Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 205
On the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, Cao Fang, Madam Zhang, Zhang Gen's family and others escorted the New Year's goods purchased by Cao Yong in Beijing and the New Year's gifts from Prince Ping's Mansion and Jueluo's family.With seven or eight carriages fully loaded, even the officers and soldiers guarding the gate of the city couldn't help being tempted, wanting to extort a sum of money to spend.Later, I heard that it was the Cao family's convoy, so I withdrew sadly.

In front of the weaving mansion, there was a lot of joy.Cao Yuan patted his brother on the shoulder with a smile, beckoning people to unload the pair of New Year gifts from the car and put them into storage.Cao Fang first asked his eldest brother about the master and his wife, and then asked about the uncle and grandma, and then asked about his father.He and Cao Yuan are siblings, the son of Cao Fu, the old housekeeper of the Cao family.

Due to his age, Cao Fu has been somewhat deaf and blinded in recent years. After consulting Cao Yin and his wife, he asked his eldest son Cao Yuan to take over his class.This is also what he had agreed with Cao Yin and his wife in the early years, and the eldest son was also placed by Cao Yin's side as an errand for the purpose of being a housekeeper in the future.

Because Cao Fang is the second child, he is different from his elder brother and does not work by Cao Yin's side.When Cao Yong went to school in his early years, he followed him as a long follower. Later, he was punished because of Cao Yong's kidnapping.Later, when Cao Yong opened Lin Xiazhai, he was brought up to be in charge.After Linxia Zhai was closed, Cao Fang was sent by Cao Yin to manage the tea garden because of his quick mind. The pearls on the Taihu Lake were also managed by Cao Fang a few years ago.

Cao Yong was originally looking at Chuyu's new clothes in the room. Although the needlework was more troublesome, when measuring the clothes, Cao Yong specially told him that Chuyu's clothes should be made first.Therefore, although it has only been ten days, the three sets of clothes inside have been sewn.

These days, Chu Yu didn't use Cao Yong's persuasion, so she changed the shoes at the bottom of the flowerpot.Otherwise, she was already tall, and with shoes a few inches taller, she would be half a head taller than the slightly petite Li Shi, and she would not be comfortable looking at her own height.

Cao Yong sat on a chair, sipped his tea, and looked at Chu Yu.After these ten days of experience as a young daughter-in-law, Chu Yu's temperament is different again.Now, with a bun on her head, there are only two emerald flowers inlaid with pearls and stones on the hairpin. It not only sets off the festive atmosphere, but also does not look fancy. It looks very lovely.

Although there are many aunts, birth mothers, and concubines in the palace, but after all, there are restrictions on the law of the ancestors, and they get along in a different way.Now, following Li Shi's side, learning to manage housework, and listening to some interesting stories about Cao Yong's childhood, Chu Yu is becoming more and more like a little woman.Whenever he looked at Cao Yong, he always smiled, as if laughing at his naughty childhood, Cao Yong felt itchy in his heart, and really wanted to "discipline" and "discipline" her.

Chu Yu fiddled with her clothes, raised her head by chance, looked at Cao Yong with a half-smile and looked at herself, couldn't help being a little bit ashamed, and said with a little reproach: "Forehead, look, why are they all Chu Yu's? If parents find out, it would be like Chu Yu wasting extravagance!"

Cao Yong put down the teacup and said with a smile: "Mother has seen this list of clothes, mine is several sets more than yours! You can't forget, you ordered six sets, but mine is eight sets! That's right. When my mother saw it, she complained that I shouldn't neglect you and let you make more sets, if I didn't say that I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to make them before the fifteenth day, I was afraid that my mother would make more sets for you!"

After hearing this, Chuyu felt relieved, looked at the three sets of new clothes, gesticulated twice, and was full of joy: "When I was in the capital, I saw Sister Zijing wearing these, and I thought they looked very good. Come to the south , Mother's clothes look even more noble and elegant, not inferior to the flag dress at all!" Having said this, he turned his head and asked: "When my sister and third sister are at home, do they also wear such clothes?"

Cao Yong thought for a while and replied: "It seems that there are all of them. When I go out to meet guests, I still wear more flags!"

Chu Yu put down the new clothes and remembered something. Seeing that there was no one else in the room, she walked up to Cao Yong and sat down. She was slightly puzzled and then curious and asked, "My son-in-law, when you were in the capital, listen to me. When you talk about the third younger sister, you all say that she was born of the second uncle and concubine, because her mother left early, so she was brought over by her mother to raise her! Why, in the past few days, I had no intention of hearing the mention of the third younger sister, but said that the third younger sister is from my uncle's cousin's family , a daughter adopted by the mother?"

Cao Yong was taken aback when he heard the words. He didn't know how Chu Yu thought of this. He wondered if the servants were chewing their tongues. When they talked about Cao Yi's right and wrong, he was a little annoyed, and asked with a frown: "Who mentioned it? You Can you remember which one it is?"

Chuyu married Cao Yong for a year, knowing that he was the most impatient with troublesome people in his family, he regretted his slip of the tongue, but he didn't want him to blame others, so he said brazenly: "This is Chuyu's fault, it wasn't on purpose. I mentioned it. It was when Chu Yu passed by the empty house behind her mother’s yard the previous day, Chu Yu asked a few more questions, and then realized that it was the land of my uncle who had disappeared. To the third sister..." The more she spoke, the softer she was, and she began to regret why she had mentioned this.

Cao Yong saw her embarrassment, and reached out to hold her little hand in his hand: "There is nothing to hide from you about these family matters, but this is the knot of parents, you just know it, don't lie in front of them." Bring it up!"

Chu Yu was afraid of Cao Yong's anger at first, but now she hastily nodded her head in response.

Cao Yong briefly told her about Cao Shun, and finally said: "In the future, if they continue to discuss these right and wrong in front of you, you should also show the grandma's score, so that they can remember it better!"

And because he was afraid that Chuyu would misunderstand Cao Yi, he couldn't help adding another sentence: "What happened to Shun'er was just an accident, and it's no fault of Sanmei's head! If this is the root cause, it's still my fault, the puppy is my fault." I bought it in exchange!" As he spoke, there was a hint of loneliness in his voice.

He thought of Cao Yin and himself from the death of Cao Shun. He had imagined several times, if Cao Yi hadn't been given a puppy at the beginning, would Cao Shun die without him?Just thinking about it, but still have no answer.

Chu Yu was in the palace, and several younger brothers and sisters died young, but after all, she was separated from her mother, and there were many brothers and sisters, so the relationship was only average.But even then, it's unavoidable to be sad.On Cao Yong's side, there is only this little brother with the same father. How sad should he be when he died young and was dragged to him?
Chu Yu looked at Cao Yong like this, feeling sad and blaming himself, how could he hear these things wrong, and bring them up in front of Cao Yong, which made him sad.

After Cao Yong finished speaking, he woke up, shook his head quickly, patted Chu Yu's hand and said, "Look at me, the more you talk, the more outrageous it is! The third sister is indeed from the blood of our Cao family. The father and mother met by accident, because they were concerned about the second aunt... um... the second uncle was inconvenient to recognize, and the grandmother was still there at the time. The father and mother were afraid that there would be a big trouble and make the grandmother angry, so they took the third sister into our room to raise !"

Although she didn't intend to hide it for Zhao Jiashi, she was Cao Song's mother after all. Cao Yong didn't want to say too much about her affairs, so she simply explained a few sentences in a few words.

Chu Yu has been in the palace since she was a child, and has heard a lot about these concubines. Although Cao Yong didn't point it out clearly, but thinking that the concubine of the second room was raised by Gao Taijun before, how did she behave towards Zhao Jia's family? I know a thing or two.

The biological mother passed away early, and the aunt did not recognize her. If the eldest room hadn't taken her in, this third young lady still doesn't know what would have happened.When Chu Yu thought of Cao Yilai, she felt sympathetic, and understood Cao Yong's words about worrying about her younger sister.

Chu Yu was just about to say something like "The third sister is very lucky" and "Jueluo's family is a good family" to comfort Cao Yong, when Zhu'er came to report at the door: "Master, just now the second servant sent a message, saying yes The butler asked the uncle to go over, saying that the annual ceremony in Beijing has arrived!"

Cao Yong listened, also brought a little bit of joy.Originally, he and Wei Hei were still thinking about these cars. They were afraid that there would be unsightly things on the road.

Cao Yong got up, smiled and said to Chu Yu: "Go to your mother and tell her that there are older sisters and third younger sisters in there to respect you! If mother is free, you can also come and have a look, see if there are any rare things you like, Pick it out first and order it!"

Chu Yu happily agreed, went out with Cao Yong, watched him go to the second gate, and then went to Kaiyang courtyard with Xiyun and Xicai.

*
Cao's family, Xifu.

Mrs. Zhao Jia also got the letter. Knowing that the annual ceremony in Beijing was coming, she couldn't sit still, but she didn't hesitate to go there, and she seemed to be short-sighted and ignorant.Holding a hand stove in her hand, she walked up and down on the ground, and sent someone to the gate to see when Cao Quan would come back.

However, Cao Quan didn't have such a tacit understanding with her, because it was the end of the year, and the yamen was about to be sealed, so Cao Quan went drinking with some subordinates, and came back after dark.

Zhao Jia waited for a long time before returning to Cao Quan, who smelled of alcohol, how could he not be angry?Because he was treated by Cao Quan this year, it is not good to embarrass him in front of the maid.

It wasn't until Cao Quan drank the hangover soup, changed his outer clothes, washed his feet and went to the kang, that Zhao Jia sent all the maids down, sat on the edge of the kang and complained to Cao Quan: "Why did you come back so late? Didn't I ask someone to help you?" Has the letter been delivered? The annual ceremony in Beijing is here!"

Cao Quan's head was heavy, and he squinted his eyes and said: "When we arrive, we will arrive. This happens every year, so what's so special about it!"

Zhao Jia couldn't help stretching out his finger, and nodded Cao Quan's head vigorously: "Master, I say you are really confused, or fake! There are seven or eight carts for this year's annual ceremony, which is comparable to previous years? You Not to mention rushing back to take a look, it’s not easy for me to go through the past, and now it’s all in the warehouse, and then we can get some good ones if we distribute it to us?” Speaking of this, he couldn’t help but “tsk tsk” and said: “It’s not just Beijing. Here, the annual presents from various families in Jiangning City will be richer this year than in previous years!"

Although she could hear the joy in Zhaojia's words, Cao Quan still couldn't help reminding her: "Because the eldest nephew is back, he is the daughter-in-law of the princess, and he is the Taoist platform just released. It's for his sake, I'm afraid this year's gift is also to honor him by name!"

After hearing this, Zhao Jia bit his lips: "The local gentry is like this, what about the gifts from the capital?"

"Naturally, it's because of my nephew's face. I'm afraid that all the palaces will send them over with gifts. In addition, Prince Ping Fujin and... and the three maids honor the eldest brother and sister-in-law. Even seven or eight carts are nothing!" Cao Quan Thinking of the daughter I didn't recognize, I couldn't tell what it was like.

When Zhao Jia heard this, it was nothing to do with him, so he couldn't help feeling pain, and said with a straight face: "How can the big house earn all the dignity? How many years have you been with your uncle, and you are still on the fifth rank. Uncle is okay, he has the title of an uncle, he is decent, and he doesn’t have to bow even in front of the governor. But you only have a fifth-rank Yunqiwei, not to mention your uncle, not even your nephew! It's the old lady's son, and this Long Live Lord's reward is much worse! Uncle is also, he is the only son who will attack his prince sooner or later, why don't you want to pull your brother?"

Cao Quan knew that his wife was always greedy and stingy, so he didn't care about her nagging, but the more she talked, the more outrageous she became, and even the emperor and his eldest brother complained, but he was a little unhappy, coughed twice, and said: "I'm tired, let me go sooner." Set it up!"

Mrs. Zhao Jia was suffocating fire in her heart, where there was no sleepiness, the more she thought about it, the more angry she became, and thinking about her son's failure in the martial arts examination, she felt something was wrong, so she pushed Cao Quan and said, "Master, are we being too serious? Although Cao Yong is not a big man, he looks like a little adult on weekdays. He has a lot of eyes when he thinks about it! We, Song'er, study hard and study knowledge, but he was encouraged to take some martial arts exams. This is a waste of studies. After all, he didn’t even earn any fame! Also, it’s about Song’er’s taking in people from the house, his elder brother is acting like a gentleman, but he let his brother mess around, which family’s reasoning is this?”

Cao Quan heard his wife talking more and more unbearable, and suddenly sat up from the bed: "Shut up! What are you talking about? What is your precious son worthy of being plotted by others? Tell me!"

Zhao Jia was taken aback by Cao Quan, patted his chest, took a breather, and then murmured: "These brothers are worthless, isn't it more and more obvious that he can do it?"

When Cao Quan heard this, he laughed angrily: "You are not stupid, you also know that Yong'er is capable! Okay, this elder brother has evil intentions with his younger brother! Okay, okay, since you said this , then let’s not bother others, and don’t try to gain the glory of the big house in the future!”

Mrs. Zhao Jia just didn't feel that Cao Yong was more successful than Cao Song, so she couldn't help nagging a few words. Hearing what her husband said, she also knew that she was wrong.Her father died of illness a few years ago, and her uncle stepped down from the position of Minister, although there are still a few brothers and cousins ​​in her natal family, they are far away.Cao Yong has a brother-in-law of the county king, a prince's father-in-law, and Cao Song's cousin, who is not much closer than Zhaojia's relatives.Thinking of these, she was speechless and speechless.

Although Cao Quan didn't bother to pay attention to her, but for the future of his sons, he couldn't help admonishing him seriously: "Xiang'er was not born by you, let's not talk about him, but Song'er and his three brothers all came out of your stomach. My eldest brother and I are both old, and their future will fall on their cousin. When you speak and act in the future, you must first think about your sons. If you don’t point at this nephew, then everything is free. Otherwise, you have to think about it!"

Zhao Jia thought about it for a while, and wanted to defend Cao Quan, but couldn't say a word.By the time he was thinking about whether he would accompany his sister-in-law and the daughter-in-law of the princess to offer incense, and plan to discuss with Cao Quan, Cao Quan had already started snoring.

Mrs. Zhao Jia was lying on the bed, still unable to close her eyes. Thinking of her wet nurse Zhang Nanny talking about the dignity of the Earl's Mansion in the capital this afternoon, she couldn't help being envious and jealous of Mrs. Li.In the early years, her Ama wanted to promise him to Cao Yin, and she knew something about it.At the beginning, because she heard that she was the stepmother, she felt aggrieved, and even cried with Er Niang and Ama, but then she let it go and told Cao Quan.

Whether it's appearance or behavior, Mrs. Zhao Jia really has no admiration for Mrs. Li, her sister-in-law.However, there was an old lady in the early years, so it's not good to be presumptuous, and you have to be respectful on your face.After the old lady left, Mrs. Li became the mother of Fujin again, so she couldn't offend her even more.

Mrs. Zhao Jia sighed inwardly, and touched her stomach. If she hadn't made trouble at the beginning, would it have been her daughter who became Fujin and her son who married Princess Gege?No one can answer this question.

Because of the scruples in his heart, Zhao Jia's words and deeds are more appropriate, he is very respectful to Li, and he looks like an elder to Cao Yong and Chu Yu.Fearing that he would leave a bad impression in front of his nephew and nephew's daughter-in-law and affect the future of his sons, he even took her to the East with her, who was very close to the concubine Cao Xiang and the concubine Wu'er, and they all cleaned up decently. New Year's Eve.

Because it is the New Year, it is natural to burn incense and worship ancestors.Many clan relatives from inside and outside Jiangning City also came.Although Cao Yong and Chu Yu are young, their seniority is big, that is, they have nephews, nephews and grandnephews, and they spent a lot of red envelopes and lucky money.

There are well-informed people who know that Cao Yong will go north to build a Daotai after the next year, so he intercedes in front of Cao Yin and wants to follow him to do some errands.

Because Cao Yin's son was hired outside for the first time, it was unusual, so he didn't let go easily.I only picked two proper distant branches, those who were honest and responsible, and whose seniority was lower than Cao Yong, and after discussing with Cao Yong, they gave a reply.Those who wanted to bully Cao Yong when he was young by virtue of his seniority, and wanted to be a master, Cao Yin sent some money to decline.
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(End of this chapter)