At the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, the north wind suddenly picked up. Due to the national mourning period, Mo Lan's hairpin ceremony was very simple. Wang only invited a few official ladies with whom she had always been friends, made new clothes and coats, and set up two or three tables. To put it bluntly, Aunt Lin feels that her daughter has been wronged, but she also knows that the crackdown has been very tight recently, and even powerful officials have been punished, let alone the Sheng family, who dares to spend so much money.
For this reason, Aunt Lin cried miserably in front of Sheng Hong for half the night, expressing her understanding and grievance at the same time. Sheng Hong felt soft-hearted, so she gave Mo Lan 300 taels of silver to buy a red gold head and face, and took action from Sheng Hong. Judging from her generosity, Aunt Lin's service that night should have been more than just crying.
The capital city is not as good as Dengzhou and Quanzhou. It is bone-chilling and dry as soon as winter comes. The maids and women in the mansion put on their bloated winter clothes one after another. Looking through the white air, they are all groups of people. This kind of cold weather is the worst for Minglan. I don't like to go out. It would be very comfortable to sit on the kang with a warm stove in hand, but it backfired.
The old lady wrote a letter, saying that the eldest lady was only here for a few days. Mo Lan was planning to discuss marriage and could not attend the wedding for fear of being irritated. Ru Lan "unfortunately" caught the cold, and Chang Feng had to prepare for the exam. , Haishi wanted to take care of Brother Quan, Sheng Hong counted them with his hands, then asked Minglan to pack his luggage and go back with Changdong first.
Looking at the young son and daughter standing in front of him, Sheng Hong suddenly felt guilty. He remembered the decades of brotherhood between himself and Sheng Wei. Every year, they brought truckloads of money to him to send New Year's goods. Now that his mother was dying, he could only do it. It would be unavoidable to send the youngest son or daughter...
"This... seems inappropriate, so I'd better go there for my father's sake." Sheng Hong hesitated.
"The son knows what the father is worried about." Changbai stood up and bowed to his father: "The matter is still uncertain, and the new emperor has just ascended the throne at this moment. It is the time when the Metropolitan Procuratorate is making great achievements, so it is not appropriate for the father to take leave. , let the sixth sister and the fourth brother go over first to fulfill their filial piety, and it won't be too late for... my son to take leave for the funeral."
Sheng Hong sighed softly. He also knew that it was okay for Changbai, a leisurely Hanlin Academy scholar, to take leave from time to time, but he, a fourth-rank censor of Zuoqiandu, could not take leave for the sake of his aunt's illness and death, as he would be criticized for being too much.
Changbai looked at his father's face and knew his temper, and then said: "Father, there is no need to apologize. My second cousin has taken leave and returned to his hometown. If the eldest lady is really...he will ask Ding You, and then my father will give me a little more help." yes."
Having said this, Sheng Hong frowned and then relaxed, turning to Minglan and Changdong: "When will you set off?"
Minglan stood up and said respectfully: "Back to father, brother Changwu has hired a car and boat and will come to pick up my daughter and fourth brother in five days."
Sheng Hong nodded and scolded solemnly: "When you go to Youyang, you should be careful in your words and deeds. Don't be naughty or cause trouble with your uncle or aunt. Take good care of the old lady and don't make her tired; be careful on the way. Listen to your cousin."
Minglan and Changdong bowed and said hello; Sheng Hong listened to their childish voices and sighed again. Wang who was sitting next to him smiled kindly at them and said a few words, "Don't leave the car without permission." Don't run around on the ship,' 'Don't get too close to the side of the ship,' 'Don't show your face,' and so on. Finally, she warned Minglan: "You are the elder sister, so you should keep an eye on me on the road."
Seeing Mrs. Wang's kindness towards the concubine and concubine, Sheng Hong turned his head and looked at Mr. Wang with satisfaction.
After going back, Minglan gathered the people in the house and gave instructions one by one about the stay in the courtyard. Then she called Danju Xiaotao to go to Ji'antang. When the wives who guarded the courtyard saw Minglan, they all got out of the way. Minglan went straight into the back room. Asked Danjue to take out a ginger-yellow sable head fur hat, a large-haired black squirrel fur coat, and a dark brown squirrel cloak from a tall black lacquered wood and mother-of-pearl wardrobe. , several other winter clothes of various colors, Xiao Tao helped fold and pack them together.
Minglan walked to the back of the old lady's bed, took off the key from under her skirt, opened several large boxes with heavy locks, and took out a large bag of silver and a stack of banknotes. Thinking that she had to go out, it was not safe here. I simply scooped up the pile of house deeds inside and put them into my small bag.
In the next few days, Minglan was busy packing boxes and cages for herself. Xiao Tao did something extraordinary and filled the boxes with gold and jewelry. Minglan couldn't help but laugh at her: "This time I am going..., bring more silver jewelry." Well, what if these many treasures are stolen?"
Xiao Tao was very serious: "So that I can redeem you."
Minglan:……
Dan Ju had just put away the two inkstones and several pens when Zhi Zhi came in through the curtain and said with a smile: "Mrs. Yongchang Hou is here, and she asked the girl to come over." As he said this, he winked.
"Are the Fourth Sister and the Fifth Sister coming over?" Minglan thought Yuzhi looked a little strange.
"No, my wife just called the girl. She said that Mrs. Hou happened to go back to her parents' house today. She knew that the girl would be going out tomorrow, so she stopped by to see her." She said with flying branches on her face, "Miss" go quickly."
Danju and Xiaotao knew about the He family, and looked at each other with dark faces.
Although Mrs. Liang has come to Sheng Mansion twice in the past six months, she was accompanied by others each time. The first time she asked Hua Lan to accompany Mrs. Shanbo and herself, and the second time she came with several other officials. The female family members came. In fact, the relationship between the Sheng Mansion and the Yongchang Marquis Mansion was a transitional marriage, and there was no need to interact with each other. Her behavior caused some vague words in the mansion, saying that Mrs. Yongchang Marquis was here to choose a daughter-in-law. , this made Aunt Lin think about it, and she often asked Mo Lan to come forward to show off her flattery.
But Mrs. Liang was cautious and meticulous, her words were impeccable, and she never showed the slightest hint of her thoughts in her words. Even Mrs. Wang couldn't control her thoughts. As a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wang kept her face and refused to ask in advance about the marriage. She also pretended to be confused. Don't say anything, just ask the three orchids to come out and walk around for a while and that's it.
When she first came here, Mrs. Liang was cold to everyone. She could only hear Mr. Wang chatting lively with others. She would occasionally make a joke, but she would just sit quietly most of the time. As for Mo Lan's warmth, she only smiled lightly. However, he never answered the question, which made Mo Lan embarrassed several times in front of others.
But when she came for the second time, Mrs. Liang clearly showed her goodwill towards Minglan. After sitting down, she took Minglan and asked her carefully, her expression was quite gentle, and her attitude towards Wang became closer; Molan gritted her teeth, She wanted to say straightforwardly, "Minglan has promised to the He family," but if she, a girl, told foreigners about her sister's hidden affairs like this, her reputation would be ruined.
Finally, when she got a chance, a lady mentioned that the imperial doctor was not allowed to see a doctor. Mo Lan quickly interrupted and said: "The old lady of the He family in Baishitan is also from the Xinglin family. My old lady is the best with her. You always ask my sixth sister to accompany you."
At that time, Wang's tea bowl sat on the table with a bang, and no one in the room answered her, either lowering her head to drink tea, or talking to herself. Mo Lan was a little embarrassed. She stopped showing off her poems, lowered her head, and spoke tightly.
With flattery, tea and saucers, and witty words, all the ladies and ladies were laughing from ear to ear. They kept praising the Wang family for their good fortune. Even Mrs. Liang also praised her a few times. Mo Lan was very proud, but who knew
Mrs. Liang said lightly: "The four girls in the house have already grown their hair. It's time to get married. Don't delay."
With a simple sentence, Mo Lan's eyes suddenly turned red.
After the guests dispersed, the three Lans went back. Mo Lan sneered in front of the two girls: "What a great family? There are so many rooms in the Yongchang Marquis' Mansion, and the Marquis's sons are so many. If they are divided into equal parts, how can they still have one?"
a bit?!"
In the deep winter, Rulan smiled brightly and said with a smile: "Sister said so." Anyway, Wang had hinted that her future husband's family would be very rich.
Minglan did not participate.
Today is the third time Mrs. Yongchanghou has come.
The maid opened the curtain, Ming Lan slightly bent sideways, from her left shoulder to her waist to her skirt and then to her toes, she was as quiet and elegant as a line of water flowing through, and as graceful as a flowing glass of water. Mrs. Liang's eyes were looking at Mrs. Liang who was sitting next to Wang.
I couldn't help but show some appreciation.
Minglan folded her crotch and bowed to salute Wang and Mrs. Liang. She saw a box in front of Wang, which seemed to have some furry things inside. She heard Wang's tone of panic and said: "Madam, you are too polite, how can you be so embarrassed?"
?”
Mrs. Liang said slowly: "My mother-in-law's brother is in the north. It's freezing there, but the furs are very good. They send them some every year. I picked up a few and gave them to them. They are very crude. Don't dislike them."
Mrs. Wang quickly waved her hands and said with a smile: "How can you do that? Look what Madam said, I'm very grateful. Tsk tsk, I've never seen such good leather. Today is all thanks to Madam. I'll look back.
I have to have a good talk with the needleworker, but I have to be careful not to waste a good thing; hey..., little girl, don’t be stunned, come and thank Madam."
Minglan complained that the leather was not all given to her, but she still stepped forward to thank her respectfully. Mrs. Liang did not move, but looked at Minglan kindly, with a tone of pity: "You have to be careful when going out in such a cold weather.
Keep your body and clothes warm." For someone as cold as her, these words were already very gentle.
Minglan showed her face and smiled and said: "Minglan, thank you Madam for your advice. Madam made me an excellent fur coat. No matter how cold it is, I won't be afraid of it." In fact, the one was made of orchid, and the needlework and threads were very beautiful.
Who knew that Ru Lan would grow taller in winter, and her coat would no longer fit her.
Seeing Madam Liang smiling at herself, Wang felt very comfortable and scolded her with a smile: "You heartless child, Madam just sent me the furs, and you showed off your own. Aren't you making people laugh?"
Minglan lowered her head with a shy blush on her face.
After Mrs. Liang left, Minglan's heart sank, and she always felt a little uneasy. Such deliberate meeting alone, such explicit concern, and Wang's unusually warm attitude seemed to have settled the matter. Minglan frowned.
, after slowly walking back to Mu Cangzhai, I saw Changdong actually there. Xiaotao was bringing him a bowl of hot tea with a sad face. When Changdong saw Minglan, he smiled and said: "Sixth sister, this is the third best."
It’s late tea, you’re finally back, and I’ll be on leave from school starting today.”
Minglan said with a straight face: "Don't be too happy. I asked Aunt Xiang to collect all your books. You have to study hard on the way back!" She casually gave Mrs. Liang an ermine skin that had a fever inside and outside.
Give the handcage to Danju, and put it into the cage as well.
Changdong's white and fat little face was smiling: "Sixth sister, don't be in a hurry to put the rein on me. I have made a great contribution this time. It's been half a year, and I finally found out..."
Before she finished speaking, the thick cotton-covered brocade curtain at the door was opened with a swish, and she saw Mo Lan standing there angrily, with fists in hand and a livid face. Minglan couldn't help but take a few steps back.
, waving to Changdong from behind and winking at Xiaotao.
"Okay, okay!" Mo Lan sneered and walked in step by step, "I underestimated you. I didn't expect you to eat from the bowl and look at the pot!" Her eyes were red and seemed to be on fire.
A girl came up to persuade her, but she pushed her out and bolted the door behind her back.
Minglan said solemnly: "Sister, be careful what you say! Regardless of yourself, you also have to think about the reputation of the family." She is not afraid of fighting, and she may not be able to defeat Mo Lan, but her sisters are so conflicted that they fight each other. It would not sound good if word spread.
, no matter who is right or wrong, they will all get a reputation of being mean and fierce.
Mo Lan's face was almost ferocious, and she yelled angrily: "You little bitch! You are most used to using a big hat to slap me! I will show you some colors today!" After saying that, he stepped forward, yelled, and flipped it over.
On the round table in the middle, the hot tea that Chang Dong had just brewed fell to the ground, and a few drops of the hot tea splashed on Chang Dong's face and hands.
Minglan never thought that Mo Lan could have such a violent and ferocious side. She looked at Chang Dong who was covering his face and the back of his hands with distress, turned around and said with a smile: "Fourth sister is really good at literature and martial arts. She can write poems and essays, and also
The table is overturned! No matter what is wrong with my sister, now that she is angry, let’s forget about it.”
Unexpectedly, Mo Lan saw the silver rat skin muff at this moment, and became even more furious. Her delicate face was distorted, and she pointed at Ming Lan and yelled: "You shameless little whore! That's nice to say, what a normal life."
It's good, don't argue about anything, it looks good on the outside, but on the inside, you are sloppy and dirty, like a bitch, saying one thing and doing another..."
Changdong was stunned and didn't know what to say. The more Mo Lan scolded, the more unpleasant he sounded, and his words gradually took on the role of an old lady. Although Minglan's face did not change, there was anger in her eyes, but her tone became calmer and quieter.
She said: "Fourth sister is afraid of being in love. She dares to say anything dirty and smelly. I'm going to ask someone to come and show my sister." She thought better of it, but it seemed that she still had to give her some clues.
Minglan was about to go out. She slowly counted the steps. Sure enough, there was a sound of footsteps behind her. Mo Lan rushed over and knocked Minglan to the ground. She slapped her in the face. Minglan gritted her teeth and endured it, turning her face to face him.
, before Changdong came over to break up the fight, Mo Lan was stunned when she heard a 'pop' sound. She just wanted to scold Minglan and smash her house to pieces; but looking at Minglan's jade-like expression
With such a beautiful appearance, she got angry, grabbed the broken porcelain pieces on the ground, and slashed them towards Minglan's face!
Ming Lan saw that the scheme of suffering meat had been sold, and she refused to suffer any more. She stretched out her arms and pushed Mo Lan away, tripping her to the ground. Ming Lan touched her hot cheeks. She didn't have to look in the mirror.
I also knew that there must be a red palm print on it - my skin is the kind that leaves marks easily.
Minglan rubbed her body and twisted Mo Lan's arm with a clever backhand. From the outside, it looked like the two sisters were wrestling with each other. Minglan leaned over and whispered softly: "Let me tell you something, your mother is Qian Yuan Si
In January of that year, we drank my wife’s tea, but your brother was born in May of that year. They say that you are pregnant in ten months, does your sister know what is going on? "
Mo Lan's face turned red and she struggled desperately, cursing in her mouth, which was very unpleasant. Ming Lan deliberately used a smooth voice, leaned forward and continued: "Your mother is a real bitch! She just says one thing and does the same thing."
He was taken care of by the old lady, ate from the old lady, and used the old lady's food. He was so grateful that he burst into tears, then turned around and got into daddy's bed! Repaying kindness with revenge! "
At this time, there was a crisp shout from outside: "Madam! You are finally here!" It was Xiao Cuixiu's voice!
Ming Lan immediately let go of Mo Lan and jumped three steps away from her. Then there was a fierce knock on the door and a shout. Chang Dong hurriedly opened the door. Wang came in and saw that the house was in a mess. Mo Lan's face was filled with anger.
Lan stood with her head lowered, her expression unclear, and there was a distinct palm print on her face. Looking at Changdong, there were also several red burns on her hands and face.
Mrs. Wang said angrily: "You have turned the world upside down!" Then she turned around and scolded the maid, "You are all dead. Hurry and help Miss Six down to rest! ... Caihuan, go to Liu Kun's family and ask for help! How about you?
You haven’t scooped up the fourth girl yet!”
When Mo Lan heard the family law, she became panicked and frightened.
Unexpectedly, a female voice came from outside at this time: "They sisters are quarreling, how come the wife beats someone without even asking a question?!"
Aunt Lin was swaying in a willow-colored brocade gown, followed by Zaiyun beside Mo Lan, and behind her were several maids and women. Seeing her biological mother coming, Mo Lan suddenly had the courage to shake her off.
The maid who scooped her up quickly stood next to Aunt Lin.
Looking at the appearance of mother and daughter, Mrs. Wang couldn't help but sneer: "Who are you? You dare to climb out and make noise? Is there a place for you to talk here?"
Aunt Lin gave a fake smile and said: "I have been living in this house for almost twenty years, and now things are unfair. Is it possible that I can't even speak to you? Is it possible that I am afraid that others will tell me if I am unfair?"
Mrs. Wang rushed up angrily, pointed at Mo Lan and said, "What a good girl you raised! You are so unruly and rude that you beat and scold your younger siblings. Can't you punish her?"
Aunt Lin covered her mouth and smiled like a silver bell: "Madam, you are really joking. The little sisters had a quarrel and even pushed each other a few times. It's not a big deal, it's just a matter of fighting each other for fifty."
It’s just my son.”
Yuzhi finally couldn't help it and shouted loudly: "Bah! Why do we have to fight each other fifty times? The fourth girl beat our girl's face until it was swollen, and the fourth master's hands and face were burned. We all have eyes."
, who did it so that the blind can’t see?!”
Aunt Lin's expression changed and she cursed: "You talkative little hooves! Is it your turn to say anything?!"
Mo Lan stuck her head out from behind and retorted: "You are all Ming Yatou's people. You are in the same group. How can you believe what you say? It was Ming Yatou who made the first move, and I just returned the favor a few times!"
Just as he was about to have a fit with his arms akimbo, he was pulled by the swallow grass behind him and had to hold his mouth shut. At this time, Liu Kun's family came over and heard Wang's angry voice: "I am the matron of a family and I have to discipline my children.
What does it have to do with you? You are just a slave in my family. Don’t think that you will become powerful just by giving birth to children!" The Liu Kun family frowned. It was like this every time. When the Wang family got angry, they were provoked to talk nonsense.
, I will be cheered and jealous later, and I will suffer again.
Mrs. Wang scolded her vigorously, but Aunt Lin denied it. In anger, Mrs. Wang asked her maid to catch Mo Lan. Unexpectedly, the men and horses brought by Aunt Lin did not show weakness, and they immediately started fighting with each other, with Mo Lan miserable.
Mu Cangzhai was very lively with the sound of crying and Aunt Lin's stern shouting, "Why don't you call the third master! Her sister is going to be beaten to death!"
Not long after, Chang Feng arrived and wanted to protect Aunt Lin and her daughter. The servants were worried, and there was another commotion. In the end, Wang was half-supported and half-supported by Liu Kun's family, and could only breathe.
——Ming Lan sighed as she listened inside, wanting to go out and give some advice. Wang's fighting skills were too simple, lacked variety, and could easily be seen through by her opponents.
"Stop!" A clear female voice sounded, and everyone turned around, only to see Haishi standing at the entrance of the courtyard. Her cold and majestic eyes swept over everyone, and without saying a word, she only turned to the Liu Kun family and said, "
Madam is feeling unwell, please help Mother Liu to go back and rest first."
Liu Kun's family had been waiting for these words for a long time, and immediately helped Wang back forcefully. Haishi watched Wang leave, then turned to look at Chang Feng, and said calmly: "Except for the head of the family, no one has ever listened.
I have said that men have a hand in the affairs of the inner house, and my third brother has read poetry and books. Is there some truth in this? ... It is better to go back to study quickly, next autumn will be important."
Chang Feng blushed and walked away dejectedly.
Seeing that Haishi sent everyone away one by one, Aunt Lin said with a fake smile: "After all, she comes from a scholarly family. Grandma is really knowledgeable. She knows everything so well. I'd like to thank you in advance, Mo'er.
No thank you, sister-in-law, let’s go.”
"Wait a minute!" Haishi suddenly spoke and said to the maids on the left and right, "You three, go and help the fourth girl over and sit in my room. You are not allowed to leave for a moment, and you are not allowed to blink."
Aunt Lin raised her eyebrows and was about to speak again, but Haishi was the first to say: "In another hour, the master will go to the office. I have sent someone to ask the master to come back quickly. Then I will ask my father to do it."
Arbitration: Everyone has seen the palm prints on the sixth sister's face, but the fourth sister... let's go to my room and stay, I will ask the maid to take good care of her, and not touch her with a finger." The last part of the sentence.
Aunt Lin's heart was shaken as she spoke every word, knowing that she had met someone powerful, so she forced a smile and said: "Why bother, or..."
Haishi cut off her words and simply said: "If my eyes are out of sight, it will be hard to tell if there are any injuries on the fourth sister's body! Auntie, if you insist on taking her back, then take her back."
With that said, the three maids next to Haishi went over to invite Mo Lan. Mo Lan was now frightened and wanted to ask for help from Aunt Lin. The mother-in-law and maid behind Aunt Lin was about to make a move, and Haishi raised a sarcastic arc at the corner of his mouth.
, said in a cold voice: "No one in this yard can run away today. If anyone dares to fight or fight again, I will write down the names one by one. Huh! The people next to you are noble and I can't cure them, but you..."
Haishi sneered softly, "If you want to fight or sell, I'm afraid I won't be able to decide. If I can't solve everything, I'll just pick a few to beat!"
Her voice was murderous, Aunt Lin stayed there, and all the maids and women looked at each other, no one wanted to be the first, so they all withdrew their hands and feet and acted honestly.
Minglan nodded secretly, brother Changbai was destined to have a wife.
The author has something to say:
I don’t know how to write about quarrels. After thinking about it for a long time, I really admire Mr. Li Zi for such a tense quarrel scene.