White Hedge Dream

Chapter 3 Family

"Mr. Zhuang treated me with great kindness. Before my father died, he asked me to take his surname."

"My husband taught all his life, had no children, and raised countless disciples. Now he has raised me. I serve them incense, but I can't repay the kindness."

The young girl in the hall told about her origins. Her voice was not loud, but her words were clear and not timid at all.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou nodded: "This is what it should be." Then she recalled the content of her son's letter, "Is your name Zhuang Li?"

The young girl lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly: "Mom, just call me Fei Niang."

Mrs. Dongyanghou silently recited the word "Liniang".

"You and Jingyun..." She hesitated and said.

Zhuang Li raised his head and bowed deeply to Mrs. Dongyang Hou: "Your Majesty has shown me as much kindness as a mountain."

The kindness is as great as a mountain, and this cannot be discussed between husband and wife. She does not think that a teacher who has only attended classes for a few days can make her son be so kind to him in return.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou looked at this young girl. She wanted to ask directly if it was your master and grandson who set up a trap that left Jingyun helpless.

But I also thought that when my son was young, he was able to escape unharmed from the moody late emperor and the strange demon queen. How could he be capsized at the hands of an academy teacher in a remote place?

What's more, what can threaten Dongyang Hou Shizi?

To say that she was obsessed with sex... Mrs. Dongyang Hou took another look at this young girl and felt that she was obsessed with Jingyun's sex.

Forget it, let's wait until Zhou Jingyun comes back to ask. My son can ask anything and say nasty things. My wife is an outsider after all.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou said: "It's fate that we have been able to cross the same boat for a hundred years. Jingyun said in the letter that he has business to attend to and won't be able to come back for the time being. I will send you back first. Don't be afraid. I'm at home."

Zhuang Li saluted again and bowed his head: "The prince will arrange for me to feel at ease."

Even with just a few words, Mrs. Dongyang Hou could tell that this woman was indeed not afraid. Although her words were respectful, she was also very distant, neither humble to please nor trembling.

It's not like I'm here as someone's wife, but like I'm a guest.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou inexplicably thought of her previous daughter-in-law, the young lady from Ding'an's family. That was her daughter-in-law. Thinking of Ding'an's family, her head ached a little. This inexplicable extension came through the door, and she had to say something to Ding'an's family. A lot of trouble is inevitable.

Ding Anbo always wanted to renew the relationship and marry a daughter.

Over the years, she has been insisting that Jingyun has an unforgettable love for the third lady and refused to discuss marriage. Now Zhou Jingyun suddenly brings back a continuation of the relationship, how to explain it to the Ding'an family?

"Jing Yun hasn't come back yet. Do you want to see your family now or wait until he comes back?" Mrs. Dongyang Hou didn't want to say more and asked directly.

Zhuang Li said: "I have already disturbed my family when I came back. It's not disrespectful."

Thinking that Mrs. Dongyanghou complained about her son again, not only alarming the family, but also letting this woman stay along the way under the banner of the wife of the Crown Prince of Dongyanghou, the whole capital was alarmed.

How many people were anxious to watch the excitement.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou stood up: "Okay, then come and meet me."

…

…

Guifangzhai is the study room and place where Mrs. Dongyang Hou handles household chores. Her daily residence is next door.

There are five upper rooms here, with black-painted floor-to-ceiling columns and carved window lattice. There are towering trees in the courtyard, vine-lined flower stands, and five or six birds jumping and chirping in the corridors.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou came in with Zhuang Li, took the brocade handkerchief brought by the maid Hongxing, wiped her hands, took another sip of hot tea, and waved her hand to reject the snacks.

"Where is the Marquis?" she asked.

Xu's mother hurriedly replied: "I've already asked before. I'm having a drink at Qi's house and won't be back until later in the evening." After saying that, she looked at Zhuang Li next to her and said, "Master Hou said I understand. Let's have a good rest today and see you tomorrow morning." ”

When Xu's mother looked at her, Zhuang Li lowered his head. After hearing this, he bowed and saluted: "Yes."

This seems to be a sign of etiquette, Mrs. Dongyang Hou thought, but then she laughed at herself. This is all she wants now.

"Let everyone else come over." She ordered Xu's mother.

The Dongyang Hou Mansion has a prosperous family. This was Zhuang Li's first thought when he looked at the people in the house.

Standing next to Mrs. Dongyanghou were five women of varying ages. These were the concubines of Dongyanghou, and there were three boys and four women, the unmarried children of Dongyanghou.

Under the guidance of Mrs. Xu, Zhuang Li greeted everyone one by one.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou only gave birth to a son and a daughter. The daughter got married, and she also had two concubines and a concubine who also got married and were not in the Hou Mansion. "They are all out of town. The news is too sudden and I can't make it right away. I have already written to them and will see you when I come back during the Chinese New Year." Mrs. Dongyang Hou told Zhuang Li.

When I heard this, a female voice said, "Ah, mother, won't the prince's brother and his new sister-in-law hold a wedding?"

Zhuang Li looked over and saw the youngest concubine, seven years old this year, her name was Jiuniang.

When Zhou Jiuniang finished speaking, her concubine behind her grabbed her and told her not to talk too much.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou didn't lose her temper, and smiled at Zhou Jiuniang: "We have to wait until your brother comes back to discuss it. If he doesn't come back, the bride can't hold the wedding alone."

Zhou Jiuniang nodded happily: "I'm waiting to eat my brother's banquet."

The concubine's mother hit her again and scolded her, "There is no shortage of noodles for you at home."

Mrs. Dongyang Hou did not pick up the topic again: "When you get home, let's get familiar with each other slowly." She signaled everyone to disperse.

The concubines took their children and bowed before leaving.

The group of people walked out into the yard with chaotic footsteps, mixed with Zhou Jiuniang's voice: "Why didn't the new sister-in-law give me a meeting gift?"

The maids and women in the room had strange expressions on their faces, but Zhuang Li's expression remained the same, without the slightest embarrassment.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou felt a little embarrassed, and it was her negligence, but who would have thought that this woman had nothing, even a guest would know to bring a greeting gift.

You can't blame her for being negligent. She suddenly sent back a daughter-in-law. She should be negligent.

As a mother-in-law, letting her in is already considered a favor.

The rest of the dignity of being a daughter-in-law should be earned by herself.

"Let the people in Jingyun's house come in." Mrs. Dongyang Hou said.

There was a sound of footsteps, and a woman holding a woman's temples walked in with a maid.

"I've met Madam." She saluted respectfully.

The Marquis of Dongyang said, "This is your new wife." Then she told Zhuang Li, "This is Jingyun's aunt, Aunt Mei."

Aunt Mei hurriedly knelt down to Zhuang Li, and Mother Xu brought tea.

Zhuang Li saw that Aunt Mei was about thirty years old, with a round face and a rich appearance.

"Jing Yun has been serving her since he was a child. After he got married, he carried his aunt." Xu's mother said with a smile.

Zhuang Li took the tea and drank it without saying a word. There was still no gift.

Of course, Aunt Mei would not ask for gifts like a seven-year-old child, and would stand up and wait quietly.

Mrs. Dongyang Hou asked Mother Xu: "Has the residence been tidied up?"

Xu’s mother said it was ready.

It was time to expel the guests. The maid standing next to Aunt Mei smiled and said, "Madam, don't worry, we will serve you well."

Although she was a maid, Mrs. Dongyang Hou smiled on her face when she heard her speak, and nodded and said, "I can rest assured that you can do your job."

Zhuang Li couldn't help but glance at the maid, and saw that she was in her mid-twenties, with thin eyebrows and a pretty face.

Sensing Zhuang Li's gaze, she looked over with an unflinching look in her eyes and said with a smile: "Young lady, let's go over there."

Zhuang Li lowered his eyes and saluted Mrs. Dongyang Hou: "My wife has resigned."

Mrs. Dongyang Hou nodded and asked Mother Xu to send it out for her. Watching the person leave, she leaned back on the chair and let out a breath.

Huang's mother hurriedly slapped her on the shoulder.

"I accepted the person, but I don't care how I live next." Mrs. Dongyang Hou said.

Huang's mother nodded repeatedly: "No matter what, you have to live your life on your own."

(End of chapter)