The little girl of the landlord's house

Chapter 100

The next day was New Year's Eve, Xie Yujiao and Xu's family had to go to the ancestral hall early in the morning to worship their ancestors, so they only asked Liu Fugen to send Zhou Tianhao back.Liu Fugen now knows Zhou Tianhao's true identity, seeing him is like a mouse meeting a cat.It's just that this matter can't be shirked, so I have to bite the bullet and get on with it.

Xie Yujiao and Mrs. Xu delivered it to the door in person, and told the driver to be careful and slow down, the road must not be bumpy, and it is better to be slow than to make a mistake.Xie Yujiao saw Xu's babbling endlessly, so she just smiled and said: "Mother, there is the second housekeeper here, don't worry, he is going home, not going to the battlefield, so there is no need to worry so much. "

Zhou Tianhao stood aside, his eyes fixed on Xie Yujiao all the time, because it was New Year's Eve, and although Xie Yujiao kept his filial piety, he still put on brand new clothes.On the top is a lilac-colored dress with ten patterns of brocade makeup, and on the bottom is a white thread-pick skirt with a few lilac flowers embroidered on the skirt. The waist is very well tucked, graceful and graceful, standing in front of you, making you unmovable. open your eyes.

Xie Yujiao saw that Zhou Tianhao was looking at her so unabashedly, and her face became a little angry again. She turned around and saw that the maids and women had prepared all the things, so she said, "Mom, we should go there too."

Zhou Tianhao saw that Xie Yujiao was already angry, so he hurriedly put it away, drew the curtain and got into the carriage, and only when he was seated, he poked his head out again and looked at Xie Yujiao, his face full of reluctance.Xie Yujiao purposely lowered her head not to salute him, and helped Mrs. Xu into the sedan chair. She waited for the carriage to move before she couldn't help turning her head and seeing that man was looking at her, she hurriedly lowered her head again. .

When the carriage left Xie's house, Zhou Tianhao chatted with Liu Fugen, and asked him: "Second housekeeper, if I asked you to bring it, did you bring it?"

Liu Fugen was forced to question by Xie Yujiao, how dare he say it, he just faltered and said: "Why...why didn't I bring it, and I was scolded by our eldest lady." Liu Fugen said here, thinking of Zhou Tianhao As a result of his identity, he didn't dare to speak anymore, he couldn't help but wonder, so the prince wanted to marry a wife, so he also wanted to do it himself?
When Zhou Tianhao saw him like that, he seemed to be able to think of Xie Yujiao's stern questioning him, so he couldn't help laughing, patted Liu Fugen on the shoulder and said, "Second Housekeeper Liu, I owe you a favor. I'm helping, just ask."

Liu Fugen only hurriedly waved his hands and said: "Don't dare to be, don't dare to be, Your Highness, you can let us live a stable life, we are thankful, we are all ordinary people, we can't bear to be scared! Besides, if you want to scare me, you won't be scared. In the way, you used someone else's identity to deceive people, so that the young lady fainted on the spot when she heard the news of your death, fortunately nothing serious happened, if something serious happened, the Xie family would be messed up."

How could Zhou Tianhao know these things, he casually mentioned the name of Mr. Yang that day, just for the convenience of doing things, and didn't think much about other things.As for the fall of the capital and the death of Yang's cousin in battle, these were all unexpected events, and he himself didn't know how Xie Yujiao knew these things. He thought it was strange at first, but now that Liu Fugen mentioned it, he simply asked: "The capital and Jinling are thousands of miles away. How do you know that Mr. Yang died in battle?"

Liu Fugen's mind turned, and he remembered the pillow wind that Zhang's mother blew in his ear last night, saying how much Mrs. Xu liked Zhou Tianhao, even if she couldn't stay and be her son-in-law, if Xie Yujiao could marry and become a princess, that would be the best time , there are no parents-in-law, although there is a sister-in-law who is the queen, she probably doesn't know much about the affairs of the uncle's family, so Liu Fugen must be careful to serve him, and Zhou Tianhao must not be unhappy at all.If this can add fuel to the fire between the two, that would be the best.

"Your Highness, don't you know? Our girl is famous for her sharp mouth and bean curd heart. Since you left, I have been asked to go to the county government to inquire about the news. I will ask where Mr. Yang's army is going. After a while, I asked again, this winter is so cold, I don’t know if Mr. Yang and the others have cotton jackets to wear, no, at the end of the year, I asked me to donate thousands of white cotton cloths.” Liu Fugen said, only continued: “You I wasn't there at the time. I didn't know what my girl looked like when I heard that Mr. Yang died. Her face was as white as paper on the spot, and her body softened in a moment. Uncle and I didn't know it for a while, but we saw her struggling. When I wanted to get up, I moved my body, and the whole person fell down."

When Zhou Tianhao heard this, his heart ached for a long time. No wonder the old doctor Zhou had been taking care of him for more than half a year, but when he came back to see her, he was thinner than before.Thinking of Xie Yujiao's petty temper, Zhou Tianhao couldn't help shaking his head.

Dayong moved the capital, and a lot of waste was waiting for prosperity. When he left, he had not yet reached the point of desperation, so all the portraits of the ancestors' spirit tablets were brought over, and now they are only offered in the Nianzu Hall in the palace.

It's just that the ostentation of worshiping ancestors today cannot be compared with the past.The two emperors and queens kowtowed, and the princes and daughters below all kowtowed in turn. Without the usual court music and dance, it looked even more desolate.

Seeing the unhappy face of the emperor, Empress Xu knew that he was upset about several things these days.First, the Tartars sent someone to propose peace talks, the conditions were quite harsh, which made the emperor furious; the second was that Zhou Tianhao hadn't come back yet, and his personal eunuch refused to speak, which really made the emperor angry.

On this New Year's Eve, the family was supposed to be reunited. In previous years, the emperor would order a banquet for his ministers. This year, there was nothing left. As a result, even the whole family could not get together. It really gave people the illusion that the tree fell and the monkeys scattered.

The emperor was depressed, when suddenly a young eunuch came in from outside and said: "Return to Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Rui has returned to the palace. Right now, he is going back to his room to change clothes, and he will come to the ancestral hall to worship the ancestors in a while."

When the emperor heard this, he immediately became happy, and only said: "This kid, I haven't forgotten this matter at least."

Because Empress Xu sent two maids there that day, and Zhou Tianhao left the palace the next day, Empress Xu still felt a little wronged, but seeing the emperor happy, she finally felt better.

Zhou Tianhao returned to his residence, saw Yun Song laying on the bed moaning, and only said, "I'm sorry, I've made your butt tired again!"

Seeing Zhou Tianhao's return, Yun Song said with snot and tears: "The ass is fine, but if His Highness doesn't come back, I will starve to death."

Zhou Tianhao had always known that Yun Song was clever, so he couldn't deal with such a trivial matter, so he just patted his injured butt lightly, and said, "I will go in and change my clothes, and I will see you later."

Several old mothers who usually serve Zhou Tianhao brought clothes in, and only Liu mother was there to serve.Liu Nanny stepped forward to help Zhou Tianhao take off his outer robe, and saw that his face was still a bit tired after being seriously injured, so she only comforted her: "Your Highness, this old slave doesn't understand, why do you have to go to the hospital at this time?" Do it, Your Highness, you have always had your own ideas in doing things since you were young, but you can't ignore your own body."

Nanny Liu was an old man who used to serve Zhou Tianhao's mother, Concubine Yang. Since the concubine passed away, she has been taking care of food and daily life by Zhou Tianhao's side, treating Zhou Tianhao as her own.As Dayong's prince, Zhou Tianhao has nothing to do with going to battle for Dayong to kill the enemy, but now that there is a temporary truce, he can't even recover from his wounds, which makes her feel uncomfortable after all.

Zhou Tianhao had a rare smile on his face, and he was much more energetic than a few days ago. While changing his clothes, he said, "Didn't you always urge me to start a family? Now I am going to have a family, you are so happy ?”

Upon hearing this, Nanny Liu asked with a bit of a foxy look on her face, "Is that Miss Xie who came back to see you?"

The smile on Zhou Tianhao's face was even bigger, he just nodded and said: "It's her, don't you like it?"

Nanny Liu lowered her eyes, thought for a moment quietly, and said, "It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I have a temper, I don't want to be like the ladies in the capital, who speak and do things are gentle and submissive, and look comfortable. .”

What Zhou Tianhao likes is Xie Yujiao's petty temper, who is obviously hot inside like a stove, but on the outside he has to pretend to be indifferent, really deceiving himself so hard.

"I've seen a lot of gentle and gentle ones, but I like her like this. No matter what she says or does, she has a true temperament. Only when she is with her can I feel the taste of life."

When Liu Mama saw Zhou Tianhao say such words, she couldn't help but shook her head and said, "Your Highness, it's because Xi Shi is in the eye of a beholder. In my opinion, that girl has a bad temper."

Zhou Tianhao also knew that Xie Yujiao had a little temper, but it didn't matter, the girl he liked had a temper, and he was willing to go along with it: "Mommy will know later, Jiaojiao never loses her temper, she is a girl It is really not easy to support the family of the richest man in Jiangning."

Seeing that Zhou Tianhao boasted about Xie Yu's exaggeration about the existence of heaven and earth, Liu Mama didn't argue with him, she just said, "Then Your Highness has already figured out when to marry her in? The empress prepares for you every day." How many palace maids are there!"

When Zhou Tianhao heard Mammy Liu talking about this, he couldn't help feeling a little depressed. After thinking about it, he said, "I'll mention it to Brother Huang today."

After hearing this, Madam Liu still felt a little uneasy, and she just sighed and said, "Your Highness is the royal family after all, so Miss Xie is the lady of a country gentry and local rich family. The difference in status is so far, only I'm afraid that the emperor and empress will not agree."

Zhou Tianhao is not worried about this matter, but he must be [-] to [-]% sure of any matter that he has settled down.

In the Nianzu Hall, the Emperor and Empress Xu were waiting for Zhou Tianhao to go.In previous years, ancestor worship in the capital was such a grand occasion. In the evening, there was a big banquet for all the ministers, and the wife of the first lunar new year entered the palace to pay her respects. It is a great country with infinite grandeur, but now there are only a few of them left scattered.

Empress Xu saw that the emperor's complexion was not good, she only said worriedly: "If Your Majesty is not feeling well, why not go to rest first and let the ministers and concubines wait here for Prince Rui."

But the emperor shook his head, and stood in front of the memorial tablet of Da Yong's ancestors with his hands behind his back, raised his head and closed his eyes.

"Empress, when I took over this country from the late emperor, the world was still in peace. I never thought that in just a few years, I have already lost half of Dayong's country." The emperor couldn't help but burst into tears when he said this. Empress Xu's heart ached unbearably for a moment, she also shed tears, but she still comforted her and said: "It's not the fault of His Majesty alone, the Tatars are rampant, and they are good at riding and shooting. How can our soldiers of Dayong be their opponents, Prince Rui Didn’t I say that moving to the south is just an expedient measure, just wait for Dayong to hide his strength and bide his time, and he will surely make a comeback in the future.”

Hearing this, the emperor only sighed leisurely, and hugged Empress Xu in his arms. The move to the south was too hasty that day, and everyone in the harem was frightened. She was still sick, but Empress Xu was always by her side.Empress Xu saw that the emperor was so gentle, so she took advantage of the situation and leaned into his arms.

The eunuch standing outside saw it secretly, but just pretended not to know it, saw Zhou Tianhao coming in from the second door from a distance, and shouted at the top of his voice: "His Royal Highness Prince Rui is here."

The emperor suddenly let go of Empress Xu's arms, and only kissed her throat. The sad look on his face was also a little bit less, and he stared at the young man in fine clothes outside the palace.

"You still know how to come back!" The emperor stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the faces of the ancestors in the palace, his tone was severe, but not angry at all. Thank goodness for coming back.

After hearing this, Zhou Tianhao didn't answer, just knelt on the futon, respectfully kowtowed three times to the tablet facing the emperors, took the incense handed by the eunuch at the side, and inserted it into the altar on the altar Inside the incense burner.

"Your Majesty, it will be good for the emperor to come back. Why do you need to be angry? He is still injured. It is better to send a doctor to come in and have a look." The other reason might be her two maids, so she felt a little guilty.

The emperor was only angry for a while, but now seeing him standing in front of him safe and sound, his anger had already disappeared in his heart, and he just said: "Forget it, just come back, send an imperial doctor in..."

Zhou Tianhao has been spoiled and spoiled since he was a child, plus he has no intention of being on the throne, he has no threat to the emperor at all, but he stands up for Dayong when he is in trouble, all these make the emperor grateful, and coupled with the brotherhood, the emperor treats him almost mercilessly. It shouldn't happen.

Zhou Tianhao only opened his mouth and said: "Brother Huang, there is no need for an imperial doctor. The injury has healed a lot in the past few days, but there is one thing, I want to ask Brother Huang and Sister-in-law for help."

Marriage in ancient times paid attention to the three books and six rituals, but it is different in the royal family. An imperial decree is everything. Zhou Tianhao has never liked this kind of overlord clause. It was poking the tiger's ass.

It was rare for Empress Xu to see Zhou Tianhao speak so solemnly and courteously, and she felt a little amused in her heart, so she just said, "If you have anything to say, the emperor, why be so serious. Although the royal family has strict rules, we are all a family."

Seeing what Empress Xu said, Zhou Tianhao only smiled and said, "Since the emperor's wife said so, then I will not be polite. I want to ask the emperor's wife to help me propose a marriage."

Zhou Tianhao had just finished speaking, and everyone in the hall, including the emperor and empress Xu, were dumbfounded.There is no such thing as a marriage proposal in the royal family, but it is just an imperial decree from the emperor. Does anyone dare not obey?
The smile on Empress Xu's face became more embarrassing, she gave the emperor a wink, and said, "This... this marriage proposal is only for ordinary people..."

"It's better to be like an ordinary family." Zhou Tianhao glanced at Empress Xu, and continued: "Otherwise, the other party thinks that the younger brother is using power to oppress others, so he will definitely not agree."

Although the emperor doted on this younger brother, he was a little surprised when he proposed a marriage proposal, and only asked: "You are the majestic King Yongrui, who would dare not agree to marry you? This is really a big joke..."

Zhou Tianhao naturally knew that if he did this, Xie Yujiao would not refuse to marry, but with her temper, even if she married, she would probably be unwilling to do so. It would be better to lower her posture if she offends people.

"Brother Huang, what you said is true, but the most rare thing in the world is not a person, but a heart. Brother Huang taught me since I was a child that the one who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. If an imperial decree goes down, will people have a heart? Rather than that, it’s better not to be.”

Empress Xu, as the first daughter of the Duke's Mansion, received courtesy and respect since she was a child, and now she has been the empress for these years, but suddenly she is about to be dragged by Prince Rui to be a matchmaker, how unhappy is she in her heart.But thinking about the many things going on in the court recently, and the emperor having to consider Prince Rui's lifelong affairs, now that he has someone he likes, he might as well just let nature take its course.

"My lord has said so much, and he didn't say which girl he has his eyes on. For such a major event in life, you must first let me and His Majesty know the family background of the other girl."

When the emperor heard the words, he just nodded, and said again: "Your sister-in-law is right, I have seen the family history, and I will make a decision."

Zhou Tianhao knew that they would ask about his family background, and this was also a thorn in his heart, but no matter what, this thorn would also be uprooted today.

"She comes from a mediocre family, but she is just an ordinary citizen, but she has a heart of loyalty to the emperor and love for the people. She resettled thousands of refugees for Dayong. In the hearts of her subjects, no lady from any family is as good as her hair." Zhou Tianhao said here, With a twinkle in his eyes, he raised his head and continued: "She is the eldest lady of the Xie family in Jiangning County, Xie Yujiao."

The emperor had never heard of Xie Yujiao before, but he was new here, and the magistrate of Jinling did give him a roster, which listed all the famous officials, gentry, local tyrants, aristocratic families in the south of the Yangtze River, and the heads of the Xie family. top.It's just that he didn't know that such a big family was actually supported by a girl's family.

"She's Miss Xie's family? Above..."

Before the emperor finished asking, Zhou Tianhao said, "There is only one mother above, and she has some relationship with the emperor's wife, and she also comes from the mansion of Duke Anguo."

Empress Xu is now 27 or [-] years old, ten years younger than Mrs. Xu, she was still a little girl when Mrs. Xu left the cabinet, so she can't remember these past events.She frowned and thought for a while, then suddenly realized, she raised her head and said, "I have heard from my father that he had a concubine who used to be the county magistrate of Jiangning County, and when he took office again, he turned Tang Tang The concubine's daughter married a landlord's family. It's just that our old lady left early, and these concubine uncles separated early in the morning. What happened to them later, I don't know."

At that time, Empress Xu was still young, and her concubine cousins ​​had been separated out early in the morning. She probably couldn't even remember Xu's appearance.

"It's her, Sister-in-law Huang. Speaking of which, you are still Jiaojiao's aunt." Seeing Empress Xu remembering, Zhou Tianhao said happily, "Sister-in-law Huang, please leave this matter to Sister-in-law Huang."

Zhou Tianhao is used to being dissolute and rebellious, and now he finally has a girl he likes. If he can settle down in the future, with his intelligence, he will definitely be his right and left hand in the future. When the emperor thought of this, he cleared his throat and said : "Queen, since you are a relative of your Duke's mansion, then you can reluctantly agree."

Even if the emperor spoke up, even if Empress Xu had any complaints, it was difficult to speak out.

In the Xie family's ancestral hall, everyone worshiped their ancestors quietly, and the second old man led the men, women, children and others in the clan to kowtow and offer incense one by one.Xie Yujiao and Xu Shi sat on the chairs beside her. Xie Yujiao lowered her brows, holding a bowl of tea in her left hand, and gently shaking the teacup with her right hand.She couldn't move this group of ancestors for a while, but it didn't mean she didn't dare to move.

Watching everyone take their seats one by one, Xie Yujiao raised her eyes, closed the tea bowl and put it on the tea table beside her.

"Because the elders of the clan are all here today, I will talk about some things instead." Xie Yujiao stood up, glanced at the second old man, and then swept all the people sitting, and finally Slowly said: "Dayong is in trouble, everyone is responsible. In the past, we were high mountains and the emperor was far away, but now we are also the people at the foot of the emperor, so we can't just follow the old rules. Xie's family is the largest in Jiangning. Landlords, you can no longer follow the old rules. The more than 1000 refugees are also people, and they are also the people of Dayong. Therefore, I plan to take back all the land that the Xie family originally allocated to the clan for farming from today. If the uncles still want to Farmers can either buy it as private property at the current price of five taels of silver per acre, or collect rent by the acre at the end of the year like other tenants.”

(End of this chapter)