The little girl of the landlord's house

Chapter 146

Because Xie Yujiao didn't want to go back to the capital, Zhou Tianhao couldn't bear her tired carriage, so he promised her to stay here, and only called the house maids, mother-in-law and the medical girl to him, and he must serve Xie Yujiao well.

The maids and women were also happy. After all, if they went back to the capital, they would have to be busy for several days. Not only did they have to tidy up here, but they also had to tidy up and clean up everywhere after returning to the capital.It's better to live on this day, anyway, every day the food and supplies in the house are delivered by the servants from the nearby Zhuangzi. Usually there is nothing to do, and it is convenient for those who do some private work with needlework.Besides, there used to be a few women with families here. The prince bought Zhuangzi here two months ago, and he has already moved his family to live in Zhuangzi.

Xie Yujiao saw Zhou Tianhao sternly explaining things to the people below, she just smiled and said: "My lord, just keep quiet, they are so serious, they are not your soldiers, you are so scary Woolen cloth!"

Since Zhou Tianhao got married, he has changed his previous unrestrained temperament quite a bit, and now that he is practicing in the military camp all day, the expression on his face has become more and more serious.Except that he still acted like a rascal in front of Xie Yujiao, now even Liu's mother said that he seemed to be a different person all of a sudden, and he was no longer the joking and joking person he used to be.

Zhou Tianhao saw that everyone below responded like a chicken pecking rice, and felt that he seemed too serious, so he cleared his throat and said: "Anyway, the king is not here, you all have to serve the princess well, if everyone is too lazy , it was sold early.”

After everyone heard this, no one dared to say anything. If it is sold out at the end of the year, Ren Yazi will know at a glance that he has committed a crime. No one will want it in the future, but it will be sold to a kiln. .

Xie Yujiao only smiled wryly, and heard the servant outside come in to reply, saying that the carriages and horses for the capital were all ready, so Xie Yujiao stood up, took the cloak handed over by the maid, put it on for Zhou Tianhao, and said, "You can rest assured. Go ahead, what can I do here, after two days the women will put up Spring Festival couplets, it will still be bustling, don't come back on New Year's Eve, it will be very cold along the way, you know?"

Zhou Tianhao smiled and said: "If Brother Huang doesn't keep me, then I will come back. On such a day, I can't leave you alone for the New Year."

Xie Yujiao also smiled and said: "After finishing all these things in front of us, we will have the opportunity to celebrate the New Year together in the future. I will not be here for a day or two, and I will make you tired for no reason. It is better not to come back. After the matter is over, you will come back anyway." Just stay with me for a few more days."

Zhou Tianhao also knew that Xie Yujiao didn't care about these falsehoods, so he nodded and said, "I know it well, if I can't come back, I'll just send someone to report to you."

Xie Yujiao nodded, and personally sent Zhou Tianhao to the door. At this time, it was snowing again, and it fell on Xie Yujiao's hair.Since Xie Yujiao became pregnant, even her temper has improved a bit. Seeing how beautiful and gentle she was, Zhou Tianhao couldn't help but lowered his head, and even kissed her fiercely in front of everyone.

The maids and women could only think that they were temporarily blind, and only when the two separated, Xie Yujiao blushed, stretched out her hand to brush a trace of snowflakes on Zhou Tianhao's cloak, and said with a smile: "Come on, they are all waiting for you Woolen cloth!"

As the snow fell harder and harder outside, Zhou Tianhao got into the carriage. Xie Yujiao just stood at the door and watched from a distance. Seeing his carriage finally disappear in a snowy mist, she felt a little empty after all.

"Ma'am, go in, it's very windy outside!" Mother Liu watched Xie Yujiao as the snow was falling, so she only supported Xie Yujiao and asked her to go in.

Xie Yujiao took another look in the direction of the carriage, and seeing that she couldn't see it, she nodded and said, "Then let's go in, Mother Liu, and tell the boy to go to the market tomorrow to buy some Spring Festival couplets, window grilles and so on. We also decorated this small courtyard."

Mama Liu only smiled and said, "These things have been arranged by the old slave early in the morning." Although Xie Yujiao lives here, every three to five days, the comprador from the palace will still send things over, and now she has Mama Liu as her helper. , Xie Yujiao doesn't have to worry about these things herself.

"This couldn't be better. Is the reward money distributed to the servants also arranged? Now that you are here with me, it is harder than in the capital. This month's monthly money will be doubled. In addition to the reward money .”

When Mother Liu heard this, she just smiled and said, "The old slave wants to thank Madam on behalf of everyone."

But Zhou Tianhao went to the capital, and he was really busy. On the first day, he talked with the emperor in the palace and took out Xie Yujiao's dowry money, saying that it was used by the Xie family to support Dayong in fighting against the Tartars. of.Hearing this, the emperor was even more touched, and only issued the decree according to Zhou Tianhao's idea. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, in addition to having a banquet for the officials, all the dignified people in Jinling City and the surrounding counties will enter the palace for the banquet. , a grand donation event initiated by the emperor kicked off.

Some bigwigs in Jinling City have been rich for several generations, and their families wish they could be filled with gold and silver mountains. In the past, the mountains were high and the emperor was far away, so they couldn’t do anything. Now I heard that the emperor invited them into the palace. Who would have thought that this was a Hongmen Banquet!One by one was not happy with what it was like.

However, Zhou Tianhao is also a shrewd person. It turned out that when he came up with this idea, he ordered the officials of the household department to investigate all the famous families in Jinling City, and he had some understanding of their family business.

It was the eve of New Year's Eve, Zhou Tianhao came out from the palace, it was getting late, and it was impossible to go back to Tangshan, so Zhou Tianhao sent a soldier back to Tangshan to report to Xie Yujiao, while he went to Xu in Hoopong Lane Home.

At this time Xu Yuxing's family had just had dinner and was chatting in the living room to watch the New Year's Eve, when they heard that Prince Rui was visiting, they hurriedly changed their clothes and went to the outer courtyard to meet guests.

The eldest aunt had just given birth, her face was rosy, and the nanny beside her was coaxing the young master to sleep, she just got up and helped Xu Yuxing put on the cloak, and said: "The prince's visit late at night, it's about tomorrow's entry into the palace. You will go to bed early in a while, and you don't have to watch the new year with us."

Xu Yuxing nodded, glanced warmly at the youngest son who was sleeping comfortably in the nurse's arms, and said, "You will take your brother to bed earlier, if I come back late, you don't have to wait for me .”

The great aunt nodded and personally sent him to the door before turning around.

Zhou Tianhao took a sip of hot tea in the study, looking at the vast snowy night outside, he really missed Xie Yujiao a little. On days like this, he should have been with her lovingly.Thinking of this, Zhou Tianhao felt a little sad. At this moment, the curtain of the study flashed, and Xu Yuxing walked in from the outside.

Zhou Tianhao hurriedly got up to greet him, but Xu Yuxing only said first, "My lord, sit down quickly."

As Xu Yuxing said, he took off his cloak and hung it on the wall beside him, and filled a cup of tea for Zhou Tianhao himself. The two of them held the cups respectively, and they took a moment to say, "The prince is visiting late at night. , but for tomorrow's banquet?"

Zhou Tianhao saw that Xu Yuxing had guessed it, so he didn't hide it, just smiled and said, "It's for this." After Zhou Tianhao finished speaking, he paused and said, "Mother's dowry to Jiaojiao is too generous. After I got it, I thought about it, this money must be used by the court to fight against the Tartars, but no matter how big the Xie family is, the silver is just a drop in the bucket for fighting the Tartars, so I went out with the emperor An idea, let all the wealthy merchants and officials in Jinling City enter the palace for a banquet. When I open my mouth, uncle, you will represent the Xie family and pretend to donate the 50 taels of dowry. I'm sorry for not pulling out a hair!"

Hearing this, Xu Yuxing's eyes widened for a moment. He has been an honest businessman all his life, and he has never done such a deceitful thing. But even so, he still feels that Zhou Tianhao The method is really good!

At that time, when the Xie family pays money, those families who usually claim that they don't need to thank the family will definitely not be outdone. Even if it is not as much as 50 taels, let's be a little bit more interesting, and 10 taels or 5 taels will not be a problem. , the more heads there are, the more money that can be raised.

"Then...then...then I will obey you!" Xu Yuxing was still a little excited when he said this, and after thinking about it, he said: "I will add another 1 taels in private, just to let the soldiers Have a good meal."

When Zhou Tianhao heard the words, he thanked Xu Yuxing only, and the two chatted for a while, seeing that it was getting late, they got up and said goodbye.

In the small courtyard on the Tangshan side, the heavy snow had stopped, and Mother Liu was sending a few women to clear the snow in the courtyard.Xie Yujiao was wearing a fox fur, holding a hand stove in her hand, standing on the porch watching the big guys busy.The newly pasted Spring Festival couplets on the second door read: Happy to live in the treasured land for thousands of years, and blessings will bring prosperity to the family.

Xie Yujiao felt festive when she saw it, and ordered Ziyan to open the warehouse, and brought out the stringed baskets of copper coins that were delivered two days ago, and she was about to start distributing the happy money for the New Year.

The yard here was just about to be swept, when suddenly a boy ran in from outside, looking at the tiger-headed, Mama Liu recognized him as the grandson of Mrs. Fang, the kitchen handyman, and asked him, "Why are you here, I just cleaned it up." Your ground is dirty again."

The young man was so frightened that he quickly knelt down, saw Xie Yujiao standing in the corridor again, and said, "I wanted to find a sister to come in to report the news, but I didn't find it, so I came by myself. Just now, Wang Huyuan outside told me that there is a mile away. When the carriage arrived, he sent someone to visit, it was his wife who came to see his wife, so he asked the servant to report quickly!"

When Xie Yujiao heard that Mrs. Xu had arrived, she was so happy that she wanted to welcome her out in person. When Mother Liu saw her, she hurriedly stepped forward to support her, and said as she walked, "Madam, be careful, the snow has only been swept clean. Still sliding!"

Xie Yujiao just nodded and smiled, letting Madam Liu support her, the two went out the second door and came to the front yard.At this time, the carriage hadn't arrived yet, but the sound of the wheels of the carriage could be heard from a distance.Xie Yujiao poked her head to look at the intersection, and sure enough, she saw two or three carriages coming out from behind the bushes, slowly driving towards this side.

It has just snowed heavily, so the road must be difficult to walk, and at this hour, Xu Shi must have woke up early today to rush over.Thinking of this, Xie Yujiao felt a little warmer in her heart.In previous years, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Mrs. Xu would definitely go to the temple to offer incense, but this year she came to her side instead.

Mrs. Xu also missed Xie Yujiao so much at this time. At first, she heard that she didn't want to go back to Xie's house for the New Year, but thought she was going back to the capital. Who knew that the messenger in the capital said that this time only Prince Rui returned to the palace alone. , I think Xie Yujiao must still live here.As soon as Mrs. Xu heard this, she couldn't sit still at home. She only talked about it for two days, and she was going to come here after the new year.At this time, she rolled up the curtain and saw Xie Yujiao waiting for her at the door in the severe cold, her eyes became even more red.

When the carriage arrived at the door, the servant sent the steps up. Xie Yujiao went under the carriage herself. Seeing Mrs. Xu getting off the carriage, she wanted to help her up, but was stopped by Mama Liu, and only the servant girl went up to welcome her.Mrs. Xu got down from the carriage and saw that Xie Yujiao seemed to have put on some flesh in the past few months, so she said with a tearful smile, "This is really a good place, it's very good at raising people!"

Mother Liu saw that Xie Yujiao's eyes were also red, she was afraid that she would be sad and cold outside, so she said, "My wife, go inside, what are you doing standing in the cold and snowy weather!"

Only then did Mrs. Xu come to her senses, and hurriedly dragged Xie Yujiao into the yard. After entering the house for a while, she sat down warmly, and saw a beautiful and taciturn girl standing in front of Xie Yujiao, and asked, "Is that the one?" Doctor girl, she looks pretty good."

The medical girls in the Yong Dynasty were all guilty, and most of them were confiscated in the palace because of family crimes. This medical girl was surnamed Wei, and her father was a small official in the north. She was persecuted to death because she offended the powerful. When the mother was working as a palace slave, she learned that she was pregnant, so she gave birth to her in the palace, and was adopted by the old medical girl, so she learned all kinds of medical skills.Zhou Tianhao chose her for another reason, that is, the dignitary who persecuted her father to death was actually the mansion of Duke Anguo, so Zhou Tianhao was not worried that she would be used by Empress Xu.

"She is Wei Jing." Xie Yujiao said something, and Wei Jing came forward and greeted Mrs. Xu, but she was still quiet, without saying anything.

Mrs. Xu usually likes this kind of quiet woman. She can't make a sound after three laps, and she doesn't look too fancy, so she rewarded her with a purse, which she respectfully accepted.

Mrs. Xu said again: "I originally thought you were going back to the capital, so I didn't go back to Xie's house. Who knew you would spend the New Year here?" Mrs. Xu had just come in from the outside, and had already looked at the courtyard here. Probably, it's only a courtyard with two entrances, and there are only about twenty houses in total. The place doesn't need to be as big as Xie Yujiao's Xiulou where Xie Yujiao originally lived. Fortunately, she still lives there and refuses to leave!
"There's nothing that can't celebrate the New Year. Besides, I don't have many people here, and there are only twenty or thirty servants. It's useless to have such a big yard."

After hearing this, Mrs. Xu just shook her head and said, "There is no shortage of money, why bother!"

Xie Yujiao heard what Xu said, so she had no choice but to say: "Mother, don't talk about it, I naturally want to live in a big courtyard, but there is nothing nearby. There is a good place ten miles away, but it is far away from the prince. The military camp is far away, since I have already lived here, why bother to let him run such a long distance every day?"

Only then did Mrs. Xu understand, and said with a smile: "But I just looked at this place. Although the sparrow is small, it has all the internal organs, but it is neatly organized. If you are used to living here, it will be fine. "

Xie Yujiao served tea to Mrs. Xu herself, and said, "I'm used to it wherever I live."

Seeing that Xie Yujiao's eyes lost focus for a moment, Mrs. Xu knew that she must have thought of Zhou Tianhao again, so she just smiled and said, "Yes, as long as the prince is by your side, you will naturally get used to it wherever you live."

Xie Yujiao's cheeks turned red when she heard this, she thought for a while and said, "It's a pity that I'm too lazy to move, so I didn't accompany him back to Beijing this time."

"You accompany him back to Beijing, I'm afraid you won't be able to see him, I heard from Liu Fugen that he has been very busy these few days, and your uncle has to go to the palace for a banquet today, I don't know why. "

Xie Yujiao knew about this matter, the soldiers sent back by Zhou Tianhao had already said that today would be a grand banquet.Xie Yujiao just pursed her lips and smiled, and said lightly: "That's right, he is so busy, even if I go back to Beijing with him, I'm afraid I won't be able to see him again. On the contrary, I have to deal with all those social engagements. It's really tiring. It's better not to go back."

"That's right! Now that you're pregnant again, it's better to move around less!" Xu Shi said, holding Xie Yujiao's hand again, looking at her protruding belly, and said with a smile: "Chaozong insists on making trouble." Come together, I was afraid that he would make trouble with you, so I came here secretly, I am afraid that he will wake up and cry now!"

Xie Yujiao also stopped thinking about Xie Chaozong. At this moment, when Xu Shi mentioned it, she asked casually, "Did my mother send someone over to Aunt Shen's family this year?"

"Of course I gave it away. The third child of his family was admitted as a scholar last year. I thought that since he is a material for studying, it is better to study hard. I have discussed it with Aunt Shen. From now on, his family will be responsible for his training. I also asked the young master of the Ma family to write a letter of recommendation to go to Qixia Academy, and I guess he should go to Qixia Academy to study after the Chinese New Year is over." After saying this, Mrs. Xu sighed again, and continued: "The Shen family The mother-in-law came to the house to thank you that day, and said that she had received a letter from your elder brother Shen, and now there are very few soldiers in the army. Yong, he will come back."

Xie Yujiao was a little moved when she heard this, and she didn't know if Shen Shihu knew she was married. His family often sent letters to him, so he probably knew about it.

Xie Yujiao said quickly: "Mother wants to treat the Shen family better for Chaozong's sake. Fortunately, my uncle has a son now, and Chaozong will have an uncle and brother of the same age in the future."

After hearing this, Mrs. Xu just nodded her head, and told Xie Yujiao with a smile how much that child looked like Xu Yuxing, as if she was carved out of a mill.Speaking of this, she began to look forward to the baby in Xie Yujiao's womb. She only said that if it was a boy who looked like the prince, she would definitely be handsome in the future.

Xie Yujiao chatted with Mrs. Xu for a while, the mother-in-law had already packed up Mrs. Xu's place, and the maid came in again to say that the dishes and meals were ready, so Xie Yujiao dragged Mrs. Xu to have lunch first.

But he said that although the emperor had carefully prepared a Hongmen banquet, it was a pity that the big bosses in Jinling City had rarely seen the emperor. However, after eating tens of thousands of taels of silver from the emperor, he raised millions of taels of military pay for him.The emperor watched those merchants slapping the table one by one to give money, and Longlei was about to cry.

In the end, the Xie family still topped the list with 51 taels. The He family tightened their belts and barely took out 40 taels. There were also 20 taels from the Zheng family, the jeweler in the city, and 20 taels from the tea family Yu's family...etc. There are more than a hundred families, who would not pay money after seeing this situation?There are also those who originally planned to sell their officials and nobles but couldn't find a way out, and they felt that this matter opened a door of convenience for themselves, and they generously donated their money.

After the banquet was over, the emperor ordered the officials present to count the silver taels, held Zhou Tianhao's hand and said, "Imperial brother, I... I... never thought... You still have this ability!"

At this time, Zhou Tianhao was a little embarrassed by what the emperor said, and he just smiled and said: "Brother Emperor, as the saying goes, there is a country where there is a family. If Dayong is not protected, the Tartars will come in in the future. Isn't the money cheaper for the Tartars? I do this, firstly, to satisfy their patriotism, and secondly, to keep them safe for many lifetimes, so why don't they do it!"

When the emperor heard that what the prince said really made sense, he felt a little embarrassed at first, but disappeared immediately, and only smiled and said: "When the tartars are beaten out, I will reward each family with a plaque. "

Zhou Tianhao pursed his lips and smiled, thinking in his heart that the plaque would naturally become the most expensive plaque in that family's house.

At this moment, a eunuch came in hurriedly, with a smile on his face, and said to the emperor: "Go back to Your Majesty, Lady Zhaoyi just felt a little sick, and invited Imperial Physician Du to go for treatment, and Imperial Physician Du Said: Your Majesty is happy!"

Hearing this, the emperor was so shocked that he stood up from the dragon chair. Although he had been on the throne for many years, he had few heirs. In the early years, several princes died young. Now, except for the second prince of the empress, the other princes in the harem are all He is a mediocre and dull person, and he does not enjoy his own joy.Now that He Zhaoyi is pregnant, it is really a great thing.

"Immediately drive to Jinxiu Palace, I'm going to visit He Zhaoyi."

Seeing the emperor's face full of joy, Zhou Tianhao also cupped his hands and said with a smile: "My brother congratulates the emperor, and may the emperor get another dragon son!"

The emperor is now in his thirties, he couldn't help but sighed when he heard the words, he reached out and patted Zhou Tianhao on the shoulder and said, "According to your auspicious words, I will go to see Zhaoyi first, if you are all right, brother, Let's go back home early to rest!"

Zhou Tianhao withdrew as he said, watched the emperor leave, stood under Danxi for a while, saw that the sky had turned gloomy again, and was about to leave the palace, but saw a eunuch coming from a distance, it was Fu'an from Empress Xu's palace. .

(End of this chapter)