Ma Erniang's Splendid Pastoral

Chapter 208 Birthday Flower Party (Happy New Year's Day!)

When his daughter and son-in-law went out to do some business, Ma Qifeng's family still lived in the Beijun Prince's Mansion and did not let them go home. He finally understood that the third brother was cheated. They go back.

"It seems that we are going to my brother-in-law's house for the New Year." Ma Yueer sighed.

Mo Wanyi shook her head and smiled: "I'm afraid it won't happen."

Ma Yue'er said: "How is that impossible? The Beijun Prince's Mansion is not my brother-in-law's real home. Our courtyard in Beijing is also a temporary place to live, and it doesn't belong to my home. It is estimated that the second sister will let us celebrate the New Year together."

Mo Wanyi looked at her husband, "Zichang—"

"Yue'er is right, I'm afraid we will celebrate the New Year together."

Mo Wanyi smiled helplessly, "That's fine, let's have a lively New Year together." There is another sentence that she didn't say, it will be her son's first birthday in ten days. I also mentioned that in the capital city, they have no friends or neighbors other than their relatives. They plan to simply set up a few tables, watch their son catch a week, and have a meal together. But when Sanbo's incident happened, Everyone was busy with this matter, so no one mentioned it again, and she was too embarrassed to mention it.

"Yes, as long as the family is together, it's better than anything." Ma Qifeng was listless. The matter of his father's resignation was always on his mind. He wanted to go and have a look, but he was afraid of causing trouble to his children. Saying nothing, for a moment, I really forgot the birthday of my precious little son.

Ma Xiaowu's short legs are never idle for a moment. He is almost one year old, and he keeps walking up and down, holding on to a stool or the wall, touching here for a while, and picking up toys for a while. Almost.

Liu Zaicheng left the mansion, the carriage was already waiting at the door, and the attendant asked, "Little prince, are you going..."

"Go..." He paused for a moment, "Come on—"

"Father-"

"Go and find out, Ma Erniang's natal family has returned to Ma's house in the Beijun Palace."

"Yes, sir."

Half an hour later, the steward came back to him, "Reporting to the young prince, the father-in-law of the king of Beijun is still in the mansion of the prince of Beijun."

"This king knows!" Liu Zaicheng grinned happily: "Let's go to Beijun Palace."

The steward stepped back gently: "Yes, sir."

More than half an hour later, Liu Zaicheng arrived at the Beijun Prince's Mansion and asked the concierge to bring him to the Ma family, "Uncle, madam—"

"Little prince..." Ma Qifeng stood up and saluted.

"Uncle, you are the elder, please sit down." Liu Zaicheng is no longer a mighty little overlord at this moment, but like a kid who is seven or eight years old ready to steal candy, laughing and laughing cautiously, as if stealing candy by himself. Tang's behavior seems to be discovered if he is not careful.

"Thank you, little prince." Although Ma Qifeng was not in the mood, he was always cautious about accompanying these high-status people.

Mo Wanyi picked up her son and stood beside her husband, and they saluted together.

"Ma'am, sit down!"

"Oh good." Mo Wanyi was a little restrained towards this playful young prince, and she was even more defensive. She always felt that he was not the same as them and should not have frequent contact.

Ma Yue'er didn't like him, so she stood silently aside, and when Liu Zaicheng looked over, she bowed politely.

Liu Zaicheng looked at her and smiled foolishly, and didn't know to call her a gift.

Ma Yue'er ignored him, and said to her parents, "Father, Aunt Wan, you accompany the little prince, and I'll go to the backyard to have a look." After finishing speaking, she turned around.

"Hey, don't go!" Liu Zaicheng shouted when he saw that the little lady was about to leave.

Ma Yue'er turned her head and looked at him strangely, "Is there anything else you can do, little prince?"

"I...I..." Liu Zaicheng, who has always been domineering and unstingy, was speechless by the little lady, and upon closer inspection, the pinnae of his ears turned red.

Ma Yue'er waited for him to speak, but he was fine, stopped talking, nodded and smiled at him again, turned around and left.

"Hey, I'm going to your second sister's place, are you going?" Seeing that she was about to leave, Liu Zaicheng finally choked out his words.

To the second sister?Ma Yueer looked at her father and Aunt Wan.

-

After receiving the reward from the emperor, Ma Hui'er thanked her, stood up, and the girl Qihong, like other grand maids, gave money for running errands to the father-in-law.

The little eunuch glanced at Fang Yuyuan.Fang Yuyuan smiled, he understood, and immediately reached out to take it with a flattering expression, "Thank you, Aunt Qi."

"Elder-in-law, you are polite." Since the master's status was promoted from the fourth class to the second class, Qihong has also risen with the tide, and she is already the aunt in charge.

Fang Yuyuan didn't seem to notice Ma Hui'er's indifferent eyes, cupped his hands and said, "I still have some things to do, so I won't bother Madam, this old slave will leave first."

Ma Hui'er really wanted to reprimand her, but she knew that even though she was a second-class lady and the master of the palace, her qualifications were not at all comparable to those old eunuchs who had worked beside the emperor for many years.

He held his breath, restrained his emotions, and smiled, "I'm going to trouble my father-in-law for a run."

"Your Majesty, you are welcome." Fang Yuyuan is an old fox, and the young Ma Shurong, the expression on his face has already fallen into his eyes. He thought she would not be able to bear it, but she didn't. .

He is actually different from his upright grandfather, he is actually a master who can endure and subdue?Let him take a high look, bowed again, turned around politely and left.

Looking at the old guy's back, Ma Hui'er's face was gloomy.

"Mother--"

Ma Huier took a deep breath, "Qihong—"

"My lady..."

"My mother wrote in the letter that Uncle Six's youngest son is about to turn one year old, so you hand my mother the gold cake that the emperor gave me, and ask her to give Uncle Six's little five a golden lock."

"Yes, ma'am, I'll do it right away."

"Yeah." Ma Hui'er looked down at her belly, and said to herself, she doesn't know how long Cousin Min and the others can stay in Beijing, stomach, stomach, you need to fight, and hurry up while they are here!

-

At first, I thought I could go out to see the scenery, but I underestimated the bitter cold wind. After walking for half a mile, Ma Min'er shrank back into the cabin again. Xia Zhen sat by the fireplace, half leaning on the wooden pole On the bed, Erlang's legs were crossed, with a soft blanket on his legs. Hearing the sound of the door opening, he raised his head and saw the little daughter-in-law who was giggling from the cold. She smiled awkwardly and continued to look down at the documents.

Ma Min'er put her hand to her mouth haha, and hurriedly sat by the fireplace to warm herself. Xia Zhen was reading documents, but she didn't say a word, her hand was roasting by the fire, thinking about what to have for lunch, and for some reason suddenly thought of Ruanhe When it came to the food, he thought of something from the soft food again, so he stood up abruptly, "Xia Zhen—"

"What's the matter?" Erlang's legs were all put down by his daughter-in-law's sudden seriousness.

"I forgot my little brother's first birthday."

It turned out to be this matter, which scared him so much that he almost lost his composure, Xia Zhen smiled, "How many more days?"

"Xiao Wu was born on the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month last year."

"It's just entered the twelfth lunar month, so there's still time."

Ma Min'er stood up and kept patting her head, "Mother, mother, I'm so confused these days, I actually forgot the little guy's birthday."

Xia Zhen said: "Tomorrow morning, we will return to Beijing."

"Okay." Ma Min'er said, "I'll clean up quickly!"

Having something to do, the little daughter-in-law stopped turning around in front of her, Xia Zhen smiled and lowered her head to continue reading the documents.

-

Ma Meier has already prepared the birthday gift for the sixth uncle's son, including the gift money, and it is ready. She will wait for her husband to come back and let him have a look at it. She waited until midnight before seeing him coming back with tired steps, so she hurried forward Take off his cloak, give him hot water, and let him wash.

"Don't wait for me to come back in the future."

"The tax thing is finally implemented?"

"En." Zhao Yuyan said, "I'm going to be busy in the future, I'm afraid I'll have to go back and forth between the two yamen frequently."

Ma Meier paused, "Aside from being busy, is there anything else I should pay attention to?"

Zhao Yuyan looked at his wife, she was always so enlightened, "Yes!"

Ma Meier looked up at him.

"First, it is estimated that there will be a lot of people coming to give gifts through the back door in the future, so you have to be careful."

"Well, I see."

Zhao Yuyan continued: "Second, I'm afraid you will touch the interests of local snakes in Beijing. In the future, try to go out as little as possible, and be careful of the two children."

Ma Meier nodded again, "Don't worry outside, I'm at home."

Zhao Yuyan put his arms around his wife and sighed, "Don't worry, my official career is not like your grandfather's, but I am by no means a treacherous and sycophantic official. I am just a child from a poor family. I need real achievements to climb up. "

"I understand, I understand all of this."

"Hmm!" Zhao Yuyan said, "We are really doing something for the lower class, and we are really talking about our political achievements. There is nothing wrong with our hearts. You don't have to worry about others scolding us."

"it is good."

"But..." Zhao Yuyan looked at his wife, "It may offend the interests of some people, and my climbing path will be tortuous. You..."

"I will accompany you through thick and thin."

"Meier..." Zhao Yuyan hugged his wife again, "Thank you for your hard work!"

"Ziqing..."

The young couple communicated tenderly, and Ma Meier told about the sixth uncle's youngest son's birthday, "See if you are well prepared."

Zhao Yuyan looked at the pure gold longevity lock, then looked at the gift money list, nodded, "You always do things right!"

"Let's go have dinner." Ma Meier said, "My cousin Min and I learned how to boil vegetables, and we made the Puxia offering."

"This is good, it's hot."

The young couple went arm in arm to the side room, Ma Meier was cooking for her husband, and Zhao Yuyan ate big pieces. From tomorrow onwards, he will have to deal with the interests of all parties in Beijing. You have to eat well.

-

It's the twelfth lunar month, and Ma's family has no New Year's atmosphere at all, and the house is lifeless. If it wasn't for the reward from the daughter in the palace, Mrs. Ma San felt that she would be driven crazy.

"It's a pity that the things in the palace can only be put at home to look good and show off, but they are of no great use." Mrs. Ma San touched the precious satin, exquisite snacks, gold cakes, and golden melon seeds, feeling very happy. Not much better.

The old servant understood the meaning of the third lady. Now that the family was in such a situation, no one came to the door to show off to whom, and shook his head secretly.

Mrs. Ma San reached out and took out the biggest piece of gold cake, "I have to ask the gold store to lock the gold lock quickly, or it will be too late."

The old servant reminded: "Madam, Master Six's wedding post has not arrived yet..." The implication is that something has changed.

Only then did Mrs. Ma San realize, "Yeah, I haven't received any postings yet. Logically, postings should be made one month in advance."

The old servant stood looking at her.

"Maybe... maybe it was delayed by my master's affairs." Mrs. Ma San sighed.

The old servant nodded silently, "It seems so."

Ma Yihui passed by the main hall, saw Mrs. Ma, and stepped forward to salute, "Third Aunt."

"Yihui, why haven't you been to the academy these few days?" Mrs. Ma San stood up and asked concerned.

"I... got a bit cold..."

"You are sick, and these servants don't tell me how to do things, so that I can go to the doctor."

"Third Aunt, it's okay, just tired, just rest and rest." No one in the family knew about Ma Chengzu's resignation except Ma Yihui.

It's not her own child, Mrs. Ma San asked cautiously: "Then do you want to rest?" I'm afraid that I won't be able to take care of one of them, making people feel that I am a harsh aunt.

"No, third aunt, I'm going to the academy." Ma Yihui bowed and said goodbye.

Ma Sanfu said, "Your grandfather came to court early today, you told him yesterday that you should go to the academy!"

Hearing the word 'Zaochao', Ma Yihui moved unconsciously, "Say... yes, Third Aunt, it's getting late, I'm leaving first."

"Oh, be careful on the road."

"Understood." Ma Yihui walked out of the main hall patiently, left the Mafu, stood at the door, and took a deep breath. Maybe his grandfather had already resigned from the emperor, so he could still rely on him in the future. Who will help?
Sitting on the carriage going to the academy, Ma Yihui felt that life was dark, as if he had thought a lot, but he seemed to have thought nothing at all. It seemed that he could only rely on the imperial examination, so work hard!

-

In the Jinluan Hall, the main topic of the morning court today was business taxation. Yuan Tai asked from the Ministry of Household Affairs to Jingzhao Mansion, and from Jingzhao Mansion to the final person in charge—Feng Jiangyi.

He answered one by one, "Your Majesty, the Jingli market, shops, and night markets are bustling at a speed that you can see. The tax revenue every five days has dropped from the beginning to the current maintenance. I believe that the next tax collection day will definitely increase."

Emperor Yuantai frowned slightly, "Is it because of the Chinese New Year that Beijing has become more prosperous?"

"Returning to the Holy Father, there is such a reason, but the old minister personally went to the gate of the city, the market square, and the night market. It is true that many foreign traders flock to the capital to do business because of the reduction in business taxes."

"Does the foreign businessman know so soon?"

"Return to the Holy One, that's natural."

Emperor Yuantai frowned.

No wonder the emperor didn't believe it. First, the ancient government orders were issued layer by layer, and the timeliness was slow, which is obvious to all. Second, except for military emergency reports, the dissemination of information is generally by word of mouth. The speed is normal under normal circumstances. slow.

But lower taxes!When the shops in Beijing heard the news, they thought that the people from the government had made a mistake, so they quickly took advantage of their mistake and went to other places to buy and do business. The speed was astonishing.The speed of one to ten, ten to a hundred, swept through like a tide, and business activities inside and outside the capital suddenly flourished.

"Your Majesty—" Feng Jiangyi saluted with a smile, "wait another five days, and the old minister will report the tax money to the Holy Majesty."

What else can Emperor Yuantai say, then wait another five days and nod slightly.The old eunuch standing next to him sang a promise: "If there is something to do, let's go back to court—"

Once again, the hall was quiet, no minister stood up, Feng Jiangyi raised his eyebrows and looked at Ma Tongfeng quietly from the corner of his eye, and saw him standing upright as usual.

"If you have something to play, if you have nothing to do, you will leave the court—" the old eunuch sang again.

Feng Jiangyi felt that upright body move a bit, he resisted turning his head.

"Start playing if there is something to do, and leave the court if there is nothing to do—" the old eunuch sang his promise for the last time.

After the old eunuch sang the promise, the emperor stood up and turned to face down.

Ma Chengzu raised his eyes, the corners of his mouth muttered, watching Ming Huang's figure disappear before his eyes.

Feng Jiangyi glanced at him calmly, and walked up to him as if casually, "My lord, let's go together."

Ma Chengzu glanced at him, turned around with him and left the court hall.

Outside the hall, the winter sun was shining brightly, Feng Jiangyi smiled and said: "My lord, do you want to have a cup of tea together?"

Ma Chengzu glanced again: "It's already noon, let's go back to eat."

"Then I treat you to dinner?"

"Master Feng is too polite!" Ma Chengzu refused.

Feng Jiangyi smiled and didn't take it seriously, "Then next time!"

After leaving the palace and getting on the carriage, Feng Jiangyi smiled slightly: "He is still hesitating, it seems that I don't need to persuade him."

-

The Ma family didn't go to the suburbs of Beijing, so Liu Zaicheng returned to the mansion disappointed, "It's so boring!"

"My lord, you can go by yourself!"

"What do you know?" Liu Zaicheng stretched out his foot and kicked the servant.

The little servant Baozhu hurriedly hid to the side without kicking, "Little... little prince, why don't we ask Mr. Chang and others to play in the building?"

"I won't go." Liu Zai looked like he was babbling. Apart from playing with Ma's family, he couldn't keep his mind on anything now.

Old Liang Wang watched his grandson enter the small hall, "I came back early today."

"grandfather……"

"Went there to play, did you let yourself down?" Old Liang Wang asked with a smile.

"Go and find Xia Xiaosan, he's not in the mansion."

Old Liang Wang said: "I heard that he went to the suburbs of Beijing?"

"Ah."

Old Liang Wang said, "Cheng'er——"

"Grandpa, what's the matter?"

Old Liang Wang said: "I heard that Xia Erleng's daughter-in-law asked Fuma to make the barbecue grill, and Fuma made a fortune."

"It's none of my business." Liu Zaicheng is not interested in these things.

Old Liang Wang scolded with a smile: "Stinky boy, you know how to play all day long."

"Grandfather, I am in charge of playing at home."

"You..." Old Liang Wang was so angry that his nose almost smoked, "The fourth grandson Zaiwen is no more than two or three years older than you. He either runs a restaurant or makes friends with literati. Why are you looking for those dudes?"

"Grandfather, I don't want to learn from Liu Zaiwen. What's so good about being polite."

The old Liang Wang glared at his grandson, "You really don't know what to do, it's a money-making idea for Ma Erniang's eyes. If you play with her, you can come back with two ideas and earn money." Some silver flowers."

"Grandfather, doesn't our restaurant also have barbecues? Didn't you make money?"

Old Liang Wang said: "Stinky boy, there is no chance, the money is earned by others first, and those of us who follow behind will earn the money."

"Ah..." Although Liu Zaicheng is not involved in production, he still understands the truth. After all, he is a person who has eaten and played all over the capital, so he still understands it.

Old Liang Wang gave him another look, "It's rare to play with someone who can make money, and learn from it."

"Oh." Liu Zaicheng is not interested in making money.

Seeing the listless look of his grandson and grandson, the old Liang Wang sighed, "It seems that I can't forget you. I have to think about whether I should pay the fine."

"Grandfather, you haven't handed in yet?" Hearing this, Liu Zaicheng exclaimed.

"Everyone didn't pay it. Why should I pay it? It would be strange not to be scolded to death by them."

"Grandpa, I've heard that there are several young eunuchs missing in the palace. You should hurry up and pay them to save trouble."

The old King Liang stroked his beard, "Zi Li must have done this. Tomorrow I'll check on his father. If he agrees, I will."

"Grandfather, what are you probing for? It's just a small fine. It's not too big. I will lose less."

"Stinky boy..." Old Liang Wang reached out and knocked on his grandson's head, "What do you know?"

Liu Zaicheng covered his head: "Grandpa, believe it or not, if you don't pay, I'll go to the building at night to give the oiran some money, three to fifty thousand taels."

"Stinky...smelly..." Old Liang Wang stood up and looked for a chicken wool blanket to beat his grandson.

Liu Zaicheng fled, shouting as he ran, "Grandfather, for Erniang's sake, hurry up and hand it in. Next time your grandson can play with her, otherwise, what face do you want me to use to find someone else?" play at home."

"Stinky boy, stop for me...stop for you..."

Old Liang Wang was able to catch up with his young grandson, and he stood at the door panting, "Stinky boy..." He looked up at the sky, "It's already six o'clock... If you don't pay after the new year, it will be ten o'clock, ten o'clock It's not too low..."

-

In the evening of the next day, Xia Zhen and his wife rushed back to the mansion, and Ma Qifeng was surprised when he saw his daughter, "Huh, did you get it done so quickly?"

"not yet."

"Then what's the matter with you back?"

"Yeah, Dad, I almost forgot an important event." Ma Min'er apologized.

Ma Qifeng was still thinking about Ma Chengzu's resignation, but he didn't expect his son to celebrate his first birthday, "Did you... hear something?"

"Ah..." Ma Min'er felt baffled, "Xiao Wu's birthday, what can I hear?"

"Ah..." Now it was Ma Qifeng's turn to be surprised, "I...I..." I forgot my son's birthday.

Standing by the side, Mo Wanyi breathed a sigh of relief when she heard this. She knew that Erniang was not that kind of person, and she must have been confused by the matter of the third uncle. Sure enough...seeing their dusty appearance, He smiled comfortingly.

Now it was Ma Min'er's turn to be surprised: "Father, you didn't forget your son's birthday too, did you?"

"I... told your Aunt Wan ten days ago." Ma Qifeng looked at his wife guiltily.

"Then I'm going to the suburbs of Beijing, why didn't you remind me." Ma Min'er said helplessly.

"I... I'm not thinking... about your grandfather's resignation. Is there any news?"

"Father, grandfather should not have said anything."

"Oh, that's fine, that's fine."

The family was just about to discuss how to organize Ma Xiaowu's first birthday, when Zhuang Hao arrived: "I heard that you are back!"

"What's wrong?" Xia Zhen asked.

"Yeah." Zhuang Hao nodded.

"What's the matter?"

Zhuang Hao replied: "In order to thank you, Lord Fu Ma specially organized a flower viewing party and asked you to go with the young lady."

"It's too much of a guest." Xia Zhen said with a smile.

Zhuang Hao said: "It's like this in the capital. You vote for plums, and others reward you with peaches."

Xia Zhen thought for a while, "Okay, I accept this love and go to the flower festival, when?"

"The twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month."

(End of this chapter)