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Chapter 41

/name^book In the afternoon of the same day, her married aunt Sheng Jun and her cousin Shulan also returned to their parents' home to meet Mrs. Sheng. Mrs. Li hurriedly asked the maid to call the two girls who were playing in Pinlan's room. The eldest sister Pinlan

The eldest brother married early, and the second brother Changwu went to the capital again. He had no one to play with on weekdays, so he had to study the Nine Links. Minglan had never practiced this before. She was inferior to others and was willing to lose. Pinlan was extremely proud and screamed

The maid was adjusting the hairpin rings on her skirt while talking about the secret of solving the nine-link chain.

Danjue took out a large red phoenix-shaped gold hairpin from the mother-of-pearl jewelry box. Minglan gritted her teeth and accepted it, feeling that her neck was three inches shorter. A big maid over there also followed closely to Pinglan.

Pinlan put a beaded hairpin inlaid with precious stones on her head. Pinlan pushed it away with a sullen face, shouting: "I don't wear that thing. I wore it for an entire afternoon last time and it gave me neck pain for three days."

!”

The maid tried to persuade her: "My girl, please wear it properly. If only the aunt and the eldest lady are here, they won't force you to wear it. But Miss Hui and the third wife are here too. You see, the girls have all put them on.

Her one looks heavier than ours."

Pinlan looked up at Minglan's slightly trembling big beaded hairpin, and after feeling a little more mentally balanced, she pouted and let it be worn.

Walking slowly towards the main house, and turning along the corridor, a maid stood guard at the door and opened the curtain and said: "Second Miss and Miss Ming are here." Minglan followed Pinlan through the door, and in the middle sat Lao Sheng.

The madam and the eldest lady, Mrs. Li, were sitting on the pier, and Mr. Wen was standing and spreading tea and fruit. They were all smiling and talking to several women in luxurious clothes.

A woman in her forties had been laughing and joking next to Mrs. Sheng. Her complexion was slightly dark, but her eyes were lively and lively for her age. When she saw an unknown girl next to Pinlan, she immediately got up and pulled up.

Looking up and down at Minglan, she saw the girl's skin was as solid as snow, her eyes were clear, and a pair of smiley dimples like rice grains were faintly visible at the corners of her red mouth. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and she turned around and smiled: "Aunt, this is my niece Ming

Lan! Oh my, look at this little face, it’s even prettier than in the painting. They say I’m my niece, Aunt Xiao. Sure enough, she’s just like me!”

The eldest lady pointed at her and said with a smile: "You shameless person, are you praising me, or are you trying to put money on your own face? You are just a piece of material. Even if you are reincarnated ten times, you won't be able to pick it up."

Such a good person!" The woman actually stomped her feet coquettishly: "Mother! I'm trying to gain face for you. I'm born like you, so when I praise myself, why don't I take you with me to praise me? You're better off.

, and still causing trouble!”

The eldest lady shook her head helplessly, and the old lady Sheng was also amused. She nodded and said, "Young girl is really filial!" Everyone in the room laughed together, and the maid and daughter-in-law also covered their mouths and laughed secretly.

The eldest lady pointed to the woman and said to Minglan: "This is your Aunt Jun." Then she pointed to a woman with sharp eyebrows and narrow eyes sitting on the lower pier and said: "This is your aunt of the Third Old Master." Then she pointed to

Standing nearby was a young daughter-in-law and a girl with her head bowed, saying, "This is your eldest sister Shulan, and this is my third cousin Huilan."

Minglan immediately bent over, bowed down to Yingying, and called her out one by one. Everyone in the room saw that she was bowing in a strict and orderly manner, from shoulders to waist to the arch of her knees and her movements were graceful, light, and elegant. When they saw her, the old lady pulled her and said

From the above few words, everyone feels that she is generous, well-behaved, respectful, honest and approachable, and everyone likes her quite a lot.

Sheng Yun was the most outspoken. He pulled Minglan over and talked in detail, asking about what she liked to eat and where to live, etc. He scooped out a heavy red and gold embroidery-trimmed purse from his arms and gave it to her: "My Minglan is doing well."

, my aunt will send you some pieces of fine cloud brocade and Japanese satin to make clothes for you!"

Pinlan was open-minded by nature, and she was not angry when she saw that Minglan was liked by others. She only pretended to be annoyed and said: "My aunt is very partial. Now that she has met a sister who is better than me, she has forgotten me." Sheng Yun nodded hard.

Lan put his head on his head and laughed and scolded: "You are a heartless little kid. You haven't scooped up enough from my aunt in these years!"

Everyone in the room was talking, but no one paid attention to the third wife. She was drinking tea alone, and suddenly interrupted: "Just be content with my niece Pinlan. Although they are all nieces, your sister Huilan is still missing.

."

Minglan lowered her head and secretly looked at Huilan, only to see her blushing face and lowering her head in silence. Then she looked at the third wife. Her clothes looked bright, but if you look closely, there were signs of wear and tear on the corner cuffs.

Sheng Jun ignored her and just said something lightly: "Auntie is very kind to us brothers and sisters, and Minglan's niece is no exception." The third wife was left behind, and she turned around and glared at Huilan.

Zhi Sang scolded Huai and said, "You are worthless. If you were half as good at pleasing people as your cousin Minglan, you would be able to get your aunt's big and small things! Now, you have been calling me aunt for more than ten years in vain, and you haven't gotten any money out of it!"

Sheng Jun immediately retorted: "I can't understand what Sister-in-law is saying. Is it possible that your children call me aunt because they are sizing up my possessions?"

The third wife raised her eyebrows and said sharply: "Oh, I don't dare! It's just that people outside now say that the Sheng family's big house and two bedrooms are filled with gold and silver, but they only watch their brothers and uncles begging for food and don't care.

Just give it a try! Giving out porridge and rice every day is nothing more than trying to gain a good reputation as a great benevolent person, and it turns out it’s just an act!”

When Pinlan heard that someone was insulting her father, she immediately said loudly: "My father just sent several large carts of firewood and rice to the third aunt's house the day before yesterday. As for the silver, it lasts every month. Is this just a show?"

The eldest wife, Mrs. Li, said in a deep voice: "Pinlan, please stop being rude! Why don't you leave now!"

There was a flash of swords and shadows inside the house.

Ming Lan was speechless secretly, she just lowered her head and didn't dare to let anyone see the surprise on her face: in the past, the three sisters had quarreled, or Wang and Aunt Lin had fought openly and secretly, but they had never behaved so violently.

I peeked at the others again and saw that everyone, including Mrs. Sheng, looked as usual.

The eldest lady snorted: "My daughter-in-law, are you here to pay homage to your second aunt today, or are you here to pick a fight? If you yell like this in front of the elders, you are not afraid of making the younger generation laugh!"

The third wife blushed and sat down without saying a word, drinking tea and eating snacks.

Minglan turned around and saw Pinlan with a proud look on her face, looking at Huilan provocatively. However, Shulan couldn't bear it and pulled Huilan away to talk, which relieved the embarrassment in the room. At this time, a maid came in and said: "

Uncle Li’s wife is here.”

The eldest lady hurriedly said: "Please come quickly." The maid opened the curtain and saw a woman with pearly emerald hair and plump skin coming in. When she saw the eldest lady and Mrs. Sheng, she bowed respectfully and said with a smile: "I'm here to bother you, old lady.

No wonder, I just often hear my sister-in-law talking about my aunt's kindness and kindness, so I shamelessly came to see her today."

Old Mrs. Sheng smiled and said: "My uncle and my wife are too modest. They are all from my own family. They talk about two families. When I get older, I like to be lively. I am very happy that you can come... Minglan, come to see my uncle and my wife."

"

Minglan stepped forward and bowed respectfully. He hesitated and didn't know what to call her. The uncle and his wife hurriedly said, "Just call me aunt like Pinlan." Minglan raised her eyes and looked at Old Mrs. Sheng. When she saw her nodding slightly, she

She called out obediently: "Hello, aunt."

Uncle Zhu narrowed her eyes and said with a smile: "What a sign of my daughter, the old lady is so lucky." After saying that, she also took a lavender-colored purse from the hand of the maid beside her and stuffed it into Minglan's hand; Minglan lowered her head and nodded.

Look, this purse is brilliantly embroidered with beads and inlaid with precious stones. It is extremely gorgeous and dazzling. Regardless of what is inside, this purse alone is worth a lot of money.

Everyone sat down to talk, but Mrs. Zhu still ignored the third wife and only talked to Mrs. Sheng and the others. From Jinling to the capital, from family members to children, Minglan never looked down upon such gossip and compliments among housewives.

Only after listening carefully did I realize that in the early years, Mrs. Li and Mrs. Sheng made their fortune together. At first, they were not as prosperous as the Sheng family, but their sons were raised well (they did not introduce foreign genes but made do with wives from the countryside), and three generations

After diligent management, the family business prospered and became one of the top families in Youyang County.

The third wife tried to interrupt several times without success. The eldest lady was chatty and suddenly said to Sheng Jun: "Where is Taisheng? Didn't he come with you today?" Sheng Jun said with a smile: "It's rare for Brother Wu to come back from the capital.

, my silly boy always keeps talking, hey, uncle and wife, are you here alone today?" Zhu smiled and said: "Brother Yu and Brother Du are here, they are both outside."

The eldest lady smiled and said: "They are all relatives, please call them in quickly."

After saying that, she called the maid to take over, then opened the curtain, and three boys of about the same age came in. They all bowed to Mrs. Sheng and saluted. The eldest lady smiled and pointed to a boy in front of her with a smile on her face, red lips and white teeth, and said: "This is my uncle's house.

Second Young Master Yu Ge'er." Then he pointed to a shy boy on the left and said, "This is Du Ge'er, the third young master of the Li family." Finally, he pointed to a dark-skinned, thick and strong boy and said, "This is my little boy, Taisheng."

"

The three boys each had their own style, and the room was full of excitement for a while. Everyone except Minglan had known each other for a long time, so Minglan had to come over and greet them one by one, and everyone called Pinlan "cousin".

Mrs. Zhu smiled and said to Minglan: "You also have an older cousin who is out to do some shopping right now. Your older cousin is a very nice person and she will come to my house to be naughty in the future."

Old Mrs. Sheng praised: "My wife is so lucky. My brothers are so handsome and elegant, and they are of good quality." Mrs. Sheng smiled and said: "These two magic stars are making trouble. The old lady is so complimentary."

Old Mrs. Sheng took the two boys from the Li family and asked them about their academic knowledge in detail. She found out that the older one had been admitted as a scholar and the younger one was also a junior student. She was even more pleased: "Okay, okay, it's only right to be motivated and work hard." Zhu laughed.

He said: "This is nothing to them. I heard that the old lady raised her grandson, regardless of talent, and promoted people to Jinshi in one test. Now that they have been selected as a common scholar and serve in the Hanlin Academy, this is the real destiny of Wenquxing."

The old lady Sheng turned around and glared at the eldest lady: "My sister-in-law must have been talking everywhere and not praising the children." The eldest lady smiled and said: "Of course you have to praise the good things. I will wait until these two children go to Beijing to take the exam.

Yes, just take care of it."

Mrs. Sheng said: "It goes without saying that Wei Ge's daughter-in-law and nephew are just like our own children. Madam-uncle, when my brothers go to Beijing, they will live in my place. There are two boys preparing for the exam at home, who just happen to be company."

Mrs. Zhu was waiting for these words and laughed continuously: "Thank you so much, old lady, Yu'erdu'er, why don't you kowtow to thank me."

Li Yu and Li Du immediately prostrated themselves again, and the uncle and his wife thanked him again and again.

Pinlan whispered into Minglan's ear and asked, "I'm just staying at my relative's house. Why are you saying thank you like this?"

Minglan smiled bitterly, this little girl really dared to speak, so she just replied: "My family has many books."

The fact is that in addition to studying hard, taking the imperial examination also requires a lot of pre- and post-work. There is a lot to do here: first of all, you must know the article preferences and political opinions of the chief and deputy examiners, and even the font preference, and then the current political trend, which must not involve taboos.

Topics, faction fights, etc., and finally, you have to meet friends and become disciples, and become acquainted with each other in the clear stream.

Although the exam paper has names sealed, in fact, if you become the examiner, you can basically guess that you are familiar with the examinee from the handwriting and writing of the article. This is not for cheating, but as long as it is not outrageous, you can get a relatively higher evaluation. Yes

If an official family like the Sheng family helps with introductions, Li Yuli can get twice the result with half the effort.

Minglan thinks, this...Those who don't want to pass the exam are not good candidates, but those who don't build relationships are good candidates.

At this time, Pinlan went over to talk to Hu Taisheng, and the laughter became louder. Sheng Yun turned around to look, frowned, then went to the side of Mrs. Sheng and said with a smile: "My Taisheng is not a reading material, but my aunt finds it objectionable."

."

Old Mrs. Sheng seemed to like her naughty niece very much and scolded her with a smile: "You naughty monkey, I taught you how to read and write when you were a child. You learned to fish for three days and dry nets for two days. You can't even recite the Three-Character Sutra, and you still have the nerve to talk.

?! Taisheng, this is all up to you! Taisheng, come here." He took Taisheng's hand and said with a smile: "Good boy, I am the top scholar in my family. I often hear your uncle praise you, saying that you are diligent, kind and practical.

You are very effective in taking care of the family business. I don’t know how happy your mother is after hearing this!"

Hu Taisheng only had a simple and honest smile on his face. Pinlan came over and said with a smile: "Cousin, I know my sister is new here, what good things did you bring?" Taisheng answered honestly: "Haizi is over here, give your sisters some Western snacks.

Fresh."

The third wife was unwilling to be left alone. She endured it for a long time and finally said: "I have never tasted Western snacks in my life. I heard they are very sweet. Please bring some back to me for your third uncle to try. My nephew, don't be like others and look down on you, third wife."

Uncle's house!" Huilan also smiled and said: "Look, mother said, cousin Taisheng is the most kind, how can he be so kind to one and look down on our family?" Huilan spoke in a friendly tone, and looked at Taisheng with a pair of watery eyes. Taisheng blushed.

He stood with his head bowed and refused to speak even to death.

The rest of the people in the room pretended not to see it, but Pinlan was angry and wanted to rush over. Minglan sighed secretly. She originally wanted to grab Pinlan's sleeve, but after assessing the strength of her cousin and herself, she decided to change her strategy.

.

Minglan turned around lightly, stopped in front of her without leaving a trace, and said something she thought was wise: "Sister Pinlan, please tell me again how to solve the nine-fold chain link; this is always hanging in my mind, and I am scratching my head.

It seems uncomfortable."

As expected, Pinlan was stopped, and turned around in surprise: "Huh? Didn't I explain it to you step by step just now? Why don't you know Kung Fu now?" Her voice was a little loud, and several boys standing nearby looked at it.

They came over, especially the youngest Li Du, whose expression vaguely said "she is so stupid". Minglan was embarrassed, her face was burning, and she was cursing in her heart.

Then Li Yu smiled softly, glanced at Minglan with a smile, and said: "As profound as the Nine Links, only smart people like Sister Pin can learn it in one go. We are stupid, so naturally we have to explain it several times."

." Hu Taisheng was the most honest and responded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, I can't learn it."

When Pinlan heard this, she was very proud: "My cousin said yes." She turned around and patiently told Minglan the secret to solving the Nine Links.

Minglan felt quite melancholy in her heart: You are so profound! But at least you have achieved your goal, haven't you?

Minglan listened with a smile and kept nodding her head in response. When she turned her head casually, she suddenly saw the old lady Sheng sitting at the head. She saw her talking to the female relatives and smiling again and again. Minglan was a little stunned. She felt that her grandmother's smile was actually so big at this moment.

It's a bit familiar...ah, by the way, it was this smile when my grandma scooped up hard-boiled eggs and coaxed her to get her ears pierced when she was little.


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