in spring

Chapter 307
Widow Cui shrank away from the coachman Tao, wrapped her arms around her body, and replied in a low voice: "I'm fine... I didn't bump into it... I really didn't..."

She raised her head to look over, but Chunying quickly lowered the curtain to block the other party's sight, then quietly cleared her throat, and said in a choked voice: "Uncle Tao, if you have nothing to do, let's leave earlier, we are still in a hurry .”

Tao Chefu was a little hesitant. Just now he clearly saw her fall. He is a kind person, and he must ask clearly before he can feel at ease: "Second Miss, please wait a little bit. Sister-in-law, are you all right? If... ..." He was only halfway through when he was interrupted by the sound of running.

Several women ran over, with their sleeves rolled up, and their faces were full of rage. Widow Cui wanted to run away when she saw them, but because the coachman Tao blocked the way, she was surrounded by those women and grabbed her. She looked at her and scolded: "You old whore, you are black-hearted, what are you doing so fast?! If you are not guilty, why are you running?! You must have stolen something!"

"I didn't, I really didn't..." Widow Cui wailed, "I was just passing by, really, I really didn't steal..."

A woman sneered and pulled her sleeve. Regardless of her struggle, she reached in and searched twice, and took out a sapphire bracelet - the texture was just plain, and it didn't look like a valuable item - held it up high Let everyone around you see clearly: "Look what this is?! Where do you have valuable jewelry at home?! When the rebels entered the house, they had already taken it away. You must have stolen it!" He said to his companions : "Which family lost the bracelet? Come and claim it, and send the thief to the lady in charge!"

One of the women shouted: "It looks like something from my house. It was given to me by the head of our house. I kept it in the box. I didn't expect it to be stolen by this old whore!"

Widow Cui kept waving her hands and saying "no" and "I didn't steal it". When she heard the woman say this, she cried, "This is a gift from someone else. I really didn't steal it. You can ask you guys." Those who are in charge will know..." The woman's face turned dark, her eyes almost shot poisonous arrows: "You don't need to ask, I'll take you as a thief!"

The other women also echoed in a few words: "Isn't it? As long as she comes to the door, one or two things in our house will be missing. How can it be such a coincidence? All the men in the family have given her things? She is clearly a thief. !"

"You still have the face to say it was given by someone else? Don't even look at what you look like. A man will spit it out when he sees you. Who will give you something?!"

"Isn't it? She's obviously a slut, and she still acts like a widow all day long. In fact, she's hooked up with all the males in the entire back street!"

"How come no one cleans up such a bastard?!"

"You don't know? Her daughter is in the second young master's house. When she first opened her face, she walked with the wind and yelled everywhere, as if she was afraid that others would not know that she was the second young master's mother-in-law!"

"Fuck! It's just a housemate, not even an aunt. What kind of mother-in-law is she? Our second young master's mother-in-law is still in the sky prison, and she may go to the Jiaofang Division at any time. Could it be her Do you also want to go to Jiaofang Division?"

Some snickered, while others disdainfully said, "Twenty years ago, the Secretary of Jiaofang might still accept her, but now...he doesn't even want to carry shoes for others!"

"Don't tell me, there are people who like this now. I haven't seen her look like this, and there are men who say she's pitiful and rush to send her money and food?!"

"It's just that she can cry. What's the big deal? It's to please men. No wonder there was a riot at that time. They broke into her house for a long time. She didn't hurt a single hair, and she still had the energy to tell the little daughter-in-law of the neighbor's house. Even more beautiful! If the reinforcements didn't come quickly, a life would have been killed by her!"

As soon as this was mentioned, passers-by were also excited.At first, it was just a few women scolding around Widow Cui, but gradually more and more people got involved, and Widow Cui seemed like a rat crossing the street, unable to escape, she could only keep crying: "I'm sorry! , I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it, I was also forced, and no one has ever lost their life, so I beg you to show mercy..."

"Bah! You still have the face to ask us to show mercy? Why don't you show mercy to us?!"

Tao Chefu originally saw a group of women scolding Widow Cui around him, and he couldn't see it, and wanted to intervene, but Chunying stopped him: "Uncle Tao, don't worry about it, the widow will be fine, let's go quickly, so as not to be caught." Stuck here, wasting time in vain."

Tao Chefu said in surprise: "But those people are bullying that sister-in-law? How can they leave her alone?"

Chunying smiled: "Do you think she is a good person? I have lived here for a long time, and I know all those people, that is, they are more powerful, but they don't hurt others. Never mind. If you speak for that Widow Cui, be careful not to get out!" From the words of those aunts and aunts, she probably guessed what happened in the back street of the Hou Mansion that was attacked on the night of the turmoil in the capital.She didn't like Cui's mother and daughter, and now she didn't want to interfere, so she could only urge Tao Chefu to leave.

Tao Coachman understood a little when he heard the back, he sighed, he led the horse back two steps, turned the horse's head around the crowd, and continued to walk forward.When they were thirty or forty paces away, Chunying heard that those women were going to send Widow Cui to the housekeeper, and some people hesitated to offend the Cui family's daughter, making a noisy commotion.

When she arrived at the gate of Dongfu, Chunying got out of the car first, and stood on the steps in front of the gate. The gatekeeper recognized her and came up to her with a smile on her face.Chunying greeted them with a smile, explained the purpose of their visit, and asked them to take care of Tao Chefu.Everyone happily agreed, and the foreman even laughed and said: "Young lady, come back next time, just let the coachman come and say hello, let's just open the small door and let the young lady's car come in. There are many people outside, if there is a collision, how about Didn't you feel wronged girl?"

Chunying thanked her with a dry smile, turned around and told the coachman Tao a few words, then walked inside with a few burden baskets, and after entering the second gate, a woman came up to help with things.

The first thing I went to was Songyiyuan, where the second old lady lived.The second old lady was very happy, and immediately gave her a seat. It was not a footrest or a small stool as before, but a serious round stool.Chunying considered the second old lady's face, and sat down three or four times before sitting down. It was the first time she sat in a horizontal position and looked at the second old lady's face, and she became in a good mood.

She took out a pair of padded cloth shoes she had made and put them on for the second old lady, saying: "Although it is spring, the morning and evening winds are still very cold, it is better for the old lady to wear padded shoes. I remember before leaving, you always said The shoes are tight, so I purposely made them bigger by two points, the old lady will try it to see if it fits?"

The second old lady tried it on, and it really fit her feet without being tight. She was very comfortable to wear, and she was even happier: "It's hard for you to be so careful. I know you are a good boy. Even if you go out, you will still miss me in your heart."

Chunying smiled, even if she didn't intend to please, she originally planned to make such a pair of shoes and send them in.The old man has been ill for a while, has little activity, and has some symptoms of edema in the lower limbs, so the feet will naturally grow bigger. Make the shoes bigger and they will naturally be comfortable to wear.She persuaded again: "If the old lady is in good spirits, she can also walk around in the yard in her spare time to exercise her muscles. It's no good to be bored in the house all the time. The spring is just right outside, and the flowers are blooming beautifully. Fourth young master please." Or Miss Fourth will come to accompany you for a walk, gossip or two, it is also a pleasure."

The second old lady nodded cheerfully: "Okay, okay, it's up to you. I just want someone to accompany me for a walk. You have been out for a few days, what are you doing at home?"

Chunying briefly talked about it, of course, did not mention her own mansion, but only talked about the shopping situation, and highlighted the interesting experiences among them, which aroused the interest of the second old lady: "It's really lively! It's a pity that I I have lived for so many years, and now even my grandson and daughter-in-law are about to enter the house. I haven’t walked the streets in Beijing once. When I was in the north, I never went out because the outside was not peaceful. In Jiangnan, I can go out, and the scenery is beautiful. Well, it's a pity that at my age, I don't have the reason to squeeze into the street like young people. I don't even want to go out when I return to the capital. I can only look at it when I pass by in a carriage or sedan chair. If no one follows, I will I don’t even know the way!” She said this, her expression was a little sad, and she fell silent.

Chunying rolled her eyes and changed the topic: "The old lady is going to marry her grandson?! So, the fourth young master is getting married soon? This is a great joy!"

Qiuyan next to him laughed and interjected, "Isn't it too soon? It was just settled the other day, and it will be over in June!"

The second old lady also changed from her previous gloom, and her whole body became radiant: "That's right, the lady from the Imperial College Si Ye Zhu's family is appointed, not only has a gentle and submissive temperament, but also has a good family style. They are also very good, and they are also decent. Brother Dun has formed such an in-law relationship, and the benefits in the future will be endless!"

Chunying nodded secretly, Dongfu's approach to many things is really different from Houfu's.Guozijian Siye is the deputy of the chief officer's Jijiu, at most he is a fourth rank, compared to the family of the second master who has been promoted to the Minister of the Ministry of War, the weight of being an in-law is a little lighter, but the masters of the East Mansion consider it It is the temperament and morality of the woman, and the character and knowledge of the uncles and brothers. It is neither the official position of the other party's father, nor the amount of property and dowry. The vision is much more long-term.

Thinking of this, Chun Ying pursed her lips and said with a smile: "The biggest advantage is that the old lady will be able to hold a great-grandson in her arms in a short time. In the future, there will be great-grandchildren, great-great-great-grandchildren...the benefits will be great at that time!"

The second old lady smiled from ear to ear: "You girl is lying again. If I can really hold a great-grandson, will I not be an old monster? I just hope that I can see the great-grandson as soon as possible, and I will be satisfied! "

Qiuyan smiled and said: "The old lady is in good health, and it is not difficult to see her grandson!" The girls followed suit, and the second old lady kept laughing happily. They kept two little maids to serve, and generously let Chunying and the old sisters talk on their own.

Chunying took Qiuyan and Bailing's hand back to their room. When passing by her former room, she saw that the interior had been changed, and it was obvious that someone had pushed her up.Bai Ling said: "This newcomer was not from our family, but was given by someone else. He has a good face. We are all wondering what the purpose of the sender is, but now he is still the same as us, all under the care of the old lady." Waiting in front of her, but she is not very gregarious, so you don't have to pay attention to her."

Chunying smiled, pulled them into the room and sat down, and said: "I asked my mother-in-law to bring in two big bundles. It was a gift for everyone in the courtyard. I wrapped the bundles for you guys in paper." Alright, write your name, and remember to ask the little girls, so as not to be robbed by them."

Qiuyan smiled and said, "You're just here, what else should you prepare? Do we sisters need such birthright?"

Chunying said: "Am I just here to give gifts? It's just because there are many flower shops near where I live now, and the flowers they make are fresh and beautiful. I remember that you usually sell flower girls in addition to the unified purchase in the house. I didn't see them a few times, so I picked a bunch and brought them here. Gifts are small things, and I give them from my heart." Qiuyan Bailing hurriedly got up and thanked them.

After chatting for a while, Chunying didn't see Jin Yu, so she asked where she was going.Bai Ling said disdainfully: "There is a newcomer in the yard, and she desperately grabbed the training job, but she only knows how to beat and scold, and the people below don't accept her. They keep making troubles every day, and the old lady is also bored. It won't take long. She will definitely withdraw from her errand!"

Qiuyan gave her a hand: "Don't speak too loudly, if she hears it, there will be another disturbance. She has already promised someone, but she will go out in two or three months. Why do you have to be as knowledgeable as her?"

Chunying raised her eyebrows: "Have you agreed? It's only been a few days..." She remembered that there was no news before.

Qiuyan and Bailing both laughed and said nothing.Chunying didn't want to ask too many questions, so after chatting for a while, she came to the main courtyard.Although the second old lady is very important, the business she wants to fight for her father requires the second wife to nod.

Unfortunately, the second wife was in a hurry to go to the Marquis's Mansion to discuss matters. When she saw her coming, she just exchanged some pleasantries and said, "I'm busy today, so I'll talk to you another day. The old lady is happy today, so remember to come here often. Qingluan , to accompany Chunying. Where is Fengming? Ask her to accompany me to go out!"

The maids rushed to call Fengming, and it took half a day to bring him here.When Chunying saw it, she was secretly surprised.It's only been a few days of hard work, why does Feng Ming seem to have lost a lot of weight?And kept his head down, his eyes repeatedly avoiding her gaze.

Seeing Feng Ming like this, the second wife Zhuo Shi frowned, but because of Chun Ying's presence, she told her to follow her without saying anything.Chunying watched them go away, then turned around and asked Qingluan with a puzzled face: "I've only been away for a few days, why have many things changed in the mansion? What's going on?"

(End of this chapter)