In a capital city where clansmen and nobles are as numerous as dogs, Xie Jun, a fourth-grade minister of Honglu Temple, has neither a high nor a low official position, and is not eye-catching at all.
Rather than being talented and knowledgeable, Xie Jun is more famous for his handsome face that looks like Pan An.
Xie Jun's father-in-law, King Huainan, was the cousin of the current emperor Jianwen. He was highly regarded by the emperor and was in charge of the clan mansion. He was a powerful figure among the royal clan and was also very influential in the court.
Xie Jun relied on his handsome face to climb up to the Huainan Prince's Palace and marry Princess Yongning, who was famous for her beauty. People have to sigh and sigh, men can also rely on their faces to make a living.
In the past ten years, the Xie family moved from the slightly remote Dunhuafang to Xiuyefang, which is close to the Yongning Princess's mansion.
Iron-clad facts prove that men who rely on their reputation to make a living can definitely carry forward this career!
The Xie Mansion is not too big, and the garden built in the backyard takes up one-half of it, with pavilions, pavilions, rockeries, pools, exotic flowers and plants.
This is also a common problem among Daqi bureaucrats.
It is better for the whole family to live in a crowded place than to maintain a good reputation.
This is the saying that starving to death is a small matter of shame but a big deal.
The Chunjin Pavilion where Xie Mingxi lived had a total of ten masters and servants. The two eldest maids lived in one room, while the younger maids had to squeeze in three or four people in one room.
Fortunately, Xie Mingxi's boudoir is spacious, clean and elegantly tidied.
The son she longed for could not be kept by her side, so Aunt Ding devoted herself to her daughter's food, clothing, and daily life. The various furnishings in Chunjin Pavilion were expensive and unobtrusive.
The eldest maid Fang Qiao was sitting sewing with her head down. When she heard the footsteps, she stood up and saluted.
Fangqiao is sixteen years old this year, at the age when she is as fresh and tender as a flower. Her fair face is pink, and her almond-shaped eyes are large and watery, looking forward and affectionate.
Xie Mingxi hummed casually, her eyes falling on the purse in Fang Qiao's hand.
Fangqiao is indeed ingenious. A graceful lotus flower is embroidered on her purse, which is quite delicate against the green lotus leaves.
"The wallet is well done." Xie Mingxi praised without hesitation.
Fangqiao was cheered up by the praise.
The young lady had been lukewarm to her in the past few days. She was either asked to make shoes and socks or embroider purses. However, the work of personal service was assigned to Yu Fuyu and those two stupid little maids.
As a big maid, not only was she embarrassed, but her status was also in jeopardy. How could she not be in a hurry?
Fangqiao responded cautiously: "This servant is not good at craftsmanship, so it is rare for me to catch my attention."
Xie Mingxi said kindly: "My maid, you are the best at needlework. According to this purse, you can make ten more."
Fangqiao: "..."
It takes a full day to make one purse, and ten full days to make ten!
Fangqiao felt bitter in her heart and could not respond for a moment.
"Look at you, do you think ten is too few?" Xie Mingxi raised her eyebrows and smiled: "Then let's do twenty."
Fangqiao's whole body trembled, and she didn't dare to hesitate any longer, and hurriedly responded: "Yes, I take the order."
"Step back!" Xie Mingxi casually ordered: "Let Congyu Fuyu come in and wait."
Fangqiao swallowed the bitterness in her heart and whispered.
…
There are many smart people in this world, and there are countless people who claim to be smart.
For example, the eldest maid Fangqiao has an overactive mind. She "befriends" Wenqi next to Aunt Ding, and inadvertently reveals her words and deeds during "small talk"...
There were eight maids in Chunjin Pavilion, and she deliberately chose the slightly stupid Congyu and the even more stupid Fuyu.
The person with a few freckles on his face is Cong Yu, who is twelve years old this year. She is not good at cooking or makeup. Her biggest advantage is that she is obedient.
Fuyu is two years older than Congyu, and is thirteen years old. She is thick, strong, and quite powerful. She has a swarthy face and is ordinary, far from being pretty.
The two third-class maids who used to do menial tasks such as laundry and sweeping the floor felt a little reserved when they stepped into the elegant boudoir.
However, it's much better than the first day of personal service.
He didn't tremble when he stood, didn't stutter when he spoke, and stood quietly aside. Without her instructions, he never dared to make a sound to disturb her.
Good!
Xie Mingxi was quite satisfied with Congyu Fuyu's docility and well-behavedness. She slowly flipped through the historical records of the previous dynasties in her hand, and her eyes were full of books and the room was peaceful.
Unfortunately, such a quiet and beautiful time was soon broken by the arrival of Aunt Ding.
"Third Miss, Aunt Ding is here."
Congyu reported in a low voice.
Before she finished speaking, Aunt Ding's figure had already appeared in front of her: "Ming Niang!"
Aunt Ding never needs to be informed when she comes in and out of Chunjin Pavilion.
This rule must be changed first in the future.
Xie Mingxi did not stand up to greet her. She only raised her head briefly and asked, "Why did my aunt suddenly come to Chunjin Pavilion?" Her attitude was lukewarm and her voice was light.
Aunt Ding, who was full of heavy worries, did not notice her daughter's indifference. Her beautiful eyes were filled with sadness: "Ming Niang, I have something to say to you alone."
What is supposed to come will always come.
Xie Mingxi's eyes were slightly cold and she glanced at Cong Yu Fuyu.
The two little maids immediately withdrew.
…
In the boudoir, only Xie Mingxi and Aunt Ding were left.
Before Aunt Ding opened her mouth, her eyes were already red and she was about to cry, but she stopped talking.
Xie Mingxi opened her mouth calmly: "My aunt has something to say, but it doesn't hurt to say it."
"Ming Niang," Aunt Ding's heart turned over and over again. She gritted her teeth and spoke cruelly: "You also heard what the princess just said. Your eldest brother is fourteen this year, which is when he should concentrate on studying. If you get engaged early,
Firstly, it is easy to be distracted when getting married, and secondly, as a commoner and without any fame, it is difficult for him to marry a noble girl."
"So, he must not get engaged early."
As he said this, he looked over with an expectant look that said, "You will definitely understand."
Xie Mingxi lived up to her expectations and nodded in agreement: "What my aunt said is that it is really not appropriate for the eldest brother to get married too early."
Aunt Ding secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said the most unspeakable words smoothly: "Since you understand, are you willing to suffer a little injustice for your elder brother?"
Without waiting for Xie Mingxi to react, she continued hurriedly: "The princess left me just now and told me that if you are willing to go to Kaolianchi Academy for the second lady, she will postpone Yuanting's marriage for two years, and you will also prepare for the marriage.
He wants to marry a lady from a famous family."
"With your talent, knowledge and intelligence, you are sure to win the exam at Lotus Pond Academy."
"At that time, the princess will register for you and the second lady together. During the entrance examination, write your name on the second lady's test paper, and write the second lady's name on your test paper..."
"The princess will take care of things secretly, and no one will investigate further. In this way, you can be admitted to the Lotus Pond Academy on behalf of the second lady..."
At this point, tears rolled down from Aunt Ding's eyes, as if she was the one who had been wronged: "Ming Niang, I know I have wronged you. But, you are the only one who can help Yuanting right now."
"I'm begging you! Ming Niang, can you just agree this once and help Yuanting?"
Even the rhetoric is exactly the same as in the previous life.
After the first episode, there will be a second episode and a third episode...
Until everyone took her grievances for granted and her sacrifice as a matter of course.
Xie Mingxi thought that her heart was calm and she would never be angry about anything again. Until this moment, the long-lasting memories that had been suppressed in her heart for decades merged with Aunt Ding's pleading face.
The resentment and grievances buried deep in my heart also came in droves.
She looked at Aunt Ding intently and questioned Xie Mingxi, a young man who had been wronged in her previous life:
"Auntie, I can be admitted to the Lotus Pond Academy by myself, why should I take the exam as a substitute for Yunxi and give my talent and glory to others with both hands?"
"Why do you ask me to make a wedding dress for my eldest brother?"
"Why do you have to give in for the sake of eldest brother?"
"My eldest brother was born by my aunt, am I not?"
Xie Mingxi's eyes became brighter and brighter, and her voice became colder and colder.
"In the past, my aunt always said she loved me the most, but it turns out she was just trying to coax me. My eldest brother is the most important. For his future, everything about me is insignificant and I can always compromise."
"Both were born to my aunt in ten months' pregnancy. My eldest brother grew up in the princess's mansion. My aunt only saw him two or three times a month. And I was by my aunt's side since I was born, accompanying her day and night. Why do I still feel in my aunt's heart?
Far inferior to big brother?"
"Just because my eldest brother is a man and I am a woman, I am inherently inferior and my fate is at the mercy of others?"
