Ma Erniang's Splendid Pastoral

Chapter 209
Xia Zhen took Zhuang Hao to her study room and gathered around the flower fair. They chatted a lot, from the various situations of the princess's mansion to the interpersonal network related to the princess' mansion, all of them are intricate and must be understood. Clearly, otherwise his eyes will be blackened, how can he be in Beijing.

Fortunately, it didn't coincide with Xiao Wu's birthday, Ma Min'er was secretly glad that on the one hand, she asked someone to prepare dinner, and on the other hand, she hurriedly discussed with his father how to organize the birthday party.

"Father, there are no neighbors, no friends, just relatives, do you want to do it at home, or in a big restaurant?"

Ma Qifeng said: "Father doesn't want to go to the restaurant."

"Then do it at home. I will immediately ask the stewards in the house to hire a cook and buy all kinds of ingredients."

"Min'er..."

"father……"

Ma Qifeng looked at his daughter: "It's Xiaowu's birthday, let's do it in our own house."

Ma Min'er paused for a moment: "Okay, just listen to Dad, I'll send people there."

Hearing that their daughter agreed, Ma Qifeng and Mo Wanyi both heaved a sigh of relief. They didn't want to trouble their daughter. Although it was easy for her to do, they felt that it was their own business, so they should do it themselves and not trouble others.

"Min'er, our family also has manpower. If it's really not possible, let shopkeeper Peng rest for two days to help with the management."

Seeing her father carefully discussing with her, Ma Min'er suddenly understood that her love and concern put them under pressure, and immediately grinned, "It's okay, Dad, it's your son, you decide."

"You...you won't be angry, will you?"

"Father, look at what you said, don't want me to do anything, I'm just enjoying my leisure."

"You girl." Ma Qifeng understood that his daughter understood.

Mo Wanyi also secretly breathed a sigh of relief at the side, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Er Niang, Si Niang is also a good hand at handling things now, don't worry that we will be too busy."

"That's right, how could I have forgotten Yue'er."

Ma Yue'er, who had no sense of existence, pursed her mouth, "Second sister, if you are busy, I will definitely be lazy."

"Little girl, pull it up." Ma Min'er stretched out her hand to grab her little nose.

"Second Sister, I'm an adult, yet you still pinch my nose." Ma Yueer covered her nose.

"Haha, don't care how old you are, you are always my sister, I can pinch as much as I want."

Mayue'er flattened her mouth.

Seeing that everyone ignored him, Ma Xiaowu came over with the cart, "Sister... sister..."

"Hey……"

Ma Min'er and Ma Yue'er agreed at the same time.

"Are you called Second Sister or Fourth Sister!"

"Two...four..."

"Stinky boy, you've started to be tricky at such a young age!" Ma Min'er laughed out loud at being teased by her younger brother.

Ma Qifeng stood beside his daughter, watching her tease her, "Min'er, then we will go back tomorrow."

"Oh." Ma Min'er turned her head, "I'll see you off."

"No, your elder brother just takes a rest tomorrow, let him pick us up."

"Father, I'll take you back home, and help you send the post to the Grand Master's Mansion by the way."

"Teacher Feng please?"

"Yes, Grand Master Feng is friends with us, of course we should invite you."

Ma Qifeng nodded, "Okay."

After dinner, Xia Zhen sent Zhuang Hao away and went back to the room. Ma Miner had already washed up, "I'm back!"

"Yeah." Xia Zhen took off her coat and put it on the hanger.

Ma Min'er went to the bathroom to help him adjust the warm water, stood beside him, watching him wash his face, "How was your talk with Mr. Zhuang?"

"Dafuma took your blueprint, and already has the Great Wei Kingdom made of barbecue grills. I heard that it will be spread to the north."

"Haha, the northerners must think that our airs are not grand enough."

"Maybe." Xia Zhen shaved, made bubbles with saponins, looked in the mirror for a while, and finished shaving.

"How many people are invited?"

"A lot." Xia Zhen washed it with water, "Zhuang Hao said that he wanted me to make more friends at this flower fair and expand my circle in Beijing."

"What about you, what do you think?"

Xia Zhen replied: "Whether you make friends or not, it's always right to know more about people."

Ma Min'er nodded in agreement, "I'll take dad home tomorrow, are you free?"

"A letter from the north, I need to deal with it."

"Then I'll deliver it myself."

Xia Zhen said: "I'll let Nianmei and Gu Dun see you off."

"Brother Zhang is enough."

"No, sometimes, there are some things that Gu Dun needs to deal with rough."

"Oh." Seeing that he had washed his face, Ma Min'er poured water for his feet, "Do you want it to be hot?"

"I like to burn it a bit." Xia Zhen sat on the round stool and took off her boots and socks.

Ma Min'er poured some hot water for him, then stood on Xia Zhen's back, lying on his back with her arms around his neck, "It would be great if I could go back to the north."

"When the resort village in the suburbs of Beijing is ready, let's go there, just like in the north."

"Okay, that's all."

-

For some reason, Liu Zaili is now very afraid that he will be idle. When he is free, he doesn't know what he is doing. Go to the waiter to listen to the ditty, and find it boring; go to the restaurant to eat and drink, the food is boring to his mouth.

I don't want to go home and listen to my mother and concubine's nagging, it seems that I can only nest in a private mansion, and lying on the couch is either dealing with chores or in a daze, as if the whole life is tasteless.

"Master, why don't you invite some of your friends to have a barbecue?" the attendant Qianye suggested in a low voice.

"barbecue?"

Qianye said: "Yes, Lord, ever since Xia Zhen invited the King of Luoyang County who helped smash the restaurant to eat, the capital has become popular."

Liu Zaicheng grinned, "There really is him."

"Master, which restaurant to choose?"

"Find a quiet place."

"Yes, the little one will arrange it right away." Seeing that the master is interested, Qianye immediately went to arrange it.

Liu Zaicheng took a deep breath, he hadn't had a meal with his friends for a long time, so let's go out and relax.

Because of his special status, Qianye still chose the Eldest Princess's dowry restaurant for his master. On the one hand, he avoided unnecessary troubles. On the other hand, the Eldest Princess is a girl, so there is no suspicion of forming a clique for personal gain, which is convenient!

Today’s Yazhuxuan is the same as usual. It is still in the quiet garden. The afternoon sun shines on the whole building, which looks bright and colorful. Thick whispers, swallows bursts.

When Liu Zaili arrived, the princes of the various families had already arrived. Seeing him, they all stood up and saluted, "Zi Li—"

"Zi Li..."

"Liu Zili, it's really not easy to see you!"

"Yeah, you're a busy man!"

……

Several people finished the salute lively, teasing and laughing at each other, and the deserted private room became lively in an instant.

Seeing them sitting down, the manager clapped their hands. The servants held two exquisite barbecue racks and put them on a whole bluestone slab. After a while, all the charcoal fire, ingredients, and seasonings were prepared, and they could be eaten with their hands. stand up.

"Barbecue indoors?" Liu Zaili raised his eyebrows.

The steward hurriedly stepped forward, "Return to the king, this is the finest gold-thread black charcoal, and it is very hot but there is no trace of smoke. It is specially used for indoor barbecue."

Liu Zaili smiled slightly, "Even if it is a tribute, it is still a top-notch tribute..."

"Your Majesty, this gold silk charcoal is extremely rare, except for some in the Princess's Mansion. These are specially prepared for distinguished guests like you, the Majesty. Even if it is a reservation, it may not be available."

Liu Zaili's eyes turned cold.The laughing young masters standing around him quietly stood aside.

"Master Wan—" Liu Zaili raised his forehead slightly.

"The little... the little one is here." Even though he was in charge of the eldest princess, in front of Liu Zaili, Wan's boss still didn't dare to trust her, and seemed cautious.

"I don't care about business taxation. You're flattering me wrong."

"Jun... The king of the county was joking, but I just think you are a distinguished guest. There is no... no other meaning." Shopkeeper Wan was a little embarrassed when he was found out.

"That's good." Liu Zaili pulled the corner of his mouth lightly: "Everyone, find your own seat."

Seeing that he let go of the steward, everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and the steward saluted again, "The fun of grilling is to do it yourself, gentlemen, all kinds of ingredients and seasonings are ready, please enjoy." Sweat stains will go out.

"Master Wan, are there any newcomers recently, send them in and sing us a little song."

"Yes, yes, I will send it to you right away."

"hurry up."

"Yes, yes!" Master Wan retreated with a nod and a laugh, and asked someone to come in to sing a ditty.

Liu Zaili was embraced by several young masters at the main seat, lazily stretching out his hand to roast something with no interest, his attendant Qianye sat beside him and helped him roast a few slices of tender beef, he took two bites without a bite.

The young princes like to grill meat by hand, chatting while grilling, "I heard that this grill is made from the blueprint of the North County Prince's Mansion, and it was built in Ma Ye's own shop. It is very exquisite."

"Of course, the grills outside are all pitch-black. This one is bright and not easy to rust, and the meat grilled on it is more tender and more fragrant..."

A young master turned his head and said, "Zi Li, I have taken your light, let us grill it with gold wire charcoal, this is the only one in the whole capital."

Liu Zaili smiled, not interested, but he was interested in the drawings, which must have been drawn by Erniang, he just had this intuition, if there were any weird things coming out of the Beijun Palace, he would not think otherwise.

"Zi Li, I heard that you are not busy recently, why haven't I seen you?"

"Can't you rest if you're not busy?" Liu Zaili lazily glanced at the person who asked the question.

"Can you... Haha, just ask casually." Everyone burst into laughter.

Among the bustling crowd, Liu Zaili felt even more lonely. There was a feeling of wanting to hide from the invisible. The noise in his ears and the shadows in his eyes became blurred in the aroma of food.

Outside the door, the doorman saw that the young masters inside had eaten half, and said to the waiting young lady, "You can go in now, be careful not to bump into the nobleman."

"Yes, brother, thank you for reminding me." The little lady was born bright and beautiful, holding a pipa, Xiaojiabiyu, with her own smell.

"Don't thank me, just be careful not to cause trouble."

The little lady bowed to the doorman, and gently carried the pipa into the room.

In the mist, Liu Zaili seemed to see Erniang, and sat up straight.Everyone was frightened by his sudden sitting upright, their voices stopped abruptly, and their eyes all looked at him.His gaze was on the little lady who came in, and everyone looked at the little lady who came in together.

It's just a kabuki, what's so special about it?It seemed to be quite beautiful, and everyone immediately understood that Liu Zaili, the king of Yancheng County, had taken a fancy to this little kabuki.

Mei Ruoer lowered her eyebrows and hugged her pipa, she was sitting towards the corner, when she suddenly felt her eyes shot towards her, she was startled when she raised her eyes, her legs and feet went limp, and she fell to the ground, her eyes were full of horror .

"Second Niang—" Liu Zaili suddenly stepped forward and squatted next to the little lady, "Why are you here?"

The young masters looked at each other and asked each other, have you seen this new lady?Everyone shook their heads one after another, they haven't seen it before, could it be that Liu Zaili has already met her and called her "Second Mother" so familiarly. "

"I... Master Wan asked me to come over and drink a ditty for you." The little lady fell on the floor, in a half-lying position.

"Sing... a ditty..." Liu Zaili, who was confused in his brain, finally woke up. Ding Qing looked at it, no wonder he let himself lose his composure. She looked like Erniang, but she was indeed not Erniang. He immediately got up and turned back. to your location.

The doorman had been watching the situation at the door, and seeing that the king of Yancheng had admitted the wrong person, he quickly came in to help the little lady, and whispered to her, "Hurry up and sing a little song for the nobleman."

"Yes, yes," the little lady scrambled to sit on the floor in the corner, picked up the pipa and tuned the strings, "My lord, can I sing?"

Several young masters glanced at Liu Zaili, who became indifferent again, and one of them, Gao Xiandong (as mentioned earlier, he is the son of the Minister of War, Gao Xiandong), couldn't help asking, "What's your last name, what's your name?"

"My family name is Mei, and my name is Ruo'er."

"Mei Ruoer?" Gao Xiandong asked again, "Your ranking..."

"There is an older brother above, known as Er Niang."

"You really are Erniang!" The young masters looked at Liu Zaili.

Liu Zaili had lowered his eyelids, expressionless.

With him like this, the young masters dare not ask any more, for fear of offending his Ni Lin and making friends unable to make friends.

"You... Hurry up and pick the best one to sing."

"Yes, nobleman." The humble Mei Ruo'er hastily tuned the strings and plucked the pipa, opened her mouth to sing a little song, the sound of the pipa, the little tune babbled, melodious and long.

"It's not bad, it has a bit of charm."

"Well, it sounds good."

After the two aristocrats commented in a low voice, they also listened to the little song quietly, melodiously, and occasionally heard the crackling of the carbon fire, which made the little song even more memorable.

Liu Zaili squinted his eyes and looked at the little lady sitting in the corner. When he looked carefully, he looked more and more like Ma Erniang. Could it be that there was some relationship between them, or it was just a coincidence that they looked alike.

Because of his status, Liu Zaili has seen countless people, and he has indeed seen people who have no blood relationship but look alike. It is not surprising to meet someone who looks like Ma Erniang.

He stretched out his hand to bring the teacup to his lips, and blew on it lightly. The surface of the teacup rippled and fell, just like his heart, with a different kind of ripple.

"Good good."

"it is good……"

……

At the end of the song, several young masters applauded one after another, took out golden peanuts and golden naked sons from their purses and threw them to the young lady, "One more song."

"Yes, one more song."

Liu Zaili moved his fingers amidst the yelling of the crowd, and the entourage around him quietly retreated to the door and walked to a remote corner, "Quickly check the identity of Sing Xiaoqu."

"Yes!

An hour passed quickly, and the young masters had enough to eat and drink, and greeted each other with satisfaction, "When is the next time?"

"You have to ask Zili about this, Zili, you say yes!" Gao Xiandong turned his head and asked with a smile.

Liu Zaili looked away from the little lady in the corner, and said with a smile, "Anytime."

"Listen, anytime."

"Oh, brother Zili, when you say anytime, is it tomorrow or next year?"

"Is there a difference?" Liu Zaili asked in a serious manner.

"Uh..." When the crowd came to their senses, they all laughed, "It's just you, Liu Zili."

Liu Zaili stood up, gathered his robes, moon-white brocade robes, black hair tied with jade-encrusted gold crowns, his slender body was as straight as a pine, and his handsome appearance revealed inherent nobility and elegance. The calm humor adds a touch of romantic and suave atmosphere, and there is a certain elegance between the indifferent smiles, which is really precious.

Don't talk about women, even the nobles around him have to be convinced that Liu Zaili is a real royal nobleman.

Seeing Liu Zaili walking outside, Gao Xiandong shouted, "Zili, if you like it, you can take it back."

Liu Zaili turned his head to look at the young lady who was still sitting in the corner, twitched the corner of his mouth, looked away, and walked away gracefully.

Gao Xiandong shrugged his shoulders towards the young masters, "Did you not like it?"

"Maybe……"

……

The young masters chatted and laughed and also left the private room.

Seeing that they had all gone out, Mei Ruoer stretched out her head to look at the door, lowered her head, and bit her lip.

"Er Niang Mei!"

"Hey, here we come." Mei Ruoer quickly ran to the door with her pipa in her arms, "I'm sorry, little brother, I..."

"The nobles are gone, you should go back to your room."

"Yes, little brother, thank you for your care." Mei Ruo'er reached out and put the golden nude and golden peanuts in his hand, "Thank you very much."

The doorman grabbed it, "It's still pretty and gives a lot of rewards."

Mei Ruo'er blushed, "My brother was joking, but I was lucky enough to meet a nobleman."

"Hurry up and go back to your room and wait for the next one to be called Pie, otherwise, the old mother will scold you."

"Thank you for reminding me, little brother." Mei Ruo'er trotted back with her pipa in her arms.

On the street, inside the carriage, the hidden guard squatted in front of him and replied: "Return to the king, Mei Ruoer was bought from Jiangnan by the manager of Yazhuxuan in charge of Kabuki, and has been here for more than half a year."

"What about life experience?"

"Jiangnan Nanzhao people, born civilians, no father and no mother, living with grandma and elder brother, when he went to the capital to ask for a living, grandma also died of illness, only one elder brother, doing odd jobs in the Yipinxian kitchen."

Liu Zaili pinched his chin and remained silent for a long time.

Outside the carriage, Qianye asked: "Master, do you want to go back home?"

"Let's go back."

"Yes!" Qianye asked the horse to turn around.

"Wait a moment."

The carriage stopped, and Qianye ran to the carriage door, "Master, what are your orders?"

"I go by my own."

"Yes," Qianye quickly lifted the curtain to wait.

But Liu Zaili stopped there and moved. In the blue and clear sky, a round of warm sun released a ray of light. The ray was like an incomparably huge golden gauze garment, covering the streets and alleys, as well as the crowd.

Among the crowd, the unique touch of red is so dazzling, so eye-catching, it makes him feel vague, but also so real, as if it is within reach, and the youth is blooming with a gorgeous smile.

Liu Zaili strode forward, "Ma Erniang—" His voice was filled with surprise.

Hearing the voice, Ma Min'er turned her head, "Jun Wang Yancheng..." A little embarrassed.

"Are you here to buy pastries too?" Walking in front of her, he smiled brightly.

"Yes, Master likes to eat, I'm going to bring some for him." Ma Min'er tried to be as casual as possible.

"My concubine also likes to eat, and I plan to bring some back to her."

"Oh...that's a coincidence." Ma Min'er smiled and walked into Wuweizhai.

Liu Zaili turned his head and glanced at the street, the smile on the corner of his mouth could not be concealed. In countless dark nights, people who missed him like a tide met here. Looking up at the sky, he fell in love with this warm winter Positive.

The wind blew through a cool breeze, and Liu Zaili followed Wuweizhai with his feet. Within a few steps, he counted the past bits and pieces in the fleeting years within reach, and there was no such moment as happy as this.

"Guest officer, what kind of cake do you want?"

"Ruanmian, don't be too sweet." Ma Min'er smiled back.

"Then recommend these models to the guest officer, what do you think?" The shopkeeper came over with a few samples.

Liu Zaili was standing beside her, and Ma Miner felt that she was a little close, which made her feel awkward, so she took the opportunity to ask a question, and took two steps back, "Junwang Yan, you come first."

"Er Niang, you're welcome, you come first." Liu Zaili smiled.

Ma Min'er originally wanted to choose carefully, but Liu Zaili's joy in such an unexpected encounter made her uneasy, so she had no choice but to take a few at random and prepare to leave.

"I want these kinds, each in a box."

"Me too." Liu Zaili's eyes were not on the cakes at the counter, but on Ma Miner's face.

Ma Min'er was really uncomfortable. How could she meet him? She was waiting for the shopkeeper to make pastries, and she tapped the counter anxiously with her hands.

In the eyes of lovers, even small gestures are cute, Liu Zaili looked at the slender fingers and asked, "Is there anything I can do at Master Feng's house?"

"Uh...I...my little brother is one year old." Ma Min'er didn't want to say it, but she said it again unconsciously.

"It turned out to be like this. If there are any happy stickers, count me in."

"Then...that Yan Junwang, you are too polite."

Liu Zaili said with a smile: "I have also lived in your house, and I also have friendship, and I am a friend."

Having talked about this, Ma Min'er can only say, "Then...then I will ask Dad to send a wedding post to the Duke."

"That's right." Having another chance to meet, Liu Zaili felt that his body and mind had never been so relaxed.

"Guest officer, the pastry you want is ready."

"Where's mine?" Liu Zaili asked like a young man. Actually, in his capacity, he shouldn't have asked this question at all.

The servant Qianye stood by the side, looking at the master's youthfulness, he felt all kinds of feelings in his heart. He knew that the young master liked the second wife of the Ma family, and even robbed her twice, but she was already married to the king of Beijun, why bother? He suffered so much for himself, and he felt sorry for his master.

Seeing that Liu Zaili also got the cake, Ma Min'er turned around and walked out, "I'm going to Grand Master's Mansion, Prince Yan, goodbye!"

"goodbye!"

goodbye!Liu Zaili thought about these two words, it's great to meet again!He kept watching her round the corner.

Looking up, the sun is shining brightly, just like your white face, moist and fragrant, making my thoughts nowhere to hide, growing wildly like weeds in the corner.I am always used to this, recalling your kindness and your mischievousness in meditation, which makes me forget myself inadvertently.

Turning around the street, Ma Min'er felt that she had no eyes to follow her, and secretly patted her heart, don't panic, don't be nervous, just meet by chance, just by chance!

(End of this chapter)