The Concubine's Survival Manual

Chapter 74

The days flowed by like water.

In August, the eldest son-in-law came to Yang's house to study hard, and was preparing to go to Hangzhou for the rural examination in September. .

The Mid-Autumn Festival became lively, the elder uncle blushed and ate Ai Ai, and got drunk before finishing a glass of wine, and fell asleep on the table.

The eldest wife couldn't help but laugh, "It's too honest." In the end, she ordered someone to help the eldest son-in-law into Yu Rongyuan.

"Speaking of which, the second young master of our family has the same temperament." The second wife took no time to scold her son, "I have been an ear-splitter since I was a child, and I have never had my own ideas. I am so honest that I can't beat a fart with a stick. The older I get The less...I'm afraid I won't be able to be smart in this life. Compared with Brother Jiu, it's far behind."

The eldest lady looked at Brother Nine, then smiled politely at the second wife, "Be honest, our children don't need to be too clever."

Seventh Lady frowned slightly.

Ninth brother stood up and toasted the second wife, "Toast to second aunt on behalf of the three brothers! We will be reunited next year, so second aunt doesn't have to worry too much."

A smile flashed in the elder's eyes, and he praised Brother Jiu, "I'm getting better at talking."

The fifth lady also asked the second wife, "When is the second aunt going to Beijing? I still have a lot of things to tell my sisters and sisters in Beijing."

The second wife became very uncomfortable, and she didn't know what to say when she ate Ai Ai.

The eldest lady changed the topic, "Eat wine, eat wine."

I can't help thinking about Er Niangzi, "I don't know if Er Niangzi is also admiring the moon. It's really a bright moon rising from the sea, and the world is at this moment..."

Everyone also missed their loved ones who were not around.

Even the second wife didn't take advantage of the momentum to sell well in front of the eldest wife, but bowed her head sadly and fiddled with the chopsticks in front of her.

Seventh Lady also missed Feng Jin.

In this world, apart from the Yang family, only the Feng family has a slight connection with her.

Feng Jin should also be admiring the moon at this time, right?It is said that Mrs. Feng's eye disease is getting worse, and the moon feast for a family of three must not be as lively as the Yang family.

And the relatives in the Yang family village, what are they doing now?

Friends from another era may be looking at the bright moon with her from a distant time and space.

Even the elder looked at the bright moon and sighed faintly.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival of reunion, but in what year will the Mid-Autumn Festival be truly reunion.

#
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, it will soon enter winter.

The eldest son-in-law failed to make the list in this subject, but he was not too disappointed.

The scientific examination is not just a play, especially in the Suzhou and Hangzhou areas, where the reading atmosphere is very strong. It can be said that thousands of troops cross the single-plank bridge, and very few scholars can pass the first subject.

The eldest wife was not to mention disappointed, she wrote back in a good voice, asking the eldest son-in-law not to be discouraged, so that he can study well and prepare for next year's regular studies, and also sent a message to ask the first-time wife to go back to her mother's house often, so she put this matter in her mind rear.

Qiniangzi also secretly asked Lixia to ask about Feng Jin's grades. Three or four days later, Zhou's sister-in-law came in to pick Lixia home and rested for half a day. When she came back, Lixia told Qinianzi that Feng Jin didn't take the exam.Mr. Zhang thought he was too poor, so he asked him to study for three more years before taking the exam.

Although Qin Niangzi felt a little regretful, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The second wife is worried that she has no place to make a fuss... If Feng Jin wins the list again at this time, she really can't tell how the first wife will react.

Soon another spring and summer passed, and Seventh Lady and Ninth Brother were already nine years old.

The situation in the court became more treacherous, and the second master wanted to go home to visit his relatives several times, but was stopped by the elder master's letter.The second wife was naturally too happy to mention the matter of going to Beijing, as if she had already forgotten Aunt Xiang.

The eldest wife also seemed to have forgotten to urge the second wife to go to Beijing.

The two families resumed their close relationship, and the second wife no longer mentioned the matter of adoption. She was very kind to Brother Nine, and when they met, she wished she could crush him into her arms.

In September, the second lady wrote a letter to announce the good news, saying that she was two months pregnant.

The eldest wife immediately rejoiced, wishing she could go to the capital to accompany the second lady to give birth, and carefully selected four innocent, honest and capable mothers to take care of the second lady in Beijing.

For a few days, everyone was smiling.

The old man was also very happy, "It's best to get a man in one fell swoop, then there's nothing to worry about!"

Marquis Dingguo's health has gotten worse over the past few years. If the second wife can give birth to a grandson, the status of the young master in the heart of the old man will naturally be more stable.

The eldest wife wanted to go to Hanshan Temple to offer incense, to make a wish for the second lady, and to show mercy, allowing all the female relatives in the mansion who wanted to go to follow her.

When everyone came to pay their respects early in the morning, the eldest lady asked a few aunts, "Do you want to go with me?"

Great Aunt and Fifth Aunt looked at each other, and they both laughed, "I want to copy scriptures in Hanshan Temple."

Fourth Aunt bit her lip and said nothing, Seventh Aunt also showed a lack of enthusiasm.

Hanshan Temple is a place where all the female relatives often go. If there is no special matter in mind, if you want to go to the Buddha to offer incense, if you just go to browse the scenery, there is no fun there.

The third lady was very enthusiastic, "I would like to burn a stick of incense with my wife."

The fourth lady laughed at the third lady, "Don't ask the Buddha to bless your marriage!"

The elder's eyes flashed: San Niangzi is 15 years old this year.

It means the age of the in-laws.

The eldest wife was really in a good mood, not only didn't mind the teasing of the fourth lady, she even nodded. "It's a good thing to have the mind to respect Buddha!" ​​Then he asked Mrs. Wu, "Will Xiao Wu go?"

Wu Niangzi's eyes were a little confused, and she nodded, "I want to go."

"What's on Fifth Sister's mind?" The aunt smiled and teased Fifth Lady, "Is it also asking for marriage?"

"As far as our fifth sister's city is concerned, how can we hide it from others if I have something on my mind?" The elder also laughed at the fifth lady.

Wu Niangzi blushed and turned her back, "I won't tell you guys anymore!" She looked like a child.

Everyone laughed, Liu Niangzi also wanted to go for a walk, and Qi Niangzi saw that everyone was going, so it was better not to go, so she nodded, "It's fine to go out for a walk, since it's cold in October, I don't want to go out. "

Brother Nine, however, looked disinterested, "Mr. has assigned too much homework, so I won't go. Let's study at home."

The eldest wife and the elder looked at each other, and they were both a little relieved.

Ninth brother grew up gradually, and knew that he had to do homework for himself.

The eldest lady looked at Brother Jiu with tender eyes, "Don't be tired, get up from time to time to relax!" and asked Li Chun, "Brother Jiu has increased his appetite recently, right?"

Ninth Brother and Seventh Lady both have bitter summers, and they don't think about eating and drinking when summer comes, and they will suffer from heat stroke if they don't pay attention.It can only be adjusted by soup and medicine, and I can barely eat some rice.

Li Chun hurriedly replied with a smile, "Yesterday, I ate two or three bowls of rice, and ordered some dim sum at night."

The Elder's eyes glanced at Li Chun, he paused, stroked his beard and remained silent.

The whole family has invited Ann, each of them is busy with their own affairs.

The children are rushing to go to class, there are countless things in the lord's yamen, and the eldest wife even has to distribute housework, which can't be done all morning.

In the afternoon, the second wife came to the door.

"The newly arrived red heart pomelo, the former magistrate of Zhangzhou came to say hello and gave me two big baskets." She smiled and saluted the eldest wife, "It's a big and sweet pomelo, how can Ba ​​Niangzi and I eat so much? Sister-in-law, try it, if you like it, there will be a big basket at home."

The eldest wife is usually lonely at home, and the second wife has spent a lot of hard work in the past two years, talking with her, and delivering some seasonal fresh fruits every now and then, which has dispelled her dislike for the second wife a lot, so she smiled , "Second Aunt has a heart." Let the second wife sit in the east room, and the two of them talked about their parents.

The second wife mentioned the matter in Jingli, "After entering this year, the people on the side of the eldest son of the emperor will fall off, and the people around the crown prince will fall off... This has become more and more incomprehensible, Jing Officials, big and small, are in constant fear, and they don't know when it will be their turn to be unlucky."

The eldest wife is also very preoccupied, "No one can understand the affairs of the palace, your uncle and I are also trembling, who knows when disaster will strike..."

Both fell silent.

Although the two families have always been friendly on the face and have their own plans in their hearts, they are one in the officialdom.

When the first master falls, the second master's Hanlin position will naturally be lost.If something happens to the second master, the elder master will also be implicated.

"What did Uncle say?" The second wife couldn't help but ask Emperor Qin.

"Still optimistic about the prince." The eldest wife couldn't help but let out a long breath, "One day the emperor can't make up his mind, one day he can't settle down... Listening to him, the emperor finally let go, and the prince may be out of the cabinet in a few days. Reading."

Going out of the cabinet to study is just to push the battle for reserve positions to a climax.

As long as the eldest son of the emperor has not been crowned king and left the capital, this game will continue.

The second wife showed a sad face, "I'm afraid this storm will not stop for a while."

Both of them felt a little chilly, and the eldest wife couldn't help tightening the plaid long jacket that she usually wears at home. "Fortunately, our Yang family has a simple population, and we haven't made a statement yet. We can still be alone for the time being, but..."

With the position of Grand Master, the princes naturally attach great importance to it. I am afraid that in the end, they still have to express their support for one side.

The second wife changed the topic, "Aunt Xiang is pregnant again."

The eldest wife was very surprised, "Is this Aunt Xiang also 27?"

The second wife smiled wryly and nodded, "I don't know what kind of medicine the master took. The few rooms my sister-in-law ordered me to send didn't win her favor..." There was a glint of gloom between her brows, " Even the pair of sisters that my uncle personally rewarded, they only got to be pampered for two or three months, and then they are left alone again."

In the past two years, the second wife has also sent three or four housemates to Beijing intermittently, and the Eldest Master even asked for a pair of charming sisters from the King of Minyue, and gave them to the Second Master.

For the second wife, of course, it is in the name of sharing the favor of Aunt Xiang.

In private, both the Eldest Master and the Eldest Wife know that this pair of sisters are the eyes and ears of the Elder House in the Second Household.

Even this pair of twin sisters, who are charming and charming, have not been able to share the favor of Aunt Xiang, either because Aunt Xiang is really clever, or the second master has his own considerations.

The eldest lady couldn't help lowering her eyes in thought.

The second wife was a little depressed, "Now the children are not being controlled in Beijing. I thought, it's better to let them come back home and learn to study. Firstly, they will be taught by a famous teacher and supervised by an uncle, so they can calm down. Second, , I can also be a companion with Brother Nine!"

The eldest lady raised her eyes, and looked at the second wife with a half-smile.

Liang's mother behind the eldest wife also raised her eyelids.

Regardless of the eldest wife's reservations, the second wife assured the eldest wife, "The children are very honest, and they will definitely not cause you too much trouble... Do you think this can be done?"

The eldest lady hesitated for a moment, "I have to ask the master about this matter first. It is no longer such a simple matter for the child to return to Suzhou. I am afraid that it will fall into the eyes of caring people and cause trouble."

The motivation for sending the child back to Suzhou may be simple or complex.At least in the eyes of those who are interested, it will become a harbinger of the full strength of the Yang family. Of course the second wife understands this.

She glanced at Mama Liang.

The eldest lady smiled and told Mama Liang. "Ask Fifth Lady, how many new clothes are you planning to make this fall?"

Mother Liang agreed with a smile, and exited Dongci Room.

In the main room, I had a face-to-face meeting with Ms. Wang, and the two mothers greeted each other face to face. Ms. Liang told Ms. Wang in a low voice, "Don't go in, it's talking about something inside."

While speaking, he raised his ears to listen to the movement in Dongci's room.

Mama Wang asked, "Who's here again?"

Mama Liang nodded, and curled her lips slightly, "Who else is there besides her?"

I don't know if it's a tacit understanding or a coincidence, neither of the two mothers left.

Talking about insignificant things face to face, they all pricked up their ears, listening to the vague conversations that came from Dongci's room.

"It's not your own life..." The second wife's voice came out intermittently, "As for the Huanshawu incident...you should also plan for yourself..."

The two mothers looked at each other, and Mama Wang curled her lips.

"It's always been this old saying..." The voice was full of contempt.

Mama Liang couldn't help sighing, "It's not easy. I haven't changed a single word for more than a year..."

A lie told a thousand times becomes the truth.

Even if Brother Jiu doesn't have Seventh Lady in his heart, and the second wife has been tirelessly whispering in the ear of the eldest wife for more than a year, how can the eldest wife have no opinion of Brother Jiu?
The two mothers left the room with emotion.

Mama Liang bid farewell to Mama Wang, "Come into the moon and pass the message..."

The two parted in front of the main room, and Mama Liang watched Mama Wang enter the East Side Courtyard before going to the Yuelai hall for questioning.

Wu Niangzi was playing chess with Liu Niangzi, and it was difficult for Liang's mother to ask Wu Niangzi in front of Liu Niangzi.

After all, on the bright side, there are several sets of new clothes for a few young ladies a year, and there is no obvious difference whether they are concubine or concubine.

It's a bit deceptive to brazenly show off privileges in front of Liu Niangzi.

I had no choice but to smile and exchange a few words with the two ladies, and then returned to the main courtyard.

The eldest wife had also sent the second wife away, and Mama Liang went into the East Second Room and explained the situation in Yuelai Hall in a soft voice.

How could the eldest lady care about these things, she nodded casually, and pondered again.

Liang's mother also held back and dared not ask questions.

Some things, even if you are the eldest wife's confidant, it's better not to take the initiative to intervene.

Looking through the setting sun, the contemplative face of the eldest wife is like a sculpture.

Childish laughter came from outside the window, Brother Jiu entered the main house while talking to the eighth lady beside him.

"Mother!" Before the person arrived, the voice had arrived.

The eldest lady put on a smiling face and said a few words to Brother Jiu gently.

After dinner, the old man was asked to talk in the East room again.

"Second Aunt wants to take a few children back to Suzhou..." There was a hint of discussion in her words, "It is said that Chaoli is not peaceful, so you can rest assured if you bring the children with you."

The elder was silent for a while, and then slowly asked, "What do you think?"

The eldest wife sighed, "After all, it's the second bedroom's family matter. If our family is safe, it's fine if we don't come back. If there is a possibility of being involved, it's better to go back to Suzhou to be more stable."

After all, Suzhou is far away from the capital.

Once something happened, there was still time to send the children back to their hometown.

It's different in the capital, the whole family can't get away if the emperor says to take you... The second master wants to send the children back to Suzhou, which is also a kind father's painstaking effort.

The old man smiled, "If that's the case, then take them all back!"

Mother Liang was a little surprised, so she couldn't help but look carefully at the elder.

The eldest wife didn't care about it, she just lowered her head and thought about the gains and losses here after getting the approval of the elder.

The old man rested his chin on one hand, and looked at the old lady with interest, his eyes were deep.

Mama Liang could not help but shudder.

Looking at each other with Mama Wang, the two slowly exited the room together.

Mama Wang bid farewell to Mama Liang, and left the main courtyard to go home.

Mother Liang stood in front of the courtyard gate, lost her mind for a while, and then looked at the brightly lit eastern courtyard.

Gritting her teeth, she entered the corridor leading to the west courtyard.

"I want to tell Bai Lu something!" She smiled and explained to the mother who was guarding the door, "Would you like to say hello?"

(End of this chapter)