The Duke Protector's Mansion was extremely lively, with everyone crowding at the door to welcome the Duke's return. When Ma Quan, Huang and others saw Zhang Yanling, they grinned and began to cry, their noses and saliva dripping in a straight line.
The servants, grooms, maids, gardeners and cooks at home also stood in the yard to greet each other. Some were smiling happily, and some lifted up their clothes to wipe their eyes. Everyone was very happy and excited.
This is not false, although not everyone really has feelings for the Duke, but in the past year or so since the Duke has not been at home, everyone has had enough of the loneliness and boredom at home.
When the Protector is at home, the house is lively and lively all day long. Although he is often scolded, the atmosphere is different. The servants work in the Zhang family, just like the employees of the company, not only to earn money to support the family, but also for needs
Good mood and good atmosphere.
In the past year or so since the Lord Protector was away from home, the Lord Protector's mansion suddenly lost its vitality. The matrons just sighed and sighed every day, and they who were originally good-tempered seemed to have become difficult to take care of.
Even Mrs. Axiu, who was the most talkative, got angry many times and even whipped the maid who made mistakes. This was unimaginable before.
Everyone knows that if Mrs. Axiu gets angry and beats and scolds her servants, how bad will she be in her mood?
Not to mention the other mistresses. Princess Wanyi was originally a pampered lady with a temper that was not easy to get along with. After she got married, she and her father-in-law had many quarrels. Later, the relationship between the two improved, and they had another child.
After having the baby, things got much better.
But after her father-in-law left home, Xu Wanyi's temper obviously became louder, and she felt like she had relapsed into her old ways. She would scold people if she didn't like the food and drinks she used. Originally, she was very particular about the cost of food and clothing.
This time, they are even more picky. Some of them are simply making use of the topic.
Everyone actually understood that she was in a bad mood, and they didn't hate her in their hearts. However, this sense of depression and the discomfort of being scolded by her at any time still made everyone extremely stressed.
The same is true for the other mistresses. Tan Ruqing didn't talk to many people at first, and she always looked calm and relaxed. Now it's rare to see her smile every day. Most of the time, she goes out early and comes back late. Occasionally, she goes out early and comes back late.
In her spare time, she was seen holding medical books and studying medicine with Xiaozhu. She also lost a lot of weight and became as detached as a fairy.
The young lady Xu Youtang is the steward of Xishan Manor Wild Dog Ridge. When Zhang Yanling is at home, she is lively and cute, and she runs in and out laughing and laughing every day. She has a lively temper, and everyone likes her. But Zhang Yanling is not at home, and most of her
She lived in the Youtang Villa in Xishan Manor for a long time. She came back occasionally, but she couldn't see any difference, but she walked around the house and felt that there was nothing to do. After staying there for only two days, she went to Xishan Manor again.
In short, during the days when Zhang Yanling left, there was not much laughter in the Duke Protector's Mansion, and it became deserted, and the atmosphere also became very tense. The servants worked carefully, and every full moon night,
When the sound of the flute was played in the back house, everyone got goosebumps. The sound of the flute was already a bit scary, and it made people's scalp numb when it sounded at night.
One time, Wu Ma, who was on duty as a cook at night, was so bored that when she went to the back garden to talk to Mrs. Li, who was watering the flowers, she was almost frightened to death in the plum forest in the back house. Because she saw Princess Wanyi alone in the garden.
Walking around in Meilin, wearing a white dress with her hair loose, Wu Ma almost peed her pants.
Now, the father-in-law is finally back. Seeing the beaming faces of all the mistresses, each of them showing a long-lost smile. Everyone knows that the family is finally back on track. The master is not at home, and the souls of the mistresses are gone.
He's gone, the Duke is back, and everything will be fine.
Not only will everyone’s stress disappear and the atmosphere at home will get better, but the father-in-law is also very generous. He often gives out red envelopes and rewards when happy, which is extremely generous. In the two New Years when the father-in-law left, the red envelopes given by the mistress
The stingy one only has a few hundred taels. So if the prince is at home, how many taels should each person be given?
Zhang Yanling entered the house surrounded by the girls and sat down in the hall in a lively manner. Axiu made tea herself and served it. Zhang Yanling took a sip and sighed: "The tea at home is better, and Axiu's tea is better."
It’s to my liking. Not too thick, not too light, not too hot, not too hot, just right.”
Axiu pursed her lips and smiled, her eyes never leaving Zhang Yanling's face for a moment.
Xu Wanyi sat next to Zhang Yanling, looked at Zhang Yanling and said: "Husband, thank you for remembering the smell of tea at home. We thought you had forgotten about home. Do you know how hard it is for us when you are not at home?
?It’s nothing more than concern and longing, the main reason is worry. We tried every means to find out the news, but we were afraid of hearing bad news. Look at Ruqing and the others, who has lost a lot of weight? You are also so cruel."
Everyone stared at Zhang Yanling without saying a word, their eyes filled with mist. Xu Wanyi's words aroused their emotions.
Zhang Yanling sighed, put down the tea cup, stood up and bowed to the girls. The girls quickly stood up and returned the salute.
"Making you worried and uncomfortable is the last thing I want to see. People say that a good man should not make his woman sad. I am not a qualified husband or a good man. I have made you sad. Yan
I sincerely apologize to you. Alas, it's all my fault. Bai Juyi's poem goes: Businessmen value profit over separation. Although I am not a businessman, I also neglect separation for the sake of profit. I am really ashamed."
Xu Wanyi smiled and said: "We are not blaming you, you are doing it for the country. You are also born and died. We are not ungrateful people, we just have some small emotions in our hearts. Husband, don't blame us, we are women.
Such."
Zhang Yanling said: "What I said is true, and there is no lie at all."
Tan Ruqing smiled and said: "Okay, okay, don't talk about these things. My father-in-law has come back. He is not injured or sick, but he has lost some weight. This is a great thing. Today is the day of reunion.
That is a happy thing. Why are you talking so much? It would be better if the whole family is reunited and happy."
Xu Wanyi hurriedly smiled and said: "What Ru Qing said is that you should be happy. Don't hold a big banquet tonight, just take care of your father-in-law. Axiu, how are the food and wine arrangements? It's getting dark soon, so close
Get up, have a big banquet, and have a great time."
Axiu hurriedly smiled and said: "Ready, ready, I will go to the kitchen and let them start the fire to cook. It will be ready in a while. You sit and chat while I go to the kitchen."
Axiu stood up and left happily.
Xu Wanyi said loudly: "Ma Quan, Huang Si, ask people to light all the lights in the house and hang lanterns inside and outside. Didn't there be no lanterns on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month this year? They will all be made up today."
Ma Quan and Huang Si agreed loudly and were about to go out. Tan Ruqing said: "By the way, the servants will also have a banquet tonight to celebrate the grand master's triumph with the whole family."
"Hey, hey, let's go make arrangements now." Ma Quan and Huang Si nodded repeatedly, carrying their robes and going out to give orders as light as a swallow. After a while, the yard was full of busy and joyful sounds.
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "It seems that it is lively tonight. By the way, why don't you see Zhang Yi? Where did that kid go?"
Xu Wanyi rolled her eyes at Zhang Yanling and said angrily: "As a father, you didn't think of your son until now. That's why you came to ask him. Yi'er is living in my parents' house and left in early March."
Zhang Yanling said in shock: "Why is that? Do your parents miss him? He is so close and you can see him at any time, why do you need to live there forever?"
Xu Wanyi said angrily: "Yi'er is four years old, and you, the father, are not at home all the time, and no one disciplines him. The family is spoiled by him and he is very naughty. My father said that we should enlighten him as early as possible and teach him the rules. This is not true
, he was sent to my parents’ school to learn how to read and learn the rules from his husband. My father also taught him personally. I will order someone to pick him up and bring him back to see you tomorrow."
Zhang Yanling thought to herself: What can you learn from your father? But he couldn't say it. He sighed: "You have to read and write at the age of four. Oh, my son is really pitiful. What can you learn at the age of four? He is just naughty.
time."
Xu Wanyi said: "That can't be done. You have to listen to me on this matter. My son must study and practice calligraphy and educate him from an early age. I don't want Yi'er to become a playboy in the future."
Tan Ruqing added in a low voice: "Just like his father when he was a boy..."
Zhang Yanling gritted his teeth and looked at Tan Ruqing. Tan Ruqing was so frightened that she stuck out her tongue, pulled Xiaozhu and hid behind her.
"Okay, let's clean up. My husband is covered in mud and dust. Go take a bath and change clothes. Let's go back to the room and clean up. Tell Axiu that the banquet will be in the back hall." Xu Wanyi stood up and said.
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "It is true that I am smelly and sweaty, so I need to take a good wash."
Tan Ruqing stood up and said: "My lord, Princess Qingyi is back with you? Why don't you see her? Do you want to invite us together?"
Zhang Yanling waved her hand and said: "No need, she has gone back to Zhengnanfang House. She is exhausted from running all the way, so don't disturb her."
"Yes, I didn't even think of it until Ru Qing said it. Husband, let me ask you, where is the Flemish woman who came with you? Don't think we don't know. Qingyi has already written to tell us.
Where are the people? Where are they hiding?" Xu Wanyi said angrily.
Zhang Yanling's scalp was numb and she could only say: "Katherine, I asked someone to take me into the back house. If you want to scold me, scold me, but don't scare her. She is already very worried. It's all my fault. I will let you say it."
"
Xu Wan was extremely angry and shouted: "This is a defense, and we haven't said anything yet. It's really unreasonable. Even if you take a concubine, we have to agree. Let me tell you, don't think that the rice is cooked.
All women are brought home."
Zhang Yanling was speechless and said: "I'm going to take a bath" and quickly ran away.