Painting Tang Jiao

Chapter 147 Preparation
Dongcheng Rongfu
Master Rong has already passed his forties this year. Apart from the previous wife who gave birth to Rong Chen, there are two aunts in the house, one concubine son and two concubine daughters.

Rong Chen was considered the eldest son, but he moved out to live alone.

Rong Chen's newly moved house is located in Xicheng, Beijing. The two houses face each other far away from each other.

Rong Chen rarely returned to Dongcheng.

Rong Xiao was not even notified of his departure to southern Xinjiang this time, which shows how stiff the relationship between the father and son is. Rong Xiao has never married a step-wife after Rong Chen's mother, Mrs. Wang, left.Firstly, Princess Danyang was worried that Rong Chen would be harmed when she was young, and secondly, it is not entirely false to say that if there is a stepmother, there will be a stepfather. What's more, the father and son have long been incompatible because of Wang's death.

But even so, Rong Chen's life in Dongrong Mansion is still not good, because of Rong Xiao's concubine, the Wu family, a noble concubine who gave birth to a concubine and then gave birth to a concubine daughter.If it weren't for Princess Danyang standing there, she might have been made a full-time member long ago, so the Rong family would have two sons.

Wu's natal family has been slowly rising over the years, and Rong Xiao's side is also under great pressure.

But fortunately... Although the Wu family has taken over the concubine of the Rong family, she is only a concubine after all.

A concubine is also a concubine.

Wu's daughter, Rong Xue, is 14 years old.

"I'm going to the Qionghua Banquet too, mother, why can't I go." Rong Xue yelled at Mrs. Wu.

Wu frowned and looked around.

Seeing this, Lu Xiang, the personal maid, took the servants away.

Wu's face was stern: "Didn't I say that you are not allowed to call me mother in front of others."

Rong Xue curled her lips and said, "Auntie, I'm going to the Qionghua Banquet. Wang Zhiru has already gone, so why can't I go. Isn't Princess Danyang my aunt?"

"Speak carefully." Wu Shi was careful not to be overheard by others.

Princess Danyang didn't take the rest of the Rong family seriously at all. If it wasn't for the presence of Rong Chen, she wouldn't bother to prepare for the etiquettes for coming and going during the Chinese New Year.

Rong Xue said that she could call her aunt and grandmother after Rong Chen, but in reality?

Wu's heart felt slightly bitter.

With such an identity, as long as she is an aunt for a day, Rong Xue can't call her mother in public, and even the Wu family is not Rong Xue's natal family.The only family in Rong's family is the Wang family, so it's impossible for the Wu family to formally establish an in-law relationship with Rong's family.

Wu did not exceed this, but in the end she just pushed Rong Xiao to another aunt.

"What's so good about going to the Qionghua Banquet, let's not go..." Wu could only coax like this.

"I don't..." Rong Xue pushed Wu Shi away and ran out.

When Rong Xiao was walking in from the outside, Rong Xue bumped into him.

Rong Xue frowned, and said with displeasure on her face: "Young girl, how can you be so reckless? What about your rules, what about your upbringing?"

"Master..." Wu Shi who followed the sound screamed.

Rong Xiao frowned even tighter.

"Don't worry about it..." Rong Xue pushed Rong Xiao away and ran away.

Rong Xiao was about to scold someone in anger, when Wu rushed to hold him back, pleading in his eyes: "Master, Xue'er is still young..."

"Hmph." Rong Xiao glanced at Wu Shi, then walked inside with his sleeves flicked.

Seeing this, Mrs. Wu breathed a sigh of relief. If the master didn't go away, he was still saved, and he wasn't really upset.If he was really angry, he would not forget to go into his room.

Mrs. Wu is in charge of Zhongfei, so the furnishings in the room are naturally good.

Rong Xiao sat on the back chair made of rosewood, the coldness on his face was still there.

Upon seeing this, Mrs. Wu went to pour the tea herself.

"Sir, drink tea."

Rong Xiao glanced at it, and took the tea bowl in Wu's apprehension.

Wu went to Rong Xiao's side, lightly squeezed his shoulders, and said softly: "Is the master angry? Xue'er didn't mean it, that child... wants to go to the Qionghua Banquet, but I have no ability, so I can't blame her."

Rong Xiao's expression changed.

Wu took the opportunity to continue: "I've heard of this Qionghua Banquet. Many girls of the right age will go there. Listening to it, I also want to go and see. Feng'er is also 16 years old. If there is a good... "

"Rong Chen is almost twenty." Rong Xiao said suddenly.

Wu's face froze, and she forced a smile and said: "That's not the reason, not only Chen'er, Feng'er, Xue'er, and Rongyue are starting to see each other. Usually I don't have a chance to go there. I heard that this Qiong The flower banquet was hosted by Princess Danyang..."

Wu shi looked at Rong Xiao's face while talking.

The Wu family is doing well now. Occasionally, when an official's wife comes to the Rong Mansion, the Wu family can also come forward to receive them, but they can't go out. The girls and young masters in Gu Er's mansion rarely go to other people's places as guests.

Wu has always wanted to show Rong Feng and Rong Xue a look, but because of her status, she can only ask her natal sister-in-law for help.But the two children of the Wu family are only born of concubines, and in the future they will only share some of their properties, so the good ones naturally look down on Rong Feng and Rong Xue.But bad, Wu Shi can't see it.

The Wu family mentioned a few people, but the Wu family refused.

Gradually, the Wu family stopped thinking about this matter.

When Rong Xue talked about the Qionghua Banquet, in fact, Mrs. Wu hadn't given much thought to this matter these days, but it was a pity that the Rong Mansion didn't receive a single invitation.

If there is a piece of paper, even if Wu Shi is an aunt, those people will not give Wu Shi a bad look in the face of Princess Danyang.

Rong Xiao's complexion was a little loose, many of his colleagues and old friends had sons and daughters who were married, and also had grandchildren.Rong Xiao is also getting older now, and he also wants to have a grandson in his heart.

but……

If you want to go to Qionghua Banquet, you have to go to Princess Danyang Mansion in person.

"My lord, Brother Chen is also getting older, and this time I went to southern Xinjiang again, and I don't know when I will come back. Do I have to start to take a look..." Wu shi continued.

When Rong Chen was around, she didn't dare to say such a thing.

But Rong Chen is not here now, and Princess Danyang's mansion can't manage everything in Rong's mansion.

After all, Rong Chen is the eldest son of the Rong family, and it is reasonable for Rong Xiao, as a father, to consider marriage for his son.

After all, on the one hand, the Wu family wanted to use Rong Chen's marriage to make Rong Xiao make up his mind to go to Princess Danyang's side; .

It's not that Mrs. Wu has never considered her natal niece, but if the relationship between herself and Rong Chen really contributed to this kind of thing, people outside may say how ugly it is.

Even Rong Xiao would not agree to this matter. Naturally, Mrs. Wu would not be so stupid as to find someone from her niece, but Mrs. Wu has never met a few girls in other people's houses.

Rong Xiao is an old man, so naturally he can't go to see each other.

In this way, the Wu family is also suitable, Rong Xiao thought secretly.Although Rong Chen didn't want to go to Princess Danyang's place, and he didn't want to go there, but the relationship between the two was not bad as far as Prince Consort Wang Tang was concerned.

Wang Tang being a son-in-law represents the kind of dawdling in the court. He is not busy on weekdays, but because Wang Tang was selected by Princess Danyang, he is different from other son-in-laws.

When Rong Xiao looked for him, Wang Tang was indeed taken aback.

The two went to the restaurant, and Rong Xiao explained the reason for their visit.

Wang Tang thought for a while, Rong Chen's marriage is indeed worrying. The last trip to southern Xinjiang almost cost him half his life. Although there is no prince following him this time, it is not that dangerous. From Wang Tang's point of view, Rong Chen's aptitude , this time I come back, I have to be promoted to the rank.

At least because his grandmother is a princess and Princess Danyang's favorite child, it is imperative that he be promoted today.To start a family and start a business, we should be together. For his marriage, Princess Danyang has worked hard. Since the Rong family is interested, they can go and have a look together.

Wang Tang was a man who didn't think too much, thought that an invitation was nothing, so he accepted it.

After Wang Tang returned home, he talked to Princess Danyang about it.

Princess Danyang frowned.

"Why are you..." She didn't say the rest, and said after a long while: "Alright, I'll send someone over later."

Wang Tang smiled, he didn't care why the princess refused before and why she suddenly agreed later.The husband and wife have been familiar with each other since so many grandmas came down.

I'm afraid Princess Danyang has made arrangements.

……

This year's Qionghua Banquet was changed from late May to the fifth day of June.

Creepers came in from outside.

Ling Lu smiled and handed over the tea: "Come back from Fifth Girl?"

Mancao took the teacup and drank it, wiped his mouth and said, "But I'm thirsty, it's the first time I found Miss Wu can speak so well. After I went to Miss Wu's place, my mouth hasn't stopped."

"Fifth Miss, can you still need a glass of water?" Ling Lu wondered, and poured another glass of water for Mancao.

Mancao smiled and said: "No, there will be a shortage of tea, Miss Si will not go this time, Miss Fifth will follow, and those servants must try to be flattering." In the hearts of servants, Miss Fifth might be the next Miss Six, At that time, when I first got married, everyone felt pitiful, but since I became pregnant, everyone is lucky for Miss Liu.

The fifth girl went to the Qionghua Banquet, and her age was suitable. This time, the invitation card was sent by the Princess Mansion to the Yan Mansion in person, and the treatment must have been different that day.

Maybe only one person will become a chicken and a dog and ascend to heaven.

Not to mention the tea, when the vine passed by, I saw several ice basins in the room.

In previous years, one was enough for each house. The masters in the mansion had their own rules for using ice basins, but Qing Huan only had three basins. Qing Huan.They are not short of these, and Qing Huan's body is cold, so she can't use the ice basin too much.

Wu girl only has two basins a day, and sometimes there will be fewer ice basins without her.

But this time, the vines felt a little cold, and their hairs stood on end.

"This screwdriver is the most likely to turn around." Ling Lu said disdainfully.

Over the years, she has always remembered how Qing Huan just came to the capital, how the servants of Yan's mansion treated the master and servants.Now it's like a face change, if it wasn't for Qing Huan who really didn't like it, I'm afraid it would be enough to fill the whole room with ice basins.

"Okay, don't talk too much." Mancao said.

Ling Lu smiled: "Isn't there no outsiders here?"

"Where's the girl? Are you still in the study?" Mancao drank two glasses of water before she felt her throat feel better, and hurriedly asked about Qing Huan.

"In the study, Xiang Nong is waiting on you."

Mancao thought for a while and said, "I'll go and have a look."

Zero dew nodded.

In the study, Qing Huan was practicing calligraphy, but she didn't raise her head when she heard the knock on the door.

Shannon went to open the door.

After a while, there were footsteps approaching.

Mancao waited there until Qing Huan put down the brush in his hand, then smiled and handed over a handkerchief.

Qing Huan took the handkerchief to wipe her hands, and asked, "You came back from Fifth Sister?"

"It's back." Mancao smiled.

"Xiang Nong, where is You Yuan?"

Xiang Nong said: "I'll go look for it."

Qing Huan nodded.

After Shannon turned to leave, he closed the door behind his back.

"The word girl, the better it is." Man Cao exclaimed in a low voice.

"Can you tell the good from the bad?" Qing Huan was surprised.

The maidservants who followed her also learned a few words, and Qing Huan naturally didn't want them to become blind with the eye of a needle.In the future, Qing Huan intends to release these people, even if they want to stay with her, she intends to reuse them, of course, the premise is that they are always loyal.

Qing Huan has been worrying about their future for a long time. After much deliberation and study, she can understand, at least she can distinguish right from wrong.

Mancao shook her head: "It just looks comfortable."

Mancao really couldn't see it, but felt that her girl's handwriting made people feel comfortable, and it seemed reasonable to look at people.

Qing Huan just smiled when she heard this, and put the written words away by herself.

"I heard from Ping'er that the fifth girl has callouses on her feet these days, and she is sweating profusely every day."

"Really." Qing Huan meditated in a low voice.

The vines stood still.

"A few days ago, Miss Wu asked for some clothing materials from the eldest wife?"

Mancao replied: "It's soft gauze. The eldest lady asked if she wanted to invite the embroiderer to do it. The fifth girl said that it is not necessary, but..." Mancao said softly: "The eldest wife and the eldest grandma are preparing two people. clothes."

In addition to Qing Huan going, Fifth Miss also went.

The clothes of the two people, that is to say, the soft gauze material is used for other purposes.

Qing Huan looked at Man Cao and said, "I plan to bring Xiang Nong there this time."

"Xiang Nong? Miss, do you want to take Youyuan there too?" Mancao didn't think much about it, but suggested instead: "Youyuan is also capable..."

Mancao was a servant who didn't dare to be too straightforward, but only vaguely hinted at Qinghuan.

It was then that Qing Huan remembered that she had been counting the ages of Mancao and Linglu, and she was afraid that they would not be able to stay by her side for a few years, and in the future she would have to promote new people.

Xiang Nong has a steady personality, although it is easy to think that he is in preparation for the future Aunt Tongfang who will marry as a dowry, but Qing Huan really likes this person's temperament and thinks it is suitable.And Youyuan just thinks this person is cute and well-behaved, but she seldom takes her out, and rarely calls her to do things around her.

"Alright, take both of you there." Qing Huan said.

Mancao hesitated after hearing this.

"Will it be bad..." The others were all brought over by a maid, and Mancao worried that Qing Huan brought two people there, which would be too eye-catching.

"It's nothing, others also have two maids." Qing Huan said with a smile.Although I originally considered bringing a servant girl there, there is no rule in the Qionghua Banquet that only one maid can be brought there.When I went there for the first time, some people brought two of them. Although it was a small number, it was not No.1.

Mancao nodded in relief.

At night, Mancao and Youyuan brought up this matter.

Youyuan suddenly smiled, her eyebrows were curved and her eyes were very gratifying.

Qing Huan couldn't help laughing and said, "Go and prepare well, and then follow along with Xiang Nong."

Youyuan nodded repeatedly, thinking in her heart that she was going to wear new clothes, and secretly thought that when she went, she should pay attention to her words and deeds, so as not to cause trouble for the girl.

Xiang Nong is happy that Youyuan can go with her.

At that time Qing Huan chose three maids, You Qiao You Yuan and Xiang Nong.Although the relationship between Xiangnong and Youqiao was better at the beginning, they were divided into different masters, and after a long time, the relationship between them was not as good as that of Youyuan who has been together all year round.

As for going with Youyuan this time, Xiang Nong has no idea.

Ling Lu has been secretly looking at Xiang Nong's expression, and seeing that she is not displeased at all but rather happy, she nods slightly to Mancao.

Mancao pursed her lips and smiled.

Just as he was talking, Chun Zhi from Rongshoutang came over: "Someone from the Cheng residence has delivered a letter."

Qing Huan's eyes flashed.

Mancao beat her up and said with a smile: "Why bother Sister Chunzhi to deliver it in person, just ask the little maid to come over and let me know, just a few of us go there."

"That's right." Ling Lu also echoed, grabbed the melons and fruits and put them in Chun Zhi's hands, and then pulled her to sit on a small bamboo stick.

Chun Zhi said with a smile: "This is my own idea, send a letter and reward Seventh Girl by the way."

Qing Huan laughed happily: "You don't want a reward from me, but you said, I have to prepare a thick reward for you."

Youyuan went to the back room.

Chun Zhi saw it from the corner of her eyes, and just smiled and said: "The Cheng family is a mother who is in charge. I heard that the young master of the Cheng family is sick. Originally, Grandma Cheng planned to come here in person."

"What's the matter? It's not serious." Qing Huan was taken aback, got up and went to Cheng's residence.

Chun Zhi hurriedly stopped her and said, "I just heard that it's a bit cold. The mother in charge told Seventh Girl not to go, but to rest. I'm going to the Qionghua Banquet in a few days..."

Chun Zhi glanced at Qing Huan and stopped talking.

Qing Huan nodded, it seems that it is not serious, as for the letter.

Qing Huan also had some eyebrows in her heart, she gave the last spot to Li Wanyin, but now she doesn't know who it was given to.I'm afraid this letter is just to tell myself.

It's just... Qing Huan still felt that something was wrong, even if Li Wanyin couldn't come, couldn't Cheng Jingxin come?I'm afraid that something happened in the middle, and I don't know what to say in my heart.

Chunzhi saw clearly that Huanxi was full of preoccupations, and after sitting for a while, she got up and wanted to say goodbye.

At this moment, Youyuan took out a pouch from inside.

Mancao took it, smiled and took Chunzhi's arm: "I'll see my sister off."

Harue happily agreed.

As soon as the people left, Qing Huan couldn't wait to tear open the envelope, and took out the letter paper to read.

Xu Lan?

How could it be her?

Xu Lan is Cheng Ao'er's cousin, and she still has ideas about Cheng Jingxin.This spot was originally given to Li Wanyin, who thought it was from her natal family, but now it was suddenly replaced.

No wonder it wasn't Li Wanyin who came.

(End of this chapter)