Minglan was concentrating on tracing the shapes of the flowers, using the bright sunlight to draw the tentacles on the heads of several crickets vividly. Danju came over with a tea bowl, looking at Minglan not daring to blink, and said with distress: " Girl, please take a rest, don’t hurt your eyes.”
A thin line of sweat broke out on Minglan's forehead, but she didn't move: "I just couldn't bear to do it in the daytime just because I was afraid of hurting my eyes." After writing the last stroke, Minglan took a long breath and put it down. Penholder: "After tracing it, you and Yancao can cut out the shape."
Danju tested the heat on the wall of the bowl, put the teacup into Minglan's hand, and then went to look at the case. She smiled and said: "The girl's description is really good. The little crickets and little cicadas with the size of fingernails will follow me soon." It seems to be moving."
Xiaotao, who was arranging clothes in the street, heard this, put down her work, and came out to complain: "Why don't you catch a few live ones to make it easier? Girl, if you don't do a good job later, you won't take it." This is what happened; people outside say that people are afraid of being famous, but pigs are afraid..." She realized in shock that she had said the wrong thing and quickly covered her mouth.
Minglan pointed at Xiaotao and shook her head and sighed. Danjue also burst into laughter, and then said with a straight face: "You are so old, and you are still talking nonsense like this. If you were a different master, you would be exposed!"
Xiao Tao lowered her head in embarrassment and said, "I won't dare next time." She went back to clean up.
At this time, the bamboo curtain made a sound, and Zhi Zhi came in with a smile, but he politely held the bamboo curtain sideways to let a fat-faced woman from behind come in.
"Hello, Sixth Miss." The woman was wearing a silver-red placket with dark makeup and a long coat with ink-carved silk underneath. She was also holding a long and flat brocade box in her arms, and she half-crouched down to give it to Minglan. Salute; she is also Wang's companion, Liu Kun's family had a lot of Wang's trust before she came here, but now she has fallen back, maybe she is not strong enough in the fight with Aunt Lin.
Minglan smiled and said: "Mother Qian is too polite. Yuzhi, you didn't even want to watch the tea." She tilted her face and winked at Danju. Danju understood and immediately went into the back room.
Mother Qian sat down with a smile, turned to Minglan and said, "Today I have brought some of my wives who are good at needlework to measure the figures of the girls in the girl's courtyard so that they can make summer and autumn clothes."
"Why do you bother my mother to do such a trivial matter?" Minglan pointed to a plate of rose and pine nut bee cake in front of her and asked Yuan Zhi to deliver it to Qian's mother. "My mother Fang taught me how to make this. The ingredients are troublesome and there are many steps. , I think it’s too sweet and too soft, but the old lady likes it better. Mom, try it.”
Mother Qian picked up a small piece and tasted it. She felt it was sweet and soft in the mouth. Yuan Zhi enthusiastically handed over the newly brewed Yunlan melon slices. Mother Qian took another sip of tea and felt the fragrance lingering on her teeth and cheeks, and praised it repeatedly.
"If Mom likes it, take some of these snacks and tea back with you and let you have some free time." Ming Lan said gently.
Qian's mother liked it in her heart and said without much determination: "How good is this? You can eat it and scoop it out."
Zhizhi was the most clever with his mouth. He quickly shook Qian's mother's arm and said coquettishly: "Mom, please stop being polite to us girls. If mom feels embarrassed, just go back and secretly make two more clothes for us sisters." .”
Minglan smiled and said: "Look at this girl, don't be the reborn child of a greedy man. Mother, please ignore her."
At this time, Danjue came out of the back room, holding a small bag in her hand, and handed it to Qian's mother. Minglan faced her and said with gentle concern: "I heard that my mother had a cold a few days ago, and everyone said that the cold in late spring is the most severe. Mom is getting older, and she has to work hard every day, so she has to be more careful. This is the leftover brown gold silk reed velvet left over from the last time the old lady made a gown, and it was pieced together to create a waistcoat like this. If Mom doesn't dislike it, just pick it up and wear it under it. ;warm and breathable.”
Mother Qian hurriedly took it, thanked her repeatedly, and sighed: "It is said that Miss Six is the most considerate, and all the girls in the courtyard are fair and fat. Alas... Mother Liu's Jiu'er is lucky, unlike
My girl can't get in here."
Minglan didn't respond. She just smiled and said a few words modestly. Everyone joked for a while. Qian's mother handed the brocade box beside her to Yu Zhi and said: "There are some palace flowers here. My wife called them to give them to the girl."
"Yes." Minglan asked hurriedly: "Do you have the fourth sister and the fifth sister?" Qian's mother said: "I already have them." Minglan said with relief: "That's good."
Then I opened the brocade box, and saw that there were five palace flowers inside, including light pink, bean duck, blue after rain, rose purple and begonia red. The petals were made of silk yarn and the stamens were made of velvet. They were bright in color and exquisite in shape.
Qian's mother leaned over and whispered: "I left this for the girl in advance, not leftovers."
Minglan praised: "This flower is so beautiful. Thank you mom. Where did you get it?"
Mother Qian put down the tea bowl and explained with a smile: "The results were released a few days ago, and Princess Pingning's son was among the top two. Yesterday, the Duke of Qi held a banquet, and my wife was invited to go, so she got this
, separated from the girls."
Minglan's expression did not change, and she also smiled and said: "That's really congratulations. My wife has always been on good terms with the princess, so she must be very happy. It's strange that when I went to say hello this morning, my wife's face was still red, maybe she had eaten it yesterday.
How many drinks?”
"That's right." Mother Qian clapped her hands and said with a smile: "I went with her and saw with my own eyes that the princess treated our wife very affectionately, like sisters, and they even talked in the back room for a long time."
Minglan's eyes moved slightly, and then she said with concern: "Last night, I heard that the fourth sister came back from my wife's house very late. I'm afraid my wife was very drunk, so the fourth sister could take care of her alone? Oh, I don't even know.
Really unfilial." He looked worried.
Qian's mother hurriedly waved her hand: "It's okay. My wife will feel better after taking hangover soup. But my wife is really happy, so she asked the fourth girl to talk." Minglan seemed relieved and smiled slightly: "This makes me relieved.
"
Before leaving, Qian's mother whispered in Minglan's ear: "Yesterday at the banquet, my wife talked to Mrs. Yongchang Hou for a long time. I vaguely heard that she mentioned the girl in the mansion."
Minglan was shocked.
After the mother who gave the money left, it took a while before Zhi Zhi came in with a pouted mouth and complained: "The swallow grass is useless, it can't even shake a few little hooves, let them rush to measure it... Nowadays, the money
My mother doesn’t deserve my wife’s attention anymore, so why should the girl behave like this?”
Ming Lan glanced at her quietly, and Yu Zhi immediately retracted her mouth and stood with her head bowed. Dan Ju came over and pinched her nose: "Don't talk nonsense, the girl has her own reasons. You just have to do your job well."
"Every plant and tree is useful." Minglan said slowly: "Even humble people are useful." After saying that, she looked at Yizhi and said, "Yancao has a soft temper, but after all, she is older than you.
When she enters the mansion, she is too old to do things, so you must not treat her lightly."
Zhizhi was panicking, and clasped his fingers with his heels, not daring to express his anger. After a while, Minglan slowed down again and said: "As long as you treat me sincerely, I will always think of her kindness, Yancao...
After all, I am a few years older than you, so you should keep your mouth shut and your temper down."
Lu Zhi chewed the words in his heart for a while, and seemed to hear something. His eyes lit up, he raised his head and said, "Girl, Lu Zhi understands."
After the girls exited, Minglan thought for a moment, took out a few pieces of letter paper, laid them out on the table, thought for a moment, and started writing.
That night, Sheng Hong had dinner at Aunt Xiang's place. He was tired from the many days of socializing and wanted to take a rest. Unexpectedly, he was forced to go back by Mrs. Wang. When he got to the main room, he saw his wife sitting upright on the edge of the Kang. , the MILF, with a blush on her face and a bit of joy on her eyebrows, Sheng Hong decided to talk to her about the issue of "rain, dew and tea cups". He couldn't sleep with her every night, and he had to take care of the mood of the crowd. , Unexpectedly, before he opened his mouth, Wang quickly closed the door and spoke loudly, which shocked him immediately.
"What did you say? You betrothed Ru'er to Qi Heng? Did the princess really say that?" Sheng Hong was stunned for a while, and then said in shock, "Then... what will your mother's family do? Doesn't Ru'er want to marry her uncle? Yes? We just have to make a decision."
Mrs. Wang hesitated for a moment, but then she remembered her sister-in-law's dissatisfied expression when she looked at Ru Lan, and said in a silly voice, "Isn't it decided yet? You don't want me to find a better place for my daughter."
"Is Qi Heng good?" As a man, the first thing Sheng Hong thought of was the color of the sky above Qi Mansion.
Wang lowered her voice and said eagerly: "I have carefully considered it, and we are a good match. Regardless of whether the title is similar to that of Brother Heng or not, he has achieved fame at such a young age, has a bright future, and has a public family." Rely on, the harvest will be guaranteed despite droughts and floods! Also, the Marquis of Xiangyang has no heirs, and his title is to be given to his heirs. But apart from the ancestral property, the Marquis of Xiangyang’s property in the past few decades has been so rich, and it has been given to the princess one after another, oh , and Mr. Qi, I know better than me how fat the Yanzheng errand is. How many years has he been the inspector, and the money has not piled up? In the future, these will not all belong to Brother Heng! How can things get any worse then?"
Sheng Hong was stunned by the eye-catching golden light in Wang's eyes. He seemed to see countless pieces of money flying in Wang's eyes. At this moment, Wang's mind was extremely clear and he spoke eloquently: "Such a shameful thing happened in Qi Mansion years ago. Son, Brother Heng is in trouble with his face, so he can't propose marriage right away. The princess told me in private."
Wang lowered her voice further and said mysteriously: "The princess said that the emperor's body... is only in these two months. By then, people like us will have to stay for a year. After one or two years, who will still remember the late emperor?" It’s such a bad time! Anyway, it’s still a year before Zhenglan gets her haircut, so we can take our time and see.”
Sheng Hong slowly regained his shrewdness, and after careful consideration, he said: "This time Enke announced the results, the Holy Emperor has not held the palace examination for a long time. He said that he would wait for the Eighth Prince to come to Beijing before discussing the names. It is obvious that this group of rookies will be selected. , leave it to the new emperor, maybe... Heng'er really has some future, and this marriage is not a bad idea?... But, what should I do with my uncle?"
Wang hesitated and said: "Your Majesty, if..., my brother is also an official and must observe filial piety. Let's see."
Sheng Hong thought for a moment and nodded.
Seeing that her husband agreed with her plan, Mrs. Wang became even more proud and dropped another bombshell: "I met Mrs. Yongchang Hou while drinking yesterday."
Sheng Hong hummed, yawned slightly and leaned on the bedside. He spread out his coat and asked Mrs. Wang to clean it up. While Mrs. Wang was packing her clothes, she said with a smile: "Mrs. Liang told me that she has taken a liking to our Minglan!" "
"What?! When did it happen?" Sheng Hong stopped dozing off and got up with a start. His head was confused again, and he growled, "The old lady has only been away for two months, and you dare to make up your mind about this girl? Didn’t she decide on the He family?"
"Look at how panicked you are, is it possible that I'm going to trick you Ming? Listen to me." Ms. Wang pressed her husband down hard, with a smile on her face and said: "On the day when my brother is full moon, I will be here." During a banquet at her in-laws' house, Mrs. Liang fell in love with Minglan at a glance. She didn't think Minglan was a concubine, and she said that the girl was good-looking. The Liang family of the Marquis of Yongchang, what kind of family was that? Although the brother was the youngest, But he is also the legitimate son. Now he is thinking about filling the vacancy of 50% of the deputy commander of the Army and Horse Division. Even if he can't fill it, there is also a seventh-grade camp guard in the Imperial Guard. How about this? Don't feel wronged in the marriage, girl Ming, you are much better than the He family!"
Sheng Hong wanted to stick to the old lady's decision, but thinking about the Liang family's foundation and power, he hesitated.
Seeing her husband's shaken expression, Mrs. Wang added a handful of firewood and said, "Think about it, if Ming girl is born so well, wouldn't it be unfair to marry the He family? If she can marry the Qi family and the Liang family, Brother Bo will My sons will have someone to rely on in the future." In fact, the most important thing is that Minglan has no brothers, so besides her own son, who else can she rely on from her natal family.
Sheng Hong was moved. He gritted his teeth and asked, "What about the character of this young man? If the old lady doesn't want to, it's useless to say anything."
Mrs. Wang knew that the matter was half done, so she slowed down her tone and pretended to be aggrieved: "Look what the master said, it seems that I want to sell my daughter for glory. Ming girl has been obedient and filial to me all these years, brother?" Friendly, harmonious sister-in-law, and loving brother Quan, I am thinking about her. That young man is called Liang Han. I can find out for myself what his character is like, so as not to ask others to criticize me later."
She pouted her lips and stopped talking with an angry look on her face. Sheng Hong hurriedly tried to persuade her, and then hugged her and whispered a few words in her ear. Wang, who spoke directly, smiled again.
"That's it." Mrs. Wang revealed all her plans, "Master, please take your time to inquire, and also think of a way to persuade the old lady when she comes back; you know the old lady's temper, if Liang Han's character is If you can pass the test, the old lady will not bite the He family to death."
Although Sheng Hong was interested in the Liang family's marriage, he couldn't help but feel a headache when he thought of persuading Old Mrs. Sheng. Over the years, he had almost obeyed the old lady in everything without any disobedience. Now... he couldn't help but said: "Let's After being in the capital for so many days, no one has taken a fancy to Mo Lan?"
If the one chosen by the Liang family was Mo Lan, wouldn't it be the best of both worlds, and he wouldn't have a headache.
Wang was shyly untying Sheng Hong's belt. When she heard these words, her expression immediately changed and she couldn't help but snorted a few times: "Master! Tell me something you don't want to hear. Girl Mo is good at not imitating this." , He looks just like that one, the men may like it, but the ladies who are serious don’t want to see that look the most.”
Sheng Hong didn't refute this time and could only sigh. Wang looked sideways at Sheng Hong's face and sneered in her heart. No matter how much she loved her concubine, she would lose love and affection over time. Only the title and heirs were reliable. , until today, she realized this truth.
But I don’t know why, after the joy, I felt lonely in my heart.