in spring

Chapter 69 The Story Behind the Young Master

Man Ru sat in the left ear room of the main room, making a dark red velvet brown cloak for the third young master to wear when going out next year, looking up at the sky from time to time, a little restless.

Chunying has been gone for nearly half an hour, and she probably left the mansion, everything should be fine, right?Were those things sent out smoothly?
Manru is not sure whether it is right for her to do so, but if she wants to gain a firm foothold in the mansion, the third young master's favor is not enough.Has Qing'er not lived a happy life?But she is too ignorant of the world and has offended too many people. Once she loses power, she is trampled into the mud by everyone.Just imagine if she was more polite to people on weekdays, and treated Huanhuaxuan's servants a little better, how would she be here today?Qing'er's lesson must be kept firmly in mind.In addition to the wife and the third young master, the maids and servants below must not be negligent.

Manru glanced out of the window again, secretly praying that things would go well.

"Manru." Lu'er opened the curtain and walked in, holding a bowl of almond tea in her hand, "You won't be able to eat well if you get up early, so drink a few while it's hot."

Manru hurriedly got up and took it: "Thank you for thinking about it, I have so many things to do today, I don't even have time to eat."

Lu'er smiled and sat down on the small stool next to her, watched her finish the hot almond tea, and said: "I just heard that because my wife checked the house for thieves yesterday and found out that many people were greedy for ink, I ordered you The stewards strictly checked the people who entered and exited the second gate to prevent anyone from sneaking out of the mansion's property. It suddenly occurred to me that Chun'er also brought something when she went out, I wonder if the woman at the gate will make trouble with this?"

Man Ru slapped her hands, and smiled: "How could it be? Even if those people want to investigate, they are suspicious people. Chun'er is a little girl, so when she goes home to visit her relatives, she naturally needs to take some care, and someone will lead her out. What can I check?"

"I'm afraid that someone will make trouble..." Lu'er was worried, "Qing'er was kicked out yesterday, and it caused such a big disturbance, who knows if those who have suffered will take the opportunity to retaliate? Forcibly intercept Chun'er and say that she took stolen goods, even if it is found out afterwards that she is innocent, the third young master will lose face. He didn't sleep well last night, and if something happens again, he will lose his temper."

Manru lowered her head, her face was a little pale, and she forced a smile and said, "No, Chun'er has been out for so long, and I haven't sent a letter back, so it must be fine. Besides, my wife is making too much noise this time, someone will definitely report Go to the old lady, I think the old lady will return to the house soon, or she will send someone back. Naturally, there will be no inquiries at that time."

"You're right..." Lu'er thought for a while, then smiled, "I'm also worrying for nothing, thinking that the pickpocket wants to smuggle property, it must be valuable, and the things Chun'er brought out, apart from her own, are also worthless." Just a few taels of silver and some old jewellery, how much are they worth? I'm afraid my few red gold hairpins won't catch the eyes of the housekeeper's ladies. Ah, by the way, is the person you entrust to send Chun'er reliable? You won't ask for benefits halfway, will you?"

"No, that woman is a distant relative of my family. I have already taken care of it beforehand. She won't break the rules."

"Then I'm relieved." Lu'er tilted her head to look at her, and said with a smile, "How long have you been here? It's amazing to be so capable. I entrusted the matter to you, and I did the right thing!"

Manru twitched the corners of her mouth, then lowered her head again, but she didn't think about sewing anymore.

Lu'er was still sighing in a low voice: "If it was in the past, how could Qing'er value those things? But now she can only rely on these things to take care of her funeral. I'm afraid that her parents will not even pay for this little money." I can't bear to spend flowers... She is also a hard-working person..."

Manru said uncomfortably: "Let's stop discussing this matter, sister Luer, be careful not to be heard by others, have you forgotten? We agreed to keep it a secret."

Lu'er hurriedly covered her mouth, and said embarrassedly: "I'm sorry, I thought we were the only ones in the room, so I wouldn't be afraid. Thank you for reminding me, I won't mention it in the future, just pretend that there is no such thing."

Manru secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and was about to change the subject, but saw that the curtain was raised again, and it was Mei Xiang who came back, and she hurriedly stood up with Luer to say hello.

Mei Xiang nodded lightly: "There is no need to be so polite, I just came to call you. What were you talking about just now?"

Before Manru could answer, Lu'er said first, "It's because of Chun'er sending something to Qing'er. I was afraid that the people at the door would make things difficult, so I came to discuss with Manru."

Manru was taken aback, and quickly turned to look at Luer.Mei Xiang didn't have any special reaction, just said: "That's all, don't mention it in front of others, and don't mention it to the third young master, lest others tell the wife, and everyone will have no good fruit." Lu Er and Man Ru hurriedly bowed their heads. It should be, Mei Xiang said again: "I have something to say, come outside, everyone is here." Then she turned and went out.

Luer also wanted to go out, Manru hurriedly pulled her back, and asked in a low voice, "Why did you tell her?! Didn't you say you want to keep it a secret?!"

Luer was a little surprised: "Sister Mei Xiang is back, so of course I have to inform her." She laughed again: "Don't worry, Sister Mei Xiang has the strictest mouth and will never speak out." She pressed Man Ru on the shoulder , then lifted the curtain and went out, Manru fell behind, her face changed, and finally she closed her eyes and followed.

In the main room in the backyard, almost all the first- and second-class maids were there, all with solemn expressions.There were a few little girls outside the house who poked their heads curiously, and after being scolded by Lan Xiang, they were all kicked out, leaving only a few big girls in the backyard.

Mei Xiang leaned against the desk and glanced at everyone: "Why didn't you see Chen'er? She has already been promoted to the second class, so she should come here."

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, and finally Lan Xiang said: "Her old lady works in the tea house, and she was found to have stolen the good tea from her father's office and sold them outside. She asked Ping An to find out. As soon as Chen'er got the news, she rushed home."

Mei Xiang frowned: "She's going out, why didn't I know?" Lan Xiang stared at a Jun kiln bottle on the Duobaoge next to her, pretending she didn't hear it.

Mei Xiang didn't want to get too entangled in trivial matters, so she just said: "Our people should not get involved in these matters in the mansion. Who doesn't have relatives in the mansion? If it is seriously involved, there are not many clean people in the whole courtyard." People. No matter what, let’s go through it first, as long as it doesn’t hurt Huanhuaxuan, I won’t stop anyone from doing anything.”

Others only thought she was referring to Chen'er, but Manru always felt that she was looking at her, and hurriedly lowered her head as a gesture of submission, but her heart was beating non-stop.

But Mei Xiang immediately changed the subject, and said seriously to everyone: "I invite everyone here because I have a few words to say. Yesterday, Qing'er had an accident. Of course, it was her own fault and her own death, but the few of us also have something to say." Responsibility. If you found out that she was wrong on weekdays and stopped it in time, how could there be such a big disturbance? Besides, this kind of matter should have been caught on the spot, so I quietly invited the third young master to deal with it, and then quietly reported it to my wife I know, everyone knows about the troubles like today, those who know know that Qing'er is confused, those who don't know, think that the people in our Houfu are so unruly and disrespectful."

The maids exchanged glances with each other, and couldn't help but glance at Lan Xiang, Lan Xiang's face was ugly: "I know I mishandled it, but my wife has already punished me, when will you blame me?! How can I Do you know that girl Chen'er will be confused?! No matter how ignorant I am, I will not disobey the order of the third young master!"

Mei Xiang quickly took her hand and said: "My good sister, you misunderstood, I don't want to blame you. I just think that the little girls are too loosely disciplined on weekdays, and I still need to teach them more rules in the future." , to restrain their conduct so that they will not make mistakes again. I just recovered from an illness and my spirit is not very good, so I can only rely on you for this matter. Anyway, we are also the girls in charge of this courtyard. This is our responsibility, isn't it? ?”

Lan Xiang's face looked better, but she was still a little awkward: "I don't dare to take it, Chen'er was brought out by me, she blatantly violated the order of the third young master yesterday, although everyone didn't say anything on the surface, I'm afraid they were all in the dark Poke my spine, how can I have the face to discipline others?!"

"It's boring to say that." Mei Xiang smiled and put her arms around her shoulders, "Who doesn't know that you are the most fair and strict in dealing with things? Chen'er is confused, what does it have to do with you? Are you the kind of person who doesn't know the rules? If anyone has anything to say, tell her to just come to me!"

Lan Xiang was noncommittal, but judging by her expression, it was obvious that she agreed, so Mei Xiang turned to everyone again: "I know that in this courtyard, everyone has their own plans, but big things can't be done without the third young master's nod." Make a fuss in front of outsiders. If we know that someone secretly framed the sisters in the same courtyard for self-interest, and did not hesitate to hurt the face of the third young master, don't expect me to say good things, neither Lan Xiang nor I will spare her. Please also use more snacks, so that you can control the maids and women."

All the girls hurriedly answered in unison.Lan Xiang felt decent again, and a smile appeared on her face.Manru lowered her head quietly, secretly clenched her fists in her sleeves.

At the same time, Chunying was sitting on the kang in her own house, teasing her younger brother who had grown a lot, feeling all the depression in her heart disappeared.But after living in Huanhuaxuan for a long time, when she came home, she was not used to seeing the yellowed walls, old quilts with dampness, rough white porcelain tea sets, and tea with a slightly peculiar smell. , secretly vigilant in my heart, but just because I am used to living a comfortable life, I can't bear the hardships, and I have to work hard when I redeem myself!
Mother Lu happily flipped through the things Chunying brought back, muttering: "This material is good, I'll make a new dress for your father, it's easy to wear when you go out during the Chinese New Year; this white one is also good, your brother's little It's time to change the clothes too; I'll ask someone to melt the silver pebbles later, and cast a few silver beads for your father to take with him when he goes out..." Then another thing came to mind: "A few days ago, your sister asked someone to bring it to you. When you come back with a bag of things, it is said that there is a reward for you in it. Huanhuaxuan's life is really so easy? The third young master must be very generous on weekdays, right?"

Chunying smiled and said: "He is very generous, he often rewards me with things. I work in the small kitchen, and every time I cook his favorite dish, he will give me a big reward letter!" In fact, she knew it well , that's probably because she was ordered to give something to Zhou Nian.

"Really?!" Lu's mother nodded in satisfaction, and then said mysteriously, "Widow Cui's house opposite, people often bring things over, saying that Cui girl sent someone from the house. I didn't believe it at first. The widow secretly has a relationship with others, now that I think about it, it is somewhat true, but why did she only ask you to bring two pairs of shoes today?"

Chunying recalled the pleasant surprise that Widow Cui received when she received the shoes just now, and felt something was wrong, hesitated a little, then smiled and said, "Mother, what is she doing so much? Sister Cui took good care of me in the house, so let's take care of it." Don't gossip about their family, do you?"

Mother Lu glared at her: "Fool! What kind of person do you think she is?! Don't be swallowed by someone and forget all about the past! At the beginning of the year, you almost lost your life! Unless the sun hits you Come out from the west, otherwise I will never believe that she treats you sincerely!"

Chunying sighed helplessly, the old lady has too much prejudice against Cui Manru, it really is not so easy to change.

But...she was reminded by her mother that Manru had a criminal record in the past. Although she explained it later in her confession, she must be on guard against others...

Forget it, what is she thinking so much about?She is a powerless little girl, and she doesn't want to climb up, so what can hinder Manru?The other party is now considered a respectable maid in front of the third young master, for no reason, how could she harm her?Besides, Manru is very popular now, and she has always taken care of her. At most, she can just be careful, and there is no need to be too alienated.

Chunying hugged Xiaohu with a smile, coaxed him to eat a piece of sugar cake, touched his thin face, and felt a little distressed: "Mother, I have money at home, should I make up for Xiaohu more? You see he is thinner than when I entered the mansion. How much!"

"Understood!" Lu's mother carefully put away the money her daughter brought back, and turned her head with a smile, "Your father has been transferred to the outer courtyard, and he is doing business on the farm, and there are five taels of silver a month! I will tell you Father is discussing whether to change to a bigger room."

"Really?!" Chunying hurriedly straightened up, with a look of surprise, "Second Uncle succeeded?! Did Dad work under Eldest Young Master?!"

"That's not true." Lu's mother turned around, "Now the young master doesn't care about these things, the wife's companion, the eldest son of Chen Lang's family, took over safely, and we will call him Xiao Chen Guanshi."

(The future of Chunying's family has changed...)
(End of this chapter)