When Mu Yan and Huo Xi arrived, Mu Jun, Mu Zhong and others had already arrived at the entrance of the ancestral hall early.
"Second brother, second sister-in-law."
"The fourth brother, the fourth brother and sister, the fifth brother and the fifth brother and sister, the seventh brother and the eighth brother."
While saying hello, the other junior members of the Mu family also arrived one after another. Mu Yan's eight cousins, except Mu Wang who stayed in Beijing, were all here. Not long after, the Mu Ang Duan family from the third room also arrived.
"I thought you wouldn't be able to come back in time to celebrate the New Year." Mu Ang smiled and patted Mu Yan on the shoulder.
"The schedule is a bit tight. I haven't gone to many places yet. We will have to make more arrangements after the new year."
While he was talking, the Duke of Guizhou also arrived.
He glanced at Mu Yan and said, "You just came back late yesterday afternoon? Was the journey smooth?"
Mu Yan looked respectful, but his words were calm: "Success."
Probably used to his taciturn demeanor, Duke Qian didn't care. As he walked into the ancestral hall, he said to Mu Yan beside him: "I have sent someone to invite your... mother, but she is not here."
I would like to follow my servant back home."
"My nephew is known. Xi'er also sent someone to invite her a few days ago. Mother said she would come back in the afternoon."
The Duke of Guizhou hummed, "Your mother is not only the elder of your eldest family, she is also the first-grade marquis lady with the imperial title. You and your wife will go out of the city to welcome you this afternoon."
"yes."
Huo Xi heard it from behind and responded. She glanced to both sides and saw that the people who came to the ancestral hall today to offer sacrifices were all the concubines and concubines. In addition to the men and grandchildren, they were also the wives of each house. Jun
Aunts and other concubines are not qualified to be present. Even if the second wife's wife is not present, she is not qualified to represent him.
Even the concubines of the old Marquis and the third master Mu Ang's biological mother, Aunt Fang, did not come.
"Let's begin." Following the instructions from Duke Qian, the sacrifice began.
Huo Xi took a step behind Duan, followed her movements and knelt down profusely...
An hour later, the complicated ceremony ended, and each room returned to its own courtyard.
After lunch and a short rest, the couple went outside the city to meet Mrs. Yu.
Since the late Marquis left, Mrs. Yu has been staying in Shuixin Nunnery to meditate and practice. Every year, she returns home on New Year's Eve, and returns to the nunnery after lunch the next day. She doesn't even go back to Guining on the second day of the Lunar New Year.
"My mother won't go back to her parents' home in the second year of junior high school?"
"My grandparents are gone."
Huo Xi was silent. She had read and heard a lot over the years, and she knew that it was not easy for a woman in the world. Once she got married, she would be a guest when she returned to her natal family. If her parents were gone, she would not even be a guest anymore. If her husband died without children, it would be difficult to survive in her husband's family.
.
"I finally know why many women desperately want to have a son."
Mu Yan looked at her, held her hand in his palm and squeezed it gently. You still have me, and I will not leave you alone in the world.
Not long after, Yu's carriage slowly came closer and closer.
The couple got out of the car and said, "Mother."
The old woman in the car opened the curtain, and Mrs. Yu showed a smile: "You've been waiting for a long time. It's cold, why bother to come to greet me. It's not like you don't know the road."
"This is the filial duty that my husband and I should fulfill. I should have picked you up at the nunnery."
"Why go all the way to pick me up? You'll be freezing again and again. I told you not to let you go. If you ask me, just wait in the house. You don't even have to leave the city. You have to come."
Mrs. Yu glanced at the couple and nodded secretly, "Let's go back. Let's talk after we go back to the house."
"yes."
Back at the house, Huo Xi had asked people to tidy up the house a few days ago. As soon as she arrived, fire pots were lit in every corner of the house, making it warm. Mrs. Yu smiled and sat on a chair covered with thick blankets, feeling comfortable
He sighed: "It's much warmer in the house than in the mountains."
Huo Xi then said, "How about my mother stay in the house and let my husband and I fulfill our filial piety. I feel guilty for not being able to fulfill my filial piety in front of my mother these years since we have been away."
Mrs. Yu waved her hand: "I don't need anyone to take care of me. Besides, Yan'er has often sent people to greet me and send him this and that over the years. He has never fulfilled his filial piety."
"Then mother will stay in the house until the weather warms up before leaving."
"No, I'll have lunch with you tomorrow and then go back. It's still quiet on the mountain."
Huo Xi wanted to persuade her again, but Mu Yan saluted, "Yes, my son will send his mother back tomorrow."
Mrs. Yu looked at Huo Xi and said with a smile: "You don't have to feel guilty. I have become accustomed to living in the mountains over the years. Only by listening to morning bells and evening drums every day can I sleep peacefully."
Huo Xi had no choice but to give it up. After chatting with her for a few words, he saw that she really wasn't very interested in life at the foot of the mountain, nor was she very interested in the anecdotes about people in the house or in the market, and the many gossips, so he didn't continue.
Not long after, Mrs. Yu kicked them out, and the couple wandered around the house.
Huo Xi felt a little emotional, "It is said that one day on the mountain is worth a thousand years in the world. I don't know what's going on in the world on the mountain, I just close my heart, live my life with a pure heart, and ignore everything in the world. I definitely can't live such a life."
Turning to look at him: "What about you, would you rather live a short life like fireworks, or live a long life with a pure heart and few desires?"
Mu Yan hugged her, looked at the scenery in the mansion in front of him, and shook his head: "Don't want it. I just want to live a life of love and affection with you." In this life, as long as I have her, everything will be fine.
The servants in the mansion were secretly watching the prince and his wife.
Ever since the Crown Prince and his wife entered the mansion, they felt that even their breathing became sweeter. There were many masters in the mansion, but they had never found any master or lady in any room like the Crown Prince and his wife. They held hands in front of the servants.
.
As a result, the young and unmarried servants all wanted to find someone to warm their beds.
At dusk, lamps and candles are lit everywhere in the mansion. The masters of each house gather in the flower hall in the central courtyard. It is the tradition of the Mu mansion to have a reunion dinner on New Year's Eve.
Excluding the four families in the capital, this year is the most gathering of people from the three families in Mu Mansion.
There are always twenty-eight mistresses in the third house, who sit at four tables. The third house has the largest number of people. Although there are only two grandchildren, including the aunt and others, there are a total of sixteen mistresses in the third house.
When Muzuo Muyou of the third house gets married and has grandchildren throughout his life, the number of people in the third house will be even more prosperous.
The delicacies that were like running water were served in turn, hitting the taste buds directly. Huo Xi didn't feel hungry at first, but now she felt hungry.
"Is it more lively than the Mu Mansion in the capital?" Aunt Jun suddenly looked at Huo Xi and said with a smile.
Aunt Jun has always been in charge of the affairs of the house, and banquets like New Year's Eve have always been arranged by Aunt Jun and Wu Shi. Even if the eldest family member Yu returns to the house today, and even if the prince and his wife are in the house this year, Aunt Jun will not think of it.
I have to ask their opinions.
She is used to being the master.
Huo Xi smiled and said, "Yeah, it's still lively here. There are only a few of us in the capital, and we can just sit together at a table. Compared with this place, it seems very deserted. But fortunately, the Sixth Young Master is a funny person, and there are always people there every year.
He was making fun on the sidelines, and everyone including the wife and us was very happy and could eat an extra bowl of rice."
Mrs. Jun paused, and then she thought that she still had a son in the capital, living under the nose of Mu Yan.