By the time Zhou Ma finished vomiting and remembered that it was time to go home, it was almost noon.
Biezhuang is about ten miles away from Chang'an City. If Zhou Ma sets out to go home at this time, she will never be able to catch lunch, and she will be hungry.
Mrs. Ma lost her temper after being cried by her eldest sister, so she had to postpone her plan to enter the city and ordered someone to prepare a simple lunch.
The second daughter-in-law, Mrs. Hu, took her son Xiao Shitou back to the house to warm up the brazier. She had been waiting for a long time. Seeing that it was getting late, she sent a message to the servant girl in the other village with a wink. Although the servants and wives knew that there was not enough money in the village, the mistress was here and it was impossible to starve her, so they prepared lunch early.
The maids served hot steamed noodles to the Ma sisters, a simple bite was enough.
Hai Jiao and Hai Tang waited in the yard for a long time. During lunch time, their grandmother Ma finally remembered and called her into the house to meet her aunt.
Zhou Ma's mind was full of how to deal with the persecution of her step-mother-in-law and husband after returning home. When she saw her two children, she reluctantly cheered up and said some clichés, praising them for how good they were and how big they were. , They are all good children who understand etiquette and obey the rules, and so on.
After being reminded by her maid, she remembered that she had prepared greeting gifts for the juniors before arriving, and quickly asked the maid to distribute the things. There was still some left for Hai Changan's son, so she didn't want to bother with it, so she could just hand it over to her younger sister Ma.
Ma was a little dissatisfied: "After all, Chang'an is called mother, and he is your nephew. Why don't you even see his flesh and blood?!"
Zhou Ma said listlessly: "I have watched him grow up since I was a child. I know who his parents are. How can I recognize this nephew? I can't even care about my eldest brother's grandchildren. How can I care about your god-grandson?" ? As long as the etiquette is good. The things are all good and he won’t suffer a loss, so you should quickly accept them for him! "
Ma was so angry that she didn't want to speak. She signaled Aunt Cui with her eyes, took the greeting gift, and urged her to eat. After eating, the eldest sister can leave. She will also take her family to the city. If she delays it any longer, she won't be able to get home even after dark. What should she do if she calls her husband Hai Xiya? !
Haijiao and Haitang could tell that her aunt was not interested in chatting, so she ate quietly with her without asking any questions. They had just eaten the melon for a long time, and they still had to digest it.
Hai Jiao took a few sneak glances at Zhou Ma's maid and felt that she looked familiar. He guessed that he might have seen this maid when his aunt sent someone to block the door in his previous life. When he thought of this incident, he no longer had any good impressions of his aunt Zhou Ma. He only felt that she deserved to be forced to where she was today by her step-mother-in-law, husband, and stepson.
Haitang buried her head in eating noodles. Although she is still thinking in her mind, she will not miss the delicious food. To be honest, the taste of this bowl of noodles is much better than the dinner prepared by Zhuangtou and his wife last night. It is chewy yet soft and smooth, and the soup base is excellent.
Ma apparently feels the same way: "The taste of this noodle has not changed in decades. In the years since I left Chang'an, I have missed this bite a lot. Caixia's craftsmanship is still so good."
Zhou Ma sighed, pointed to the maid standing beside her and said, "I also like the good noodles made by Caixia, but it's a pity that she is staying in a villa now and only goes to treat him two or three times a year." An. It’s rare to eat noodles made by her.”
The servant woman's eyes were red and she choked with sobs: "As long as Madam is willing, I can make noodles for you at any time!"
Mr. Zhou Ma sighed: "Come on, what if that woman grabs you and won't let you go? I can't bear to have anything happen to you, so you'd better stay in another village and live peacefully."
Ma had never heard the servant girl talk about this before: "What's going on? I was shocked when I saw Caixia in the village. Although she is old, her legs and feet are strong, and her eyes are good, so why not let her She came to the village to take care of her old age? Even her children are doing farm work in the village. They are all respectable children. It’s a pity. The eldest sister didn’t leave anyone by her side? "
Zhou Ma said: "She offended the woman just because of her words. Zhou Jinpu even shouted that she would sell her family. I was afraid that the master would be persuaded by their ancestors and grandchildren, so he quickly sent Caixia and her family to the village. Well, tell the master that he has been severely punished, so that the woman will not be killed."
If Zhuangzi on the outskirts of Chang'an couldn't stop Mrs. Ma from scheming with Zhou Jinpu, Mrs. Zhou Ma would have no choice but to bear the pain and send people to dowry farms in other places. The conditions there were worse and further away from her, so she couldn't bear to leave.
Fortunately, after a few years, Mrs. Ma didn't mention Caixia's family again, so Mr. Zhou Ma was relieved.
Ma didn't understand: "Can't the eldest sister send Caixia back to the Ma family? If the master's family is changed, can the Zhou family still kill the relatives' servants?!"
Zhou Ma sighed and shook his head: "No way. My sister-in-law is not in need of help, but she complains that the family has too many people and cannot afford to support her!"
The Ma family began to decline after their father passed away. Although the eldest brother has an official position, his development is far less than that of his father, and he is just barely able to survive. Not to mention the eldest brother’s son. He is in his forties and has only reached the seventh rank. Without his father's help, there is no hope of promotion. Originally, he married a daughter-in-law with a good family background. Unfortunately, the Yue family felt that he was not living up to expectations and did not bother to promote him at all. They would rather bypass him and help his son. The sister-in-law often had quarrels with her daughter-in-law because of this. She was also afraid that her family's status would be reduced and she would make relatives and neighbors laugh. She was angry about money every day. The family is uneasy and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are at odds, which in turn affects the men's mood. The future of the Ma family seems increasingly unclear.
Zhou Ma was often worried about the mess in her parents' house, but she didn't know who to talk to. Now that the little sister is back, she has something to complain about.
Ma took a few deep breaths and resisted the urge to curse.
She didn't understand. It had only been more than ten years since she left Chang'an, so how could her parents' family have changed? What's wrong with having a low official position? Her man's official position was lower than that of his eldest brother in recent years, and he even resigned from his official position. Wasn't he living a prosperous life? She never disliked anything and got along well with her son and wife. What are the elder brothers, sisters-in-law and elder sisters thinking in their minds? Although they live in a prosperous and stable big city like Chang'an, they live a sparse life, which is far worse than her husband and wife!
Ma Shi glanced at Caixia again. This is the confidant maid that her eldest sister used to use when she was in the boudoir. She is capable and loyal, good at needlework, and is also good at making pasta. Now she seems to be strong, and her husband is also a shrewd and mature man. The children and grandchildren can see He is also smart, it would be a pity to stay on the farm and farm all the time.
Ma family simply spoke to Zhou Ma family: "If eldest sister is willing, I will temporarily lend Caixia's family to E'an. E has just returned to Chang'an and there are only five members of the Cui family under his command, which is really not enough people. Let's buy some from outside. , and it takes time to teach slowly. After all, Caixia and her family are all acquaintances, and they know the basics, which is better than buying from outside. When you torture your step-mother-in-law to death and become the master of the family, I will return her to you. how?"
Zhou Ma was a little surprised: "Why not? If you are willing to take them away, I'll be relieved! From now on I will see you often, and I can always eat the noodles made by Caixia, and I can also ask her to do needlework without having to do it again and again." We have to send people to the village to deliver the message."
Ma laughed angrily again and rolled her eyes: "Well, I want people to go back and take care of them myself, not to help eldest sister raise people! If you are so dishonest, you should have said nothing!"
Zhou Ma quickly apologized and said, "You are joking, sister, don't be angry, I will give you the body deed when I get home." He then asked Caixia to kowtow to her sister quickly, which was considered as handing over the person.
Ma took two more deep breaths and waved her hand helplessly: "Caixia quickly go back and tell your family that I will give you three days to pack your things. You also know where the E family is, just come to the door."
Haitang had no objection to the addition of a new family member to her family, but Haijiao frowned and curled his lips secretly.
(End of chapter)
