Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 5 Parents
Cao Yong was thinking wildly, the old matriarch had already opened his eyes, and asked someone to call over all the maids who were on duty or not, and the four first-class maids stood in the first row, except for pearls and corals, the emeralds and colored glazes mentioned just now is also among them.

The two seemed to have received the letter, their faces were flushed with shame, and their chins were on their clothes.Both of them are the big maids beside the old matriarch, one is in charge of the clothes of the four seasons, and the other is in charge of the head jewelry.

The old matriarch said a few gossips about "respect the master and wife, don't be naughty", and then pointed to agate and amethyst to take over the errands in their hands.The others are alright, only Cha Jing is young, but she has a high heart, seeing the two being promoted to maidservants, her eyes are a little unhappy.

Jadeite and Liuli kowtowed to the old lady a few times, and went down to handover with agate and amethyst.In this way, two second-class maids around the old matriarch were left empty, and the rest of the maids waited anxiously for the old matriarch to speak.The first-class maids in the mansion receive two taels of silver per month, the second-class maids one tael, the third-class maids five hundred cash, and the lower-class maids three hundred cash, the difference is not even a tiny bit.After all, there are only four first-class maids in the entire mansion.Even if you are promoted to the second class, there are rules for four seasons clothes, head and face jewelry.

The old matriarch's eyes turned several times among the rows of maids, big and small, and finally fell on the tortoise in the front row, pointing at her and saying: "You are a careful child, and I can rest assured that I will take care of you in the future. Let's go!"

The tortoise shell came forward to answer, and then turned around to kowtow to Cao Yong, as a recognition of the owner, and then stood up and stood beside Cao Yong.

Seeing that the tortoise shell is well-mannered, the old lady was very satisfied, she nodded with a smile, and then looked at the tea crystal: "You are the smartest in the whole yard, go and be a company with the tortoise shell, lest she look like a gourd with her mouth stuck." Yes, there was no movement for a long time!"

Cha Jing respectfully responded, kowtowed to Cao Yong, and then avoided tortoise shell.

All of a sudden, the positions of four second-class maids were vacated, and all the young maids in the room stretched their necks, waiting for the old lady to pick someone.The old matriarch only pointed to the oval-faced one in the third row, and was dissatisfied with the others. She told the butler to pick some better ones tomorrow, and then waved everyone out. Only the tortoiseshell and citrine were left in the room to wait.

Cao Yong had a headache from the hair oil all over the room, and was relieved to see everyone go out, the old matriarch took his hand and said: "Yong'er, I have heard that you can't sleep well these days and nights. quarreled with you?"

Cao Yong shook his head hastily, it wasn't that the old lady quarreled with him, but there were other reasons, one was not used to going to bed early, and the other was worrying about this inexplicable time travel.

The old matriarch sighed: "Good boy, it's because grandma is getting old, and she wakes up every day when it's ugly, but she didn't want to disturb your rest!" Having said that, she ordered the tortoise shell and citrine to find coral, and set up the east room for Cao live.All the curtains must be new, and the missing items will be listed and handed over to the buyer for purchase.

Cao Yong was willing in his heart, and agreed half-heartedly.In the Nuan Pavilion here, only Baibao Pavilion is separated from the old lady's bedroom, so there is really no privacy.Seeing how much the old lady loves him, wanting a separate yard directly is tantamount to nonsense.Even if the old lady let him out, Mrs. Li would take her son to her yard to raise him.Although the east room is connected to this side, the east and west bedrooms are separated by a few houses. If there is no disturbance, he can do whatever he wants here, for example, molesting the little maid or something, However, just thinking about it, even if this small body sticks to someone else, it won't react.

In front, Kaiyang Courtyard.

This is the residence of Mrs. Li and Cao Yin. There is the second gate in front, and two empty courtyards outside the second gate, which are for the adult men in the mansion to live in. Because Cao Yong is still young, it has been empty there.Cao Yin's two concubines lived in the small courtyards behind.

Mrs. Li waited for Cao Yin to come back, the concubine's room waited on her, and the husband and wife had dinner.

After the meal, there were only the husband and wife left in the room, and Mrs. Li told about Liuli and Feicui.Cao Yin glanced at his wife and was a little moved: "Why bother, I've made you suffer!"

She didn't talk much, but she was caring. Li's eyes turned red, and she almost shed tears. She suppressed it and said with a smile: "The old lady trained her, and her appearance is excellent. Liuli, I think she's alright!"

Cao Yin didn't want to continue this embarrassing topic, so he frowned slightly and said, "How about that evil one, he has been sick for four days from school, it's too shameful!"

When Mrs. Li heard her son was mentioned, she quickly defended herself: "Yong'er has been lying down for several days, but today he is getting better. He has a pointed face and has lost a lot of weight. He only ate half a bowl of rice for dinner. Now he is lying down. Let him raise him for another two days!"

Cao Yin sighed, he had this son at 36 years old, if he said he didn’t feel sorry for him, it would be a lie, but according to the etiquette, he pays attention to "strict father and mother", and pays attention to "holding grandchildren but not children", as a father, he can only keep a straight face Teach your son a lesson.After chatting with his wife for a while, seeing that it was getting dark outside, the husband and wife went to the old lady's side in the backyard together.

At this time, pay attention to "morning and evening Dingsang", which means going to bed at night, and checking and greeting in the morning. This is the daily etiquette of serving parents.

It was not yet completely dark outside, and Xuan Ruitang had already lit the lamps.

The old lady leaned on the kang, and there was a lamp on the small table on the kang. Cao Yong lay on the table and read "The Analects of Confucius", while Shanhu recited the "Diamond Sutra" to the old lady.Although Cao Yong only went to study for half a month, but before that, the old lady had already taught several elementary books such as "San Zi Jing", "Hundred Surnames", and "Thousand Characters".

Today, although Cao Yong’s memory is still there, it is still difficult to read "The Analects of Confucius". He is not used to reading it vertically, traditional characters, and the lack of punctuation.Even so, what can I do, can I still be illiterate?Just when I entered the first grade again, and I am not a real child, I am half-guessed, take my time, and there is always a time when I am sure.

Seeing Cao Yin and his wife come in, Cao Yong got down from the kang and saluted after they greeted the old lady.The old matriarch asked his son and daughter-in-law to sit down, and then Cao Yin asked the old matriarch how his dinner was, and the old matriarch nodded and said yes.The old lady asked about sending someone to prepare for the new aunt's yard, and Mrs. Li answered carefully.

When Cao Yin saw his son standing with a copy of "The Analects of Confucius", although he was happy in his heart, he still kept a straight face and asked, "Where did you read it?"

"For politics!" Cao Yong glanced at the book in his hand and replied.

Cao Yin nodded, thought for a moment, and then asked: "'Zigong asked the gentleman, and the master said: first follow his words, and then follow them.', what's the explanation?"

When the old lady and Mrs. Li heard Cao Yin asking Cao Yong about his homework, they both stopped talking and looked at the two men.Seeing that Cao Yong bowed his head and said nothing, the old lady was afraid that he would be unhappy, so she blamed Cao Yin: "He is so young, how can he know these things. Now "San Zi Jing", "Hundred Family Surnames", "Thousand Characters" Wen" is familiar, much better than children of the same age!"

Cao Yin hastily said yes, but looked at his son with disappointment.

When Cao Yong saw it, he couldn't help it for some reason, and said: "'Zigong asked a gentleman, and the master said: Do what you say first, and then follow it. Do things, not talk, and people will follow you."

Cao Yin's face was calm, but there was some relief in his eyes.The old lady next to him and Mrs. Li saw Cao Yong standing there, like a little adult, answering cleverly, and they were all happy.

Cao Yong lowered his head, with a smile on his lips, secretly rejoicing that he had read part of "The Analects of Confucius" in his previous life, which happened to be the first volume "Encouraging Learning" and the second volume "Weizheng Chapter". Don't explain.

Seeing Cao Yong's expression, Cao Yin thought he was complacent, and snorted coldly: "It's just a half-knowledge!"

How could Cao Yong argue with him, but the old matriarch refused, and glared at his son: "Jong'er explained it very well. Although it sounds straightforward, it is the truth!"

Cao Yin is not good at disobedience, so he answered repeatedly, glanced at Cao Yong, hesitated again and again, and still mentioned the matter of going to school.

After hearing this, the old lady shook her head without even thinking about it: "No, no, it's already in the volts, and the heat outside is unbearable. Even adults can't stand it even if they go out once, let alone such a young child. The heatstroke a few days ago I just lay down for three days, and I feel better today, but I dare not make any further troubles. I told you to invite Mr. to the mansion, but you didn’t listen, it’s all nonsense!"

Cao Yin sneered and said, "They are all children from the clan or relatives at school. Thinking that Yong'er does not have the support of his siblings, it is good to make some classmates and friends to make progress together."

"That's the truth, but it doesn't work right now, we'll talk about it after these hot days!" The old matriarch was as immobile as a mountain, and it seemed that he was determined not to let his grandson leave the house.

Cao Yin's last hope was shattered, but Cao Yong thought, if he followed the old matriarch's wishes, he would not be able to do so, so he would stay in this courtyard and watch all kinds of maids walking around all day long, and he would be bored to death.Therefore, he hurriedly said: "Ancestor, grandson's health has recovered, let's go to school tomorrow!"

The old matriarch was slightly surprised, waved his hand, called Cao Yong to the side of the kang, took his hand and said: "Good boy, don't force yourself, you can spend a while!"

Cao Yong shook his head: "Don't force it, my grandson wants to study!"

Seeing that their son is so sensible, Cao Yin and Li Shi were surprised with a little joy.The old matriarch had already laughed out loud, nodded, and said: "These are real fathers and fathers. Now you are about to enter school, just like your father back then!" Pointing to Cao Yin, he continued: "I remember that winter, your father just chose the accompanying student in the palace, and he got up at the second watch of the day, earlier than the officials in the court. The winter in Beijing is not like ours, it is freezing cold Yes! After waiting for three or nine days, I almost lost my ears from the cold. There was a heavy snow that time, and I felt sorry for your father, and wanted to ask him for a few days off, but he refused to obey him, for fear of delaying his homework. "

The old lady spoke happily, but Cao Yin and Li Shi had different expressions.Because Cao Yin mentioned childhood embarrassments in front of his wife and children, he laughed awkwardly; Li only knew that her husband had been a palace guard when he was a teenager, and it was the first time he heard about the companionship, thinking that before he left the court, his brother asked him Seeing that her husband has a reputation for talent, it seems that he was smart since childhood, and his eyes are more tender.

The old matriarch is not confused, of course he knows that only studying is the right way, but because he loves his grandson, he spoils him a little bit, now seeing that he is willing to go, of course he has no objection.Immediately, he explained in detail to Cao Yin and his wife, what carriage to use to send Cao Yong to school tomorrow, who to send to follow, and so on.

After explaining this, it was completely dark outside, and the old lady looked a little tired.Mrs. Li first called the tortoiseshell, and asked her to serve Cao Yong's arrangement, and then she and her husband helped the old lady into the inner bedroom.Cao Yin made the bed, and Mrs. Li helped the old lady take off her coat.After the old lady was lying on the bed, the husband and wife left.

In Longcui Pavilion, Cao Yong is lying on the bed, and the tortoise shell is on duty at night.Spread the salute bedding on the ground.The evil feudal society, Cao Yong sighed in his heart, lowered his voice and said: "Tortoise, there is no need to keep anyone in the room, you can go out and rest!"

Tortoiseshell said with a smile: "How can that be done? The old lady will scold me. Could it be that the uncle is thirsty in the middle of the night and needs to pour water by himself?"

Cao Yong closed his eyes weakly, especially Baibao, the old lady had already fallen asleep, and there was a soft snoring sound.Cao Yong couldn't sleep, and at this time, it is estimated that it is eight or nine o'clock in the evening.

Hearing that Cao Yong was lying unsteadily, tortoise asked softly, "Is it hot, sir?"

"Well!" Cao Yong agreed indiscriminately.

Hearing this, the tortoise shell took a round fan, moved it to the side of the bed, and fanned it slowly.

Cao Yong's heart moved, and he asked: "Are you a 'flower' with the surname 'Huacao'?" Thinking in his heart, look at this gentle and considerate appearance, he is a typical Hua Xiren.

Tortoiseshell shook his head: "The maidservant's surname is Feng, she is a son of the family, both Laozi and mother are working in Zhuangzi outside the city."

The master and the servant whispered a few gossips, Cao Yong saw the tortoise turned his head and yawned, knowing that she was sleepy, so he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.Tortoisebi sat by the bed for a while, carefully put down the mosquito net, and then went down to rest.

Cao Yong opened his eyes and began to miss his relatives in that world.I was involved in a car accident when I was helping Chen Lu from the office to get the materials. Because the impact was too great, I lost consciousness all of a sudden, and when I woke up again, it was the reign of Emperor Kangxi.Both parents are over 60 years old, how sad it is for a white-haired person to send a black-haired person.The same goes for my elder brother and my sister-in-law, who have always cared for me like a child because they are twenty years older than me.Thinking of these, Cao Yong's eyes were wet again.In his heart, he was unwilling to die like this before marrying a wife, having children, starting a family, and starting a business; is it doomed to die young and early in this world?No, I must live a long time, and have a lot of children and grandchildren.Made up his mind, Cao Yong shook his fist and told himself.

(End of this chapter)