Mother Tong thought for a moment, "There are only so many families in the capital, and I can almost remember them clearly. How about I write them down for grandma?"
"Hengwu, pen and ink."
"Hey!" Heng Wu agreed and quickly went to polish the ink.
Mother Tong walked to several cases and thought carefully before writing.
Li Qingyi walked over to take a look.
Mother Tong's handwriting is not pretty, but it is very neat.
She said with some embarrassment: "I made grandma laugh."
Li Qingyi smiled and said: "Mom, there is no need to be humble. I have naturally heard about your story, which is admirable."
Mrs. Gongsun was not from a high family background. Mother Tong was brought to serve her by Gongsun Jingzhi after he joined the army and became a minor leader. Naturally, her background was not high either, so she was illiterate at first. Later Gongsun Jingzhi became a general and the emperor granted him a house. With her servants, Mother Tong suddenly felt a sense of crisis. Not only did she slowly learn to write, but she also learned to read accounts.
Mother Tong smiled happily at the praise and recalled it more seriously.
Li Qingyi looked at the names written down one by one. They were indeed familiar people in the capital, but just looking at them like this, he couldn't tell why. Those who can come to the full moon banquet either have an old relationship with the Xiao family and the princess, or they respect the prince of Zhenbei, Gongsun Jingzhi, and they are also members of Gongsun's own family.
It seems that we have to work hard to find out whether these people have said anything to the old lady after they arrived.
In addition, Li Qingyi wants to know why the old lady hates Qin Zeng so much. It is not to cause trouble for her, but to resolve the misunderstanding, find the initiator, and take the opportunity to find out the person behind Princess Zhenbei.
Moreover, being able to resolve the misunderstanding and gain the old lady's trust would be more helpful for her to deal with Princess Zhenbei.
Mother Tong thought about it, and finally made the last stroke, "I have written down everything I can think of. If I think of anything again later, I will come and tell my grandma in time."
Since the eldest grandma is willing to turn conflicts into friendship, she is naturally willing to help the eldest grandma. Otherwise, she would still be a little unsure about exchanging those old stories for money. In this way, it doesn't count as betraying the old lady behind her back. Mother Tong comforted herself Think about it.
Li Qingyi took the list and said with a smile, "Then I'll bother Mother Tong."
She turned around and told Heng Wu, "Bring the box over and let Mother Tong pick three more items."
Mother Tong smiled happily and said to her, Grandma is really generous, "Thank you very much, Grandma for the reward."
"Mom deserves this."
Mother Tong did not dare to pick the most expensive item, fearing that Li Qingyi would think she was short-sighted, so she carefully selected six items, and then said: "Grandma, I owe you the three thousand taels, can you?" Can you use these things to pay off your debt?"
Li Qingyi smiled and said, "What Mother Tong said is that it is convenient for others and for yourself. What can't you do? Besides, I can't buy these things even if you have money. Why bother if you go out and sell the money and then give it back to me?" Come on, if people see that you are in a hurry for money, they may lower the price even more, and the gain outweighs the loss."
Mother Tong nodded repeatedly, "Grandma is really considerate, and I think so too, then..."
Mother Tong stretched out her hand.
Li Qingyi smiled and took the three lowest value items from inside, "These three items will pay off my mother's debt. You can take the rest."
Mother Tong was extremely pleasantly surprised, she thought to herself that Grandma is really a kind person, and it would not be an exaggeration for Grandma to take back the few items she picked out, "Thank you, I, for the reward!"
"Okay, okay, mom, don't thank me anymore. I must be tired after talking a lot. I'll go back and rest today. If you think of something the next day, come back and tell me. Isatis, go ahead and pack some snacks for mom." !」
"Hey, I got it, girl!"
Mother Tong knew what Li Qingyi meant, so she kept her wealth secret and used some cakes to cover it up so as not to attract speculation.
After sending Mother Tong away, the girls gathered around Li Qingyi, looking at the list and pointing.
Chang Lan said: "My second aunt was not married at that time. If she wanted to say something, she wouldn't wait until the full moon banquet to say it. It shouldn't be her."
Isatis nodded at the side, "What about my eldest aunt?"
Li Qingyi said: "I heard that my aunt and the prince are about the same age, and they have a very good relationship. At that time, the old lady opposed him marrying the late princess. My aunt even persuaded the old lady on behalf of her brother. The old lady finally compromised. This should be the reason."
"It doesn't seem to be my aunt, so...does the girl have any doubts about other people?"
Li Qingyi went through the list from top to bottom and shook his head: "I can't say for sure...that's all. Let the uncle come back tonight and let him take a look before talking about it. We haven't touched any part of the family dinner tomorrow, so we should be more careful. "
All the girls quickly responded.
Second bedroom.
Round the smoke hall.
The second wife, Mrs. Hong, was talking to her youngest daughter Gongsun Tian.
"Sister Tian, when I see your sister-in-law at the family dinner tomorrow, please be nice."
Gongsun Tian heard his mother have something to say and sat upright.
Mrs. Hong glanced at her daughter with satisfaction, "In our Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, the eldest house is outstanding. It's okay when the old lady is here. When the time comes, the families will be divided. Your father can't support you. Your brother is too young to talk about marriage without his natal family." You will always suffer from the support of your father and brother. If you encounter someone who is calculating and wants to find a strong in-law, you will naturally be no match for others."
Gongsun Tian pursed his lips when he heard her talking about this.
Although she is now said to be the legitimate daughter of the second wife of the Prince of Zhenbei, after the death of the old lady, each house was divided and established a house, so she could only rely on her father and brothers. However, her father's qualifications were mediocre and her brother was still young, so she had no choice in marrying him. The younger brother has not yet grown up at that time, and in the future, if the other party has a better choice, why should he choose her?
Although she was unwilling to marry into such a snobbish family.
But having said that, in this capital, which family has a simple marriage?
But they all look good on the outside, but who knows how mean they are behind the scenes?
Marriage between officials and their families is intended to benefit both parties.
Seeing her daughter bowing her head in silence, Mrs. Hong felt that her words were too depressing, so she quickly said: "However, you are luckier than your eldest sister. Now that our Zhenbei Palace has cleared your name, you will definitely marry better than your sister. No matter what, we are back in the capital now. There are always more choices than in our hometown, and the people living in the house are all rich and well-off families. It will always be good for you to maintain a good relationship with these female relatives in the future. of."
Gongsun Tian looked at his mother, his expression relaxed a lot.
Hong looked at her flawless face with gentle eyes and said, "You are also fourteen this year, and you will start talking about marriage next year and the year after that. It is the time to show your face more. It's just that the current glory of the palace is nothing. It’s your eldest brother who is favored by others. If you can get along well with your eldest sister-in-law, you can get the glory.”
Gongsun Tian didn't hesitate at all, "I understand everything my mother said, but it's just too urgent. I'm not showing my face. It's not too late to talk about it after I get my hair done!"
"It's no use having someone else post it again. You've made good friends with your sister-in-law early, so that you won't be surprised if you ask for help in the future. Mother doesn't want you to curry favor with others. It's just that in this life of a woman, if she doesn't marry well, You have been burdened all your life. If my mother can risk her skin for you, don't be like your two uncles, who are blindly aloof and ignorant of changes. If the uncle can rely on me, why would my mother think so much."
Gongsun Tian said angrily: "My mother's words don't sound nice, but my daughter can understand your painstaking efforts. In fact, I think my sister-in-law is a nice person, and she treats people sincerely. I really want to get along with her, and it's not for anything else. If she is willing in the future I'm grateful to her for helping me, and I won't complain if she can't help me."
Hong shook her head helplessly, "My dear Tian'er, with your temperament, if you marry into a good family, you will be blessed all your life. Mother is afraid that you will meet that messy family. If your future mother-in-law and aunt are everywhere, My mother will be distressed to death if I make you a stumbling block."
Gongsun Tian blinked, "Like my grandmother did to the late princess?"
Mrs. Hong quickly covered her mouth: "Grandma, don't talk nonsense, that's your grandmother! Never mention these words again!"
"Okay, I understand, mother!" Gongsun Tian removed his mother's hand and covered her hand, "Mother said, what do the princess and the second brother think when the eldest brother comes back?"
Hong shook his head:
"Princess, you are all-rounded. Even if you have something in your heart, you won't show it. Your second brother has always been gentle and gentle. Others say he is gentle and kind, but I think he is actually indifferent. He is indifferent to everyone and doesn't think about anyone. You can see something from his face. When it comes to the city, the princess is on the outside, and your second brother is on the inside. Each one is more powerful than the other."
"Since mother said so, will the princess and second brother be unhappy if I go to get close to my sister-in-law?"
Hong sighed in embarrassment, "Why don't I worry about this? It's difficult to choose between your eldest brother and your second brother, but we have to choose. Trying to tread two boats will only lead to nothing in the end. Between them, it's like As I just said, the princess and your second brother are hard to see through. Even after living under the same roof for so many years, my understanding of them is only superficial, so..."
"So when faced with the unknown, my mother would rather choose an upright elder brother and sister-in-law."
Hong nodded.
Gongsun Tian thought for a while, "I listen to my mother."
Over at Jingxia Pavilion in the third room, Mrs. Yuan was also talking about tomorrow's family dinner.
Ever since Qin Zeng returned home, Mrs. Yuan had been prepared for a dispute at home, but there was no movement from the princess and her son, and there was no movement from Qin Zeng and his wife, which made her confused.
Compared to the Hong family, who is knowledgeable and sensible, the Yuan family is more knowledgeable and gets along well with the princess over the years. Her daughter, Gongsun Nan, has always been very close to her elder brother, Gongsun Yi.
At this moment, Mrs. Yuan looked in the mirror and dressed up, and said: "Tomorrow's family dinner will be held in the eldest room. Let's just be polite and don't offend."
Gongsun Nan rummaged through the things brought by his uncle and aunt, and rolled his eyes, "Since the eldest brother is so powerful, why don't we just set up a separate branch? I have to come back to the palace. Isn't this sincerity embarrassing the second brother..."
Mrs. Yuan glared at her: "After all, his surname is Gongsun, and he is the eldest son of the prince. If it were me, I would have to return to the prince's palace. Why should I give up my good father to others?"
Gongsun Nan rolled his eyes even more fiercely, "Then dad has been gone for so many years, so what's the point!"
Yuan turned around and slapped her on the back, "What do you know!"
Gongsun Nan snorted softly, "I will go to the second brother's place later and send some meat to the butcher shop. The second brother likes this the most."
