Qiuniang returned to Kouxiang Garden with red eyes. Sister Rong was sleeping in the back room. She burst into tears when she saw the red ribbon. After all, the two had been together for many years and could be considered sisters in need, so they held each other's hands and went to the side room to talk.
【leaf*】【*】
"You're telling my sister to see a joke." Qiuniang wiped her tears and said sadly, "It's all my fault. I'm tired of telling people to gossip."
Hong Xiao secretly laughed in her heart, "You are the only one who is being laughed at," but she said warmly: "How can you blame my sister? The master and sister have been in love since they were young! The master treats his sister differently than others, and my wife is temporarily
I don't understand. Sister, don't take it to heart. Madam also said it. Even in front of Madam, I can't stop praising you! How dignified is this."
Qiuniang sighed with tears in her eyes. After a long time, she said: "I am already old and yellow, how can I still fight with the madam? I just want to see if the master is doing well. The madam is still young. I am afraid that she will not take good care of her."
, what can I do if I feel wronged..."
"Who says it's not the case? We have been waiting for so many years. How can we have any second thoughts? Madam is also too worried." Hongxiao sighed and accompanied Qiuniang in tears for a long time before they went back to the house.
"Is she gone?" A maid with her hair combed up stood up and went to greet her. She saw her beautiful features and beautiful features. After Hongxiao entered the house, she was half-lying on the beauty's couch: "I went back to copy scriptures.
Where is Wu'er?"
Jin Xi smiled and made tea for Hongxiao: "Where else can I go? I'm probably looking for someone to grind my teeth on."
"...To say that this Miss Qiu is also a very interesting person." Hongxiao narrowed her eyes slightly, holding a tea cup, with a hint of amusement on her face, "To say that she is stupid is extremely stupid, and she can't even look at it.
The master who appears now is no longer the second young master he used to be. As soon as he entered the house, he went to seek help from his mother. But to say that she was a good boy, she was also used to pretending to be stupid and kind-hearted. Over the years,
I actually stayed here peacefully."
Jin Xi whispered: "Yes, otherwise we girls wouldn't tolerate her."
Hongxiao's face showed sarcasm: "Even in the past, I didn't know how much the master liked her, but because she was a caring person who served her since childhood, she acted like a loyal servant who was worried about the Lord, and the master just remembered the old friendship.
, but after all these years, things have changed a long time ago! If you are smart, you should hurry up and curry favor with Madam now; it should still be the past."
After all, Qiuniang was not a writer, and she didn't dare to write randomly, so her progress was somewhat sluggish. Even though she wrote hard, it took two days to finish copying. On the third day, she took her homework to greet Minglan.
Minglan reminded her a few words to "be careful with your behavior". Afterwards, even she felt that it was boring, so the matter was solved.
On the second day, Minglan realized why she was so irritable and unhappy. It turned out that a relative came to the door.
As usual, Danju set up a small sand stove and made herbal tea with brown sugar for Minglan to drink. Xiaotao went to Ge's mother to fry a bag of hot salt, wrapped it carefully with several layers of oil paper and cloth bags, and finally wrapped it in thick
The thick velvet satin made Minglan cover her belly.
For two full days, Minglan was leaning on the soft couch, looking at the picturesque window from a distance, her eyes melancholy, like a grasshopper near the lake, her posture graceful and delicate... Well, if she was holding this book in her hand,
A collection of poems instead of an account book would be better.
She was feeling unwell, and there were no flowers in the account book. Minglan thought of another important matter. Due to the rumors that had caused a commotion, Liao Yong's family came to remind Minglan implicitly.
Too much is not conducive to unity and stability.
According to the evil feudal status contract system, the marriage of servants in Chengyuan, regardless of whether they have parents, brothers or sisters, must be approved by the master. Minglan ordered that all those who have relatives and elders can declare their marriage separately. How many are left?
Ming Lan asked Dan Ju to bring the dossier, and with the explanations from Liao Yong's family, he compared the errands and character, and matched them according to the principle of resource allocation.
After saying a few words about marriage between men and women, Danju blushed with embarrassment and dodged away. Xiaotao was interested in continuing to listen, but Cuiwei rolled her eyes and sent her away.
"This girl! She's still like a child." Cuiwei looked at Xiao Tao's back as she walked out, shook her head and sighed, then turned to Minglan and said, "Madam, it's okay for everyone else. Do you know how many of us are in the house?"
Minglan half-propped herself up and regained her energy: "I have inquired about it. Mr. Gongsun knows a few young people from poor families. They seem to be good. He also has a few capable sergeants under his command, as well as several old stewards in the mansion.
Son, this time they didn’t report for marriage, so I’m going to keep it for the girls in the courtyard. (·~)”
Cui Wei felt it was funny and chuckled: "Madam, things are really different now. Alas, these girls are lucky..." At this point, she seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly changed her subject and lowered her voice and said, "Madam
, you should pay more attention to that girl Ruomei."
"Oh, what's wrong with her?" Minglan asked curiously. Ruomei always prided herself on being noble and never liked to play around with other girls. In order to avoid suspicion, she would not even show her face as long as Gu Tingye was around.
Cui Wei hesitated for a moment, then said: "Speaking of which, Ruomei is the eldest in this house. I saw her hanging out in the front yard several times, and she often interacted enthusiastically with the girls and boys serving in the study outside. I watched her
...I'm afraid she might have some thoughts."
Minglan was surprised: "Are they the scribes in the outer study room?"
Cui Wei said helplessly: "You know that girl Ruomei, she always likes to play with poetry and prose, and the people in the house... I'm afraid she won't look down on her." She saw that Minglan was a little dazed, and quickly said: "Let's not worry about it for now.
Whether outsiders are willing to ask for a girl to be their daughter-in-law, but whether to give grace or not is your business, madam. Before that, we cannot tolerate the idea of giving or receiving in private! One bad move will ruin the integrity of a whole house of girls and madams.
reputation."
Ming Lan just wanted to say something funny, but when she saw Cui Wei's nervous look, she quickly nodded and said: "Although I think they are very good, they still have to meet someone who understands. Well, there are still a few years left, so slow."
Just wait and see. Go back and say a few words to Ruomei and Danju. This girl's old habit has happened again. They live in the next door house. They must have known about Ruomei for a long time. But for the sake of sisterly friendship,
I kept it secret because I was soft-hearted, I will talk to her later."
Cui Wei looked slightly uncomfortable and smiled bitterly: "Madam, as long as you know better, alas..."
While he was talking, a sound of "The master is back" sounded in the courtyard.
With the sound of a gust of wind, the curtains were lifted. Gu Tingye strode into the house with his head held high. Cui Wei blessed her and said goodbye before leaving. Minglan wanted to get up, but was pushed back. Gu Tingye saw Minglan's face was pale and whispered.
Said: "Just rest and don't get up."
Minglan didn't insist, so she called Xia Zhu to help her change her clothes. She leaned against him and saw the man's brows were flying, obviously in a happy mood, so she smiled and asked: "Master is so happy, could it be...?"
As Gu Tingye stood upright, the dark rubies inlaid on the high purple gold crown shone brightly, and the brocade robe and jade belt made it more mature and heroic, with outstanding temperament. He turned around and saw Minglan's big eyes widened in anticipation, flickering brightly.
He immediately glared and laughed and cursed: "It's not about getting promoted and getting rich!"
Minglan was seen through, smiled coquettishly, and leaned back listlessly on the soft couch. Gu Tingye put on an azure-colored silver-patterned thin crepe satin home clothes, waved to Xia Zhu, sat down next to Minglan, and touched her.
He put a warm pack on his belly and asked, "Does it still hurt?"
Minglan lowered her soft ears and shook her head: "I just don't have the strength."
Gu Tingye gently caressed Minglan's cheek, and slowly leaned over to lean against her. His skin was slightly hot from the sun, and his rough, sandy beard and prickly stubble stuck to Minglan's soft and refreshing skin.
After a long time, the couple sighed softly at the same time and spoke at the same time, but the contents were completely opposite.
"It's better to have children later."
"It's better to have a baby sooner."
As soon as the words came out, the two of them looked at each other in astonishment. Both of them looked surprised and amused. Gu Tingye spoke first: "You silly girl, you should take good care of yourself first. Why are you so anxious about having a baby? It will take time."
Ming Lan was flushed, and her extremely white skin seemed to be stained with a layer of brilliant rouge: "No, that's not true. People who have been here say that after giving birth to a child, I don't feel sad anymore."
"Really?" Gu Tingye had doubts, "Wouldn't it be harmful to the body to conceive a child too early and too hastily?"
"Who said that?" Minglan said with a smile, "Old people have said that as long as the body is well-conditioned, it will be easy to have a baby."
It should be said that although this man is very fierce in bed, he is also very considerate in some aspects. Ever since Minglan started to take care of Mrs. He's book, she has politely asked if she could have a truce for a few days every month.
It was better to wait until two rounds of decoction were finished before conceiving the child. When she made this request, Minglan was a little uneasy. In this era, it is emphasized that the sooner you have a child, the luckier you will be. Unexpectedly, Gu Tingye agreed without saying a word and repeatedly told Minglan
Take good care of yourself.
"It's enough to be a widower once, and I'm asking you to survive for decades more." Gu Tingye joked at that time.
Of course, the result of this thoughtfulness was that the fighting was extremely fierce in the remaining days, with the sky darkening and the ground darkening, and the passion overflowing.
After hearing this, Gu Tingye relaxed his brow slightly, rubbed Minglan's little hand, and said comfortingly: "Be careful yourself, when you are outside..." He paused, and said happily, "I once heard that some bankers
Their women can still give birth to children when they are fifty."
Minglan was so embarrassed that she twisted the man's arm with all her strength. Unexpectedly, it hit the hard muscle and made her fingers numb. She pretended to be angry and cursed in a low voice: "You are not ashamed of yourself!"
The couple joked for a while, then they suddenly remembered what topic they were talking about at the beginning. Minglan asked again, and Gu Tingye said with a smile on his face: "Mother Chang is coming tomorrow."
"My Buddha is finally here." Minglan smiled and clasped her hands together, "If grandma doesn't come, I will come to visit you."
Since Gu Tingye returned to Beijing, Grandma Chang took her widowed daughter-in-law and granddaughter from the suburbs of Beijing to live in Mao'er Hutong. Grandma Chang had to serve three years of death due to her death alone. When Gu Tingye got married, she still had to live in Mao'er Hutong.
There was only one or two months left before the filial piety period. For fear of spoiling the happiness of the newlyweds, they kept avoiding it.
"Aunt Chang is too worried. She is so particular." Minglan has always looked up to this Aunt Chang.
Gu Tingye smiled and said: "Mammy is from the countryside. She believes in this the most. She is also stubborn. Anyway, I will obey her in just a few days. If I haven't returned home when she comes tomorrow, please keep her here."
.”
Minglan agreed with a smile, and the couple chatted privately next to each other. At this time, Danju outside reported: "Miss Qiu is here."
Gu Tingye was stunned for a moment, and his thick brows furrowed again.
Minglan quickly pushed the man away, straightened her clothes and hair that were messed up during the intimacy, and then said: "Please come in quickly." She wanted to get off the couch, but was pushed back by Gu Tingye.
Qiu Niang was holding a small bag and was wearing a soft autumn-colored gauze jacket. She came slowly. When she saw Minglan sitting on the soft couch and Gu Tingye sitting beside the couch with her hands on her knees, she quickly lowered her head.
Fu Fu went to say hello first, and Minglan smiled and asked her to sit down.
"What brings you here?" Gu Tingye asked patiently.
Qiuniang's face was full of tenderness. She tilted her cheek slightly, raised her head to look at Gu Tingye, and said softly: "Seeing that the sun is getting hotter, I remember that my master has always been suffering in summer, so he made some new cool summer shirts and trousers for him.
The master sent it; there are also a few small sachets. I put the agarwood incense that the master likes, as well as rosin and mugwort to repel mosquitoes." As he spoke, he shook the small bundle in his hand and gently put it in.
The first one sent him off; but Gu Tingye remained motionless, making Qiuniang a little embarrassed.
Minglan saw that the atmosphere was not right and quickly came to the rescue: "Go and get it. I'll take a look at this needle and thread later. Danju... It's good to go out and have lunch." It's better to have less people watching.
Danju took the bundle, put it gently on the table beside it, and went out respectfully.
Qiuniang stared blankly at Gu Tingye's calm expression and said softly: "Master...I..."
Gu Tingye only looked at Qiuniang, while Minglan looked at his handsome profile with deep contemplation in his eyes. He looked at Qiuniang and said slowly: "Did you make these things for Sister Rong?"
Qiuniang was stunned for a moment: "I, I, I'm going to finish doing yours, and then I'll do it for Sister Rong."
"Have you made any needlework for Madam since you returned home?" Gu Tingye asked again.
Qiuniang stood up quickly, knelt down towards Minglan, and said in panic: "It was my negligence. I have been busy copying scriptures these days, and I only had time to do it for the master."
Since there was no maid present, no one went to help Qiuniang. Minglan could only smile and comfort her: "It's nothing. It's important for you to take care of Sister Rong. Get up quickly."
Qiuniang did not dare to get up. She moved her knees in the direction of Gu Tingye and opened her mouth to speak. Gu Tingye raised his hand to interrupt her and suddenly asked: "Have you paid your regards to Madam this morning?"
Qiuniang said quickly: "This is natural. How dare you forget your duty?"
"Then why don't you give it to Madam this morning?"
After hearing this, Qiuniang suddenly raised her head in disbelief. She saw Gu Tingye looking accusingly and even a bit sarcastic. She was speechless and couldn't say anything. Her eyes turned red and she was about to shed tears.
The room was quiet. Minglan was extremely embarrassed and wanted to run away. However, the half-skirt made Gu Tingye sit still. He could not move. He could only turn his head slightly, picked up a book of mountains and seas next to the soft couch, and pretended to read it.
stand up.
"If you don't want to keep it, I can give you a large portion of my property and ask my wife to find a good family for you. Just go out and get married properly." That's what Gu Tingye said.
"No!" Qiuniang screamed, her face full of fear, and she kowtowed repeatedly, and the ripples of water swished down, "I have no second thoughts about you, my heart, my heart... How can I not know this! I, I...
Even if I die immediately, my body rots, turns to pus, and is burned to ashes, I will never go out!"
Minglan was so uncomfortable that she wanted to cover her ears. It was the first time in two generations for her to hear such a poignant and decisive confession. Her heart was numb and she couldn't help but glance sideways at the man next to her.
"How can things in this world be as you wish?" Gu Tingye remained unmoved, seeming a little sad. His eyes were far away, and he didn't know what happened in the past. He continued slowly, "I know what you mean.
I thought you knew my thoughts, but it seems I made a mistake."
Qiuniang sobbed softly, and Minglan almost buried her head in the book.
Gu Tingye's tone was solemn, but very calm: "You have been jumping up and down these days, not knowing etiquette, and making a fool of yourself. I think in the past, you never said a word. Could it be that you really think you are the boss and have forgotten your identity?
"
Qiuniang's lips trembled, and her heart was cold. She no longer dared to look up at the man and quickly lowered her head. She had served Gu Tingye since she was a child and knew that he had a violent nature. Although she was much more stable now, she had not changed in her bones. Either he would not have an attack.
Once it happens, it can be very severe.
This is also the first time Minglan has heard Gu Tingye have an attack, so calm and so vivid; it is a gentle day, but there is a dangerous atmosphere coming from the mountain rain.
"You have been with me for so many years, and you have always been loyal and considerate. I will not miss you because of your dignity and wealth. A hundred years later, someone will provide you with a bowl of rice." Gu Tingye became more and more indifferent, "But you should also know
Xifu, I entrust Sister Rong to you, you don't need me to teach you how to treat her; if you don't know how, there are many people who can."
Qiuniang knelt on the ground, holding back tears and not daring to raise her head.
"Go down and think about your duty."
After Gu Tingye said this, Qiuniang wiped her tears and lowered her head to go out. When she reached the door, Gu Tingye suddenly stopped her again. Qiuniang turned back with hope, but she heard Gu Tingye say, "If you have anything in the future, just go to
Give it to madam."
This sentence was the last straw. Qiuniang instantly turned pale and staggered out.
The two people in the room were speechless. After a long time, Minglan let out a long sigh: "Even if you want to scold her, you should ask me to go out first. In this way... it won't make her feel better." How embarrassing.
Gu Tingye lay back slightly, his head resting on Minglan's thigh, and said briefly: "She is greedy."
Minglan acquiesced in her heart that Qiuniang mistakenly thought that the feelings of adversity over the past many years could develop into love between a man and a woman. As a common concubine, this was not only greedy, annoying, but also pitiful.
Gu Tingye seems to be cruel, but in fact he is doing it for her own good. For a grown man to be so harsh on his wife, he is out of love. Compared to Baoyu who pampered the girls to such an extent that the girls ended up miserable.
This seems to be much better.
"Do you pity her?" Gu Tingye looked at Minglan and asked softly.
Minglan nodded, then shook her head.
Humans are social animals, and comparison will produce results.
Minglan always felt that her reincarnation was very aggrieved and that she was tired from living, but compared with those poor people who had maids, servants, and hungry people, she was pretty good; Qiuniang was indeed pitiful, but compared with many
The girl-in-law did not die well, but she was very lucky because her master was somewhat responsible.
The Sheng family is already a good family, and Sheng Changfeng is also a passionate person, but if Ke'er dies, he will die. No one will accuse Chang Feng of being callous or anything like that. The remaining tongfangs around Chang Feng are also like duckweeds.
Let’s see how the future mistress will fare.
Some great person once said that people in the third world do not have love. This society has a clear hierarchy and people in lower positions do not seem qualified to pursue luxurious emotions. Survival always comes first.
Gu Tingye saw that Minglan was silent and looked a little strange, so he asked again: "Are you angry?"
Minglan shook her head and nodded again.
Gu Tingye frowned, pulled Minglan's ear, and said in a deep voice: "Speak."
Minglan had no choice but to sigh: "Obviously it is the minister's job to do for the emperor, but a little doctor is always ahead of him and takes all the trouble. Do you think the minister will be happy?" It would be strange if he was not demoted and dismissed.
As a concubine, if you show more concern for the man you are passionately in love with than your mistress, you are looking for death.
Gu Tingye couldn't help but laugh: "This is a good metaphor."
He thought for a while and couldn't help but added: "Seeing how soft-hearted you are, I thought you would be 'magnanimous' in persuading me to go to her room."
Minglan immediately shook her head like a rattle and asked, "If you were Wei Qing, would you give up your position to a lonely veteran like Li Guang?"
Gu Tingye pondered for a moment and slowly shook his head: "No. Don't say it's inappropriate. Besides, I earned my military glory with my own swords and spears. Why should I give it to others? It's not like I call him 'difficult to win'."
"
"That's great, that's what I mean." Minglan clapped her hands and smiled brightly, "Firstly, I didn't ask Qiuniang to be the bridegroom, secondly, I didn't ask her to wait for you, thirdly, I will stay with you for the rest of my life.
Just marry a husband, why should I use my own man to support her?!"
Even if your husband is your boss, which CEO would allow an administrative assistant with hidden agendas to compete with him for favor in front of the chairman of the board? Please! Can you be more dedicated?
Even in ancient times, people had to be professional and ethical, and even if they were pretending, they had to act like a nervous man.
Gu Tingye got up and stared at Minglan. Minglan looked back innocently. The two stared at each other for a long time, and then burst into laughter together. The two of them laughed until their faces turned red. Gu Tingye pressed heavily on Minglan and laughed sullenly.
, the shaking chest spread to Minglan, their noses touched each other, and the heat wet their cheeks.
The man said in a low voice: "Your last sentence is very good."
Minglan blinked: "Which sentence?"
Seeing that Gu Tingye glared and was about to touch her squeaky nest, she quickly begged for mercy. After a long fuss, the two of them lay on the couch panting. Minglan took a deep breath and put her face against the man's chest.
Said: "Except for one person, no one can ask me to give up my man."
Gu Tingye smiled and asked: "Who is so powerful?"
"You." Minglan sighed with a wry smile. If a man wants to change his mind, there is nothing she can do about it, so she must take precautions, take precautions before they happen, and think about countermeasures early. Life will always go on.
The girl's bright eyes were as clear as emptiness, and she seemed to be joking, but there was a hint of helplessness in her eyes.
Gu Tingye looked at her quietly.
The author has something to say:
Wow, it’s always like this. I’ve already written it and then revised it for a long time. I’m so procrastinating.