As a transportation fortress, Yongzhou Prefecture is an important pass connecting Huguang to Guangxi and western Guangdong. People and cars come and go all year round, making it particularly lively.
As the largest and best-selling inn in Yongzhou Prefecture, Dongxing Inn is bustling with people every day, receiving guests from all over the country, from north to south, from east to west.
Early that morning, three green oil-topped mule carts decorated with green curtains and embroidered ribbons stopped at the entrance of the inn.
Such a magnificent car cannot be used by ordinary merchants and common people, only fourth- and fifth-rank officials can use it.
Those with sharp eyes saw the emblem of Shen's mansion on the carriage and knew it was the carriage of the prefect's Yamen. They immediately stayed away to avoid accidentally bumping into the nobleman.
I just don’t know what to do with so many cars parked here so early in the morning.
Two women got off the flat-top car at the back, one lifted the twill jacquard curtain, and the other set up the footrest.
An elderly nun got out of the car first, then turned around and helped a gorgeously dressed woman out of the car.
It was Mrs. Xu and Grandma Guo.
Aunt Guo said: "Madam, this is the Dongxing Inn. Let's go in quickly. Don't keep the big girl waiting."
When the people around heard this, their ears immediately pricked up.
Although no one has ever seen her, Master Shen has been in Yongzhou Mansion for more than four years, and the reputation of Miss Shen's beauty has long spread to the outside through the deep-walled courtyard.
How could a lady who was supposed to stay at home and stay at home come to stay in an inn, and her family would pick her up with great fanfare?
Everyone's curiosity was aroused.
Aunt Guo glanced at more and more people watching from the corner of her eye, and she suddenly became more enthusiastic. She walked to the counter and asked loudly: "Shopkeeper, which room is our girl in? Hurry up, I don't have time to delay with you!" "
Before the shopkeeper could say anything, someone on the stairs said, "The servant is rude and neglectful. I apologize to everyone here first."
The tone is soft, and the voice is even more melodious, making everyone who listens feel like a spring breeze.
Everyone's eyes instantly moved away from Grandma Guo and towards the second floor.
I saw a young girl wearing a curtain hat, being supported by a maid, slowly moving downstairs.
Although she was obscured by a curtain and couldn't see her appearance clearly, her figure was graceful and her gestures showed her grace.
When she came up, Shen Tianshu called her rude and neglectful. Both Mrs. Xu and Aunt Guo couldn't help but darken their faces for a moment.
Aunt Guo reacted faster and immediately put on a smile on her face. She took three steps and two steps at a time and rushed upstairs, reaching out to help Shen Tianshu.
"Miss, you have been away for several days, but my wife is so anxious that she can't eat or sleep every day because she thinks about you! No, as soon as I heard that you were staying in the inn, you didn't even bother to eat breakfast, so I hurriedly called for you. A car is ready to pick you up!”
Shen Tianshu's foot stopped, causing Grandma Guo's hand to fall away.
She lightly glanced at Grandma Guo's wrinkled face and knew what the other party was planning.
But it's not that easy to ruin her reputation in public.
"It rarely snows in Yongzhou in winter, but this year it has snowed heavily one after another, causing disasters and disasters, and my father is out on business. I just hate that as a daughter, I can't share my father's worries, so I reported to my mother ten days ago and went to the suburbs of the city. The temple prays for the people, and I hope I can do my little bit."
This year's snowstorm in Huguang is indeed serious. It can almost be said to be the worst snowstorm in the history of this dynasty. The number of people affected by the disaster is unknown. There are also many guests in the inn who were stranded in Yongzhou because of the heavy snow on the official road and were unable to continue their trip.
Ten days ago, it was the time when the wind and snow were the worst. As a wealthy lady, Shen Tianshu went to the temple to pray for the people in person despite the wind and snow. Everyone felt very happy after hearing this.
Mingyu noticed Shen Tianshu's hand tapping her wrist twice, and immediately said as she had been taught before: "Amitabha, thanks to the kindness of the Bodhisattva, who can't bear to see the people suffer, the girl just copied the scriptures for a day in the temple. , the snow became much lighter, and stopped completely on the third day, and it has not fallen again so far.
"It's just that the mountain road is slippery and difficult to navigate, especially going down the mountain. Even if the girl is eager to return home, she has to temporarily hold back and stay patiently in the temple for a few days. As soon as the mountain road can be passed by carriages, the girl immediately asks someone to prepare a car to go home.
"Unexpectedly, there were falling rocks blocking the road in several places, so I wasted time. I hurried and hurried slowly. The general entered the city before the city gate was closed and did not sleep in the wilderness. Unexpectedly, when he arrived at the door of his house, he found that everything was locked inside and outside. .
"The girl thought that maybe the master was not at home, and my wife had specially moved the locking time earlier to keep the door strictly guarded. If she knocked on the door, it would definitely alarm the whole family, so she decided to stay at the inn for one night. She didn't dare to do it for a moment today. If there is no delay, I will send my servant back home early to deliver the message!"
Shen Tianshu was quite satisfied with Mingyu's performance. Although there was still some inconspicuous stiffness, he was able to say such a large number of words completely and his emotions were quite well controlled.
Although this little girl usually seems a little timid, she is loyal to protect her master and has a lot of aura. If she is trained well, she should be an effective helper for her.
Aunt Guo frowned and said, "There are no rules. When the master is talking, do you have the right to interrupt!"
Shen Tianshu ignored Grandma Guo and turned his attention to Mrs. Xu, who had been standing there silently.
Xu felt that Shen Tianshu's sharp gaze passed through the curtain and fell on her threateningly, making her feel vaguely bad.
Sure enough, Shen Tianshu lowered his head slightly and said in a lower voice: "My daughter is not thinking well and is tired, which makes her mother worried. I hope my mother will not anger Mingyu. After returning home, my daughter is willing to confine herself to the courtyard, copy scriptures and worship the Buddha. Cultivate your moral character. "
Most of the people in Xu's Dunjue Inn focused their attention on herself, with questions and accusations...
She glared at Aunt Guo, and sweat began to form on her forehead.
Suddenly someone in the crowd shouted loudly: "Ms. Shen went to the temple to pray for the people. She stayed at an inn temporarily last night because she didn't want to disturb the elders in the middle of the night. She is such a kind-hearted person. Please spare her this time, Mrs. Shen!"
Once one person started, the others immediately started talking.
"Yes, actually speaking of it, Miss Shen doesn't seem to have made any mistakes, right?"
"Miss Shen, thank you for praying for the people. You will definitely be blessed!"
Everyone inside and outside the inn was excited, talking all over Shen Tianshu's behalf.
At this time, unless the Yamen were called in to get someone, the situation was no longer under Xu's control.
But she still has some sense and knows that if she does this, the consequences will be disastrous.
Not only will it damage Master Shen's official reputation, but it will also destroy the gentle and virtuous image she has been pretending to the outside world.
At this time, Mrs. Xu could only push Nanny Guo out and said: "Nanny Guo is getting old, and there are many inappropriate things she says and does. It's because of my lax discipline. I will punish her well when I go back!"
Aunt Guo wisely apologized and stepped aside.
Shen Tianshu then slowly walked down the stairs and came to Xu's side. He knelt down and saluted and said, "Let mother worry about it."
"There is no need for us to be so polite between mother and daughter, hurry up and go home!" Ms. Xu smiled and stretched out her hand to help the person up, acting like a mother and a daughter.
