in spring

Chapter 159
Chunying took a deep breath of the fresh air with the fragrance of jujube, and was about to turn around and walk towards the gate of the garden, but heard a familiar voice from the alley not far away: "Chun'er?" It was Zhou Nian, happy in his heart, and was about to say hello, but found behind him a face-to-face boy, twelve or thirteen years old, dressed as a servant, looking at him curiously.

Chun Ying guessed that he was probably the servant arranged for Zhou Nian by Lord Hou and the third young master, and was a little uncertain whether he could trust him, so she suppressed herself and saw Zhou Nian's surprise, and bowed politely: " Nian... Brother Nian, are you back?"

Zhou Nian happily took two steps forward and said, "Why are you here at this time? Fortunately, the mansion gave out a holiday reward today, and I brought the things home in advance, so I met them, otherwise you will be in vain. gone."

Chun Ying secretly rejoiced, but still couldn't let go: "I'm going home today, and now I'm going back to the mansion, I just passed by here, thinking of stopping by to visit. How is Brother Nian? Is there any work for me? help?"

Zhou Nian noticed Chunying's scruples about the young man behind him, so he couldn't help feeling a little regretful, so he had to make amends by saying: "You came just in time, I have something to ask you, and I was thinking when I would ask someone to send a letter in." She introduced the young man: "This is Xiaoyao, working with me in the study outside. Xiaoyao, this is Chun'er, who used to be the third young master's girl. She used to clean up the house for me, and occasionally came to help with some work on weekdays. "

Xiaoyao smiled and bowed: "So it's Miss Chun. Brother Nian's words are flattering me, but in fact I'm just a servant who pours tea and sweeps the floor. I help Brother Nian with some chores at his house on weekdays." , why haven't I seen my sister before?"

Chunying replied: "Now I have changed my job, I am no longer in the Third Young Master's Courtyard, I was not free for the past few months, and I came home by chance today, so I just passed by here." Because she didn't want Xiaoyao to ask any more questions, she turned to Zhou Nian: "What does Brother Nian want from me?"

Zhou Nian hurriedly opened the door and went into the yard, took out a piece of clothing from the house, and said a little embarrassedly: "I accidentally made a hole in it, I don't know how to do needlework, and Xiaoyao is also a layman, and I am worried about what to do during the festival. You came just in time, can you... help me make up for it?"

Chunying responded readily, and after taking the clothes, she heard Xiaoyao say: "Brother Nian is too particular, all the aunts who are idle at home in the back street can mend clothes, but you don't want to find them." They came to make up, and I didn't know until today that Nian Geer only believed in one person's craftsmanship."

Chun Ying felt a little strange, and was even more surprised to see Zhou Nian's embarrassed face.When he used to live in seclusion in the garden, the clothes he wore were secretly made by outside tailors. It is reasonable to say that he would not dislike him. What's more, he went to the Huo Mansion for two months and did not know when he would come back. He had no reason to die and wait. yourself?Is there something wrong with the clothes?
She lowered her head and took a closer look, only to find that the clothes were half old, but the material was very good, but it looked like it was at least three or four years old, and it should have been made when she was living in Zhumeng Mountain.She suddenly understood: logically speaking, Zhou Nian was "still" in the salt field three or four years ago, so it was impossible for her to wear such a gorgeous silk dress and leave it to the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who don't know the details. Secrets may be revealed.

Chun Ying secretly sighed Zhou Nian's caution, and said with a smile: "I remember which young master rewarded you? The material is good, but the color is a bit old, and it is rare outside now. Why don't you find someone to make it for a big festival?" Wearing new clothes? Do you want to find this specially?"

Zhou Nian's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help feeling ashamed. He didn't even think of such a simple excuse, and hurriedly said: "It's just that I wear it occasionally when Lord Hou meets foreigners. Who would be bothered to wear it on weekdays? Because it was rewarded by the young master, I I was afraid that it would be made up for someone I don’t know, and if it spread, it would cause trouble for that young master, so I put it away. I didn’t know you would come, and I thought I couldn’t wear it this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival. I didn’t expect you to come just in time .I remember that there is a sewing box at home, you wait a moment, I will find it for you right away." After that, he went to rummage through the box.

In the end, it was Xiaoyao who found the things, and persuaded Zhou Nian: "Brother Nian, you are just too careful. The young master is not like the young master. He treats people the most kindly. Master Hou also values ​​him, but it is just a reward." Old clothes, those who have no wink will gossip about him!"

Zhou Nian's age is the closest to that of the Eldest Young Master Li Jing, and his stature is also similar. Besides, the Second Young Master stays on the mountain for a few days except when his aunt goes home for the funeral. No wonder Xiaoyao thinks so. Ying didn't correct him, just exchanged a wink and smiled.

After two years of experience, Chun Ying has already mastered the needlework skills of Wuxia Amon, so she repaired the clothes in twos and threes, and handed them to Xiaoyao: "Go back and wash and iron it, it will look good when you wear it." Then she said to Zhou Nian: " If I have clothes in the future, if it is inconvenient for me, I can just leave it to others. The servants in this mansion, if there are no female relatives in the family, all do this. Don’t be afraid to trouble others. It costs ten or twenty yuan at a time. Those aunts I am also willing to take your job." When her family was in poverty, her mother also made money by sewing for others to supplement the family income. Presumably, among the residents in the entire back street, there are many daughter-in-laws in similar situations.

Xiaoyao laughed and said: "That's true, every time I walk through the back streets, someone always grabs me and asks about brother Nian, who said that brother Nian is good-looking and has a stomach for learning? !"

Zhou Nian glanced at him, and understood what Chunying meant.He is now different from before, he is "a slave" in the Marquis Mansion in a "fair and honest" way, no need to hide it anymore, he will learn how other servants do, if he doesn't interact with others because of scruples, he behaves everywhere Be different, but it will attract attention.So he thought for a while, then said: "Chun'er is right, then please ask Xiaoyao to find an old lady who is good at sewing for me. Winter is coming, and I want to make two thicker cotton padded clothes." Those clothes in the past were actually not what a "boy" should wear, he had to try to be consistent with other boys.

Xiaoyao happily agreed, thinking about whether to ask his aunt to take the job. He has been with Zhou Nian for a few months, so he naturally knows that the latter is very important to the Marquis. He has enough wallets, so he doesn't have to worry about not being able to pay the wages. Come.

Not to mention Xiaoyao's wishful thinking on the side, seeing that Zhou Nian understood her hint, Chunying was also very happy, so she took out a handkerchief bag from her sleeve and said, "It's the holiday, I forgot Bring a gift, this is a little sweet-scented osmanthus flower made at home, don't dislike it brother Nian, just eat it as a snack." After saying that, put it on the table, and said with a smile: "I should go back, take care of yourself."

Zhou Nian nodded and sent her all the way to the gate of the courtyard, smiling: "Take care...don't be afraid of worrying." Chun Ying nodded and left with a smile, and vaguely heard the conversation between Xiaoyao and Zhou Nian coming from the door: "Brother Nian Son, what kind of friendship does Sister Chun have with you? It seems that she cares about you very much?"

"Stop talking nonsense. She just stopped by to see. Although she was a girl sent by the third young master, she is now serving another master. Don't go outside and talk nonsense to embarrass her."

"I know, I know, I just don't tell anyone. You said you have a new book to borrow from me today, which one is it?"

"This "Collected Works of Dongtian" is not bad, you—that sweet-scented osmanthus flower is a gift from someone, please put it down!"

Chunying snickered and knocked on the gate of the garden, said hello to Sanqing, after thinking about it, she quietly offered him two pieces of sweet-scented osmanthus cake.Sanqing took it with a coy smile: "This one is good, this one is...sweet." Unfortunately, his smile was too lethal, and Chunying couldn't bear it, so she replied with a dry smile: "It's fine if you like it, you've worked hard today. I'm leaving, goodbye." Then he ran away quickly.

Back in the garden, Qiuyu was tired of waiting, so naturally she scolded her again.Chunying said aggrievedly: "It takes time to make cakes. I told Ms. Biao beforehand that they won't blame us."

Qiuyu glared at her: "You think I'm as idle as you?!" Then she glanced at the cake in the basket: "Is this...newly made? So much? Did you use up all the sweet-scented osmanthus you picked?"

Chunying smiled and said: "That's deceptive. To make sweet-scented osmanthus cakes, you need to use sweet-scented osmanthus flowers. You need to dry the fresh flowers in advance. How can you do it in a while? This is made with sweet-scented osmanthus flowers at home. Mother loves it." Eat sweet-scented osmanthus, and there are osmanthus trees in the yard, I guess there must be some at home."

"Aren't you afraid of being exposed?"

"What are you afraid of? I have worked with them for a few months, and I know their details. If it is to cook concoction, bird's nest porridge, etc., they are pretty good at it, but when it comes to serious cooking and cakes, how can they be as good as them?" Me? It’s just that I have a good tongue and can taste good or bad. Even Aunt Qing can only cook a few side dishes and make a few body-replenishing soups.”

Qiu Yubai glanced at her: "Don't be too arrogant, your ability is still far behind that of Hongdou and Mungdou sisters, what can you brag about?!" Waiter, she is no different from Linglong and the others in terms of culinary skills. It is no problem for her to distinguish the taste of a bowl of soup, but she is far inferior to her sister when she is asked to cook by herself.Chunying's words seemed to be teasing her.

Chunying knew that she had made a slip of the tongue, she hurriedly took her sister's arm with a smile, leaned closer and whispered to her: "Don't talk about gossip, I have met my father and mother, and I have persuaded them. It turns out that they really liked a steward." Two sons, one is running errands with his father, and the other is working as a clerk under our father, but I haven't decided which one. Fortunately, I can talk, and I finally persuaded them to find you a good family outside the house, and After finding someone, I will let you take a look first, and wait for you to nod before talking. Don't worry? Sister, you have to thank me this time."

Qiuyu's face turned pale at first, then turned red, and at the end was almost flushed, she bit her lip, spat at Chunying, then turned her head away and said nothing, but there was a hint of shy joy in her eyes.

Chunying wanted to smile, looked at her quietly, picked up a few half-opened chrysanthemums, and planned to take them back to replace the fresh flowers offered at the aunt's funeral, but felt that today's chrysanthemums are more fragrant than before...

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Qiuyu quickly stuffed the basket to his sister, and ran back to the room. Chunying came to Aunt Qing's room with her things, and said, "I made some, but there was no time. The rest of the sweet-scented osmanthus I have to cook slowly. This is a gift from my mother to my aunt, a little care, please don't dislike it."

Aunt Qing smiled when she saw it and said: "Your mother is becoming more and more polite, since they are all from her own family, it's just a matter of meaning, why give so much..." Thinking about it, she felt ashamed: "I originally wanted my wife to beg your family, It's good to take care of me, I didn't expect so many things to happen one after another, and even my wife...so I was delayed, but fortunately, now that they have survived with their real skills, I feel better."

Chunying said "Amitabha" in her heart, but comforted her in her mouth: "My mother doesn't care about these things, she always told our siblings that when she was young, she worked in front of the aunt and wife, and the aunt took good care of her."

Aunt Qing smiled, seeing the sweet-scented osmanthus cake, she hurriedly said: "Let's share the plates, first send one plate to the wife's coffin for offering, and call Linglong, Dong'er, and Ju'er to help distribute the others, and send them to each other. Go somewhere. We only need to keep two discs."

Chunying hurriedly went to call Linglong and the others, Linglong said that the eldest mistress came to see Miss Biao, and she wanted to wait in the room, so only Dong'er Juer came.

When Chunying faced Dong'er, she still remembered putting on a bad face.Dong'er curled her lips, took a bite of the cake, and said, "It's too sweet, Miss doesn't like this kind of cake." Chunying smiled coldly: "Would you like it or not, do you think everyone has the same taste as you? After all, regardless of her reaction, she just picked up flowers and a plate of cakes and entered the room, letting Dong'er stamp her feet behind her.

The coffin of the aunt is placed behind the curtain on the right side of the wing, and next to it is the cousin's bedroom separated by a green cupboard.When Chunying heard someone's voice inside, she knew that Miss Biao was talking to Eldest Young Mistress. Linglong glanced back at her at the door, and seeing her holding a white porcelain plate, she raised her index finger and silently mouthed "shh".Chunying nodded knowingly, walked lightly and turned behind the curtain.

Put away the offering dish, replace the wilted chrysanthemum with a new one, carefully remove the remaining leaves, and light a stick of incense.Chunying was busy before the confession, but Miss Biao's voice could be faintly heard from the other side of the Bisha closet.

"In the past few months... I finally know what the world is like... Except for my grandmother and uncle, the big cousin and sister-in-law in this house have treated me sincerely..."

"Cousin, don't worry too much, it's just that the festival is coming, and everyone is very busy, so I left this one in the cold..." This is the young lady who is talking.

Miss Biao sneered: "I can still tell the difference between the true and the false. The eldest cousin only needs to see how some people treated me in the past, and how they treat me now, to know. I can't bear to make my grandmother sad. Only Only dare to say a few words from my heart to my cousin, and I don’t have to worry that someone will spread it. The people under my hands are not so confused!"

Chunying was sweating profusely, wondering if she should quit?But I didn't intend to eavesdrop, if I go out on my own initiative, will Linglong become suspicious instead?
Miss Biao continued: "You don't have to worry about my elder cousin. I just lived here for a few years because of my young age and my grandmother was saddened by her mother's death. I just acted as a filial piety for my mother. I have my own reasons besides obedience. Could it be that if I leave this mansion, I really have nothing to rely on?"

The eldest young mistress advised her: "Don't be impulsive, the old lady and Lord Hou both really love you, you are a girl, how do you live when you go out? Do you really want to rely on your uncle and brother? His family has a reputation of being poor, even if you Having the produce of the farm, after all, it is better to live comfortably in this mansion."

"You don't have to worry about this big cousin." Miss Biao paused, "Hasn't the letter come back from the south? The imperial court should have a charter, hasn't big cousin heard the news yet?"

The young lady was taken aback: "What? Isn't the fleet taken back by the court?!"

Chunying was also taken aback, is there still room for turning around this matter? !Then... what about Hu Fei? !
(There have been a lot more recently, can you... ask for a pink ticket?!)

(End of this chapter)