Lady Zhao

Chapter 45

Near the end of October, the weather has finally changed from hot and cold to colder and colder steadily. It is a real trend towards winter. In such a situation, getting up every day is also a lot more difficult for Zhao Wenwan. .

This day, due to some discomfort in the body, it was three poles in the sun, Xueyan took the heater to someone who was reading a comic book on the bed under a blanket, and a small porcelain cup with phoenix flowers and gold was full of melon seeds.

Xueyan was afraid that Miss would get thirsty after eating too much, so she went out to make tea with a slightly cool kettle. Zhao Wenwan was holding the stove and knocking on the stove when she saw Baochan walking over with her clothes in her hands, "Miss, you have to get up and wash up."

Reluctantly, Zhao Wenwan sat up, still wrapped in a blanket, only showing his head with disheveled black hair, and asked suspiciously, "Isn't it time for lunch yet?"

Baochan can now look at the master with eyes, looking at Zhao Wenwan's slovenly appearance, and thinking about the old lady who had a bad temper but had to dress up every day, she is also a little disturbed: "This mansion is here Distinguished guests, give away gifts when they meet, maids and servants get Jiangnan dim sum, masters get a lot of food, people from other gardens are crowded there to enjoy the joy, even the one from Jinglian garden is covered with a veil Go and see."

"Such a big show?" Zhao Wenwan smiled and looked at Bao Chan with her puffy cheeks.

Baochan met Zhao Wenwan with a slightly playful look, the clothes she held tightly in her hands, her fingers under the clothes circled intentionally or unintentionally, and her eyeballs glanced away, "Miss, this servant is not rushing to eat snacks. yours."

Xueyan walked in from the door with a smile, "Don't tell yourself, Miss, didn't say anything about you?"

"Sister Xueyan..."

Xueyan smiled slightly, and stopped teasing the gluttonous Baochan, and handed over something wrapped in red paper and hemp rope, "No, someone from Mingxuyuan came just now, and said to ask the eldest lady to prepare and go later The old lady has lunch."

Baochan grinned, took the oiled paper bag, and threw the clothes to Xueyan, "Thank you sister Xueyan." She licked the corner of her mouth and couldn't wait to go out.

Zhao Wenwan looked funny, and deliberately yelled, "I just know how to eat, and I don't look like a maid."

"Miss, you are not used to it." Xue Yan muttered dumbfoundingly in the voice of a mosquito, and then looked at some scattered melon seeds on the bed, and her heart also collapsed.

Zhao Wenwan quickly tidied himself up, Xueyan held the cloak, and the master and servant went to Mingxu Garden together, Zhao Wenwan entered the warm room, and there was a circle of people inside, Yuan Jin from the big house, Wen Xue, the second room Zhao Wenxi, the third room's aunt, even the father and the third uncle are there.

She thought there were too many people and didn't come forward for a while, but she saw Rui Ge'er squeezed out of the crowd with a bun face, holding a necklace with rubies in his hand, she was very fond of it, and when she saw Zhao Wenwan, she rushed over and took The collar was shown to Zhao Wenwan, and the bright ruby ​​against the sunlight pierced Zhao Wenwan's eyes.

At this time, Zhao Yuanli entered the house accompanied by Zhao Zhong, and the two women who were accompanying him also joined in the fun and surrounded him.

"Wanwan, the fourth uncle brought the fourth sister-in-law back and saw how lively the house is." Zhao Yuanli said with emotion.

Zhao Wenwan nodded, the ruby ​​was still shining, and he couldn't help but click his tongue twice in his heart, the fourth uncle is indeed rich, and he thought that in the future, he must have a good relationship with the fourth aunt!The two brothers and sisters had tea outside with the buns in their arms, and listened to the conversation inside, "Hey? Why don't you see sister-in-law?" Small beads and big beads fall on a jade plate.

Mrs. Xu, the third bedroom, has been noisy all morning, and she likes to talk about everything, "My sister-in-law left the house early yesterday morning to go to the temple to worship Buddha. The siblings came so suddenly that we were not prepared, hahaha."

Burn incense and pray?Zhao Wenwan squinted her eyes, thinking that this person might have gone to Aunt Xia in Xishan, she paid someone to follow her, and reported back that the carriage turned to Xishan when it reached the fork in the road up the mountain.

Fourth Madam Leng asked again: "This is Wen Xue, this is Wen Xi, Wen Xuan is not in the mansion, why didn't I see Wen Wan?"

As they spoke, the eyes of the crowd began to search, and after a while, they gathered on Zhao Wenwan, who was teasing the little bun on a chair not far away. The charming woman in the clothes, Zhao Wenxi who was next to her saw her first because she blocked her view in front of her. Her face was covered with a white gauze, her black eyes were slightly tired, and the eyes that came through were refreshing.

Brother Rui jumped down and grabbed Zhao Wenwan's sleeve and pulled her forward, thinking that the eldest sister could finally get the gift, at this moment a maid from Xiangzhuyuan ran in in a panic, opened the curtain, and ignored her. What are the rules, "Miss, you go to the garden to have a look, Mrs. Guo is bringing people to make trouble in the garden."

When Zhao Wenwan heard it, his complexion darkened immediately, and he raised his voice as if he couldn't believe it and asked again, "Who do you think is making trouble in my garden?"

"Guo... Mrs. Guogong." The little maid stammered back.

Zhao Wenwan didn't continue talking, and flashed out of the room like a snow geese.

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay for a moment, how could Ye Shi, who has always been dignified and respectful, make trouble in Xiangzhu Garden?
"Let's go, let's hurry up and take a look." A group of people went out, some moved quickly, like Mrs. Xu, who wanted to join in the fun every day, and followed the pace of the former with twisting buttocks, and some moved slowly. Behind, Mrs. Zhao His face was as deep as clouds and rain, and he couldn't see too much emotion. Mr. Zhao threw his teacup angrily, his body was broken and his bones were not intact. "Is there any peace in this house?"

The third master glanced at the energetic fourth master, and sighed, probably thinking that the fourth younger brother is so chic and free outside, why bother to come to this troubled house.

Zhao Wenwan went back to Xiangzhu Garden first. Although he had already thought about the situation inside, he was still taken aback when he entered.

Porcelain fragments all over the yard, glowing dazzlingly in the sun, flowers and plants were uprooted, and a few chrysanthemums that bloomed were stepped on and lost their petals. , the clothes were messy, and the smoke and dust were flying everywhere.

In the confusion, Mother Zhao threw herself on Jin Ling fiercely, raised her hand and slapped her across the face, Jin Ling screamed in pain, Bao Chan was so angry that she pushed a maid who was entangled with her, but her sleeve was caught by the maid in a daze. Tear off a piece.

She ran over and pushed Mama Zhao to the ground, Jin Ling was out of danger, rubbed her face and quickly joined Baochan, and pressed Mama Zhao, who had a fat waist, to the ground. The three of them grinned, Baochan and Jinling looked at each other One of the two of them pulled Mama Zhao's hair, and the other pulled her clothes. You slapped me one by one to avenge the revenge just now, and Mama Zhao yelled.

After all, the two young servant girls were thin. After being beaten, Mama Zhao turned over and stood up, with vicious eyes, and grabbed Baochan's hair. Jin Ling was startled, but a pair of shoes flew over and hit Mama Zhao. On her back, Qilan with disheveled hair was holding another one in her hand, she was out of breath, when the maid of Shaonian Court saw that she hurried up to snatch it, Qilan also dodged to her body cleverly...

All of a sudden, there was endless shouting and scolding, "little hooves", "little sluts", and "old things" filled everyone's ears, but Zhao Wenwan seemed very calm, and ordered Xue Yan, "Go to the young master and put him in the yard." The little guard called over and pulled them away."

In this room, Mrs. Ye came out of Zhao Wenwan's room with a look of unwillingness. She saw Zhao Wenwan at the entrance of the garden with her sharp eyes. Looking at Zhao Wenwan, "Catch that murderer for me."

But everyone was wrestling and tearing together, and there were no extra people to listen to Ye Shi's command.

While talking, Ye Shi rushed over tremblingly, like a she-wolf who wanted to kill her prey, her eyes were shining brightly, and she was only one step away from Zhao Wenwan, but Zhao Yuanli rushed over in time , protecting Zhao Wenwan in front of her and behind her.

Suddenly, just like hitting Mother Zhao just now, a shoe flew over and hit Ye Shi on the back.

Like a lunatic, Mrs. Ye didn't feel the pain, just paused for a while, and still stretched out her arms regardless, as if to strangle Zhao Wenwan to death. Protecting her sister, she raised her leg and put it on Ye Shi's knee. After being hit by this blow, Ye Shi knelt down in pain and raised her head, resentful in her mouth, "You little bitch, I shouldn't have you staying here in the first place." Take care of me, you killed my child, I will make you pay for it."

The gloomy gaze she raised her eyes made Zhao Wenwan startled for a moment, then her thoughts sank, and she took a look at Zhao Yuanli, only to see that the latter frowned, but still maintained a protective posture, preventing Ye Shi from hurting behind him The person of the slightest.

A lot of people had already rushed over, Mrs. Xu was afraid of harming herself, so she stood at the door and watched excitedly, Mrs. Leng also came over at this time, protecting Zhao Wenwan first, and persuaded, "Sister-in-law, what's the matter, sit down and talk slowly , no matter how bad it is, the mother will make the decision.”

"My child has suffocated Zhao Wenwan to death. I have all the witnesses and evidence, and I must make her pay for it." Ye Shi couldn't listen to the persuasion at all, screamed, and rushed forward waving her paws. Zhao Yuanli was ready to welcome her. Prepare.

Mr. Zhao rushed over in a hurry, Mrs. Ye bumped into them without thinking, Mr. Zhao stood in front of the two children, Mrs. Ye raised his head, Mr. Zhao suddenly slapped him, "Calm down!" .”

Mrs. Ye was stunned, her eyes were distracted, and when she saw Zhao Hongsheng, she seemed to withdraw her rationality slightly, and threw herself into the arms of Mr. Zhao, crying bitterly, making anyone who heard the cry feel heart-rending, "Our child He died unjustly, master, that child's death was not an accident, Zhao Wenwan smothered him to death, she smothered him to death!"

Mr. Zhao's face was full of astonishment, and he beat his heart layer by layer. No wonder Mrs. Ye's madness happened again, and he stared at him coldly. Just as Zhao Wenli was about to defend his sister, he saw Mrs. Ye rushing over suddenly. He hurriedly blocked, During the push and bustle, there was only a bang behind him, and Zhao Wenwan knocked his head on the pillar, and passed out right next to Zhao Yuanli.

Zhao Yuanli noticed the weight behind him, turned around quickly to support him, and threw Ye Shi away. Ye Shi Quen couldn't catch up and fell hard to the ground, staring at the two of them resentfully,

Seeing the chaotic situation, Mrs. Leng quickly said, "Brother, don't say anything else, take care of sister-in-law first, Yuan Li, quickly take Wen Wan into the house."

Zhao Yuanli took a deep breath, looking at his sister's fainted face, angry and annoyed, looking at it carefully, he saw Zhao Wenwan suddenly opened his eyes and blinked them meaningfully, then closed them again. He didn't move anymore, he realized it instantly, and finally let go in one breath.

In the room, Mrs. Leng took the initiative to stay and said that she would take care of Zhao Wenwan. Zhao Yuanli, a big man, really couldn't help much, so Mrs. Leng asked him to ask the maid to fetch some water and heat. After Zhao Yuanli left, Mrs. Leng lifted the quilt and made good for her Tucking the corners of the quilt, his eyes glanced at the person lying on the bed, and there was a gloomy and unclear emotion in his eyes.

The old lady couldn't sit still when she heard that Zhao Wenwan had knocked her head, so she was helped to go to Xiangzhu Garden to have a look. She happened to see Mrs. Leng gently wiping Zhao Wenwan's forehead with a wet handkerchief. It's a good thing that it didn't disfigure the swollen bag.

"Old madam." Leng turned her head and saw that there were many people in the room, gesturing to salute, and saw the old madam wave her hand and make a shh gesture.

Seeing Zhao Wenwan's drowsy appearance on the bed, Leng handed the handkerchief to Xueyan who was waiting on the side, and went to the old lady by herself.Mrs. Zhao took a closer look at Zhao Wenwan, and heard Leng's voice lowered, "The doctor has come to see, the wound on the forehead is not serious, and I'm probably scared by what happened today in such a coma, so calm down." Just come."

"No, it wasn't me, I didn't harm my brother." Zhao Wenwan closed his eyes tightly, as if caught in a nightmare, and shed a line of tears, "Mother, why don't you believe me, I didn't... woo woo woo..."

After hearing the words, the old lady hurriedly touched her forehead comfortingly, and said in a trembling voice, "No, no, Wanwan didn't do it."

It was probably the warm warmth of the old lady's palm that made Zhao Wenwan gradually calm down, but there were tears in the corners of her eyes, shedding the usual arrogance and showing fragility.

The old lady frowned, and touched the top of the crutch subconsciously. Yes, Zhao Wenwan was still young at the time, and Mrs. Shen left early. At that time, Mrs. Ye seemed to love Zhao Wenwan very much. She raised the child by her side and took good care of her. She taught it, or Zhao Wenwan yelled it herself. It was not until the baby died that Zhao Wenwan changed his tune and stopped calling Ye Shi's mother, and even mother stopped calling. It seems that it has become a knot in his heart .

Then her eyes fell on Mrs. Leng, and she looked at the new daughter-in-law who was here to take care of her granddaughter. The fourth child had been away from home for many years, and he only mentioned in a letter the year before last that he was married. Knowing his son's temperament, he is used to being free and unrestrained, and it is good to be willing to marry. Now that the fourth child came home suddenly, the old lady was really relieved to see her daughter-in-law so dignified and elegant.

Mrs. Leng seemed to know what the old lady was thinking, and explained, "My daughter-in-law and Mrs. Wen Wan's mother Shen are handkerchiefs. If my father hadn't gone to Sizhou City later, Wen Wan might not be able to see me now." I have to call you Godmother." Xu Shi thought of the late Shen Shi, and Leng Shi seemed a little sad after saying that.

"It's... from Shilang Leng's family?" The old lady guessed, seeing Mrs. Leng nodding her head affirmatively, she couldn't help getting closer, "It's fate that you became the wife of the fourth son of our family."

Leng Shi pursed her lips and gave a shallow smile, showing a bit of embarrassment. The old lady saw that this temper was a bit like Shen Shi's, and she was even more happy in her heart.Seeing that Zhao Wenwan was still in a coma, he asked the maids in the garden to take care of him, and then went back to Mingxu Garden to deal with the bad things.

Not long after the old lady left, the maid from the fourth bedroom came to treat Mrs. Leng to dinner, and the room fell silent again. Xueyan took the peeled egg to relieve Zhao Wenwan's swelling, and met a pair of Mo Shenshen unexpectedly. pupil.

"Miss?!"

Zhao Wenwan glanced at no one around, and sat up, "Don't yell, hiss..." There was someone there just now, Zhao Wenwan had to bear it, without outsiders, Zhao Wenwan only felt a throbbing pain on his forehead, but luckily he didn't know how strong it was. Break the skin, otherwise the loss outweighs the gain.Today, she deliberately let Mrs. Ye push her, but in fact she didn't want to confront her head-on. Mrs. Ye's evidence must be from Aunt Xia.And Aunt Xia's purpose... is really easy to guess.

Xia Yingyue, since you want to fight to the death, then... you can die with peace of mind.

Xueyan raised her eyes just in time to see the cold murderous intent flashing in Zhao Wenwan's eyes, she blinked, and when she looked again, Zhao Wenwan looked calm and breezy, consciously misjudged.Baochan came in with a cup of ginseng soup from the outside, and said excitedly, "Miss, Grandma Sifang specially asked the kitchen to stew the old mountain ginseng chicken soup. I heard from the cook that it is full of good things. Grandma Sifang agrees. Miss is really caring."

Not to mention, Grandma Sifang's gentleness and kindness, as well as her way of giving out things won the hearts of everyone in the house. As for the servants in Xiangzhuyuan, they received special care. Baochan had a good impression of this new lady. .

"Let's put it aside." Zhao Wenwan couldn't smell the smell of the medicine, not to mention that she was pretending to make it up like this, and she was not Zhao Wenxi, so she would fall as soon as she said it, how embarrassing.

"Grandma Sifang said that she wanted to take advantage of..." Before she could say the word hot drink, Baochan met Zhao Wenwan's cold eyes, sealed her mouth, and obediently withdrew.

In the evening, a carriage came leisurely outside the Duke's mansion.The servants of Lanyuan at the gate were waiting early, and as soon as the carriage stopped, they stepped forward to help the two masters on the carriage to get off.Aunt Xia and Zhao Wenxuan both covered their faces with scarves and were supported back to the garden.

This scene was soon reported to Zhao Wenwan. The latter raised his eyebrows slightly in thought, gave the reward and let people go down.Mrs. Ye hooked up with Aunt Xia and each took what they needed. Aunt Xia must have wanted to return to the Duke's mansion. I also knew that Aunt Xia and Zhao Wenxuan went back to the mansion for treatment. It was an excuse that Mrs. Ye came up with, but he could only talk about his father, but he didn't know. What method is used is also a skill.

It's just this trip... She will definitely make Aunt Xia regret coming back.

Mrs. Ye has been tossing about at the old lady's place for a whole day, crying and fussing, saying she wants justice.With a piece of jade pendant with the word "Wan" that I 'coincidentally' obtained at a pawnshop, I found the maid who had worked in Shaonianyuan back then, escorted her back to the mansion, and explained the origin of this jade pendant, it was the young master Yuanlin. On the day she went there, she picked it up in Shao Nian Yuan, and when she was about to leave the house to get married, she became greedy.

Until recently, when the family was in short supply, they took out the pawn. Unexpectedly, they were hit by Mrs. Ye. In fact, when they were in Xishan, Aunt Xia used the jade pendant as a bargaining chip and asked Mrs. Ye to take their mother and daughter home and give them away first. Taking the jade pendant is considered sincerity, but the maid who pawned the jade pendant will not hand it over until Mrs. Ye has actually fulfilled her promise.

The young masters and young ladies in the Yupei mansion each have a piece, which seems to be an identity verification, but Zhao Wenwan's piece has long since disappeared, and it is only thought to have been lost somewhere. Now, after hearing the maid's confession, people can't help but connect it with the accident. Didn't Zhao Wenwan go to Shaonian Garden that day? That jade pendant...

Coupled with the criminal record of pinching a child, and being tired of jade pendants, all the bad signs pointed to Zhao Wenwan.

Mrs. Ye insisted that Zhao Wenwan was the murderer, and even Mr. Zhao looked a little angry. At the beginning, he had high hopes for that child. Qilin Ruizi was extremely glorious, but he died so young. Even thinking about it now makes his heart ache. It was an accident, but the facts proved that it was man-made, it was Zhao Wenwan, how old was she at that time, four years old, five years old, how could she be so cruel to a baby who was still in swaddle, and suffocated to death!
Grandpa Zhao looked at Ye Shi who was crying and passed out in his arms, his eyes flashed with pain, and more anger, like a volcano erupting.

The old lady frowned and listened from the beginning to the end, annoyed by Mrs. Ye's crying, but she also understood her feelings as a mother, but Wen Wan... as long as she thought of the appearance of Wan girl being trapped by the nightmare, she felt that this matter was uncertain That's right, there is also a contradiction in my heart.

Mrs. Leng saw a thing or two from the side, so she helped her and said, "Wen Wan is still in a coma, and the maid who is ignorant of the jade pendant didn't see it was Wen Wan's hand, so you might as well check it out carefully, if you are not sure, you can return it." Any other clues?"

The night is deep, dark clouds cover the moon, like a black curtain covering everything, revealing a trace of depression.In the Duke's Mansion, some people fell asleep with their pillows, some tossed and turned, and some...

"Auntie, this is soothing soup. You drink it and go to bed early. The master said you won't be able to come today." The maid serving Aunt Xia brought a bowl of soup to the woman leaning on the bed and said.

A look of jealousy flashed across Aunt Xia's face, especially unwillingness, every moment of her life in Xishan was suffering, but fortunately she came back, Zhao Wenwan wanted to deal with herself, hum, let's see who dies first.

After taking the Anshen soup and drinking it happily, she will have to recover to see what happens to that man.

After waiting for Aunt Xia to wash up, the servant girl turned off the oil lamp and walked out with a plate, and closed the door behind her.The room was lit with incense, also because of the poor rest in Xishan for two days, the spices of peace of mind were put in it, and Aunt Xia sniffed and lay down on the bed with peace of mind.

Silk and satin, soft bedding... Aunt Xia fell into a trance, like a dream but not a dream. She seemed to be still in Xishan, and she seemed to have never left the mansion. She was happy for a while, sad for a while, and her expression changed, but she didn't even notice herself. strange.

Putting her hand on the pillow, she touched something, picked it up strangely, and found it was a pair of baby's tiger-toed shoes, blood-red in color, and the tiger's eyes were full of scarlet. The two shoes were one in front of the other, the tiger's scarlet eyes stared straight at it, making Aunt Xia's eyes turn red, and she clutched the quilt tightly, as if the shoes were going to fly towards her in a fright.

"Don't...don't come here..."

The wind shook the door panel, creaking, and suddenly a baby's cry sounded outside the door. The sound pierced the eardrums. The mournful cry outside the door closed, and if there was a concrete and substantive picture, it came straight to my face.

Aunt Xia was so frightened that she covered herself with a blanket and shouted, "Go away, go away, don't come over."

"Auntie, I can't breathe, I'm so bored." A soft voice came from outside the door, and then turned to the window again, the same sentence, one after another, getting closer and closer.

"No, not me, you... are dead, already dead."

"Woooooo, Auntie, I'm so bored, why do you want to smother me to death, why..."

"Auntie, can you come and play with Yuan Lin?"

"Auntie, Auntie..."

One sound almost drove Aunt Xia to collapse. Yuanlin, Zhao Yuanlin, the child who died that year, Qilin Ruizi, who in the whole family did not love him, why is Zhao Yuanli not enough, and Zhao Yuanlin, what about her, her child , Yes, she only had Zhao Wenxuan at that time, and the heavens were auspicious, so why is it Ye Shi...

"Zhao Yuanli is abolished, Zhao Yuanlin was smothered to death by me, my brother Rui is the future hope of the Zhao family." Aunt Xia seemed to have thought of something, and with a sneering smile, she said slowly to the tiger-toed shoes.

Then he got off the bed, with empty eyes, no panic, full of undisguised resentment, picked up the pair of tiger-toed shoes on the ground, stroked them one by one, and quickly grabbed the tiger-toed shoes, as if choking Touching the baby's neck, he said with a trace of madness, "Die, all of you, die thoroughly!"

The door was knocked open with a bang, and outside the door, there was a crowd of people, headed by the old lady, whose expressions ranged from disbelief to coldness. How did it happen? He brushed his messy hair behind his ears and secretly hid the tiger shoes in his hand, pretending to be calm.

"Old lady, why are you here?"

(End of this chapter)