Chronicle of Farming in Muxianfu

Chapter 300
September [-]th, Door Visiting Day.Two green cloth carriages, one large and one small, were walking on the slightly bumpy official road. Aunt Guo and Xiao An were sitting in the big carriage, chatting while doing some sewing, Xiao An complained in a low voice, "Mom, this official road is too bumpy. , it’s not as easy to walk as the mountain road in our village.”

"You girl said something stupid again. Although our mountain road is only twenty miles away, it was built with the joint efforts of more than 200 people. The wife is kind and generous. Steamed buns with thin noodles and stewed pork belly are continuously offered every day. Of course, the road is smoother. This official road was built with corvée workers. I heard from the people in Gaojiazhuang that they can’t even get enough rice porridge every day. How can they have the strength to work? Naturally, it will be much worse after a long time. .”

Xiao An put down the veil in her hand, stretched out her hand and opened the curtain, looked at the woods on both sides that were gradually changing color, and couldn't help worrying, "Mother, the autumn harvest is coming soon, when do you think Madam will come back? "

Aunt Guo was also very worried when she thought of her master who hadn't heard from her for more than ten days, and then sighed, "Mother doesn't know, Madam is probably really sad this time. You didn't know that you were serving Madam that day, Ouyang What did the master do wrong?"

Xiao An pursed her lips and said aggrievedly, "Mom, I've said it several times, but you still don't believe it. The bridge is so far away, and I can't hear Madam and the others talking. I only see Madam is very angry."

Aunt Guo scratched her temples with a needle, and said, "Mother is not worried about Madam, this time I went to the top of the sacred mountain, not in the city, and I don't know if there is any danger, and whoever is serving food and clothing..."

Guo Huai was outside on the shaft of the car, and when he heard his mother-in-law started nagging again, he coughed in a low voice, and there was no movement in the car immediately.Turning around and seeing that Mu Wu also had a worried expression, he said, "Come on, Ma'am is going away for business, we are going to visit Wei's house on behalf of Madam, we must not lose face on our house."

Mu Wu quickly complied, and after walking for less than half an hour, he entered the north gate and made two detours to Nianzi Hutong in the south of the city.

Qiaoyue and a boy of twelve or thirteen years old had been waiting at the door for a long time, when the carriage with the tiger head logo entered the alley, Qiaoyue happily greeted her, and the boy also turned back to report.

Aunt Guo and Xiao An got out of the car, straightened their clothes and skirts, stood by the door with their heads down, waiting for someone to come inside, and asked Qiaoyue a few words in a low voice.

Soon, Mr. Han, Wei Shusheng and Shuan Shuan all came out.Guo Huai's family, Mu Wu and Mu Ba immediately stepped forward to salute.

Shuan Shuan turned his head to look at the big carriage. Seeing that there was no movement inside, the smile on his face disappeared immediately, and he asked disappointedly, "Butler Guo, is sister not here?"

Guo Huai took a few steps forward and bowed again, "Returning to Miss, Madam rushed to Huadu a few days ago because of urgent matters. Before leaving, she was very upset because she couldn't come to visit the door in person, so I asked the villain to tell Miss. She will come to visit Miss as soon as she comes back, please don’t worry about Miss, and she will remember to bring Miss Huadu’s delicious food.”

After hearing this, Shuan Shuan couldn't help but blushed slightly. He took a peek at the husband in front of him, and said angrily, "My sister really treats me like a child."

Wei Xiucai looked at his young wife's shy appearance, felt hot, coughed quickly, and said to Mr. Han, "Father, please invite Steward Guo to come in for tea."

Mr. Han said with a smile, "Of course, hurry up."

Guo Huai reached out and took out a gift list from his bosom, held it in both hands and said, "This is a visit ceremony prepared by Madam for Miss, please sing the ceremony."

According to the customs of this time and space, when the woman visits the door, she should give some gifts of food or clothing. If it is rich, the man should arrange someone to stand at the door and shout out what gift it is, so that all the neighbors and the man will listen. Be clear, and you will be more polite to your new daughter-in-law in the future.This is also a disguised demonstration to show off, to support her daughter with all her strength, and to raise her face. If the man wants to treat his daughter harshly, he has to weigh it carefully.

Wei Xiucai took the gift list, handed it to the attendant next to him, and then invited Guo Huai's family in.

Mu Wu and Mu Ba stayed behind to help a few servants carry the boxes from the car. The leader unfolded the list and began to read aloud. The neighbors came out and stood at the door smiling and watching the excitement. Mu Wu He quickly got into the car and took out a fir box, grabbed the melon seeds inside, and distributed them to everyone, and everyone praised, this new daughter-in-law of the Wei family is really generous and polite.

"Four sets of autumn shirts!"

"Four sets of winter shirts!"

"A box of cloud brocade, a box of Tuanhua brocade, a box of Yuhua brocade, and a box of Huanhua brocade!"

"Four sets of red gold heads!"

"A pair of jade unicorn paperweights!"

"A pair of glass vases with a blue and white bottom!"

"Food is heaven and other four boxes of snacks!"

"Four boxes of Qiweiju's top-quality snacks!"

"Eighteen live fish!"

"Eight watermelons!"

"Eighteen melons!"

As soon as the captain finished shouting, a few servants carried a box into the yard, and the neighbors smacked their lips in envy, muttering softly from time to time, "This family really dotes on their daughter." They just admired those satin jewellery, But they don't know how precious the watermelon and cantaloupe are. At this time, although watermelon is sold like crazy in Huadu, no one in Kao City has tasted it except for Xiaowei and Weifu.

Wei Xiucai and the others walked all the way to the hall, and they were almost seated. The singing ceremony was not over yet.Both Mr. Han and Wei Xiucai heard that most of the gift list was the betrothal gifts they had sent in the past, and their eyes were filled with admiration. The more they looked at this marriage, the more suitable it was.

At the beginning, because of the unequal family status, they did receive some praise and criticism, but now, let alone the fact that they won the first-rank imperial title quietly, the title was bestowed by the Empress Dowager, and their status is much higher than their own.Just looking at other people's deeds of not marrying for half the dowry, I'm afraid those so-called scholarly families may not be able to do it.

Taking another look at Guo Huai, who insisted on sitting at the bottom, his gestures were neither humble nor overbearing, and he had an extraordinary bearing. If such a character claimed to be a gentleman in the academy, no one would doubt him, but he was the housekeeper of his family.

Everyone waited for a while, and the singing ceremony was finally over. Mr. Han smiled and talked to Guo Huai, and Shuan Shuan also led Aunt Guo and Xiao An to the back house.

Originally, Mr. Han was worried that it would be inconvenient for Mu Ai to be a widow, so he specially invited Mrs. Zheng and Mrs. Yang who had helped to treat the guests on the day when the bed was laid.

The two of them were sitting in the flower hall drinking tea and eating snacks, while listening to the little maid next to them carefully learning the lively singing ceremony, they regretted why they didn't ask for such a daughter-in-law for their own son or nephew. Even if the character and appearance are not good, these dowry visits alone are enough to have enough food and clothing for a lifetime, not to mention that they chatted with this little daughter-in-law just now, she is really a gentle and virtuous woman, just as they imagined. Uncouth peasant girls are quite different.

Then I heard from the little maid that Mrs. Xian didn't come in person, and when Shuan Shuan led Aunt Guo and her daughter in, she was a little lazy to deal with it, and just nodded.

Aunt Guo raised her eyebrows secretly, and after saluting, she shook her head slightly, signaling Shuan Shuan to put away the dissatisfaction on her face, then sat on the brocade stool under the soft couch, smiled gently, and slowly chatted a few words etc. trivial matters.After sitting for a while, Mrs. Zheng and Mrs. Yang became a little impatient, and were about to make an excuse to leave.Unexpectedly, there was a little maid running up ahead to report that Mrs. Chu and the second Mrs. Wei of the Governor's Mansion came to visit the door in person.

The two wives, Zheng and Yang, panicked immediately. Both of them are well-informed, so how could they not know how dignified and dignified these two are when they came to visit.They are considered to have some face in Huawang City, but compared with these two, that is the difference between heaven and earth.

Seeing them tidying up their dresses in a panic, Aunt Guo sneered in her heart, but she smiled politely and said, "You two ladies don't need to worry too much. Mrs. Chu and Mrs. Wei are on good terms with our wife. Today, I learned that our wife is not here. I'm afraid that Miss is deserted here, so I came to visit the door instead of our wife."

The two wives, Zheng and Yang, heard her speaking neither fast nor slow, and there was no abnormality on their faces, so they knew that she must have seen these two ladies often, so they rushed out of the door and went to the house because of the neglect just now. He greeted him at the second door, even standing two steps ahead of the hostess Shuan Shuan.

Mrs. Wei Er and Mrs. Chu exchanged greetings with Mr. Han and his son, and then they turned into the second gate. Seeing Zheng and Yang standing at the front, they frowned slightly, ignored them and saluted, and said to Shuan Shuan with a smile, " Little sister, your elder sister can't come here because of something, and my sister-in-law and Mrs. Chu came to visit the door on their own initiative, are you welcome?"

Shuan Shuan hurriedly stepped forward to salute and said, "Sister-in-law and Madam Chu are here, and my younger sister is too happy to welcome you, so why don't you welcome them?" Then he turned to the two wives Zheng and Yang and said, "Sister-in-law, this is Mrs. Zheng, this is Mrs. It's Mrs. Yang, who takes good care of my little sister on weekdays, and is here today to help my little sister entertain guests."

Mrs. Zheng and Mrs. Yang's expressions improved a lot after hearing what Shuan Shuan said, and they hurried forward to salute. Mrs. Wei and Mrs. Chu both returned half the salute. Mrs. Chu smiled, "Sister Wei may not be familiar with you, but I have met you." Once, I came forward to make a bed, and chatted with the two ladies for a long time."

A few people entered the flower hall to sit down, and Xiao Miao Ruyi served tea and snacks again. Mrs. Wei Er took Shuan Shuan and sat beside her, and said, "Originally, your sister-in-law of the Xiao family is also coming, but she is too heavy. I entrusted us to bring you a few good silks and satins as a door-to-door gift, please don’t worry about it. I have nothing to do on weekdays, so I go to her house to sit. Mrs. Chu and I also brought you two sets of underwear Although the jewelry made by her is not worth much money, but the patterns are extremely rare." After speaking, the big maid behind her took two steps forward and handed over the things.

Shuan Shuan motioned for Xiaomiao to take it, and thanked Aunt Guo together.Zheng and Yang echoed a few more words, how blessed Shuan Shuan is to have these sister-in-laws caring, etc. Mrs. Chu has always had a smooth wrist and long sleeves, so she chatted with the two wives Zheng and Yang with a smile.

When it came to the honey tasting meeting, Mrs. Chu smiled, "Mrs. Shizi is getting heavy, and Master Shizi has an errand in Huadu. I'm afraid he will move back to Huadu soon, and the sister-in-law of the Wei family will stay here soon. I think Ah, after this honey tasting meeting, I will make arrangements for it. If the two ladies are interested at that time, they should come together and get together."

Mrs. Zheng Yang has been thinking about this honey all the time. Hearing what she said, she was overjoyed immediately, and of course she agreed repeatedly.

(This is an article written by a good friend, and those who are interested should support it. Tian Erniu’s Growth Story, author A Jiu, an alternative growth story of an ancient peasant woman)

　By the way, some friends said that the name I chose was too straightforward, but I was born with a naming disorder. I really tried my best. I had to walk around the desk a few times to think of a name before I could barely come up with one. Please forgive me. Ah, I will try to improve it in the future!Thank you for your support, the headache has been relieved, and continue to work hard! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)