The He family was originally from Baishitan, southern Jiangsu. Because He Hongwen's grandfather, Mr. He, was serving as the Minister of Taipu Temple, this family easily settled in the capital. The He Mansion is a house with three entrances. Minglan has been here several times before.
, I know that the old couple of the He family, Mr. He Er’s family, and He Hongwen’s mother live in the mansion. (·~)
The sun at the end of June was already quite hot. Minglan sat on the right side of her grandmother, shaking a big leaf fan along the way. One person fanned the other two to cool off. It took more than half an hour for the carriage to arrive at He Mansion.
The servant girl had long been acquainted with the grandparents and grandsons of the Sheng family. As soon as they met, she greeted them with a smile on her face and led them into the flower hall in the back garden with her arm and an umbrella.
The He family was far away from the imperial city, and there were trees everywhere. As soon as they walked into the back garden, there was a sense of coolness. Minglan exhaled a breath of hot air, pressed her cheek with a handkerchief, and asked Dan Ju to check if her makeup was messed up.
Ju whispered: "You just applied a layer of ointment, and you didn't even get any powder on it. Even if you're a little sweaty, it doesn't matter."
Xiaotao glanced sideways at Minglan's delicate skin with almost invisible pores, "Don't worry, girl, you're not even sweating."
Passing through a hanging flower door, bypassing the courtyard of the main house, and walking into the back flower hall, I saw that the windows on all sides of the hall were open, and there was a large round table in the middle with various fresh fruit snacks on it.
There was a copper basin placed on the ground at Ye Ximen, with some ice cubes placed in it. The ice melted and the wind cooled the room, making the room feel comfortable. The old lady and Minglan were refreshed at the same time.
I saw Mrs. He sitting at the top, standing up with a smile to greet the guests: "My old sister, you are feeling better! Come, let me feel your pulse first!" After saying that, she went to La Sheng.
He asked the old lady to open her wrist and said angrily: "How can you be the master of the house? When guests come, you don't invite them to sit down or serve them tea. Instead, you ask them to check their pulse! What? I'm afraid?
Don’t people know that you are a daughter of the famous Zhang family?!”
Several female relatives standing around laughed together, and a middle-aged woman wearing a goose-yellow thin silk jacket embroidered with flowers and birds, and a light plain skirt with stitching came over and gently supported Mr. He.
The man smiled and said: "Old lady, I don't know, my mother-in-law misses you so much when we meet at home, so it took a lot of effort to get you here."
After saying that, she invited the descendants of the Sheng family to sit down and familiarly called the maid to serve warm summer-relieving soup. Minglan bowed and bowed to Mrs. He first, then turned around slightly and faced He Hongwen, who was standing quietly aside.
Mother saluted and then sat down on the cane chair at the bottom.
After everyone was seated, He Hongwen's mother stood up and bowed to Mrs. Sheng to give her a blessing. Her words were like a faint whisper: "Thanks to the old lady's warm-heartedness, my sister's family now lives in a wonderful hospital in that hospital. I
I would like to thank the old lady here on behalf of my sister and her family." Old lady Sheng waved her hand gently and said goodbye: "It doesn't matter, in life, we should always help each other."
Mrs. He was weak and thanked her several times. Her face turned a little pale. Mrs. He quickly asked the maid to help her sit down.
Mrs. He Er has a slightly plump figure and a round chin. She speaks very thoughtfully, showing that she is a capable person who has been in charge of housework for many years. She smiled and said attentively: "I heard that there is going to be a happy event in your house in the near future. Let me say a few words first.
Congratulations! Don’t be stingy with a glass of wedding wine with us, old lady!"
Mrs. Sheng was quite relaxed in the He Mansion and joked: "As long as you prepare enough congratulatory gifts, it doesn't matter if you come!" Mrs. He laughed and scolded: "In the early days, you called those gold and silver "Aduwu".
The older you get, the more greedy you become for money! How wonderful!"
Mrs. Sheng deliberately glared and said, "Even based on your words, you can get double the amount!"
"Your wedding wine is too expensive! Daughter-in-law, we are not going!" Mrs. He also pretended to be cool. (·~)
Mrs. He Er stood next to her mother-in-law, lightly fanned herself, pursed her lips and said with a smile: "Mom, don't worry, my daughter-in-law is good at calculating, and she knows that there will be a wedding banquet at the Sheng Mansion that will not be left behind for you! By that time
Yeah, no matter how much money you have to pay, you will still be very happy!"
There was something in his words, and his eyes glanced at Minglan, who was sitting next to him. Mrs. He and Mrs. Sheng both had smiles on their lips.
The position where Minglan was sitting was facing the wind. It was very cool. The heat had just dropped from her body. After hearing this, her face started to heat up again. She lowered her head and refused to speak. He's mother, who was sitting opposite, saw her ashamed and couldn't help it.
She whispered softly: "Second sister-in-law!" Then she walked over and patted Minglan's shoulder gently, saying warmly: "Good girl, it's cold here, please sit somewhere else."
Minglan stood up obediently and sat across from He's mother. Then He's mother took Minglan's hand and asked in a low voice, "How are you doing recently, but you are still doing embroidery work, don't hurt your eyes."
, Minglan felt the dry and cool palms of He's mother, feeling very comfortable, and answered the questions one by one softly.
Mother He looked at Minglan carefully while asking questions, and saw that she was wearing a light willow green soft kudzu knee-length single shirt, underneath a snow satin moire pleated skirt, and a dark green thin brocade flower armor.
Her oily black hair was pulled up into a ponytail, with her hair half hanging down, and soft bangs covering her forehead. She only had a pair of emerald gold and silver hairpins inlaid with gold and silver, and a small white jade hairpin was pressed behind the bun.
The flower and crescent moon comb is like a tender green onion, reflecting the face of pink lotus sleeves. It is so delicious that it makes people want to take a few bites. Mother He liked it in her heart, and when Minglan became more affectionate and kind, she whispered a few more instructions.
Things to pay attention to in summer.
Mrs. Sheng looked sideways and saw that He's mother and Minglan were so close to each other, and felt reassured and comforted in her heart. She looked up at Mrs. He beside her, and saw that although she was smiling on her face, there was a tinge in her eyes.
There was a hint of gloominess, as if something was on his mind.
There are two very tall gardenia trees planted outside the flower hall. It is a good time to bloom at this time. The leaves are green and the flowers are white. The breeze sends the fragrance softly into the flower hall. The female family members in the hall are writing
Xiang Ming, listening to the two old people talking about old things and Mrs. He Er making fun and teasing from time to time, everyone felt very comfortable.
There were bursts of laughter in the flower hall. As they talked, Mrs. He talked about He Hongwen who went out to buy medicinal materials. She was quite proud in her words. She just said to Mrs. Sheng, "Brother Hong, it's time to say kiss."
, a mother-in-law hurriedly came to report: "Mrs. Cao's wife is here."
Then, as if a cold wind suddenly blew up in the hall, the smile on Mrs. He's face gradually stopped, and her eyes glanced at He's mother below. He's mother lowered her head and moved uneasily.
Mrs. He Er saw her mother-in-law nodding slightly and said loudly: "Please change quickly."
Minglan raised her eyes to look at Old Mrs. Sheng, and saw that she had the same expression as usual, not caring, so she sat still. After a while, a woman opened the curtain and two women came in. One of them was a woman about 20 years old.
She is in her fifties, with an aging face. Even though she applies a lot of powder, her dark and rough skin color cannot be concealed. Only her eyebrows and eyes are somewhat similar to He's mother. The girl behind her is about seventeen or eighteen years old, with her head lowered.
, with a hunched back and head, a very thin appearance, and a dress of silver brocade sleeves, but the dark gold embroidery on the collar and cuffs has faded, obviously it is old and worn clothing, and the exposed hands look skinny and shriveled.
Mrs. He looked unhappy and sat there without saying a word. She had no intention of introducing her at all. Mother He had to stand up and said to Mrs. Sheng sarcastically: "This is Brother Hong and his aunt. This is his aunt."
Aunt and cousin, the small character is Jinxiu."
Mrs. Cao quickly took her daughter to salute Mrs. He and Mrs. Sheng. Mrs. He waved to invite Mrs. He and asked Mrs. He to arrange seats for tea and fruit. After a while, Mrs. Cao immediately started talking and praised the flower hall.
The scenery was beautiful and bright. He praised the second wife for her cooking skills, the summer-relieving soup was delicious, and the tea and fruits were delicious. She even asked Cao Jinxiu to come forward to serve Mrs. He, changing the tea and picking out fresh fruits.
Although she was flattering, Mrs. He didn't pay much attention to her, and her expression became more fierce. [Ye*][*]
When He's mother saw him, she became even more worried and didn't dare to speak; even Mrs. He's second wife didn't speak much.
Mrs. Cao was still chattering. Seeing that Mrs. He didn't pay much attention to her mother and daughter, she gradually stopped talking. Mrs. He turned around to talk to Mrs. Sheng: "In September, the girl will be old enough to have hairpins.
Have you thought about who to add hairpins to?"
Old Mrs. Sheng said with a smile: "Among the old sisters, you are the luckiest, so naturally you are the one. I wonder if you are willing to do it?"
Mrs. He had already planned this. After hearing this, she clapped her hands and said happily: "This is a great love affair, don't worry! I will prepare a hairpin right away. I will definitely be worthy of your precious granddaughter!"
When Mrs. Cao saw them talking to themselves and not taking her mother and daughter seriously at all, she couldn't help but sulked secretly. She immediately turned her head towards Minglan. Minglan couldn't dodge and asked her to hold her arm.
Giggling: "Oh, she is indeed a lovely person carved out of jade! Look at her features, her figure..."
Seeing her frivolous words and mentioning Minglan, Old Mrs. Sheng couldn't help but frowned, but Mrs. Cao still said: "Tsk, tsk, it's really a good look! To say that our family is beautiful, even when we were young, everyone praised it, but it's a pity that it's not so beautiful.
Miss Ming has a good life! She went to that hellish place to suffer a lot when she was young, and now she seems to be in low spirits. If she can cook delicious food and drinks, she will definitely be the best!" He said while touching it.
Minglan's clothes.
Minglan secretly exerted strength with her arms, bent her elbows, and gently took off Mrs. Cao's palm. She turned slightly sideways and hid, secretly wondering in her heart, Mrs. Cao and He's mother were two sisters, how could one of them look like a vulgar village woman?
?! Looking to the side again, I saw Mother He's face turned white in embarrassment, but she could only watch her sister make a fool of herself. Cao Jinxiu on the side always lowered her head, Minglan took a few careful glances, and saw her
His skin color is slightly dark, his face has a weathered look, he is also thin and weak, and his appearance is really not that good.
Since they were guests, the He family couldn't say anything, so Mrs. Cao became even more proud. She turned to Mrs. Sheng and said, "I heard from my sister that the old lady and my sister's mother-in-law are very good friends. I also
Don’t be ashamed. Our Jin’er and my nephew Hong Ge’er have been childhood sweethearts since childhood. We have such a close relationship... I’m not bragging. When our family left Beijing, Hong Ge’er chased after us crying and called Jin.
Damn it! With such friendship, it’s natural for us, Jin’er…”
Mrs. He's expression changed, and she put the tea bowl on the table hard. There was a crisp sound, and the lid of the bowl was broken on the coffee table. Mrs. He and his mother knew about their mother-in-law's nature, so they would take care of themselves when nothing happened.
He was cheerful and loved to joke, but when he got angry, he had a bad temper that even the old man dared to scold. They immediately stood aside in fear.
Mrs. He was furious in her heart, but she smiled on her face. She slowly pulled out a lapis lazuli hairpin engraved with the words "Fu Shou" and "Fu Shou" from her head, put it on the coffee table, pointed at it and said: "Madam, I have always wanted to give Jin'er a gift."
This child has a hairpin. Today, while everyone is here, if my concubine doesn’t mind, just take it."
Mrs. Cao was stunned for a moment, and then she was overjoyed. She stepped forward, stretched out her hand to take the hairpin, and praised her repeatedly with gestures. Mrs. He had a strange smile on her face and said slowly: "Now that you have the hairpin, look back."
Just tell Jin'er to tie up her hair; it's time to change her outfit, there are no women who still dress like girls!"
As soon as these words came out, there was like a silent thunder on the heads of everyone in the hall. Cao Jinxiu suddenly raised his head, with tears in his eyes, and he was stuck on the ground like a piece of wood, unable to move; the expressions of everyone in the hall were
sudden change.
With a bang, Mrs. Cao dropped the hairpin on the ground in panic and broke it into two pieces. Mrs. He turned her head and sneered at He's mother, whose face was as pale as death. "It seems that your sister is looking at
You don’t want to wear my hairpin anymore!”
Mother He's hands and feet were trembling with fright, and she looked at Mrs. Cao in disbelief. Her eyes were full of surprise. Mrs. Cao avoided her sister's eyes, gritted her teeth secretly, then forced a smile on her face, and smiled at Mrs. He.
"Is it possible that the old lady is wrong? My Jin'er hasn't been born yet..." Madam He cut off her words with a wave of her hand, grabbed Cao Jinxiu's wrist next to her, and clasped her pulse with three fingers, then stared at her
Mrs. Cao smiled coldly.
Mrs. Cao recalled with horror that her younger sister had once said that Mrs. He had been studying medicine since she was a child. She could tell whether a girl was a daughter or a woman just by looking at her body shape. If she had a pulse, she could tell nothing. Thinking of this
, she suddenly started sweating, and looked at her sister at a loss, only to see that she was also in a state of despair.
Seeing this situation, He's mother became clear. Her mother-in-law was afraid that she would be suspicious early on, but she did not point it out in front of her. But now she said it in front of the Sheng family's grandparents and second sister-in-law. Not only did she make her position clear to the outside world,
It also indirectly expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Cao family. He's mother was widowed at a young age, but her mother-in-law was able to live a stable life and raise He Hongwen to become a talented person for more than ten years. Her mother-in-law helped a lot. She always admired Mrs. He very much, and now she sees him
She looked extremely angry and scared.
Next, no one was in the mood to enjoy the flowers. Mrs. Sheng excused herself that she was still not fully recovered, so she took Minglan and left. Mrs. He held her hand and said several words, and Mrs. He walked all the way to the door.
, full of apologies, packed a box with the commonly used summer herbs prepared in advance, and then said goodbye respectfully.
After getting on the carriage, the grandfather and grandson were silent for a long time.
Minglan lowered her head and thought. When she first met Mrs. He, she only thought that this old man was straightforward and very easy to talk to. But now that she thinks about it, Mrs. He was a man of self-love when he was young and had many concubines. But over the decades,
, surprisingly, there is not even a concubine, and now they are an old couple. Mrs. He even took advantage of the whole family. She divided the family when she said it would be divided, and gave He Hongwen's mother as much property as she said. Her husband, daughter, and daughter-in-law all
Without saying a word, the day passed very comfortably.
Today, I saw that she was very deadly every time she made a move. How could such a person be so simple?! The inner house is like a delicate and forbearing arena. Those who can survive in the end are either born with good luck like Yu Yanran's grandmother, or they are just like Yu Yanran's grandmother.
There are two times!
After a while, Minglan sighed: "Fortunately, Grandma He's here."
Old Mrs. Sheng's expression was deep and her eyes flashed unquestioningly: "When two families get married, what matters is that you and I are willing and everyone is happy. It's not a good marriage to rely on the elderly to make it happen. Let's take a look. It's not a good marriage.
I don’t know what Hongwen’s mother means…”
…
At this time, He's mother was standing in Mrs. He's inner room full of panic. There were only mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in the house. The doors and windows were closed tightly. The room was a bit stuffy, but He's mother still felt a chill in her vest.
"You're out of your mind!" Mrs. He slapped her palm on the coffee table, and the tea bowl on it jumped. "You clearly know what I mean, but you still informed the Cao family about today's visit! What are you worried about?
?!Do you really want Jin’er to be your daughter-in-law?!”
He's mother looked flustered and waved her hands quickly: "No, no, no, I really like that kid Minglan, how could..." Her eyes turned hot as she spoke, and she choked, "But my sister kept begging me, so I just
…This is the only sister left in my daughter-in-law’s natal family!”
"You!" Mrs. He scolded with annoyance: "You are just soft-hearted! Let me make it clear to you today. Our He family is not someone who dislikes poverty and loves wealth. If the Cao family had committed the crime before,
He let his daughter and Brother Hongwen get married, and now it is making people laugh, and I also recognize this granddaughter-in-law! But don’t forget, it was the Cao family who disliked you as orphans and widowed mothers, and you have no one to rely on, then
Nowadays, the Cao family is very quarrelsome, and they keep saying that they want to marry off their daughter! Humph! Now, their family is in ruins, and they are in ruins. I remember having a sister like you and a nephew like Hongwen!"
Speaking of this, Mrs. He raised her voice and said angrily: "What's especially hateful is that they actually dare to deceive my family. It's obvious that the jade is not perfect, and they still want to hide it! It's really hateful!"
He's mother started sobbing and said intermittently: "Sister Shicai told me that when they were in Liangzhou, their family really couldn't survive. They were forced to have no choice. Jin'er only became a concubine with the military attaché. Who knew that within a few months, she would become a concubine?
The world is amnesty, and now the Cao family is extremely regretful!"
"So what?" Mrs. He glared and said, "They are delusional in front of them and deliberately deceive behind them. Do you really want to fulfill your sister's wish and ask such a shabby person to be your son's wife?!"
Since a widowed mother has put in much more effort to raise her eldest son than an ordinary mother, He's mother also has aspirations for success, but she is weak in nature and soft-eared. Her sister will soften her heart whenever she cries or begs. Now things have come to a head.
When she opened the door, she saw the deep love between sisters and her son's future, and she couldn't help but panic.
Finally, He's mother wiped her tears, raised her head and said, "Mom, I've thought about it, it's better for my daughter-in-law to be Ming!... However, just before she left, my sister begged me again, saying that she wanted Jin'er to be the side wife.
It’s also good; mother, what do you think?”
"Don't even think about it!" Mrs. He slapped her palm heavily on the table again, gritting her teeth as she spoke. But seeing the frightened look on He's mother's face, she quickly came to take pity on this young widowed daughter-in-law, and said in a soft voice,
"Daughter-in-law, think about it carefully. This marriage in the Sheng family is perfect. Your father-in-law is old and will retire in a few days. At that time, your father-in-law and I will either go back to our hometown in Baishitan, or we will go back to our hometown in Baishitan.
She followed his uncle to take up the post. Who will you ask Hongwen to rely on when the time comes? You should find a family he can rely on for him! We can't reach the legitimate daughter of a high-class family, and the one from a low-class family is not good, so ordinary
Other people's concubines can't be on the stage. You have chosen one yourself. Is there anyone more suitable than Minglan? Both father and brother are officials in the court, and the family is wealthy. Although she is a concubine, her appearance and temperament are first-rate.
At home, she is loved by her father, brother and sister-in-law, and she was raised by my older sister. In the future, even if your family of three lives alone, she will be able to take care of the housework, take care of her mother-in-law, and help her husband-in-law! I have seen her for so many years,
She is the most suitable girl, but now the Cao family is showing off! As a concubine?! Hmph! My wife hasn’t even entered the house yet, but even the concubine room is ready, and I don’t have the shame to go to my old sister!"
He's mother was moved by what she said to her mother-in-law. She slowly wiped away her tears and said in a daze: "What mother said is absolutely true, but... what should Jin'er do?"
Old lady He said coldly: "She has her own parents. You are just an aunt, so don't worry about it! She has helped with everything from finding a house to providing for the family to finding errands. Is it possible that she still has to take care of the Cao family?"
A generation?! Also, sew your fingers together for me! I will give you a generous portion of the family property from the boss and the second brother to you orphans and widowers. It will be used for brother Hong to start a family in the future. I am not asking you to post it.
The Cao family's children and the Cao family, you should sort out the priorities! The Cao family has men and children, hands and feet, is it possible that the He family can't support the whole family? In this world, there is only emergency relief, not poverty relief! At this moment
It’s just a matter of me taking charge of the property for you. When I die, if you are so soft-hearted, if you don’t find a reliable granddaughter-in-law, all of them will be named Cao! I have made it clear to you, in the end
It's you who wants a daughter-in-law, you should think about it yourself!"
These words were very harsh and had deep meaning. He's mother was shocked. She knew what her mother-in-law meant and she didn't dare to speak anymore.