Ma Erniang's Splendid Pastoral

Chapter 120 The Couple Ice Cream
In a year with good weather and good weather, after the end of the busy farming season, the farmers who have worked hard for half a year have not been in vain. Apart from handing in taxes, their granaries are not bad. Don't worry, they will continue to be busy in the next season. Whether it is upland rice or paddy rice, anyway, they are free Food was planted all over the place, and it was busy until the beginning of July.

"Min'er, is it true that our family doesn't sell any grain?" Ma Qifeng asked looking at the granary that couldn't fit.

"Well, don't sell it, save it until this time next year and then sell it."

"Insects and rats are infesting, and the food may not be able to survive!"

"That's okay, we try to find ways to prevent it."

Ma Qifeng was puzzled: "Why, girl?"

Ma Miner replied: "Father, I don't know why, but I am sensitive to water. I always feel that there will be floods either in the second half of the year or in the first half of next year."

"Ah..." Ma Qifeng believed these words. Every time before it was going to rain, her daughter guessed it right nine times out of ten. "Then if it rains, will the floor of the granary be raised?"

Ma Min'er nodded: "Father, I'm going to buy a small hill in Xiaoniu Mountain, build a granary on it, and build a small yard along the way, so it will be a small courtyard."

"Father listens to you."

"We'll start building it after we meet the Xia family."

"Yeah." Ma Qifeng nodded.

Xia Zhen took advantage of the young daughter-in-law's busy farming and hurried like a tiger to patrol the border of Yizhou. If there was an enemy to fight against the enemy, she hurried back and would never interfere with the incident of King Jin and the Xiangzhou government's fight against the Turks.

20 days later, when Xia Zhen returned to Pingding, the daughter-in-law's busy farming was over, so she quickly asked her grandmother to post a post asking her family to come and see her.

"You can't rest at home for two days, you're full of dust and dust." Mrs. Xia bluffed her tanned grandson, feeling distressed and funny.

"Grandma, that kid doesn't care about marrying a wife."

"..." Mrs. Xia was stunned by the elder grandson's words, "When did you get so thick-skinned?"

"Grandma, I'm a general. I don't have a thick skin. I can calm down the people below."

"..." Mrs. Xia wanted to say, in the past, you could explode with anger just by looking at someone, but now you can say witty things, could it be that people have changed when they have a happy little lady? Thinking of this, he Just thinking of my son and daughter-in-law made me feel bad for an instant.

"Grandma, is it too hot and tired of you?"

It’s better to be the eldest grandson, knowing that I’m tired, Mrs. Xia shook his hand and said, “Isn’t it tiring to have a son or daughter? Grandmother is so busy.”

Xia Zhen's eyelids drooped when he heard 'have a son and a daughter', "Grandmother, my mother... you... take care of it. When Min'er comes in, she will do all the housework. You should rest when you should."

"Are you willing?"

"Grandmother, what are you reluctant to do?" Xia Zhen blushed, feeling a little guilty, but then thought again, since the young daughter-in-law is capable, it should be fine.

"Okay, okay, grandma will remember this for you." Although the old lady said so, how can she be true to her grandson, "This post, your grandfather means to let the two old men of the Ma family come over and sit down. "

"grandmother--"

"Look at the relatives, the whole family must be complete."

"Yes, grandma, grandson listens to you."

"Well, that's fine!"

After leaving her grandmother's room, Xia Zhen went to her father's study after thinking about it, but he was not there.

"Back to the eldest son, the general and his wife are drinking tea in the small pavilion, do you want the younger one to call?"

"No!" Xia Zhen turned around and went to Xiaoxie. Before he reached Xiaoxie, he heard crisp laughter. It was his mother's voice. He hadn't heard this voice for ten years.

"Fish Playing with Lotus Leaf East, Fish Playing with Lotus Leaf West, Fish Playing with Lotus Leaf South, Fish Playing with Lotus Leaf North, Zening, what do you think of this passage?"

"It's very artistic." Xia Zetao stood sideways by the pillars of the small pavilion, looked at the lotus pond, and responded with a smile.

Zhao Suxin smiled all over her face: "The poet is too straightforward, so I just write about southeast, north, south."

"Don't underestimate the southeast and northwest. The meaning of picking lotus is completely vivid on the paper. It makes people feel like hearing the sound, seeing the person, and being in the scene. The beautiful scenery is picturesque and refreshing!"

"After what you said, it seems that there is a scene full of business in front of me."

"That's it." Xia Zetao nodded with a smile.

……

The husband and wife can say the first sentence, and the other can answer the next sentence. It is completely harmonious, like a couple of gods and gods, but...Xia Zhen always feels that something is missing?
Turning around with a touch of sadness, he just turned to the gate of the yard, and shouted, "Prepare my horse, I want to go out."

"My lord, the old lady has already prepared dinner."

Hearing that dinner was ready, Xia Zhen stopped abruptly, "Then go out after dinner."

"Yes, Eldest Young Master." Xiaowen hurried to work.

Ma Min'er and Xia Zhen haven't seen each other for more than 20 days since the last time we parted. She was annoyed when that guy came. Feeling it, realizing it, she patted her face, it's over, it's too idle.

Because he was going to Xia's house, Ma Qifeng specially made a dress for his daughter, "Min'er, come and try?"

"Oh." Lying in a daze on the railing of the corridor, when he heard the cry, he hurried over, "Father, it's all over so soon."

"It's fast there, I started cutting it the day before yesterday." Ma Qifeng said.

Ma Min'er smiled and asked, "Father, have you made one for your future daughter-in-law?"

"Only what the daughter-in-law makes for her husband, then what the husband makes for his wife."

"Father, are you masculine?" Ma Min'er laughed, "Then why do you do it for us?"

"You and Yue'er are my daughters, of course."

"Hee hee, Dad, make one if you have time."

"I don't have time, I want to do it for Yue Er, Da Lang and Saburo."

"Oh." Ma Min'er raised her eyebrows.

"What are you grinning about?"

Ma Min'er smiled back: "I was thinking, maybe when Dad is seventy or eighty, he will know how much he loves his wife, and he will make a dress for him."

"Seventy and eighty, I can't even thread the eye of a needle, let alone do it."

Ma Min'er giggled, reached out to take the clothes, "I'll go into the room and try."

"Well, if something is inappropriate, I'll change it."

"All right, Dad."

Ma Yue'er sat on the porch, digging melons with a spoon to eat, "Father, Second Sister's is ready, how about mine?"

"Your tomorrow."

"Oh." Ma Yueer asked: "Father, do I want to go with you?"

"Look at how the general's mansion posted a post, please, I will definitely go."

"Oh." Mayue pouted.

"Afraid of the little general!"

"Using the words of the second sister, this is the shadow of childhood, it's not good anyway."

Ma Qifeng smiled, and wanted to take out his little daughter's clothes from Zhumi to sew, but was blocked by Xiaoyueer, "Father, I'm not in a hurry, eat melon."

"Father won't eat it, you can eat it."

"Father, you forgot, the second sister said, summer is here, you should eat more fruits and vegetables, otherwise, marry a little lady, and stand with others like a father and daughter."

"Looking for a fight!" Ma Qifeng stared at being teased by his children all day long.

"Haha..." Xiao Yue'er laughed happily, "I'm going to see Second Sister's clothes."

Ma Qifeng looked down at the melon plate on the side table, "My daughter thinks I'm old." Picking up the fruit plate, he picked up the melon and ate it, "Do I look old?" He chewed the melon vigorously.

Pushing the door open and entering the room, "Second Sister, does it fit?"

"It grows under Daddy's nose every day, so it doesn't fit you well, good thief." After finishing speaking, he fastened his belt, "Go, let Daddy have a look."

"Okay!"

The two sisters happily left the room and went to the corridor, "Father, take a look, how is it?"

It’s true that there is a young girl in my family. The 13-year-old girl stands bright and charming in front of me. As a father, Ma Qifeng has a sense of accomplishment. He is not boasting about his daughter. His eyes are beautiful phoenix eyes, bright eyes, sweet smile, and intelligence With gentleness, whoever marries is really lucky, "Not bad!" Ma Qifeng stood up and looked around his daughter, "Let me see if there is anything else I need to modify."

"Father, it's very good. It's hot, don't fix it." Ma Min'er couldn't bear to make him work hard.

"It's okay, it's okay!" Ma Qifeng laughed again and again, but the clothes were worn on his daughter, and he didn't see anything that needed to be modified, so he gave up.

The father and daughter sat down and ate melons with the wind blowing in the corridor, and the little days were pleasant, "Father, then Mr. Jiang snatched your class, when will I return it to you?"

"Probably wait until I have been to the General's Mansion."

Ma Min'er smiled and said, "Haha, he has a conscience."

"Min'er, don't keep targeting people. Last time when you were not at home, the general was assassinated. If it wasn't for him, we might all..." Thinking of this incident, Ma Qifeng felt terrified.

Ma Min'er was startled and said, "Father, someone came to assassinate Xia Zhen's father again?"

Ma Yueer nodded: "Yes, Second Sister, you didn't even know how scary it was at that time. I didn't expect Mr. Jiang to be so good at blocking the bad guys, and waited for the reinforcements brought by Mr. Tian."

"That seems better for him."

"You kid..."

"Hee hee, just kidding, Dad."

The sun in the summer afternoon shines through the eaves on the railings piecemeal. Sitting under the shade of the eaves, let the cool breeze blow over your face. The elders around you are doing needlework, and you are smiling and looking at the beautiful girl outside the porch. A clear blue sky.

I like to stretch my hands on the railing, close my eyes, and enjoy the tranquility under such a scenery.Although this situation will eventually go away with time.But this fresh and beautiful feeling will remain in time forever.

Mrs. Ma did not expect to receive an invitation from the General's Mansion, she was a little surprised when she was happy, "What did you say?"

The old butler replied: "People in the general's mansion said, please go to the mansion with your second elder and sixth master to enjoy the flowers."

"Sixth?"

"Yes, old lady!"

Mrs. Ma San, who was sitting by the side, was about to be happy, but when she heard the sixth child, she immediately lost her temper, but she was not reconciled, "Mother, take Hui'er with you!"

The old housekeeper took a step forward, put the stickers in the hands of the old lady with both hands, and stepped back quietly.

Mrs. Ma shook her head, "This time I invited your father. It is impossible for your father to bring Hui'er, so don't think about it."

"But mother, Hui'er is 17 years old, seeing that her sisters are all married, what do you do!"

Mrs. Ma was also worried, she thought for a while and said: "First make good friends with the general's mansion, I will find a chance to invite Mrs. Xia to be in the army, and find a high-ranking general to be Huier's husband-in-law."

"Mother, those generals are tall and sturdy, I'm afraid they are..."

"I don't even know if I will have the chance to tell Mrs. Xia that you are disgusted at first..." Mrs. Ma's expression is not good.

"Mother...Mother, what I mean is, Hui'er is a concubine's daughter after all, and her upbringing is better than that of a concubine's family."

"You still think about it. Last time, everyone rejected me. Why do I still want to look old?"

"mother……"

"Don't tell me, if you don't want to marry a reckless man, I will ask your father to ask Mr. Yao to be a matchmaker and find a civil servant for Hui'er."

Mrs. Ma San smiled awkwardly, "Then ask father to worry about it."

"Okay, let me tell you, I will urge him to write to Master Yao." Mrs. Ma said, "You should go down, I will go find your father."

"Yes, mother."

Mrs. Ma took the post and went to the old man's study.

Ma Chengzu was a little surprised, thinking of the arrogant and impolite General Xia under the shade of the trees in Xiaowang Village that day, he smiled coldly.

"What are you laughing at, I didn't expect that your sixth concubine son is quite capable, and he climbed up to the General Zhenguo's mansion?" Mrs. Ma gave him another look.

Ma Chengzu stretched out his hand to take the post: "I heard that the general who died ten years ago is back."

"What? Old man, where did you hear that?"

Ma Chengzu said: "Don't forget, all the students in the academy come from there."

"Oh, so they said it." Madam Ma asked, "What's going on?"

"I heard that the general lost his way in a battle ten years ago."

"Lost? Such an adult will get lost?" Mrs. Ma disdainfully.

Ma Chengzu said: "Sure enough, it is a woman. There are lost cities in the Western Regions. Once a person enters, it is difficult to get out."

"Is there really such a place?"

Ma Chengzu nodded: "Well, it is written in the book that once a person enters a place called Hejiandao, it is difficult to get out."

"That's really unlucky." Mrs. Ma asked, "Then are you going?"

Ma Chengzu raised his old eyes and narrowed his eyes, "Go."

Madam Ma sighed, "Understood."

Ma Chengzu raised his eyelids to look at his old wife, and didn't ask her why she sighed, women should sigh no matter what, there is nothing worth asking.

Madam Ma didn't expect this man to know the cold and the hot, so she had to take the initiative to say, "Hui'er is not young, see if you can find a good one among the people you know."

Ma Chengzu frowned, "I see."

Mrs. Ma thought he would not agree, but in the end she agreed. Mrs. Ma was in a good mood, "I'm going to pack up and go to the general's mansion."

"Ah."

The post from Ma Min'er's house was sent by Xia Zhen himself. When he arrived, it was already late and they had almost had dinner.

"Why is it so late?" Ma Min'er quickly put down her chopsticks and came out to greet her.

"Some things, it's too late." Xia Zhen saw the little daughter-in-law and smiled slightly, showing eight white teeth.

Ma Min'er turned her head, "Miss Shan, ask the kitchen to cook some side dishes, and have some soup."

"Okay, I'll go talk to Aunt Niu right away."

"Let's sit next door first." Ma Min'er led them to sit in the next room. Xiaowen knew that her family didn't have many servants, so she hurriedly went to the sink to fetch water and washed the master with a cloth towel.

When Xia Zhen finished washing, the little daughter-in-law took something in her hand, it was white, with a handle underneath, "What?"

"Ice cream, I made it at home these two days, eat it, is it good?"

"Sister, I want it too." Zhang Nianmei shouted while standing by the sink after washing her face halfway.

"Yes, there are."

Zhuang Hao shook his head, walked to the pool, turned on the faucet, took a cloth towel with both hands and washed his face, and found that the cloth towel was different from the one he used before. The cloth towel before was thin, and they usually used it to dry their face The water on the bottle was not used to wash his face. It was too hot for his journey today, so he used a cloth towel to scrub it. As a result, it was surprisingly easy to use. Not only did it not slip, but it also rubbed vigorously.

Ma Miner still had an ice cream in her hand and was waiting for Zhuang Hao, but it turned out that he was studying the towel, "Do you think it is very useful?"

"How?"

"Let the warp yarn of the weaving fabric be curled, and the circle formed by the curl is exposed to the outside, so that it will not slip when used, and it will also absorb water easily for washing and wiping." Ma Min'er replied with a smile.

"I want ten."

Ma Miner shook her head: "There are not so many at home, first I will give you two, one for washing your face and one for scrubbing."

"Are you going to sell it like cloth?" Zhuang Hao asked.

Ma Miner asked back: "Can't you make money?"

"of course can."

Ma Min'er smiled and said, "In the past two years, there have been a lot of cotton and weaving people in the Pingding area. I will develop something that no one else has done, and earn a little money."

Zhang Nianmei interjected, "The ice cream is delicious, and it can be sold!"

"It's under development. Shopkeeper Qiu has already taken it to Fucheng for development."

Zhang Nianmei asked, "Why isn't it in Pingding, isn't there anyone buying it?"

"Yes, but this is a small county after all, there are not many people who can eat these things, and there are still many nobles in the prefecture, so I will earn their money." Ma Min'er laughed.

"Haha..." Zhang Nianmei laughed loudly, "My sister, you have such a powerful brain, how come you can remember everything."

"I have nothing to do, let's think about it." Ma Min'er approached Xia Zhen, raised her face, "Is it delicious?"

"Well, it's fine."

"You don't like sweets?"

"Okay."

"I like sweet ones." Zhang Nianmei smiled happily.

Ma Min'er pursed her lips, and said to Xia Zhen: "Then next time, I'll make salt water ice for you, which can relieve your drink and replenish your energy."

Xia Zhen was happy when she heard that she had specially made snacks for herself, and ate the ice cream in her hand, "After eating, I feel much cooler."

"of course."

A few young people sat on the bench. The sofa-like bench was already casual, and they relaxed unconsciously. They leaned on the back of the chair, feeling extremely comfortable.

"My sister, you don't have servants to take care of you. I also think your home is comfortable. Why?" Zhang Nianmei asked.

"Why, let you eat ice cream." Ma Min'er deliberately teased him.

"No, no, absolutely not." Zhang Nianmei's various advantages almost made Ma Miner laugh out loud.

"Isn't it my delicious food that makes you linger forever?"

Zhang Nianmei was dissatisfied and said: "Speaking of food, old girl, how long has it been since you cook yourself!"

"Hee hee, I'll definitely make something delicious for you if I get a chance."

Several young people chatted happily, and Aunt Niu came over, "Er Niang, dinner is ready."

"Thank you, Aunt Niu."

"No hard work, no hard work!" Aunt Niu smiled, and hurried back to the restaurant to continue her work.

There is no big fish or meat on the table, but it is light and appropriate, with a combination of meat and vegetables, so that everyone is [-]% full, and the meals made by Aunt Niu are almost not enough.

"I'm sorry, I didn't do enough, otherwise, I'll go get some snacks."

"Aren't you full?" Ma Miner asked with a smile.

"It's almost done, no more snacks." Zhang Nianmei saw that the old sister was reluctant to let the servants go up and down, and she had almost eaten after thinking about it.

Ma Min'er smiled and said, "Brother Zhen, what about you?"

"It's just right to eat eight layers at night."

"Where are Mr. Zhuang and the young generals?"

"We're almost there, too."

Ma Min'er turned her head, "Aunt Niu, don't do it, just bring over the cold dessert in the afternoon - lotus root starch balls, and let them eat a bowl each when they enjoy the cold."

"Okay, I got it." Shi Chunyue hurried up and down, her body was already drenched, Er Niang was considerate, she didn't let herself continue to work, and happily went to the kitchen.

After a while, Xing'er brought over a small wooden bucket of lotus root starch balls.

Zhang Nianmei, a foodie, was about to serve it when she came up, so she stretched out her hand to stir it, "The soup is light, it looks like you have an appetite!"

Ma Min'er smiled and said: "Brother Zhang just had dinner, let's eat later, let's go to the corridor to blow some air."

"That's right, go to the corridor to blow some air."

"Let's go to the wild trails to see fireflies," Xia Zhen said.

"Firefly..." Believe in you, Ma Min'er almost said, what kind of big man would look at this thing.

If it wasn't for seeing her future brother-in-law committing a crime, Xiao Yue'er would have followed her, so she thought about it, "Second Sister, I'm going back to my room first."

"Oh, wash up and go to bed early."

"Oh, I see."

Ma Qifeng also said to the young man, "You enjoy the shade, I'll go play chess with Mrs. Jiang."

"Uncle, please feel free."

"Little general, then you are the same, feel free."

After a while, the people in the restaurant went to disperse, or to enjoy the shade, or to sleep, and to take a walk.

On the track and field trail, fireflies flutter and twinkle, like little stars in the sky, it is really beautiful, "I really want to catch two and play."

Xia Zhen smiled, stretched out his hand to grab it, and when his hand stopped in front of Ma Min'er and spread it gently, a firefly was in his palm.

"Wow, it's amazing, it's in the palm of your hand in the blink of an eye."

Xia Zhen laughed, "You can try it, it's okay."

"it's OK?"

"Try it!"

Ma Min'er spotted the firefly, and waved her hand forward fiercely. When she opened her hand, it was empty and contained nothing, "How could this be? I'll come again."

After speaking, he swung it out again, but it didn't work again.

Under the moonlight, with fireflies flying around, Xia Zhen looked at the young daughter-in-law's face as smooth as jade, and her small mouth as red as a cherry, and couldn't help feeling an urge to kiss her.He suddenly pointed to the front and shouted, "Look, there's one over there."

Ma Min'er swung his finger in the direction of his finger. She searched left and right but couldn't find it. Only then did she realize that she had been fooled. She turned her head coquettishly, "Xia Zhen, you are making fun of me, aren't you?"

Suddenly her lips seemed to touch something, it turned out that he had lowered his head and waited behind her head, just waiting for her to turn her head, she wanted to avoid it, but there was no way to avoid it, she was surrounded by his hands, and kissed deeply .

Summer nights are always so intoxicating, the dark blue sky is full of bright stars, which is extraordinarily dazzling.A round of bright moon hung high in the sky, and the faint moonlight fluttered and reflected on the river, like a layer of silver light, which was wonderful.

The wind of summer night is always exciting, it blows slowly, and it is very fresh and cool on the cheeks.

Xia Zhen and Ma Min'er walk hand in hand in the breeze and moonlight, listening to the crowing of frogs and insects; or they reach out and catch a firefly, and watch it struggle and fly away in the palm of their hand. .

"I haven't seen you for a while, where are you going?" Ma Miner asked.

"Going to patrol."

"Your father's business..."

"If Emperor Longxiang doesn't care about it, my father should be fine."

"Oh." Ma Min'er knows that things are far from as simple as Xia Tian said, but men always like to make complicated things simple in front of women. Sometimes it is because they are afraid that women will find it annoying to ask questions, but more often, it is Don't want women to worry.

The moonlight on a summer night seemed to be extraordinarily bright, and the shadow of the person was extraordinarily clear. The two young men held hands, and Ma Min'er mischievously stepped on Xia Zhen's shadow, "Look, I stepped on it again..."

Xia Zhen leaned to one side on purpose to prevent her from stepping on him, so the little daughter-in-law put her hands around his waist to prevent him from moving, but her strength was like a mosquito, and she was as powerful as a young general who had experienced many battles. Caught in his arms, kissed and kissed.

When the breeze blows, the pond ripples, and the willows are gently blown by the wind... How peaceful and beautiful the night in the countryside is!
At the junction of Qingzhou and Xiangzhou, it is not known whether Liu Zaili fought the Turks or the Turks fought Liao Shijie. The three armies fought in a melee for three days and two nights, and all three parties suffered great losses.

In the temporary residence of King Jin, Liu Zaili came in wearing a battle robe, "Come here, hurry up and move the chair for the Prince."

"Yes, my lord."

Liu Zaili waved his hand, "Say a few words, and I'll go wash up."

"What does Zili want to say?"

"My lord, the food in the army is short."

"The summer harvest has just passed, and the grain collection is over." King Jin frowned.

Liu Zaili shook his head lightly, "My lord, if I ask for food, I won't come to you."

"what do you mean……"

"Borrow money from Xia Zhen."

King Jin suddenly raised his eyes, and immediately understood what he meant, "Who will let him go?"

"My lord, who do you think is more suitable?"

"You are leading the army to fight, it is unlikely." Jin Wang looked into Liu Zaili's eyes and said, "I know, I will handle this matter accordingly."

The staff interjected from the side, "My lord, what if Xia doesn't lend money?"

"Then borrow soldiers, he has to borrow one." Liu Zaili said coldly.

"What if I don't borrow any of them?"

"Then I'll call."

"Where is Xiangzhou Mansion in the middle?"

Liu Zaili grinned, "That Liao man was not expected to be a general when he was in the imperial army in Beijing. The pre-Qin king and the current emperor had to send him to Xiangzhou, so he could only admit that he was unlucky."

King Jin smiled and said, "Sir, listen to Zili and go to work quickly."

"It's the prince, I understand."

At the junction of Xiangyi and Xiangyi, Shao Youliang went from being in a hurry to restless, and everyone around him held his breath and dared not speak out.

The military adviser got angry and said to him secretly, "General Shao, for the present plan, we can only forcibly break into Yizhou and let the Xia family hand over the military power."

"Break in?" Shao Youliang stared, "You want me to kill you?"

"General, how could you mean that!" The military commander broke out in cold sweat from fright, "The little one said that he forced his way through, but you took the holy decree to go all the way, whoever dares to stop him will be disobeying the imperial decree."

Shao Youliang frowned.

"General, there is still one person you can use."

"You said the surname is Ling?"

The military adviser replied: "Yes, General, you have someone pull him here, and now you have taken his daughter, and took him to find someone surnamed Xia, who must be somewhat taboo."

Shao Youliang patted his mustache, "That's right, it's time to use him after raising a soldier for a thousand days."

(End of this chapter)