery, she was dazzled, so she chose a suet jade hollow lotus hairpin, a jade bracelet of the same color and texture, and pearl earrings for Linglong.

Qiao Zhijun not only picked out the clothes for Linglong, but also urged her to change them, "Quickly, come and show my cousin." Linglong couldn't push it, so she had to change into the clothes she had chosen, and twirled lightly a few times in front of her.

"Like a little fairy." Qiao Zhijun liked and envied her at the same time.

The little cousin was already cute, so she was really pretty in such a dress.

The two of them were happy to choose, and Yu Jingjia and Yu Jingxi also came, "Third sister's clothes are beautiful." Seeing Linglong changed into new clothes, she praised with a smile.

Qiao Zhijun said with great interest: "Ajia's temperament is refined, so it's better to dress plainly, and only use jade for accessories, and even pearls are too much. Axi is young, about the same as my little cousin, but she is more lively and pleasing. It's better to be more delicate. However, it still depends on yourself, if you want to be as pure and pure as Ajia, that's fine."

Qiao Zhijun was not very interested in what kind of image Yu Jingjia and Yu Jingxi would appear in Qiao's Lane. Anyway, those noble girls with eyes on the bottom of their heads would only pay attention to the granddaughter and granddaughter of the Qiao family. Sisters, cousins, who cares?

Yu Jingjia said reservedly: "My cousin is right. I have always been clean at home, and I am also the same when I go out." But Jingxi heard the perfunctory meaning in Qiao Zhijun's words, and was not very happy, "I am the Yu family. The most outstanding among the girls, this cousin Linglong knows how to protect her shortcomings and deliberately pretends not to know." She thanked her with a smile on her face, "Thank you cousin for reminding me."

The skirt on Linglong's body is made of high-quality satin, the fabric already has a faint luster, soft and pleasing to the eye, and the butterfly play pattern embroidered on it is particularly exquisite, the flowers sway shyly, and the butterflies are lifelike.Seeing that Qiao Zhijun liked it, Linglong asked Linglong to turn it around two more times, "Little cousin, this dress is interesting, and it's especially interesting to turn it around." Linglong giggled, "My mother specially invited a well-known embroiderer to make this dress." It took more than five months to embroider, not to mention the high price. It can be seen that it is really slow work and meticulous work." Qiao Zhijun slammed his tongue, "Little aunt is so kind to you. My dress That is to say, I do it in my own sewing room, and I rarely go out to hire people."

After picking out clothes for Linglong, it's time for Qiao Zhijun to go back to Qiao's Lane.Before leaving, she took Linglong and told her repeatedly, "Little cousin, you have never seen these noble girls from dukes' families before. It is the first time you deal with them, maybe you are a little timid. Don't be afraid, there is a cousin here. When you and your little aunt go back earlier, you will follow me, and I will take care of you."

Linglong couldn't help laughing, "It's nice to have a cousin, she loves me."

Qiao Zhijun proudly said, "That's natural. I don't have a real sister, my eldest aunt has no girls, and my little aunt only has you. If I don't love you, who do I love?" Pinching Linglong's little face, Mimi smiled and left.

Linglong held her delicate face in her hands, and watched her leave with wide eyes.

After Qiao Zhijun left, Yu Wenhui couldn't sit still anymore, "I have to go home and have a look."

She made new clothes and jewelry for Su Shengchun. At first, she was full of confidence, but now that she heard that she came to Zhenyuan Hou Mansion again, Qiao Zhijun made a special trip to pick out clothes for her little cousin, but she felt that she had no idea. I have to go to the Silver Building again to have a look.The banquet in Qiao's Lane is full of famous ladies from the capital. If Shengchun's jewelry is too village-style, wouldn't it be looked down upon by others?No, let's look at the new styles, especially the fresh styles in Jingli.

Yu Wenhui left in a hurry.

She was impatient, and left without elaborating with Mrs. Yu, Mrs. Qiao, Mrs. Guan and others.Although she didn't say anything, the old lady Yu knew her daughter well as a mother, so she knew why she was in a hurry to leave.Even Guan's sister-in-law could probably guess what she was thinking.

Guan Shi hesitated, "Should I add a few pieces of jewelry to each of the girls? Don't let the children be underestimated."

Mrs. Qiao didn't have any serious ideas, but Linglong smiled and said, "Auntie, I don't really need this. Think about it, no matter how well we dress and wear, can we catch up with those ladies from the duke's family? They come from the capital , we have always been in the northern region, if it is more refined and luxurious, I am afraid it will not be possible. If this is the case, it is better not to compare at all."

Jingjia sat dignifiedly without making a sound, but Jingxi said in a soft voice: "But, if we are too poor, we will be looked down upon. It doesn't matter whether we will be laughed at or discussed by others, we lost the Yu family. How can I make people say that the Yu family is petty because of my face?"

Jingxi is so strong, she is not happy to admit that she has lost to those people who have never met before she has even left the house.

Old Madam Yu sat with a smile, waiting to see how Linglong would respond.

Qiao Shi and Guan Shi are also very concerned.Especially Qiao's, who never left Linglong's eyes, full of concern.

Linglong smiled, "My father and grandfather were reclusive people, and they didn't even value their official career, let alone this kind of reputation? If the girls of the Yu family really want to compare themselves with others, they don't need to compare their clothes, they should compare their manners."

Old Madam Yu smiled and nodded, looking at Linglong with approval.

Qiao smiled at Mimi, and said repeatedly: "Yes, yes, what Long'er said is absolutely right, it's better than being polite!" Guan thought for a while and smiled, "Linglong's words remind me , that’s the reason.”

Jingxi bit her lip and said in a low voice, "Yes."

She quickly glanced at Linglong, feeling a little unwilling.In the past, I was always better than Linglong, why did Linglong gradually become smarter?If she wins the favor of grandma, then I... I don't have any half-brothers. Although my mother is capable, she doesn't have a rich dowry and carefree like the eldest aunt. Wouldn't I be inferior to her in nothing?
No, I must be better than Linglong!Jingxi bit her lips even tighter.

Coming out of Mrs. Yu, Qiao Shi smiled and held Linglong's hand, "Long'er's eloquence is getting better and better, which makes my mother admire her." Linglong was a little embarrassed, "What's the good of showing off the tongue for a while? I It's too superficial. In fact, it doesn't matter if you add a few pieces of jewelry, alas, I'm just thinking about it, worrying that my cousin wants to compete with those noble girls for the limelight, and I won't be able to compete when the time comes, which will only increase my troubles."

"Smart boy." Qiao Shi was even happier, her eyebrows and eyes curved.

After returning to the room, Mrs. Qiao didn't let Linglong go, and took a plate of melon seeds and put it in front of her, "It's just fried, and it's very fragrant. Long'er, you can knock the melon seeds and talk to your mother at the same time, okay?" Linglong happily agreed. , "Okay." Grabbed a handful of original melon seeds and knocked them with relish.

In the evening, Uncle Yu came back to have dinner with Yu Chang and Yu Yan. Linglong showed off without shyness, "My cousin is the youngest in Qiao's house, and someone else has always taken care of her. Now that she can take care of me, she must feel that she is very useful. Very capable. Ladies and gentlemen, I feel that I have really done a great good deed, and my merits are immeasurable."

Uncle Yu, Qiao Shi, and Yu Chang all thought it was funny, and Yu Yan was stunned, "Sister, you do such a good thing, it's really easy and ingenious. Letting my cousin take care of you counts as a good deed and infinite merit, brother thinks Even if you don’t build bridges and pave roads if you do good deeds to accumulate merit, you should still help others, at least you should add sesame oil to the temple.”

"No, it's best to accumulate merit like me, it saves time and money!" Linglong said with a straight face.

There was cheerful laughter in the room.

Qiao Shi suppressed a smile and talked about Qiao Zhijun's reason for coming, "...I came here specially to help Long'er choose clothes. Tell me, she can take care of the children's family." Yu Yan got excited, "Sister, grandfather Where's that pearl hairpin of yours? Put it on, if you can't make sure it's an antique from any dynasty, if you wear it out, you can shock all the girls from the capital!"

"No." Linglong refused without hesitation.

"Why?" Yu Yan asked curiously.

"I don't understand this." Linglong looked contemptuous, "All the wealth of King Chen's life is hidden in a pearl hairpin, you know? What if there is a treasure map in my pearl hairpin, I am so big! Wouldn't it make people envious and jealous if you wear it out?"

"Pfft—" Yu Chang was holding a cup of tea and sipping tea slowly, after hearing Linglong's words, he sprayed the tea.

Yu Yan couldn't be happier, "Sister, you must take good care of that pearl hairpin. In the future, our family will be well-clothed, well-fed, rich and incomparable, it all depends on you!"

"Leave it on me." Linglong patted her chest triumphantly.

Uncle Yu and Qiao Shi looked at each other tenderly, with joy in their eyes.Ziming is stable, lively, exquisite and clever. How lucky he is to have three children like this.

On a warm spring day, Linglong went to Qiao's Lane together with Qiao Shi, Jing Jia, Jing Xi, and Su Shengchun.

Su Shengchun came to Yu's house early, pulled Linglong nervously, and asked Linglong to help her take a closer look, "Do I dress well? Cousin, there are too many nobles in your uncle's family, I'm a little scared." She had seen it, and analyzed it one by one for her, "Look, cousin, the buns on your head are combed very well. Don't my two cousins ​​and I have buns like this? We are not very old, we are both This is it. Your clothes are bright yellow, very eye-catching..."

Linglong stopped.

Su Shengchun didn't look good in such a bright yellow, and it was too conspicuous.

Among all the colors, yellow is probably the most conspicuous, and it has a sense of expansion.

"Actually, my cousin is not very old, it seems better to wear tender light yellow." Linglong said carefully.

"Yeah, um, um." Su Shengchun nodded desperately.

Linglong thought for a while, and took Su Shengchun to show it to Old Madam Yu, "Grandmother, do you think your cousin's dress looks good?" Great, it seems too bright." Su Shengchun pulled her pitifully to ask for advice, "Grandma, what should I do? What should I do?"

Linglong smiled at Mimi, "Don't worry, don't worry, my cousin is about the same size as me, so I wear mine. Cousin, I have a few clothes that I haven't got on. If you don't mind, go and pick some." Su Shengchun said with a long smile. Heaving a sigh of relief, she held Linglong gratefully, "Cousin, thank you."

Linglong picked out a bright yellow embroidered short jacket for Su Shengchun, and matched it with a gold thread-stitched gauze skirt that stretched the floor. Su Shengchun looked fresh and outstanding when she put it on.

Old Madam Yu put on her glasses again and nodded with satisfaction, "That's good."

Linglong took out a beautiful little pearl hairpin again, and replaced Su Shengchun's dazzling gold hairpin.

What Qiao Zhijun said was right, the flowers are blooming in the warmth of spring, wearing gold jewelry looks tacky.

Jingjia and Jingxi sisters are both plainly dressed, so there is nothing wrong with that.

Mrs. Qiao was very patient, not in a hurry, and waited for Linglong and Su Shengchun to finish their tossing, and then slowly stood up, "Are you ready? Then let's go."

I took the four girls to Qiao's Lane.

This day, Qiao's Alley had a banquet for guests, and the gate was opened. Mrs. Qiao still wanted to enter through the corner gate, "Isn't that where we usually go?" Linglong refused, "That's not possible. Today, guests all enter through the gate. We are also guests, so of course we have to enter through the gate." Qiao Shi complied with her, "Okay, okay, listen to me, Longer."

When I got off the car in front of the gate, I happened to meet another group of guests who also arrived, but I didn't know which one it was.

On this day, not only Mrs. Chongshan Hou, Mrs. Zhenyuan Hou Shizi, etc. were invited to the banquet in Qiao's Lane, but also many family members of Shuntian Mansion officials and guard officers.

There seemed to be a large number of guests in that group, and there were nearly ten people who looked like wives, grandmas and decent girls. As for the maids and wives they brought with them, it was even darker.

Qiao's temperament couldn't be more amiable. When a guest arrives, he smiles and bows, which is the meaning of greeting.Although the identity of the group of guests on the opposite side was unknown, the two middle-aged ladies also smiled and nodded, very politely.

Mrs. Qiao was going back to her natal family, so of course she let the guests go first, "You go first." The two middle-aged ladies looked like they were leading the family, and after a few words of modesty, they brought their daughter-in-law, daughter, maid, The mother-in-law went inside first.

Su Shengchun looked at one after another of fashionable beauties passing by, some were elegant, some were graceful, some were elegant, and his eyes were straightened.Among the female members of this family is a girl in yellow clothes who is exceptionally outstanding, her eyebrows are drawn into a bun, her eyes are like cold stars, her beauty reveals a bit of wildness, she stands out from the crowd of beauties in pink and black, and attracts everyone's attention.

Su Shengchun timidly peeked at it several times, extremely envious.

She is not only beautiful, but also presumptuous, how wonderful.

The girl in yellow probably sensed Su Shengchun's gaze, and looked over with a sarcastic expression.Seeing Su Shengchun's appearance, he smiled contemptuously.

Probably in her opinion, Su Shengchun is just an inconspicuous little village girl.Or maybe she thinks that such a vulgar fan as Su Shengchun is not worthy of wearing yellow like her, who knows.

She didn't hide her contemptuous smile at all, even though Su Shengchun was young and insensitive, she noticed it, her eyes turned red, and she almost cried.

Su Shengchun grew up pampered and spoiled by Yu Wenhui, and he was never used to rolling his eyes.

Linglong was standing beside Su Shengchun, seeing this aunt's cousin lowered her head and fiddled with her belt, trying not to let the tears flow down, she couldn't help frowning.

"A real lady must be demure, generous, and gentle." Linglong said coldly, "The kind who look down on others at every turn is just a country girl."

Linglong's voice was not loud, but it was very clear. The girl in yellow heard this, turned her head angrily, and glared at Linglong.

Linglong smiled back.

Smile contemptuously.

The yellow-clothed girl's face changed a few times, as if she was about to explode.A girl in a pink shirt beside her gave her a hand, whispered something, the girl in yellow stamped her feet, turned and left.

(End of this chapter)