Among the Cao family, Cao Defu has developed the best, and the ancestral hall is in the backyard of the Cao family.
Cao Defu had already had incense and sacrifices prepared. Many candles were lit in the ancestral hall, so it did not look gloomy and desolate.
"Wan Niang, our Yingying has grown up and got married." He sighed, "She has found a good husband and will live a good life from now on. Don't worry about her over there."
Cao Yingying and Zhao Ergou knelt down on the futon together, holding three incense sticks in their hands.
"Mother-in-law, my son-in-law can't guarantee that Yingying will be rich and powerful with me, but he will definitely make her worry-free and happy in her life." Zhao Ergou kowtowed three times and respectfully inserted the incense into the incense burner. among.
Cao Yingying's eyes were red and she said nothing. She closed her eyes and muttered something silently in her heart before she kowtowed and stood up.
After coming out of the ancestral hall, her mood was still a little low, and she said softly: "Dad, I want to take a walk in the yard where my mother used to live, is that okay?"
Cao Defu patted Zhao Ergou on the shoulder: "Jingcheng, go with Yingying. Don't make her cry, do you understand?"
Zhao Ergou immediately nodded in assurance.
The yard where Cao Yingying's mother used to live is on the southeast side of the ancestral hall. It has been used as a flower house in recent years. The yard is full of begonias and other flowers. Bees and butterflies are flying around, making it very lively.
"My mother and I planted this crabapple tree together." Cao Yingying laughed, "The flowers have been blooming for so many years, but the person who planted the flowers is no longer there."
Zhao Ergou touched the tree trunk: "If you like crabapples, how about planting a row of them in the yard when you go back and let's enjoy the flowers together every spring?"
"My father won't let me enjoy the begonias because he's afraid that I'll be sad, but you're lucky enough to want to plant begonias in the yard." Cao Yingying turned to look at him, "Aren't you afraid that I'll cry at the scene?"
"I always feel that my mother-in-law is just like this begonia flower. She comes back to see you every spring." Zhao Ergou put his arms around her shoulders, "There are begonias in our yard. Isn't it like my mother-in-law is always with you? , you can talk to Begonia Flower if you have any worries, how nice..."
This was the first time that Cao Yingying heard someone say this. When she looked at these crabapples again, she felt inexplicably more friendly, and the sadness in her heart was diluted.
She nodded: "Okay, we will plant crabapples when we get back, right outside our window."
She wanted her mother to watch over her and accompany her day and night.
The two walked around the yard before coming out. When they passed the courtyard wall, Zhao Ergou laughed: "The dog hole is still there."
Cao Yingying also laughed.
She still remembered that last year, she took Zhao Ergou secretly back to her house and crawled in and out of this dog hole. It was also that day that she developed a subtle feeling for this man.
The two of them walked over involuntarily, feeling like they were reminiscing about the past.
As soon as he got close, Zhao Ergou made a silencing gesture: "There is someone talking outside the courtyard wall. From the sound, it seems to be your stepmother."
"This is the back door. How can the mistress of the house talk to people at the back door?" Cao Yingying frowned slightly, "Could it be that she was plotting against Aunt Meng?"
Zhao Ergou lifted up his robe and whispered, "I'll go over and see what's going on."
Cao Yingying was a little nervous: "I'll go with you..."
"Just wait here. If someone comes, call out."
Zhao Ergou got through without saying a word. The other side of the dog hole was full of weeds. In spring, the grass and trees were knee-high. He crawled on his knees, perfectly hiding himself in the grass, and then slowly approached there.
There were two people standing over there, one was Mrs. Cao, Qi Shi, and the other was the former housekeeper of the Cao family.
"I'm warning you, don't come to Cao Mansion to look for me again!" Ms. Qi said with a sinister look on her face, "Here are one thousand taels of silver, enough for you to buy a shop and start your life again. Leave now!"
Cao Ping took the banknote and sneered: "With one thousand taels of silver, you just want to live a peaceful life. Are you thinking too simply?"
"Cao Ping, don't force me!" Mrs. Qi gritted her teeth, "Cao Defu doesn't trust me at all now, and it's hard for me. These one thousand taels of silver are all my belongings!"
"Haha, you think I'm a country bumpkin who doesn't know anything, right?" Cao Ping laughed angrily, "I was a housekeeper in the Cao family at first, so I know how much the Cao family brings in every month. If you hadn't let me I bear the blame, I am still the chief steward of the Cao family, I go out to places, and I can still see Hong'er every day..."
"Don't mention Hong'er!" Mrs. Qi's eyes were filled with fire, but she still tried her best to suppress her anger. "Just think of it as me begging you. Can you please stop pestering me? I'll have someone give you two thousand taels of silver tomorrow. , please calm down for a while, please, okay?"
"Hmph, let's wait until you bring the money!"
Cao Ping snorted coldly and strode away.
Ms. Qi was weak and leaned against the wall of the backyard. It wasn't until the maid came that she gathered her mood, changed her clothes, and headed to the main courtyard.
The main courtyard was very lively, with Zhao Ergou and Cao Defu chatting, and Cao Yingying and her sisters maintaining a superficial politeness.
"Master, why haven't you arranged a luncheon yet?" Mrs. Qi walked in with a smile, "As soon as I'm not here, things will get messy. If the new son-in-law slacks off, won't he be criticized?"
Cao Defu slapped his forehead and glared at Manager Sun behind him: "You didn't even remind me."
Manager Sun expressed that he was very aggrieved. He had reminded him twice just now, but the master and uncle were very enthusiastic about what they said and did not listen to him at all.
He turned around and went down to arrange for people to serve the dishes. These were the dishes that had been prepared since yesterday, and each dish was quite exquisite.
The big Eight Immortals table was full of things, and the Cao family sat down around the table.
Whether it's true or false, the family is relatively harmonious at the moment.
Cao Yingying suddenly sighed: "It would be great if Uncle Cao was here. He watched me grow up, but he couldn't watch me get married..."
"I heard from Yingying that when my father-in-law was busy in the past, Butler Cao was responsible for taking Yingying around. Unfortunately -" Zhao Ergou put down his chopsticks, "For what happened last year, Butler Cao also received the due punishment. He should have been released from prison by now, why not take it over and have a meal..."
Last year, Cao Cao, the housekeeper, took the blame for Luosha dyeing and was imprisoned in jail for several months.
Cao Defu was still angry when he mentioned this matter, but fortunately, not only did the incident not cause any loss, but under Sui Ruren's guidance, he made more than ten thousand taels of silver, and Cao Ping did receive his retribution. It's not impossible to bring him back for a meal...
"no!"
Ms. Qi put down her bowls and chopsticks heavily.
She was usually glad that Cao Defu was generous and carefree, but now she hated him for this problem.
"Mother, why?" Cao Yingying opened her clear eyes, "Uncle Cao's surname is Cao, and he is also a member of my Cao family. It should be okay to let Uncle Cao come back for a meal."
The young master of the Cao family also shouted: "I want Uncle Cao too..."
"You Cao family are so kind-hearted that you have forgotten what he has done in just half a year?" Ms. Qi said solemnly, "We finally drove him out, so don't recruit him back again, otherwise ten Even the Cao family can’t help but yell at him!”
