Chapter 263 My mother-in-law is a loyal servant (7)
Early the next morning, Lieutenant Qian commanded a group of soldiers to wake up everyone in the Hou Mansion.
After simply eating some dry food, we started a new day's "journey".
"Zhongliang, don't make yesterday's mistake again today. You must be prepared!"
Before leaving, Grandma Zhao pulled Feng Zhongliang aside, scolded her in a low voice with a cold face.
"..." Wriggling his lower lip, Feng Zhongliang wanted to explain: Auntie, I didn't make any mistake yesterday. I did it for the eldest lady.
However, Feng Zhongliang was used to being submissive in front of his powerful mother. Faced with the serious face of Aunt Zhao, Feng Zhongliang did not dare to speak at all.
Feng Zhongliang nodded in a muffled voice. Although Feng Zhongliang accepted his mother's scolding, he still felt somewhat gloomy in his heart.
"By the way, where is your wife? Ask her to bring the eldest lady quickly!"
Aunt Zhao rubbed her shoulders. The sore muscles made her grin.
Even though Aunt Zhao is a slave in the Hou Mansion, she has not done any menial work for many years.
To put it bluntly, her life in the Hou Mansion was actually more comfortable than that of some wives from official families.
No need to do rough work, just take care of Mrs. Zhang.
When there were no instructions, she rested, and there was a little maid waiting by her side.
Back home, the Feng family also has a mother-in-law, a maid, and a daughter-in-law named Gu Xiuniang.
It can be said that Aunt Zhao is called a slave, but she has always lived a pampered life.
Over the years, she has been reluctant to leave the Hou Mansion. Although there is a reason why she can't let go of Mrs. Zhang, the wealthy days in the Hou Mansion are really nostalgic.
After the disaster in the Hou Mansion, the whole family was escorted to Beijing, and then Aunt Zhao really suffered some hardships.
For example, Wei Yuanniang, a four or five-year-old child cannot walk on her own at all, and is basically carried by her parents or maids.
At the beginning, Mrs. Zhang was surrounded by a group of maids and women.
But during the journey, the officers and soldiers were either humiliated and committed suicide, or they died of illness due to overwork and hunger, or they were simply betrayed by several masters such as Mrs. Zhang...
In less than a month, only half of the distance had been covered, and only Aunt Zhao, an eldest maid, and two or three concubines who had given birth to children were left with Mrs. Zhang.
Without sufficient manpower, Mrs. Zhang would not be able to take care of Wei Yuanniang herself. Only Aunt Zhao, her own grandmother, had to shoulder the heavy responsibility of serving the "eldest lady".
Grandmother?
Ha, what if Aunt Zhao is a blood relative of Wei Yuanniang?
It's just a girl's movie, should she really be treated as an ancestor?
That is to say, he is afraid that being too harsh on Wei Yuanniang will arouse the suspicion of others and ultimately ruin his wife's important affairs, otherwise——
Aunt Zhao is a loyal servant. For the sake of her rich master, she can bear the pain of giving up even a cheap granddaughter, her husband or her son.
In fact, Grandma Zhao's husband really died for the Savior.
Aunt Zhao was Mrs. Zhang's wet nurse. After Mrs. Zhang married into Pingnan Hou Mansion, Aunt Zhao and her family became her companions.
Aunt Zhao's husband helped Mrs. Zhang take care of the dowry village. He was very capable and was highly regarded by Mrs. Zhang.
A few years ago, Marquis Pingnan led his troops to clear out the barbarians. Nancheng was depleted of troops and was besieged by a group of mountain people.
Seeing that the situation was critical, Mrs. Zhang took the Tai Madam, the Second Madam, the Third Madam and other female family members with her and prepared to hide outside the city for safety.
As a result, we encountered rioters on the way.
It was Nanny Zhao's husband who led the young men and brave men from Zhuangzi to come to the rescue.
However, during the chaos, in order to protect Mrs. Zhang, Grandma Zhao's husband was stabbed through the chest by a mob and died on the spot.
After her husband died, Aunt Zhao cried hard, wiped away her tears, and continued to stay with Mrs. Zhang as an errand.
And her husband's death was not without any effect, at least it made Mrs. Zhang trust Aunt Zhao even more.
Therefore, when Mrs. Zhang encountered difficulties, she did not even tell her parents or husband, but secretly discussed it with Aunt Zhao.
Mrs. Zhang has clear class boundaries in her heart, but it is undeniable that Aunt Zhao is the person she trusts most in the world.
Mrs. Zhang trusted Aunt Zhao, and Aunt Zhao naturally regarded Mrs. Zhang as her only one.
For Mrs. Zhang, Aunt Zhao would even give up her own life.
Now it's just a little hardship, but it's nothing, right?
Aunt Zhao rubbed her shoulders again. Alas, that damn girl doesn't look fat at all. Why is she so heavy?
Yesterday, after only carrying it for a long time, Aunt Zhao was so tired that her back ached and her shoulders became like stones.
The hard part is that I will probably have to serve this little ancestor today.
When she thought of the endless official roads and the layer of blisters on her feet, Grandma Zhao felt a little frightened.
"Mother-in-law, the eldest lady seems to have a fever and her condition is not good."
He Tiantian walked over with Wei Yuanniang in her arms, while Feng Yanting followed her obediently.
She looked at Aunt Zhao and said worriedly, "I think it's better for me to take care of her."
"First of all, it will be easier to sit in the carriage. You will not be exposed to the wind and sun, and the eldest lady will also suffer less."
"Secondly, mother-in-law, you are also old and in poor health. It is difficult to take care of yourself. It is difficult to serve the eldest lady!"
He Tiantian's words were so sensible that even the honest Feng Zhongliang couldn't help but nod.
Yes, letting the eldest lady ride in the carriage is not only for the eldest lady, but also to make Aunt Zhao feel more comfortable.
These days, every time he sees his own mother, who is much older, still serving Mrs. Zhang, carrying the eldest daughter on her back, Feng Zhongliang doesn't say anything, but he feels distressed on the inside.
It's just that he has a stupid mind and an even stupider mouth, and he can only feel stupid and distressed. Unlike his wife, who casually thought of a way to get the best of both worlds.
Aunt Zhao: ...That’s what you say, and it makes sense, but it just feels weird.
But for a while, Aunt Zhao couldn't tell what was wrong.
Mrs. Zhang and other female family members were expelled from the inn, and walked onto the official road in a hurry.
Feng Zhongliang drove the carriage and followed him not far or near.
Mrs. Zhang habitually looked for Feng Yanting. As a result, in the dilapidated little carriage, she not only saw Feng Yanting, but also Wei Yuanniang.
Mrs. Zhang's expression suddenly changed.
Because she discovered that, also in the carriage, Feng Yanting was sitting by herself, while Wei Yuanniang was held in the arms of "Gu Xiuniang" with all kinds of treasures!
How is this possible?
Shouldn't Gu Xiuniang take good care of Yan Ting?
Her Yan Ting is the noble young master of the Hou Mansion, a master who is supported and served by others.
Who is Wei Yuanniang?
She deserves to ride in the same carriage as Yan Ting? And she is given special treatment?!
A sudden anger arose in Mrs. Zhang's chest. She turned her head and scolded Aunt Zhao angrily, "...why did Yuan Niang get into the carriage?"
Aunt Zhao felt Mrs. Zhang's anger. Although she didn't know why, but due to years of habit, she subconsciously admitted her mistake.
"It's all the old slave's fault. It's because the old slave didn't think carefully. He only considered that the eldest lady was injured, but ignored everything else!"
As for what she had overlooked, Aunt Zhao really didn't know.
However, as a slave, if the master is angry, then he must have made a mistake.
Therefore, confess your sins first, and then listen to the master’s instructions for the rest.
"You also know that you are wrong?"
Mrs. Zhang suppressed her anger and lowered her voice, "The princes are all guilty now, so being able to allow Feng Zhongliang to secretly help him shows that Qian has some conscience."
"As the eldest lady of the Hou family, Yuan Niang should be with everyone, but instead she went to ride in a carriage. Isn't this an overreach? It would provoke the dissatisfaction of the officers and soldiers?"
"Also, Yuan Niang is not the only child in the Hou Mansion. Not to mention the girls from the concubines in our eldest house, there are also young children in the second and third houses. However, Yuan Niang rides the carriage alone, while the other children walk.
,you say--"
"If something happens to Mr. Marquis, the entire Hou family will be held accountable. The second and third bedrooms have already complained a lot about our eldest bedroom. Now that Yuan Niang is here, they may not be able to cause trouble!"
Madam Zhang was right. Just when she was pulling Nanny Zhao to scold her, the second lady and the third lady were already pulling their youngest children closer to the carriage.
"From the Feng family, our Sanniang, Qilang, and Jiuniang are also young and can't walk anymore. Why don't we let them go up there to accompany Yuanniang."
The Second Madam and the others spoke politely, but in fact, they were secretly reminding Wei Yuanniang that if Wei Yuanniang could ride in a carriage, other children of the Wei family, including those younger than her, should also ride in a carriage.
He Tiantian did not respond to the Second Madam's words, but suddenly said: "Second Madam, although my mother-in-law works as an errand in the Wei family, my husband has long been freed from slavery."
"My husband is not a noble man, but he is quite capable. When he walks outside, everyone will politely call him Uncle Feng."
After saying this, He Tiantian didn't speak again.
The second lady and the third lady blushed.
They were not stupid, of course they understood what He Tiantian meant.
They were being picky and thought they shouldn't call each other "from the Feng family".
Although the title "from the Feng family" does not mean any insult, it does have a certain casualness to it.
Just like the women in their Hou Mansion, they are basically called "from the xx family".
But as for "Gu Xiuniang", she is not a servant of the Hou Mansion.
Although my mother-in-law works as an errand in the Hou Mansion, she is also a bit prestigious outside.
Not to mention, now that the Hou Mansion is in trouble, noble ladies like the Second Madam and the Third Madam are worse than ordinary people.
Although he is a guilty person, he still calls a "grandma from a rich family" "from the Feng family" in such a scornful manner. No wonder she is unhappy.
But, but...
The Second Madam and the Third Madam blushed, and at the same time, a violent anger suddenly arose in their hearts.
What a successful prostitute.
Why didn't you take issue with me when you came to the Marquis' Mansion to pay your respects?
Now that the Hou Mansion is being questioned, she, a slave who has escaped from the country, is trembling?!
However, before the second lady and the third lady could attack, He Tiantian seemed to have thought of something again. She covered her mouth and chuckled: "What the two nobles said just now is also a bit inappropriate."
"My mother-in-law serves Madam Hou, and our Feng family has received great favor from Madam Hou. Therefore, even if we wrong our own flesh and blood, we must take good care of Madam's only daughter!"
Just at this time, a group of people walked uphill.
Feng Zhongliang listened too much to his mother. Aunt Zhao asked him to buy a shabby carriage, so he bought a shabby carriage.
There is no carriage, only a shed, so it doesn't matter if the carriage is broken down.
The key is that the horse pulling the cart is too old.
It's okay on a flat road, but once there's an uphill slope or it gets stuck in a mud pit, it's impossible to pull it up just by relying on the pulling power of the horse.
At this time, everyone on the carriage has to jump off, even if they don't help push the carriage, they have to reduce the weight of the carriage.
In the past, the original owner Gu Xiuniang felt sorry for her son, so she would get off the carriage and leave her son on the carriage.
But now—
He Tiantian gently placed Wei Yuanniang on the carriage board and wrapped her in quilt.
He jumped off the carriage and called to Feng Yanting: "Come on, Yanting, come down and help daddy push the cart with my mother-in-law!"
Although Feng Yanting was a little surprised, he was very sensible.
He nodded obediently, and with the help of He Tiantian, he carefully got out of the car, and then helped push the car with He Tiantian.
Seeing this scene, both the second lady and the third lady had to shut up.
What else did they say?
Aunt Zhao's son and daughter-in-law are just like Aunt Zhao, they are Mrs. Zhang's hardcore lackeys, oh no, they are extremely loyal servants.
In order to take care of the benefactor's daughter, he would even sacrifice his own flesh and blood.
Not to mention ladies in distress like the Second Madam and the Third Madam, who have nothing to do with the Feng family or the Gu family.
Although the second lady and the third lady could see clearly, they also had some understanding.
However, my heart is not willing to accept it.
He took the child and returned to the main army, deliberately squeezing next to Mrs. Zhang.
The second lady said in a sour voice: "You are a sister-in-law if you don't cry. You are a first-class Madam, and the people trained by you are considerate."
The third lady hurriedly agreed, "No, all the things you are busy doing are nothing. For the sake of your master's only bloodline, sister-in-law, you don't even care about your own flesh and blood!"
"Oh, in the past, people always said that we are not as good as my sister-in-law, but today I see that we really can't compare!"
"That's right, sister-in-law, you are so awesome, please teach us more in the future, and I hope you can help us with the second and third bedrooms more!"
Mrs. Zhang: ...She was so angry that her eyes were bloodshot.
What a good Gu Xiuniang, how dare you bitch!
He actually drove my Yan Ting out of the car and left your dead girl lying there.
You still want my son to give your daughter a stroller?!
you you!
Mrs. Zhang clenched her fists hard, and her nails left many crescent-shaped pinch marks on her palms.
However, there were the Second Madam and the Third Madam in front of her. Madam Zhang did not dare to show any anger no matter how much anger she had in her chest.
She also wanted to put on a placid smile and apologize to the two of them, "They are both vulgar and ignorant people. If you have offended my two siblings, please don't argue with them!"
"Oh, from now on we will have to rely on Uncle Feng and Grandma to take care of things. How can we dare to argue with others?"
The second lady and the third lady continued to squeeze people out in a strange way.
After teasing Mrs. Zhang, the second lady turned her attention to Aunt Zhao again, "Aunt Zhao is so lucky. She raised a good son and married a good daughter-in-law!"
Aunt Zhao:......
She looked at He Tiantian who was leading Feng Yanting's cart to the side, and then turned to take a peek at Mrs. Zhang's cold face.
Suddenly, she finally understood what was wrong in her heart.
"Gu Xiuniang" carrying Wei Yuanniang to the carriage was definitely not a trivial matter, nor was it the best of both worlds.
But it is seriously challenging Mrs. Zhang's dignity and subverting the dignity!
