The Concubine's Survival Manual

Chapter 213

After the two mothers in charge left Mingde Hall with gratitude, Seventh Lady relaxed, leaning on the pillow by the side of the kang, let out a weary breath, and closed her eyes to order Li Xia. "I'll sleep for a while. If you have anything to do, you can call me at any time. Even if there is nothing to do, you can wake me up after half an hour."

She didn't hear Li Xia's reply, so when she opened her eyes and looked over, seeing Li Xia's disapproving expression, Seventh Lady couldn't help but chuckle. "I sleep too much during the day, so I can't fall asleep at night. I'm fine, but I'm very tired. Let me close my eyes..."

Even so, Qin Niangzi rested for a while, and thought of something in her mind, she got up again and asked Li Xia, "How is the situation in the Zhang family now?"

Li Xia didn't answer first, but called Shang Yuan, "Bring in the medicine—you have to know how to take care of it yourself, it takes so much effort, and you have to take proper supplements..."

Waiting to wait for Seventh Lady to drink a small bowl of concoction, she said, "The old mother just sent someone to report that she has woken up. Now the Zhang family is crying, saying that they don't know what Zhang's mother has suffered." He was wronged, and he wanted to hang himself..."

Seventh Lady raised her eyebrows, and before she had time to speak, Li Xia continued. "The old mother has already locked everyone in her room. The Duke also sent someone out. It is said that they directly poured a bowl of medicine into the couple... Now even if they want to shout, they can't make a sound."

There was a slight look of resentment on her face, and at the end, she couldn't help sighing and complaining softly. "It's really the fifth young lady who can't stop. The two daughters of Zhang Accountant's family are only seven or eight years old this year. Seeing that their lives are ruined like this..."

Qin Niangzi's heart sank: I didn't expect Duke Ping's actions to be so ruthless, so fast, and so involuntary.

Immediately, he felt a little relieved: Only such thunder methods can gain a foothold in the army, right?With his old man's temper, he was probably being merciful in dealing with privacy and grievances at home.

She let out a long breath, pushed away the unbearable feeling in her heart, and said lightly, "It's my father's mercy to save my life. If the Zhang family wants to complain, they can blame the people behind them."

She wondered about Duke Pingguo's intentions in her heart, frowned and pondered for a moment, and then said, "Since what father wants is a fast word, we have to hurry up on this matter. You go and call Cai Le and Wu Xun's family. At the same time, even the old mother, please come in to see me..."

When the three mothers in charge entered Mingde Hall, Seventh Lady closed the door again and gave them some instructions.

#
The fourth young master arrived in the capital early the next morning, and he went to the Ministry of War to register before returning to Xu's house to greet Mrs. Tai and Duke Pingguo.

Although Xuande, where he is resident, is only three or four days away from the capital, the fourth young master is devoted to his career. The last time he returned to Beijing was three or four years ago. As a matter of fact, they waited for the fourth young master together in the small flower hall of Leshan Juli. Seventh lady also brought Silang and Wulang into the small flower hall, and also let Mrs. Tai meet her great-grandson who hadn't come to pay her respects for a long time.

Because Shiro and Goro are usually raised delicately, except for once or twice a month, they go to Qingpingyuan to greet Mrs. Xu, and take them to Menghuaxuan to play with Duke Pingguo when he is free, and rarely appear in front of people. It was rare for everyone to show up once. The two brothers Yu Ning and Yu Tai still had a childlike innocence. They surrounded Shiro and Goro and wanted to teach the children to call them uncles.

"You will be enlightened next year, and in a few years, you will have to take classes with your uncles. Call now, and then you will benefit!" Yu Ning coaxed Shiro and Goro with a smile.Xu Fengjia saw it, but couldn't help laughing, "The children are still young, how can they understand what I'm talking about now."

I don't know if it was to save Xu Fengjia's face, but as soon as he finished speaking, Goro looked at Yu Ning with his fingers in his mouth, and said softly, "Seventh Uncle!"

Everyone burst into laughter, and said, "Wu Lang is sober, he knows that he has won favor with Uncle Qi, and it will benefit him when he goes to school in the future!"

In ancient times, there were no formal schools, and all education was done by private schools. A big family like the Xu family had their own private schools.When Shiro and Goro enter the family school to study, they will be classmates with Yu Ning and Yutai. If Yu Ning is willing to support the two nephews, their class will of course be much easier.

Even the fifth young master came over to tease his nephews with crooked eyebrows. "These two children are really satisfactory. Children of three or four years old have never been so smart in ordinary families."

When the maid from outside came to report and the Fourth Young Master entered the room, everyone sat down again and greeted with a smile, "Fourth Brother/Fourth Brother is back!"

Although ranked fourth, but because the first two young masters passed away early, the fourth young master Xu Yu could be considered the elder among his potential grandchildren.The actions are natural, and there is an elder brother-like demeanor. He stands about this year, with a Chinese character face, and his facial features can be regarded as correct, but he is enveloped in a thick murderous atmosphere, which makes people daunting. Among the brothers, he is the most fearful one.

As soon as the Fourth Young Master entered the door, he saluted Mrs. Tai first. "I haven't seen my grandmother for four years, and my grandson is unfilial. I ask my grandmother to forgive me."

Mrs. Tai laughed so hard that she couldn't see her teeth, "What are you talking about, you are promising! It is a good thing to be loyal to the country!"

The fourth young master got up again to greet Ping Guogong. "Is your father in good health?"

During his actions, he showed a resolute military demeanor at a glance. He was three points sharper than when Xu Fengjia had just left the battlefield, and even a little unhuman.When Ping Guogong smiled and said a few words of encouragement, he turned to the young master again and bowed to the ground. "Brother!"

The Eldest Young Master was very touched, stood up and hugged the Fourth Young Master for a while, "It's good that the Fourth Younger Brother can come back safely!"

The fourth young master greeted the first young lady again, and then turned to the fifth young master. The fifth young master hurriedly jumped up to salute the fourth young master, "Fourth brother will stay for a few more days when he comes back. I haven't seen you for so long, I miss you so much." !"

The fifth young lady also greeted the fourth young master with a smile, "Fourth brother is coming back, I'm afraid he will be promoted again?"

Xu Fengjia pulled Mrs. Seven, and the two of them stepped forward to salute the fourth young master, and they both said, "It's good that the fourth brother is back, the family can be reunited, it's really the best thing."

The fourth young master glanced at Qin Niangzi, didn't pay much attention to him, but patted Xu Fengjia on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "The brothers heard that I was going back to Beijing, so I brought you a lot of things, and you will send someone to Shendu in a while. Go get it."

Then he asked Yu Ning and Yu Tai majestically, "How is your homework these past few years?"

She also cared about Yu Qiao, Yu Ping and Yu An, "Are you all okay, sisters? They've grown up!"

Qin Niang looked at it coldly, but felt that compared with the submissive eldest young master, the fourth young master had the demeanor of an older brother.

After the greetings were over, the Fourth Young Master returned to sit next to the Fourth Young Madam. Although the Fourth Young Madam had been staring at the Fourth Young Master with affection since he entered the room, the Fourth Young Master only used his eyes to greet her. After saying hello, he nonchalantly threw himself into the conversation with Duke Heping.

Although according to Daqin's customs, when this man returns home, he must first visit his superior and then be tender with his wife, but to do this, it seems that the fourth young master is somewhat unreasonable.

Seventh Lady looked at the expression of the Fourth Young Madam, and couldn't help but gimmick in her heart, and said to Xu Fengjia in a low voice, "It's really a pot with a lid. Fourth Brother is so stubborn, but Fourth Sister-in-law seems to like this."

Xu Fengjia smiled slightly, and didn't answer—his voice was louder than Qin Niangzi was used to whispering—but he raised his voice and asked the Fourth Young Master, "Fourth brother, you came just in time, how is life in Northern Xinjiang? How are you doing?" What? Do you think there will be fights this winter?"

The female relatives were not very interested in this kind of political affairs in the court, especially the first young lady and the fifth young lady, who suddenly showed a dull expression.On the contrary, Fourth Young Madam and Seventh Lady listened attentively, Fourth Young Master hesitated for a moment, glanced at everyone, and said, "Let's talk about it in Menghuaxuan later!"

When these words came out, it was obvious that there was something behind the situation in northern Xinjiang. Xu Fengjia's expression darkened, and he said in a low voice, "Okay, we'll talk about it later."

Mrs. Tai laughed again, "It was a coincidence for Yu Qian to catch up with us as soon as he came back. It is rare for us to invite the Qilin class to come back to sing. I still remember that when you were not in the northwest, you loved listening to the Qilin class's "Legend of the White Snake"... "

The fourth young master straightened his expression again, leaned slightly, and listened intently to Mrs. Tai talking about the trivial matters at home.

Seventh Lady turned her gaze around her, and then looked at the Fourth Young Madam, who was full of joy and attachment, with a smile on her face, and doubts arose in her heart.

The same rice raises a hundred kinds of people, there are people as yin as the fifth young lady, and there are masculine men like the fourth young master, and the fourth young lady is definitely not a person who is good at planning.Whether it was Wu Niangzi's death or Xu Fengjia's injury, it seemed that Sifang was not involved in it. It's not that there was no motive, it's just that if someone like Fourth Young Master wanted to seize the position of the son, it must be based on Speaking from his own merits, it doesn't look like he has the temperament to play dirty tricks behind his back...

Even though there are many conflicts in the family and there are many uneasy things, but with the return of the Fourth Young Master, the family can usher in the long-lost reunion after all, and there is no Madam Xu in front of her eyes, Madam Tai is naturally in a good mood, she has a smile on her face After chatting with the juniors for a long time, he said, "Oh, I forgot, you are all busy people, how can you be in the mood to chat with my old lady? Go do your work!"

Duke Pingguo hurriedly laughed, "Mum, what's the matter? Being able to be filial by your side is something we can't even ask for!"

He and Mrs. Tai made eye contact and separated. Mrs. Tai smiled and waved to Qin Niangzi again, and said, "Good boy, you are sensible. It is rare for your fourth brother to come back. There must be a lot of trouble. It will be a little harder every day, and you will settle down and deal with it. This year's Chinese New Year, I will give you a few more good looks!"

She seemed to have never been so considerate and kind to Seventh Lady.

The people in the room seemed to be stunned, and they seemed to have some understanding.The fifth young lady's expression darkened suddenly, and the eldest young lady supported her with one hand, and exchanged a look with the eldest young master.A few unmarried grandchildren are ignorant.Xu Fengjia lowered her eyes to tease Shiro and Goro, but the fourth young lady didn't care, just looked at the fourth young master with a smile, and whispered in his ear, "Thin!"

Qin Niangzi knew it well, and even became suspicious. She smiled and said politely, "What did grandma say, taking care of the housework is also our responsibility. It is a happy event for the fourth brother to come back. Besides, the sex is also taken care of properly. How many things."

Fourth Young Master nodded at Seventh Lady, and said politely, "However, I brought back a lot of people, so I still have to trouble Sixth Brother and Sister."

Qin Niang was polite to him again in a hurry, and everyone got up to say goodbye, and left the small flower hall one after another.

Just after leaving the room, I saw a wisp of green smoke curling up from the corner of Xiao Cuijin. The fourth young master didn't know where he was, and asked in surprise, "Did the water run out? No, come and put out the fire!"

He just moved, and when he saw that everyone was not in a hurry, he stopped his movements and gave the Fourth Young Madam a questioning look, but the Fourth Young Madam didn't know what to do, so the two couples looked at Ping Guogong and the other Look at Seventh Lady.

Ping Guogong glanced at the fifth young master meaningfully, saw that his face was a bit embarrassing, he waved his hands and said, "The affairs of Xiao Cuijin are in charge of Xiao Cuijin. Yu Qian, what are you worrying about?" , let's go, let's go to Menghuaxuan to talk. Yu Fei is also coming."

The eldest young master couldn't help being startled, and immediately nodded and said, "Yes, come fourth brother, let's go here." Then he pulled the fourth young master and walked along the winding path with Duke Ping.

Xu Fengjia turned her head and grinned at Fifth Young Madam, then turned around and teased the tender cheeks of the children, and whispered to Seventh Lady, "Don't worry too much."

So he followed the fifth young master side by side, talking about the trivial matters in the palace, and at the same time came out with Xiao Cuijin.Only the Fourth Young Madam was left to look at this side and that side, looking quite at a loss.

The eldest young lady smiled dumbly, nodded to the sisters-in-law, and then called the children to go away.Qin Niangzi didn't leave in a hurry, she was still standing in front of the steps, looking at the green smoke in the distance, her eyes were far away, and she didn't know what to think.

The fourth young lady finally couldn't help asking, "Sixth brother and sister, isn't that the direction of the accountant? The place is going to burn, it's not for fun—"

After all, she was not stupid, and she understood after she said the words.Knowing that he had made a slip of the tongue, he covered his mouth, glanced at Mrs. Wu, and said with a dry smile, "Yu Qian just came back. There are many things at home, so I will leave first."

It was quite a bit like running away.

Fifth Young Madam was so angry that her cheeks turned a little red, she glanced at Qin Niangzi, and was about to say something, but she couldn't say anything, Qin Niangzi smiled at her, and then comforted her in turn. "Fifth Sister-in-Law, don't worry. As for the bills, they've all been burned right now. A family lives, and each has its own difficulties. Let the past be the past."

Before Fifth Young Madam could think of a word to refute, she smiled slightly and walked away calmly.

The Fifth Young Madam stood there blankly, watched her go away, and thought about it carefully, but her anger was completely suppressed, and a slight smile appeared on her face again.

It's just that this smile is somewhat fake, it looks like the smiling face of the person in the painting, no matter how delicate it is, it is not expressive.

After walking a few steps, little Luo Wen came up to him again out of breath, with a look of dismay. "Young Madam!"

"Why?" The pretended smile quickly dissipated, and the fifth young lady couldn't help but frowned.

Xiao Luowen clung to Madam Fifth's ear and said a few words hastily.

The Fifth Young Madam's complexion changed drastically.

"This--is this going to be sent away?" She couldn't help raising her voice. "It's not even a day..."

"It is said that people came last night and wrapped up all the things in their house. When the city gate opened this morning, the whole family was sent to the village in Xiaotangshan. Even a relative or friend didn't know, or the old man just now Mom brought it up before burning the account book, and we didn't know..." Xiao Luowen's voice was filled with frustration.

The fifth young lady's expression changed. "What did the old mother say? Tell me carefully!"

"The old mother said that the past is over, and it is the mercy of the masters not to pursue it. But Mama Zhang wants to use hanging to frame the blame and force the masters into an unjust situation. This... such a wolf-hearted thing, I can't keep it anymore." Little Luo Wen took another breath, held back a sob, and said sobbingly. "In the past, there was something shameful, the master was lenient, and he didn't pursue it. I sent her to Zhuangzi to work as a redemption for her sin. If anyone dares to bring up this matter, I will send her to talk to Mama Zhang. Be a companion. Now that the account is also burned, Mrs. Shizi said that the previous things will be wiped out, so you don’t have to be afraid, you can do things yourself, and better days are waiting for you in the future.”

Before the Fifth Young Madam could speak, she continued, "When I said this, the Lin Shan family and the Peng Hu family were the first to praise the young lady's mercy. Thank you, now that group of people talk about Young Madam, they only have good things to say... Oh! Master!"

She took Madam Fifth's hand and carefully opened it. "Master—blood!"

It was only then that the fifth young lady realized that the palms of her hands had been scratched with bloodstains by the long nails. She listened so intently that she didn't feel any pain at all.

Impatiently, she waved the little ribs away, "Hiss—what a big deal, it's worth all the fuss, and it's worth your surprise!"

Seeing the grievance and panic on Xiao Luowen's face, Fifth Young Madam sighed impatiently, and wanted to reprimand her a few more words, but suddenly her thoughts changed, and her thoughts turned over again.

Now that Yang Shanheng saw through this trick, this line will be abolished, and the small rib... can no longer be left!
It's a pity that this girl still has some abilities, and I originally planned to promote her to be an aunt...

She tried her best to suppress her annoyance, showing a faint smile. "It's okay, I'm okay. Scared? In fact, it just looks scary, and there is not much blood..."

While comforting Xiao Luo Wen with gentle words, he walked slowly into Xiao Cuijin's autumn scenery with her.

(End of this chapter)