On the afternoon of New Year's Eve, there was a heavy snowfall, and a thick layer of snow accumulated at the entrance of the courtyard. The maids were busy cleaning it, hoping to have a refreshing New Year.
Xu Qingmo, Hua Ying and Qu Lian were locked in the house packing purses. As early as the first snowfall, she arranged for the female servants in the yard to embroider purses, and put a few taels of broken silver into the purses, which was regarded as New Year's Eve. The small red envelope given by Jie was still her own private money.
When all the purses were packed, Xu Qingmo didn't plan to come forward himself. He just asked Hua Ying and Qu Lian to divide them, and specifically told them: "Remember to tell them that this is the only small purse in our yard, not the public school." If you come out, tell them to take their wallets and shut up, don’t go out and say anything, it will cause trouble to the lady!”
Hua Ying and Qu Lian smiled and agreed.
Purses vary from big to small, depending on the work done by each person. Some families have children, some have connections, and find an easy job. They eat all day long and wait to die. There are only a few taels of silver in their purses. Although those few have Those who work hard in the outer courtyard can actually get a few ingots of silver.
The woman in charge and the girl wanted to help divide the purse, but Hua Ying interrupted: "The girl said, we have to divide it in person, and give it to everyone's hand. Those who have received it should pinch their own hands." Don't let anyone take the purse in it. Anyone who dares to snatch it will get out of this yard! This applies to the child or the girl who was bought!"
Those guys who were quite selfish and usually bullied their subordinates with false pretenses immediately silenced themselves, lowered their heads and said nothing.
Hua Ying and Qu Lian slowly shared the purses one by one. When it came to the last little girl, Hua Ying carefully placed the purse in the hands of the little girl who looked like she was only 7 or 8 years old: "This is The purse the girl has specially prepared for you, the things in it can save your mother's life, you better keep it alive and don't let others take it away."
The little girl was stunned for a moment, then looked up with surprise on her face: "Girl, how did the girl know that my mother was sick?"
"How did the girl know? You don't have to worry too much. The girl said, finish your work and go home to celebrate the New Year!" Qu Lian looked at the people in the yard and said with a smile.
There was immediate cheers!
Xu Qingmo leaned on the soft couch and listened to the cheers outside the yard. His eyes were still on the uninteresting military book, but the smile at the corner of his mouth was already uncontrollably overflowing.
It’s really a wonderful day to celebrate the New Year and reunite the whole family!
However, the rare reunion of the Xu family did not happen in her own house. When Xu Qingmo had just finished lunch and was about to take a nap, Mrs. Xu quickly sent someone to say that they were from the palace and let them in. The palace celebrates the New Year.
This is not the first time that their family has been invited to the palace to celebrate the New Year. This was in previous years, when most of the Marquis Ningyuan was not at home, and Xu Qingmo was young, Mrs. Xu would excuse it by saying that Xu Qingmo was too young and the weather was freezing. Yes, I was afraid that she wouldn't be able to bear it, so I declined several times.
But now, Ning Yuanhou happened to be in the house, and Xu Qingmo had been in the Lin Mansion a few days ago. He was not weak at all. This year, he couldn't shirk it, so he had to dress up and prepare to enter the palace. feast.
Marquis Ningyuan had received the news earlier, but he did not reply to inform Lady Xu. Instead, he went to the Marquis of Yongchang's residence. Although the Marquis of Yongchang had lost her husband, she was still a wife with a royal destiny. The Empress would naturally Go and invite.
It's just that Marquis Ningyuan was worried that Mrs. Marquis Yongchang would hold a grudge in her heart because of Marquis Yongchang's death and refuse to attend the banquet!
Sure enough, when Marquis Ningyuan arrived at the Marquis Yongchang's residence, three waves of messengers had already come to the palace, and the current internal official was none other than the most trusted internal official around the emperor, Liu.
This was the emperor's deepest apology. Liu Naiguan's face was full of joy when he saw Marquis Ningyuan coming in a hurry. He stepped forward anxiously: "Master Marquis, you are here, why are you here?" It is inevitable for her to have resentment in her heart as she despises the Marquis of Yongchang. However, His Majesty has already set the steps in front of her. If she still refuses to step down and loses His Majesty's face, they will be the ones who suffer in the end. Yourself? You can quickly help and persuade me!"
"Thank you, Lord Neiguan, for making more trips!" Marquis Ningyuan said, stuffing something into Liu Neiguan's arms, "It was supposed to be a family reunion, but Meng Yi was not here. This family is all women. Child, how do you know this? Thank you, the official, for waiting. Please sit down and drink a cup of tea, and I will go and persuade you!"
Liu Naiguan didn't even look at what was in his arms, but stuffed it into his sleeves: "You're welcome, go quickly! The Marquis Yongchang has a deep relationship with His Majesty, and he probably doesn't want the Marquis Yongchang's wife to be with him after his death. The nobles in the palace are causing an embarrassment!"
"That's natural." After saying this, Marquis Ningyuan hurriedly entered Yongchang Marquis' Mansion.
When the people in the mansion saw Marquis Ningyuan, they took the initiative to get out of the way. Marquis Ningyuan and Marquis Yongchang had a life-long friendship. When Marquis Yongchang was dying, he specifically said that from now on, Marquis Ningyuan would take care of Yongchang Marquis's mansion. , let the eldest lady not be too weak!
So now, when Ning Yuanhou's people enter the mansion, the servants in the mansion will not stop them.
When Marquis Ningyuan broke into the outer courtyard, he happened to see Meng Hetong sitting there, holding a cup of tea in his hand, his eyes blank, as if he was thinking about something!
"He Tong!" Ning Yuanhou looked at Meng Hetong and shouted loudly.
Meng Hetong was startled. When he turned around, he saw Ning Yuanhou. He was stunned for a long time before he stood up and bowed respectfully: "Ningyuan Hou!"
"Where is your mother?" Ning Yuanhou looked at Meng Hetong and said softly.
Meng Hetong said calmly: "In the Buddhist hall!"
"Go and ask your mother to come out." Ning Yuanhou frowned.
Meng Hetong was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Marquis Ningyuan probably wants to talk about entering the palace for the banquet. There is no need to tell my mother about this matter. My father has passed away, and I am the only man in the house who can talk to me. I won’t enter the palace!”
Marquis Ningyuan looked at Meng Hetong for a long time, then he picked up a flowerpot at hand and hit Meng Hetong hard: "You bastard, do you know what you are doing now? You are throwing Yongchang Marquis into a pit of fire. You know, if you die, you are dead, but what about your mother, your family, and even those who are dependent on you?"
Meng Hetong was a little stunned by the beating from Ning Yuanhou, and it took him a long time to react: "Xu, Uncle Xu!"
Marquis Ningyuan looked at Meng Hetong for a long time, and finally sighed: "Go, clean up immediately, and come into the palace with us later!"
