In early November, the emperor ordered the Qintian Supervisor to choose an auspicious day, and the imperial commander personally visited Yanyuntai in the western suburbs, ordered all the generals to sacrifice their blood to heaven, and then sent the troops in three directions to Longxi. ~
Among them, the emperor deliberately separated the British Duke and the Weiyuan Marquis. He did not know whether it was because he was afraid that the father-in-law and his son-in-law were too close to each other and were too kind in commanding the army, or because they were afraid that they would not get along with each other and miss important events. In short, Gu Tingye left with the British Duke in the end. On the north road, Shen Congxing led the Duan brothers all the way to the west, with Bo Tianzhou and General Gan taking the lead in the middle.
According to reports from the Tu family brothers who sent old man Gongsun to the camp, there were hundreds of thousands of troops gathered at the camp in the western suburbs. They were holding banners covering the sky, standing in a row of swords and armor, and their murderous intent was soaring into the sky.
Minglan just wished she had not been able to witness this ancient grand occasion, and without him around her, she felt empty and uncomfortable in her heart. She sat on the kang with a sullen face, bluffing the maid standing below so that she did not dare to say a word.
"I said Miss Fengxian, you are talking." Luzhi pointed at the pair of masters and servants standing below, and said loudly, "If you don't do good things, you have to do it secretly!"
Fengxian stood there with her head lowered and said nothing, her delicate and beautiful face still stained with tears. The maid next to her stopped being angry and muttered: "Aren't we girls just going back to their parents' families after seeing each other? What's the big deal? Those shouting about beating and killing..."
Minglan glanced over and the little maid immediately shut up.
"I made a rule earlier. If you want to see people outside, you have to let me know." Minglan slowly fiddled with her fingers, "Just like that, quietly, I took money and asked my mother-in-law to open the second door, and stole What's going on if you sneak to the corner gate to meet someone?"
Fengxian remained silent, but the maid looked shrewd, with a smile on her face, "We all know that Madam is kind, because everyone in this house has Madam to worry about, and we girls are afraid of sparing Madam, so now …”
"Otherwise, we can just talk to Liao Yong's family. Have you said it?" Minglan said lightly.
The maid was speechless for a moment, and then said: "Sister-in-law Liao...isn't she also busy..."
Minglan was too lazy to talk nonsense with her anymore, and said to Liao Yong's family on the side: "That woman, you are done with it. Don't stay in the house anymore. Ten taels of silver will be smashed. It's useless."
Liao Yong's family bowed and responded: "That's an old man from the old mansion. He used to guard the second gate. I didn't expect his eyeslids to be so shallow."
Minglan nodded, "The Marquis has gone out, and the doorman at home should be stricter. Later, you can recommend a few people to come up. Not only will they be guarding the door at night, they should also stop slacking off during the day."
When she said something, Liao Yong's family responded.
Minglan glanced at the maid and said, "Since you have violated the rules of the house, you should be punished. It's no wonder that I am young and there are no rules in the house. But I can't bear to punish Miss Fengxian severely. Since you two masters and servants have a deep love, Just accept it for your master."
The maid was immediately dumbfounded and screamed for mercy with a face full of fear. The Liao Yong family asked the two mothers-in-law to go up and grab her, and said in a cold voice: "Don't just go to the madam and play with it based on your little cleverness. ~The rules in the house, You changed it as soon as you asked!"
The maid was still crying: "...we...we were sent by General Gan!"
Liao Yong's family sneered: "The one who was sent with you to serve Miss Fengxian, what's his name? Where is he now? I have advised you long ago, don't take yourself too seriously. You don't know how to die!"
While saying this, he looked at Fengxian with his eyes, not concealing the mocking warning in his eyes.
After the maid was dragged out, Fengxian couldn't hold on any longer. She raised her eyes to Minglan and forced herself to calm down: "What are you going to do to me, madam?"
"The Marquis told me that when Old General Gan sent you here, he said, 'This is the daughter of a guilty minister. She still has some color and a well-behaved temperament, and can be used for your entertainment.'" Minglan.
He casually turned sideways and asked Xiaotao to switch sides and knead her painful calf, "Girl, you have read a book. What do you mean by 'spreading for fun'?"
The servants and women in the room laughed lightly, and the leader of Liao Yong's family said: "You servants have never read any books, but you know this. Sweeping is a serious job, a pastime... haha... it's just a toy! What a pity.
, Madam didn’t ask the girl to get a broom, and she didn’t entertain the girl. She also provided her with good food and drink, and her silk clothes were renewed every season.”
The gazes around her were like needles piercing the bones, and Fengxian's face turned red and suddenly turned pale.
Minglan looked at her for a while, then waved the servants to go down, leaving only Xiaotao and Lvzhi in the room, and then said: "You ask me what I plan to do with you. I would like to ask first, what are your plans?"
Fengxian suddenly raised her head, with tears in her eyes, and said sadly: "...Although I was redeemed by the Gan family from the Jiaofangsi, I still have a household registration of an official slave. How can I live an ordinary life outside. I only hope that Madam will have mercy and give you
I have enough food to eat, and I will serve my wife and the Marquis loyally..."
Before she could finish speaking, Minglan had already waved her hand: "Don't talk nonsense like this again."
Seeing Fengxian's eyes full of despair and tears streaming down her face, Minglan said bluntly: "It's been four or five years since you arrived in the mansion, and I didn't come in earlier than you. If the Marquis wanted to take you in, why wait until today? Since you are guilty
After the minister, it was sent by the Gan family, and the Marquis will not want you. I want to have a good aunt, but I can’t find it anywhere, so why do I have to have you?"
Fengxian knelt down on the ground. She knew that most of the daughters of guilty ministers were humiliated in the Jiaofangsi. If they were lucky, they would be redeemed by merchants to become concubines. But if they were not lucky, some would even be sold into the fireworks field.
Most respectable families would not accept a girl from the Jiaofang Division as their aunt. The Gan family had only given her as a toy, not to mention that the Gu and Gan families were wary of each other. But at first, she still thought, what if
To make Gu Tingye like to pamper her, he would first be a wife, and after giving birth to a son and a half daughter, he would be able to slowly lift her up based on Gu Hou's meritorious service and prestige. Who knows...
She couldn't help but burst into tears. She was already in her twenties. Ever since her father was convicted and her whole family was confiscated, she was like a duckweed with nowhere to stay. "...Madam...is this the end of my life?"
Minglan sighed: "Mother Chang said, you are still a shameless person. ~I have looked at you with cold eyes these years, but you are quite honest. Now, there are three ways in front of you."
Fengxian quickly raised her head, looking expectantly.
Minglan said: "First, if you still have reliable relatives, I will let you go and seek refuge. You may go farther away in the future, and you may marry a farmer. You will be treated as if I married a girl. Second, Mrs. Che is here now."
In our house, I asked her for help, either to find an honest low-income family to marry, or to marry a rich family as a concubine. The better in Vietnam, the sky is high and the emperor is far away, so no one will mention your origins in the future."
Fengxian was very worried when he heard this, and his expression changed uncertainly.
Minglan said again: "Moreover, if you don't want to leave, I will go to the manor to find an honest servant for you - this is the third way. You should make up your mind quickly and wait until you are old."
Once you grow up, nothing will be easy anymore."
Minglan was a little tired after talking so many words at once, so she asked Luzhi to take Fengxian out, then leaned softly on the pillow, put her fingers on her belly and tapped it gently, looking up at the ceiling carved with red pomegranate vines. , stunned and lost in thought.
Before going out, Gu Tingye told her to start dealing with Fengxian. Does this mean that General Gan will soon...?
The emperor's personnel arrangements this time are very interesting. With General Gan's qualifications, even the British prince has to call him "old brother", let alone Shen Gu Duan. He only meets Bo Laoshuai and has no choice but to be his deputy—— To paraphrase classmate Li Yunlong, 'When you were the squad leader, you were still carrying an iron pot as a fire soldier'!
What's more, what we want to capture this time is the guerrillas. The Central Route Army is claiming to be the main force and carrying such a swaggering banner. It is clear that it is just a cover-up. They come and go in vain. They are charged with "returning without success and wasting money and food". Can't run away.
If the emperor is happy, he will be overjoyed: Your love is innocent, you have made great contributions to the other two armies, and everyone will be rewarded together; if the emperor is unhappy, he will turn his back and deny you: you two are veteran generals, I didn't expect it to disappoint me so much.
Minglan estimated that, well, the emperor would probably be very unhappy in front of others, and then very happy in front of others.
It seems that Bo Laoshuai has spent a lot of money this time. He would rather lose half of his life's reputation to please Emperor Sun Zai. It's awesome, it's awesome... However, he can see this level of stratagem. How could the family not see it?
Minglan shook her head and didn't think about it. But Gu Tingye was very good this time. The British Lord was always reliable, he was the kind of man who was both steady and would not tie the hands of his generals. The advantage was that he could not suffer big losses, and the disadvantages were not obvious. great merit.
But it doesn't matter, just come back safely and leave the limelight to Uncle Guo to show off.
The more she thought about it, the happier she became, rolling around on the kang with her belly in her hands, smiling like a little mouse that had successfully stolen oil, as if her husband would be able to come home with his beard and tail tomorrow.
…
After that day, Minglan originally thought that a weak beauty like Fengxian, who could be defeated by the wind, would have to worry about it for two months when faced with such a difficult decision. Unexpectedly, she was no longer indecisive when faced with a life-long event.
Within two days, she politely asked Cuiwei to convey to Minglan that she was willing to be a concubine to a rich man. However, please find a good family no matter what, with a richer family, a kinder mistress, and a younger man - she is too old. Can't have children.
...very specific requirements.
Minglan stayed for a while, then went to invite Che Sanniang with a wry smile.
Che Sanniang knew the cause and effect, so she patted her legs and said with a smile, "Why is this so difficult?"
She was used to working outside, so she was very sharp and sharp. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Originally, my boss knows a lot of salt merchants, so it's best to take action, but this kind of businessman can easily deal with officials. To avoid having to deal with it again in the future. In the Marquis Mansion, just find a stable local rich man and go along the inland river to the inner boundary. The mountains are high and the roads are far away, and your ears are clean."
Minglan smiled and said: "Thank you sister, thank you. Otherwise, I really don't know what to do."
Che Sanniang said with an angry smile: "You are also very kind-hearted. For such a thing, you still bother to think about a future for her."
"My sister has also seen it. She is not willing to be poor, but she also has some background. I am always worried about staying at home." Minglan sighed, "But if I really want to sell people to wherever I want, I can't bear it. Alas. , it’s a convenient thing, I just bothered my sister to ask around.”
Che Sanniang said with a smile: "Why bother! She is not bad, she is decent, and she is still a young girl. It is not difficult at all to find someone who is willing to take her as an aunt. Besides, the person who eats our rice bowl is unfamiliar.
If you don’t have a wide audience, how can you succeed?”
Minglan was moved in her heart and said sincerely: "The eldest brother of the Shi family has gone with the army to deliver food. I feel wronged that my sister is staying in the mansion. If there are any shortcomings, please don't be polite to me."
Che Sanniang raised her head and laughed, exposing her molars: "What kind of joke are you talking about, madam? I grew up in a fishing village, and the floor was made of straw. Even though I have enjoyed a few days of happiness now, I have never lived in such a good place."
's house."
Ming Lan smiled assuredly. Earlier, she was worried that Che Sanniang would not be used to the verbose rules of the Hou Mansion, so she restrained her. She did not expect that she would be well-spoken, full of interesting things and jokes, and very good at making friends. However, within a few days, the Shaw family had become familiar with her.
It was like a network, even Ruomei, who prided himself on being a noble person, was willing to talk to her, which somewhat relieved old man Gongsun's depression of traveling far away.
The two chatted and laughed for a while, Che Sanniang hesitated for a moment, and finally said: "Madam, there is something I noticed, and I don't know whether I should tell you. This... I can't decide..."
Minglan said curiously: "Sister, just talk."
Che Sanniang frowned and said: "I think you are a sister, but the belly is really too big. There may be two of them." Then she smiled bitterly and said, "I was pregnant with two girls back then, but it's a pity that I only kept one."
Minglan was shocked and quickly posted a message asking the Imperial Physician Cheng recommended by Imperial Physician Lin to come and take a look. She went behind the screen and looked at her. Ruomei was five months pregnant, but her belly was six or seven months old. She couldn't help but feel a little flustered.
Imperial Physician Cheng checked Tian's pulse for a long time, then came out and shook his head and said: "There is really only one." He wiped his sweat. He often came to Ningyuan Marquis Mansion to ask for Ping'an's pulse. It would be bad if he didn't even see this.
After further questioning, he finally confirmed: "In my opinion, they are indeed not twins." To avoid accidents, he added, "It would be safer to ask a doctor nearby to take a look."
Minglan was really not at ease, so she invited several famous doctors in the obstetrics department one after another. Everyone said that what she was carrying was not twins, but that she was just taking too much supplement, causing the fetus to grow a little faster.
After working hard for a few days, she actually came to this conclusion. Minglan was really angry. She opened the account books and warehouse expenses of Gongsun Xiaoyuan, and surprisingly found that the precious ingredients Ruomei had taken in in the past few months were almost enough for her to survive.
Used for two!
Immediately, I asked Cui's mother to tell Ruomei how many pregnant women had difficult labor and stillbirths, all because the fetuses were too large.
Ruomei knew that Cui's mother was honest and would never talk nonsense. She was immediately frightened and turned pale. Cuiwei was so frightened that she quickly tried to persuade her and comforted her for a long time before coaxing her back.
Minglan was still angry, so she called the women who served Ruomei and scolded her: "Girls are not sensible, you are all serving the old people, don't you know this?! Don't pretend to be stupid and fool the master."
Take more nourishment, and you will have some luck in the relationship. Now listen carefully, if there is anything between Aunt Mei and the baby, none of you can hide from it, sell them all!"
Xia Tou Po was so frightened that she couldn't help but kowtow and beg for mercy. Minglan was annoyed that something like this happened under her nose. If she hadn't been afraid of shocking Ruomei, she would have wanted to punish these bastards immediately! But Ruomei was also confused.
Minglan also wanted Aunt Gongsun to arrive in Beijing as soon as possible and hand over this hot potato as soon as possible. Then the deeds of these bastard women would be given away. How to deal with them was entirely up to Aunt Gongsun!
Che Sanniang consoled her: "It's all my random guesses and it's a joke."
Minglan said hurriedly: "Sister, please don't say that." Then she said bitterly, "If my sister hadn't reminded me in time, I don't know how long that silly girl Ruomei would have made up for it?!"
In the next few days, Minglan ordered Ruomei to strictly follow the imperial doctor's instructions, adjust her diet, move around more, and be as happy as possible; Cui's mother was only worried about Minglan's health. Fortunately, the imperial doctor repeatedly assured her that your wife, Mrs. Hou, is really healthy;
Moreover, it is not a bad thing for pregnant women to occasionally get angry, yell, or express some pent-up sullenness. It is better than wallowing in lovesickness and separation.
Cui’s mother was silent and didn’t tell Minglan the last part of her sentence.
Such twists and turns, surprising on one side and startling on the other, slightly diluted the sadness of Gu Tingye's departure.
In late November, Mrs. Zhang sent someone to tell her that Aunt Shen's cold had recovered, she couldn't be better, and there was absolutely no danger. Please arrange a blind date and tea party with Minglan.
The author has something to say:
There are about three chapters in the extra chapter, and the results will basically be explained decades later, so don't worry.
Everyone complains that these chapters are boring - haha, farming stories are boring.