Ma Erniang's Splendid Pastoral

Chapter 167
Why is he here?This was also the first question Ma Min'er wanted to ask when she saw Liu Zaili, but even a child of a certain age would know not to ask this question, so she smiled slightly: "Long time no see, Prince Yancheng."

"Long time no see!" Seeing the person he was thinking of, Liu Zaili suddenly felt the truth.

The other party's star-like eyes looked at her with a smile, Ma Min'er was really not used to it, and turned her head: "Brother, why did you come back with the county king?"

"The reason why I couldn't come back was that King Yancheng greeted the Imperial Academy and asked for leave, so I had the opportunity to come back." Ma Dalang smiled gratefully at King Yancheng.

"Junjun Yan..."

"Just call me by my name!" Liu Zaili smiled.

"This... this is not appropriate!"

"It's ok."

Although Ma Min'er came from modern times, it's okay to be called a name, but she has been in ancient times for many years, and her name is not so easy to call, especially the name of a powerful person, so she can't call it casually. Think about it: "Then call you Liu ...Brother Liu." The awkwardness is awkwardness, and the problem of addressing has finally been resolved.

"Not bad." Liu Zaili smiled.

Ma Min'er asked: "Brother Liu, the Chinese New Year is only three days away, aren't you celebrating the Chinese New Year in the capital?"

"I spend New Year's Eve at home every year, and it's different once in a while, isn't it more interesting?"

Ma Min'er didn't believe such words, she suddenly remembered the emperor's messenger Xia Zhen was waiting for, could he be the emperor's messenger sent by the emperor?Smiling, did not answer.

Seeing that his daughter stopped asking questions, Ma Qifeng hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, don't stand at the door, please come in, please come in..."

"I'm going to trouble uncle again." Liu Zaili looked gentle and polite.

"county……"

"Uncle, just call me by name, Zili!"

Ma Qifeng was stunned for a moment. When he was in the capital, a mansion like King Ning's Mansion was beyond his reach as a concubine. Now he was really not used to calling it like this, so he opened his mouth and didn't shout out.

"Uncle, don't you welcome me to celebrate the New Year at your home?"

"Dang...Of course you are welcome, Zi...Li."

"Uncle, which room do I live in?"

"Only last time..."

"No, I don't want to live in a single courtyard, I want to live in..."

Ma Min'er didn't want him to live in Xia Zhen's place, so she hurriedly said, "Brother Liu, Master Yun has returned to Beijing, how is his house? It's close and relatively independent."

"Okay, listen to Erniang." Liu Zaili grinned, with lazy gentleness, and a gentle baritone voice. He was wearing a maroon brocade robe against the snowy scenery. It's like stepping out of a comic.

The people who stood at the door to greet him were all shocked by his aura, as expected, he was a nobleman nourished by the capital.

"Jun Wang, please—" Ma Qifeng bowed and invited him in.

Liu Zaili stepped into the courtyard of Ma's house unrestrainedly, glanced slightly, the scenery was still the same, the objects were still the same, as expected, they were still the same as in memory.

He walked in front, and the Ma family and others walked behind. They unconsciously leaned closer to Ma Dalang, and the smiles on their faces couldn't be stopped. Ma Qifeng reached out and patted his son's shoulder, nodded, approving , Congratulations are self-evident.

Ma Min'er also silently clapped her hands with her elder brother, with a smile in her eyes, well done, elder brother, you really have grown up, and you are the pillar of our Ma family.

Ma Saburo directly put his arms around the waist of the eldest brother. They are really good brothers. The two years of missing each other are in the smiles of each other.

Ma Yue'er also squeezed to the elder brother's side, and the little hand was held by the elder brother. It was so good, the family reunited to congratulate again.

Ma Qifeng hurriedly asked Fu Xiaoyou to arrange Liu Zaili's residence. The landlord where Feng Jiangyi lived was clean, but there was no burning pit and no charcoal fire. Except for the daily necessities brought by Liu Zaili himself, Ma's family immediately added a young man. The daily necessities that people need are bought very quickly, and they can be ready in one afternoon.

"Trouble me, Er Niang." Liu Zaili stood at the door of his bedroom and looked around. In front of the front porch of the house, there was a small bamboo forest. The green bamboo was pressed by the heavy snow, and the green and white contrasted beautifully.

Ma Min'er smiled and said, "It's beautiful to stand in the corridor and see the white snow in the bamboo forest!"

"Have you seen?"

"Was I still watching here yesterday?"

"Oh, that's right!" Hearing these words, Liu Zaili suddenly felt that the corridor was no longer cold, as if someone had walked by, leaving a trace of warmth behind.

"Brother Liu, take a break. I'll send someone over to call you after the meal is served."

Liu Zaili nodded.

Ma Min'er smiled and said, "Then I'll go to the front yard and the kitchen to prepare. You can see if there is anything missing, just tell me."

"it is good."

Ma Miner smiled and turned to leave.

Liu Qili stood in the corridor until he saw her disappear after turning the corner, and then entered the room.

In the room, whether it was the charcoal fire or the pit bed, it was already burning hot. With the door closed, the whole room was as warm as spring.

"Your Majesty, the most beautiful thing in this room are these green plants."

Liu Zaili also thought it was true. When he entered the door, there was a pot of asparagus bamboo on a round flower stand. After entering the door, there was a table and a half against the wall, on which were water-raised lucky bamboos. There was a small row of closets next to the bed. , there are two small green plants in the empty space, one is a white porcelain pot with Chlorophytum, there are not many branches, but they are long and drooping, hanging in the pot, it is very elegant, the other is a miniature water lily, very delicate up.

The entourages arranged the things they brought with them one by one, and the two small rooms connecting the bedroom and the study instantly became luxurious and grand.

Liu Zaili walked around the two small rooms, and the more he looked at them, the more he liked them. Unknowingly, the chair behind the desk in the study (a single sofa made by Ma Miner) was soft, with the back of the chair on it, and his head slightly Leaning back, the heart of comfort and leisure suddenly rises.

The arrival of the secret guard interrupted his leisurely time, "Jun Wang, when are we going to Lingshi County, Xiangzhou Prefecture?"

"How far is it from here?"

"Go back to the king, more than 300 miles."

"It's past the third grade."

"Yes, the king of the county."

"gentlemen--"

"Jun Wang, the little one is here."

"Your husband arranged for someone to go there."

"Yes, I'll make arrangements right away." The staff saluted and turned to leave.

The personal leader followed Qianye and said: "Jun Wang, I just went out to have a look. This small courtyard is not far from the back door, so it is convenient for our people to enter and exit."

"Hmm." Liu Zaili held the back of the single sofa in his arms, pressed his forehead under it, squinted his eyes, not knowing what to think.

Seeing that he was silent, Qianye turned around, asked the people below to pour a cup of tea and put it on the desk, and then waved her hand to let the people in the room disperse.

In the kitchen, Aunt Niu was counting the number of people, and asked: "So, there are more than 30 people accompanying King Yancheng?"

"Yeah." Xing'er said, "I heard from Xiaohe that these are some of the closest servants and guards. After entering Yunshui Town, he doesn't know where those people went."

Aunt Niu sighed and shook her head, "Sure enough, they are wealthy people. This battle is really... Fortunately, our house has a lot of houses, otherwise it would be enough for them to live in."

Xing'er said: "Er Niang said, I have to work hard for you during this time."

"Now the manpower is still sufficient, and it can provide meals for hundreds of people. It's okay, it's nothing hard." Aunt Niu smiled.

Ma's family has used a big kitchen, which is prepared for two busy farmers. It can cook meals for about 300 people. Now Ma Min'er has to separate the meals. It is unrealistic for everyone to eat in one pot.

No, now we're going to do four tricks!One, of course, is the meals of Yancheng County King, the second is the confinement meals of Aunt Wan, the third is the meals of the Ma family and the stewards, and the fourth is the meals of the guards and servants.

In Ma's yard, the food is fragrant all day long.

After Liu Zaili settled down, Ma Qifeng had time to take a good look at his eldest son, "Da Lang, are you still used to being alone in the capital?"

"Father, it's fine."

"Have you visited the old house we used to live in?"

Ma Dalang nodded, "It's a coincidence that the former courtyard is now given to a Hanlin scholar by the Holy One."

"Oh, so where does your grandfather live now?"

"Live in Dongcheng District."

Hearing this, Ma Qifeng said with relief: "Although it's not the original house, the Dongcheng District is also a residence for officials above the fourth grade. It's not bad for my father to live there."

Ma Dalang nodded, "I have met my grandfather a few times, and he is in good spirits."

"That's good." Ma Qifeng smiled: "Knowing that they are doing well, I am relieved."

Ma Dalang smiled. In fact, his grandfather's life was similar to that of Yunshui, except that the location changed from a small place in Yunshui to the bustling capital.

Ma Min'er read something from the big brother's smile, yes, after all, during Emperor Yuantai's ascension to the throne, because of his integrity, he did not form a faction for the emperor Labang, did not contribute, how could he be reused?

Unless he is like Jiang Fengyi, talented and capable, and can have his own principles in accommodating.

But apart from principles, my grandfather doesn't seem to have... Well, it's my own grandfather, and Ma Min'er doesn't make evaluations in her heart anymore.

"Big sister, after the year, will you still go to Liangzhou?"

"Well, I'm going." Ma Min'er said, "Xia Zhen said that he will watch the winter wheat harvest and then plant the spring wheat."

"Two seasons of wheat?"

Ma Min'er replied: "Yes, the climate in Liangzhou City can only grow two seasons of wheat."

"I see." Ma Dalang asked, "Then you..."

"Xia Zhen said, get married in Beijing."

"Great." Ma Dalang said, "Although I know, I'm still a little worried that you won't be able to go."

"I'm definitely going." Ma Min'er said.

Hearing that the elder sister was so determined, Ma Dalang felt at ease, "Father, is fifth brother cute?"

"Of course it's cute."

"Can we meet?"

Ma Qifeng smiled and said: "After dinner, you go to my wing, I will carry it out for you to see."

"Big brother, I'm also an older brother now." Sanlang kept silent, and cried out happily when he saw his younger brother.

Ma Dalang said with a smile: "Then you have to act like an older brother, and you can't be mischievous."

"whee……"

After the two brothers quarreled enthusiastically, Ma Min'er said: "After the new year, I will let the shopkeeper Qiu go to Beijing and buy a house for us in Beijing. When I get married, everyone will have a place to live."

"The capital..." Hearing his daughter's arrangement, Ma Qifeng was both emotional and enthralled, "I didn't expect to be able to return to the capital in my lifetime."

"Yeah, fate is really strange." Ma Dalang said with a smile.

Ma Saburo asked: "Then what about my studies?"

"When we set off, I will bring you a master who will allow you to study while you enter the capital, so you can do both."

"Wow, that's great. I can play without delaying my studies. It's so cool."

"The days are better. In the past, it would be unthinkable to ask for a wife alone." Ma Qifeng sighed again.

The dinner is ready, Shan Xiaodan hurriedly came over and called, "Little Boss, dinner is ready!"

"Understood." Ma Min'er said: "Let's go, let's go eat."

Ma Qifeng said: "I'll go to your Wanyi's room, and I'll go down later."

"Okay, Dad, I see."

Xing'er went to invite Liu Zaili, half an hour later, the big restaurant of Ma's family began to be lively, a sumptuous dinner was served, chicken, duck and fish are the most basic, and cattle and sheep are shameful.

If it wasn't for Liu Zaili, the Ma family's dinner would be much more lively and casual, but with him as a great master, there is also lively, not so strong, let alone casual.

What can I do, I can't stop eating!It can't be without the way of hospitality. Ma Qifeng and Dalang accompany each other to eat and drink throughout the process, making the guests feel at home.

In Fucheng, Xia's dinner has also started. There are only five people at the same table for three generations. Compared with Ma's family, it is really deserted. In addition, the people on the table are not good at adjusting the atmosphere. Except for the grandmother who keeps picking up vegetables, the whole table On the Internet, the three men occasionally talked about the current situation.

After dinner, as soon as Xia Zhen left the restaurant, the secret guard sent the news, "The king of Yancheng County didn't go to Xiangzhou Mansion himself, but he sent people, and they are almost here."

"Where are the others?"

Jing Mo held his sword and glanced at the dark guard who was going on.

The dark guard took a breath, "Ma'er's family."

Xia Zhen's long eyebrows immediately frowned.

"Jun Wang, do you want someone to drive him out of Ma's house?" Jing Mo said coldly.

Xia Zhen looked at Jing Mo, "Go yourself."

"Beijun King, it's too late for me to go in person." Shocked old god Mo replied.

"What's too late?" Xia Zhen felt puzzled.

"There are three days left before the Chinese New Year, I rushed over, the year is over."

"what for?"

Shocked Mo said: "He can also let Ma Erniang accompany him for a year, and Ma Erniang will not agree to the rest."

Xia Zhen's eyebrows were almost raised, "Believe it or not, I'll send it to Hejian Road (I wrote earlier that Xia Zhen's father has been missing for ten years, and he can't get out of this place because of the wall.)."

Mo lowered his head in shock.

"Hmph!" Xia Zhen flung her sleeves and walked away.

The hidden guard asked: "Surprise the guard, what should I do?"

"If you have nothing to do, find something to lure King Yancheng out of the mansion."

"Yes, General Shock." The dark guard asked after saluting, "Then are you going?"

"What do you say?"

"If you don't go, will you be sent to Lost City by the county king?"

Jing Mo didn't even bother to answer such a question, "I'm going back to catch up on sleep. Tomorrow, the king of the county will go to the ancestral hall."

This meant not to go, the dark guard waited for him to leave, and secretly gave a thumbs up, the one who dared to disobey the county king Fengyang in this world was probably an old man, and left with emotion.

In Xiaowang Village, after dinner, the heavy snow that had stopped for a day began to fall again, and the snowflakes were beautifully illuminated by the red lanterns under the eaves.

"Fortunately, the corridors of my house are all connected, which can not only avoid rain but also keep snow from falling." Ma Min'er said with a smile.

The little lady's bright smile seemed to turn the cold winter into a spring breeze, and Liu Zaili smiled.

Ma Min'er smiled and said, "Brother Liu, it's getting late, go to rest early."

"I'm going to rest." After Liu Zaili finished speaking, he looked at the little lady with a smile on his face.

Uh... What do you mean by that? Ma Miner was a little puzzled, "Xing..."

"Can't you send it off?" Liu Zaili asked with a smile.

"Oh, of course." It turned out that this guy still didn't give up on him, Ma Min'er's scalp was a little numb, and she thought, in my house, he shouldn't do anything to me.

"Laughing like this, I'm afraid I'll stroke you again."

"Hee hee, no, no, big brother Liu is a good county king who respects discipline and obeys the law, how could he know the law and break the law, right?"

Liu Zaili smiled lightly, "That's not necessarily the case."

Ma Min'er's smile froze.

"Haha..." Liu Zaili raised his head and laughed loudly, "Second lady, I'm going to send you there for the New Year's Eve, tell me, right?"

"Oh——" Ma Min'er patted her heart as if she was going through a catastrophe, "Brother Liu, it's Chinese New Year, don't scare me!"

"Haha..." Liu Zaili laughed again. He vaguely felt that there seemed to be something around Ma's house, but his guards had checked it out, and there was nothing. It was really strange.

It's all like this, what can Ma Miner do, as the host, he can only send the guests to the guest room.

After half a mile, Shengsheng walked for more than half an hour, Liu Zaili was swaying, pointing to Xue and sighing, and then asked about the winding path of the corridor, in a word, he just had nothing to say, and wanted to spend more time with her.

During the process of listening to his speech, a line of lyrics popped up in Ma Miner's mind: Those who are loved are confident, and those who cannot get it will always be in turmoil. ①
She felt that to Liu Zaili, she was just the second half of the sentence, and to him, she didn't necessarily like her very much, but just a "wish but can't get it" that he couldn't let go of.She doesn't know whether it's the novelty or the desire to conquer that she can't let go of.

After half an hour, Ma Min'er felt her cheeks were frozen, she walked to the door of the hut, and smiled decently, "Brother Liu, it's late at night, let's have a good rest."

Liu Zaili had a smile on his face, with a long jade body, and slightly lowered his head. The corridor is only this wide, and the two standing side by side must be very close.

Ma Min'er seemed to be able to feel the breath of the other party, "I'm going to rest too, good night, Brother Liu." After finishing speaking, she waved her hand towards him and even turned around to run away.

Every time the little lady turned around, Liu Zaili would stand in the corridor until she couldn't see her back before turning back to the house.He likes to sit in a soft chair, leaning back a little, it's really comfortable.

"Your Majesty, there is news from Xiangzhou. It seems that Xia Zhen's people have discovered that our people have gone and are burying the traces of the gold mine."

Liu Zai was no longer in a comfortable state, straightened up slightly, with a serious face, "Tomorrow is Xiaonian, you follow first."

"Yes, the king of the county."

Liu Zaili lowered his head and frowned.

Ma Min'er trotted back to her bedroom, only to find her eldest brother waiting in the small wing, "Brother, why haven't you gone to sleep yet?"

Ma Dalang was apologetic, but also a little uneasy: "Sister, did brother cause you trouble?"

Ma Miner shook her head, "It has nothing to do with you."

"When the king of Yancheng County found me, he told me that he was going to work for the emperor and was going to Xiangzhou mansion. He took me along the way. I thought he would let me come back when he brought Yizhou, but I didn't expect to live in my house. It's Chinese New Year, I feel the way he looks at you..." Ma Dalang was embarrassed to continue.

However, Ma Min'er keenly grasped the information from his words, "Brother, are you in love?"

"Uh... what... love?"

"Do you have a girl you like?"

"I..." Ma Dalang blushed when his sister said the central matter, "No...no."

"Brother, only those who have experienced it can understand that look." Ma Min'er didn't believe it.

Ma Dalang shook his head and laughed, "You are really a genius."

Seeing that the elder brother half pushed and half concealed the admission, Ma Min'er's gossip ignited: "Brother, who's little lady, how did you know each other, and how long have you known each other?"

"No...no...I'm going to sleep." Ma Dalang walked away as if fleeing.

No?Blushing like a monkey fart, who are you kidding?While feeling amused, Ma Min'er couldn't help worrying, but she must be a good lady, brother, don't be fooled by those high-ranking officials, what kind of women do you know in old places!
Thinking of elder brother and thinking of Liu Zaili, I heard from Shan Xiaoshan that just after King Liu moved in, the back door was different from usual. It seems that he is the emperor's envoy sent by the emperor. Unexpectedly, Xia Zhen will confront him head-on.

What will be the final result?Ma Min'er sat on the side of the bed, unconsciously touched the jade water drop on her neck, although she didn't like Liu Zaili, but he was exactly the same as the modern Jin Hanlai, she even thought wildly, could it be that the modern Jin Hanlai Is Hanlai the ancient Liu Zaili?

When can I see Yu Shuidrop again?If she could ask modern Ma Miner, what would she know?

The next day was the New Year's Eve, and at dawn, everyone in the Ma family, whether it was the master or the servant, was busy with the New Year's Eve dinner, and it was extremely busy.

Of course, Liu Zaili was the most leisurely one. When he left the capital, he left the red tape. It was rare for him to have a quiet year. Although he was outside, the tranquility of the countryside made him feel more relaxed than ever.

Sitting in the small pavilion by the lonely pond, sitting alone by the charcoal fire, drinking tea and looking at the remnants of lotus and snow scenes, in the midst of the seemingly absent melancholy, there is also a bit of joy, an indescribable, inexplicable feeling The feeling lingered in his heart.

There is a great god in the family, and he is a great god that people dare not offend. Ma Miner took time out to take care of him during her busy schedule. At around nine o'clock in the morning, she asked, "What about others?"

"Little Shirley."

"Sit there and drink the northwest wind?" Ma Min'er was surprised.

Shan Xiaodan laughed, "How is it possible, there are windshield curtains hanging in the east, west, and north, leaving only the sunny place in the south to drink tea and enjoy the snow."

"Sure enough, he is a rich man." Ma Min'er asked, "Where did the curtain come from?"

"They brought it themselves."

Ma Min'er shrank her shoulders, "Where's the mousse cake I made?"

"In the kitchenette snack cabinet."

"Take out some, and make a pot of the milk powder brought back from the west, and bring the sugar with you, and put it in later."

"understood."

Half an hour later, Ma Min'er brought Shan Xiaodan to Xiaoxie, "Brother Liu—"

Finally, when she came, Liu Zaili had a bright smile on his face, and his exposed teeth were more dazzling than the snow scene outside. Ma Min'er looked away slightly: "I'm afraid Brother Liu will be cold, so I brought you some warm milk. I don’t know how sweet you eat, the sugar hasn’t been added yet.”

Liu Zaili watched Ma Min'er put the snack box and milk jug on the table, picked up a translucent green porcelain cup and poured steaming milk for him, the green and white complemented each other, warm and fresh and elegant.

"Put in more sugar."

Ma Min'er picked up a small spoonful, "Is this much okay?"

"En." Liu Zaili nodded.

After stirring a few times, Ma Min'er pushed the hot milk drink to him, "Brother Liu, drink more to warm your stomach."

"Thank you!"

"You're welcome."

Seeing that Ma Min'er didn't intend to sit down, Liu Zaili smiled and licked his lips.

Uh... Ma Miner followed his gaze to see the stone bench, and smiled, "No, a rabbit raised by Xiaoyue is about to give birth. I'll go over and deliver it."

"Pfft..." Liu Zaili spit out everything he was drinking.

The personal servant hurried forward to help him wipe it clean.

Ma Min'er stood by the side with her lips curled up, and waited for him to clean up before she spoke, "Brother Liu, what are you..." What are you doing, but I'm too embarrassed to say it.

"You... you delivered the rabbit?"

"Yeah, I learned it from the folks before, what's the matter?"

"No...it's nothing." Sure enough, it was different from the ladies in Beijing, which was quite interesting. Liu Zaili asked, "Can I go and have a look?"

"You... If you are not afraid, you can go and have a look."

Ma Yue'er has been guarding the rabbit's nest for more than an hour, and the female rabbit's bulging belly is about to give birth. In the past, Aunt Niu helped her deliver the baby. Now that her sister is at home, she brought her over.

"Yan'er, why hasn't Second Sister come here? Fat Bai is about to give birth," Ma Yue'er was a little anxious, and stretched out her hand to spread the wood sawdust around her, tidying it up again and again.

Yan'er stood outside the rabbit pen, really waiting for the second lady, "Here we come, we come..."

When Ma Yueer heard that someone was coming, she didn't dare to make a loud noise, fearing that the rabbit would be startled, she hurried to the side of the fence, waved to the second sister, and said, "Hurry up, hurry up..."

Taking three steps at a time, Ma Min'er quickly ran into the fence, took off the air-conditioned cloak, cleaned her hands, and helped the little rabbit deliver the baby.

Standing outside the fence, Liu Zaili seemed to be looking into the fence. His eyes only glanced at the rabbit that was about to give birth, and mostly stayed on Ma Min'er's profile.

At this moment, Ma Min'er's small face was serious and solemn, the sleeves that had faded to the neck of her hands looked capable and hearty, and the tender white hands that helped her were calm and gentle.

It is said that serious people are the most attractive, but Ma Min'er is not like this at this time!
If it is said that the tricks before the first meeting made Liu Zaili novel, and the first meeting surprised him, then at this moment, his longing has a carrier at this moment.

Ma Min'er is the wife he has been looking for all along. She is smart, bright, and knows how to advance and retreat. When he is with her, he always feels relaxed and happy.

It's a pity that the birth of the little rabbit didn't seem to be going well, "It's probably because there are too many births, and Fat White has no strength." Ma Min'er was a little nervous.

"Then what should we do?" Ma Yueer asked nervously.

"I... I'll give it a massage first to relieve its tension."

Ma Yueer asked: "Second Sister, can I give him something to eat or something to drink?"

"Rabbits are different from people, they can't eat whatever they want."

"Oh." The little rabbit was raised by Ma Yue'er herself, she felt it, she seemed very anxious, and her mood was a little messed up.

Ma Min'er's forehead was also sweating slightly, "Miss Shan—"

"Little Boss?"

"Go call Aunt Niu."

"Okay, I see." Shan Xiaodan ran away like a gust of wind.

After a while, Aunt Niu ran over, "What's the matter?"

　This sentence comes from the song "Red Rose" by Eason Chan, and the lyrics of the red rose come from Eileen Chang's novel "White Rose and Red Rose".

　　It roughly means: the person who can’t get you will always be around you, prefer you, and do many good things for you, but the person you prefer doesn’t care about what you say, because he knows, He knows that you love him, so he doesn't care about your feelings, because he knows that you prefer him, and he can be unrestrained and unscrupulous based on your love for him.

　　In a word: What you can't get is what you want most.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)