He added: "My errand has not been done well. It is time for me to kneel down."
Lin Rong nodded, already understanding in his heart. Entering the inner room, I saw that the room was in a mess. The lid of the rattan box fell to the ground, the makeup box also fell to the ground, and the porcelain box containing rouge and gouache was also smashed cleanly. Kingfisher exclaimed: "I gave you instructions before I left, not to let those little girls come into the house. Or maybe it was the white ape or that beast with itchy hands and feet that dropped all these things?"
Lin Rong went back to the inner room and saw that Babu's bed was also in a mess, and said, "I'm afraid it's not the little girl's fault." He then ordered Jing Qin to go to the front and ask Shen Yan next to Lu Shen: "But please wake up."
Not long after, Kingfisher came back from outside: "The Lord has said that everyone should get up and go on their errands." Everyone in his own yard has gone to rest, so there is no need to do errands today. The one from Zhige Courtyard also asked the little girl to support him and send him back.
After everyone had dispersed, Kingfisher came in and reported: "I heard what you meant, and I knelt all night. I didn't dare to get up unless the Lord called me. When I went to look for Shen Yan, it happened that the Lord was about to go out. If it hadn't been for the county The Lord sent me to ask, but these people are afraid they will have to kneel until night.”
At the same time, he ordered the girl to bring water in a copper basin, twist the handkerchief and clean Lin Rong's hands: "Miss Hangqing's knees were so swollen that she sat outside for a long time before she could barely stand up. She also said she wanted to come in and give the county Greetings, sir. When I saw her like that, I said that the master was asleep and asked Guiyuan to help her go back."
Then he sighed: "I see that she was a beautiful and decent person in the past. I don't want to..." Before she could finish her words, the meaning was obvious. As he was talking, he caught a glimpse of a plain white flat square under the bed. He picked it up and was wondering: "County Master, our jewelry does not include this hairpin, and it is not like the style we have in the south?"
While they were talking, Feng Xiao came in and saw the hairpin. She took it and looked at it for a long time. He hesitated and finally replied: "Master, I just went out for a walk. We have been out for a few days. The Lord is with us." I rested in the courtyard for several days, and even announced that the beauties from the Xian Lai Pavilion would be sleeping with me. I am afraid that this hairpin was left behind by them."
After hearing this, Lin Rong immediately stood up from the bed, feeling quite disgusted, and ordered Kingfisher: "Change everything on this bed." He sat outside and drank tea. He just took a sip and then put it down. He didn't know what Lu Shen was doing. He asked what he was doing in this room, and said, "These tea sets have also been replaced, and the curtains and other items have been taken down and washed again."
The girls went off to be busy, and Lin Rong leaned on the high table in dismay, thinking that it was not suitable to stay here for a long time, and told Feng Xiao: "Find some coarse cloth and choose an inconspicuous color, navy blue or pitch black." Whether it's made of leather or indigo, according to my size, make a few sets of shorts worn by ordinary people, and make a few pairs of shoes. The materials should be solid, just don't embroider them, the simpler the better."
Kingfisher was puzzled: "Master, what do you want with these? Not to mention you, even our girls don't wear clothes made of coarse cloth?"
Fengxiao came in with a basket of flower petals and said with a smile: "I know that the county master wants to imitate the elegant scholars of the Wei and Jin Dynasties and imitate their old clothes made of coarse linen, right?"
Lin Yi smiled and nodded: "The one who knows me is Feng Xiao."
She frightened Lu Shen last night so much that she didn't sleep all night. After saying a few words, she became so sleepy that she couldn't believe it. She reluctantly ate a bowl of shredded chicken noodles and went to bed to catch up on her sleep. I was obviously very sleepy, but I couldn't sleep. I thought about the events of the past few days in detail, and slowly I came to understand: Lu Shen is a person who takes soft things rather than hard things.
Kingfisher and Fengxiao were quick with their hands and feet. After listening to the instructions, they immediately brought needles, threads, cloth, and dustpans. One person made clothes and the other made shoes. At nightfall, Lin Rong was with her, and the little girl taught her how to tie knots. She was absent-minded and broke several knots.
After a few days of peace and stability, everything was ready. I found Nanny Qu again and said, "I know that Nanny is following me north. Although the king does not allow a single soldier from Jiangzhou to enter Yongdi, mother and father We also sent some dead soldiers to follow us secretly, just in case something happens and we can't pass the news back and forth."
Aunt Qu was a little surprised. Before the eldest princess left, she called the county master who had hidden the truth. Seeing her look, she seemed to have known about it for a long time and said: "County master?"
Lin Rong added: "I used to be young and didn't have a clear mind. These days on the mountain, there are fewer people and I feel calmer. When I think about what my grandma said to me in the past, I think it makes some sense. I You are here alone. If you don't have the favor of the king, you will have no place to stand. In the past, I was a little impatient with my grandma, so I am here to apologize to you."
Aunt Qu was immediately overjoyed: "If the county master can figure it out, why should he apologize or not?"
Lin Rong continued: "It's just that although I intend to invite favors, I unintentionally angered the prince in the Taoist temple on the mountain. I'm afraid I won't be able to change his mind for a while."
Aunt Qu said: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. With the appearance of the county master, it is not difficult to change the prince's mind."
Lin Rong nodded: "Yes, I am afraid that I have offended him this time, and he hates me so much. I asked the girl several times to ask for an audience, but she didn't even say a word. Mom, you also know, that old lady My wife is an elder whom the king respects very much. If I go to serve you and ask her to intercede, maybe there will be a change."
Aunt Qu knew the status of that old lady in the Lu family. She was so confused by Lin Rong's words that she just followed her thoughts: "The old lady is highly virtuous and respected. When I was here in the past, I often advise the prince, and I like the county chief very much. If I can really get her intercession, it will be twice the result with half the effort."
Lin Rong smiled and nodded: "Yes, mama, that's exactly what I thought."
Grandma Qu thought about it and said, "It seems that the old lady went to Xuzhou to pay homage to Pei Linggong. Then let's go to Xuzhou? Has the Lord given your permission?"
Of course, Lu Shen would not allow it, but Lin Rong had no intention of telling him. At most, he would leave a letter saying that he felt ashamed and did not dare to serve the people around him, so he went to Xuzhou to serve his elders. Even if Lu Shen is angry, Xuanzhou needs him to be in charge, so he will not pursue him personally. At most, he will order his generals to go. Lin Rong didn't believe that there was a difference between monarch and minister, and that there was a difference between men and women. If she refused to go back, the general would tie her back, not to mention the old lady with such a big banner.
Lin Rong broke out into a smile: "Of course I agreed, but don't talk to anyone else. It's not shameful to ask your husband to drive away to serve the elders. I am from Jiangzhou, so naturally I trust Jiangzhou even more. It will be inconvenient for us to have people from Yongdi follow us as our escort. After a day or two, we will go to Xuzhou to serve my old lady."
Aunt Qu completely asked Lin Rong to let him in. In her heart, she was only happy that the county lord had changed her mind. She nodded repeatedly: "Yes, we people from Jiangzhou have to use it. It is always inconvenient for people from Yongdi to protect you. I am a slave. Just go out and contact us, the county magistrate can rest assured, there are fifty or sixty people, some acting as dowry servants, craftsmen, and some acting as traveling businessmen, escorting us to Xuzhou, it is enough."
After a day or two, when Lu Shen was no longer at the Jiedushi residence, he set off for Xuzhou. Lin Rong had a map next to his hand. To go to Xuzhou, if you go by water, you must pass Qiandang Cliff. Senior brother, senior brother, you must be there!
With this arrangement in place, I was just waiting for the day when Lu Shen would go out to inspect the military camp. I waited for three days in a row, but he didn't see him leaving the city.
It was getting late that night, and Lin Rong felt anxious and didn't dare to sleep. He ordered the girls to rest if they had no errands to do, so they didn't have to wait for anyone. A man was sitting quietly under the lamp. A green flying insect emerged from nowhere and circled the glass lampshade. Lin Rong shook the fan from time to time to prevent it from flying into the lampshade.
I don't know what time it was, but when I heard the sound of the old lady opening the door, Lin Rong immediately stood up and walked to the door. Seeing Lu Shen striding towards him, her heart slowly sank. Seeing Aunt Qu beside her, she paused, a look on her face. You greeted him with a faint smile, Fu Shen: "Junhou!"
Lu Shen just hummed and stepped over. After bathing, he saw Lin Rong standing beside the bed with his head lowered and said, "Let's put him in bed."
Lin Rong lay on the inside and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Lu Shen made no other movements.
After a while, everything was silent outside the house, only the occasional sound of insects could be heard. Lu Shen was breathing evenly. Lin Rong thought he had fallen asleep. He sighed slightly, turned over and faced the wall, looking at the flowers on the brocade tent. Liusu was in a daze.
Suddenly, Lu Shen turned around and put a hand on Lin Rong's waist inadvertently, whispering in his hair, his breathing almost close to his ears: "Why did you go to that small attic that day? Not taken care of?"
Lin Rong held his breath and his throat tightened: "I...I went the wrong way..."
While lifting the silk quilt, he asked: "Why did you go the wrong way? You have to go to that small attic in a boat to get there?" He asked again: "I asked someone to come and ask during the day. Is there a small attic in your courtyard?" The girl said, have you been clean since your childhood? Did you eat ice cream today?"
When Lin Rong heard this, he closed his eyes and refused to answer. He pinched the inside of his arm heavily.
Lu Shen saw that she didn't dare to open her eyes and refused to answer. He gradually exerted force on his hands and asked, "I saw that you were fine that day. Why did you pour the medicine at night..."
Before he finished speaking, he turned his wrist and brought the woman into his arms. He suddenly recalled the sweet taste of the woman that night and pinched her chin, but he felt a piece of cold tears.
There was a bang in Lu Shen's head, and he immediately sat up, still in disbelief: "You don't want to?" In the past, even though the woman said she was unwilling, Lu Shen felt that it was just the woman's shyness and pettyness. I was afraid of him, but I didn't think it was true. On the contrary, I found it quite interesting.
After saying that, Lu Shen saw that the woman had also gotten up and was sitting on the pillow, her green temples drooped, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, her eyes like autumn water, her cheeks were lightly red, and she just cried silently.
Lin Rong raised her eyes and saw that Lu Shen's face was extremely ugly. She slowly peeled off her little shirt, revealing a smooth surface, and raised her red lips: "I only have this broken body, so I can't repay the kindness of the king. I only hope that you, the Lord, will keep me in mind today, and if you can save the life of the Cui family in the future, I will be deeply grateful."
Just saying he was willing, the tears flowed even more fiercely.
Lu Shen looked at her silently for a long time, then finally got up, opened the door and left.
Lin Rong was sitting on the bed. Seeing the tender meat on his thigh, he almost turned purple. He let out a long breath. After a while, he heard Kingfisher coming in: "Master, why are you leaving? Come out of the door." When I was there, I even kicked Shen Yan."
Lin Rong put on his clothes and showed his head from the brocade tent: "Really gone?"
Kingfisher nodded: "Let's go!"
Lin Rong smiled silently, tilted his head and fell on the bed. After enjoying himself for a while, he smelled the scent of Lu Shen's incense on the mandarin duck pillow. The more he looked at it, the more he disliked it. He stretched out his hand and threw it under the bed. He was still stunned when he saw the kingfisher. Standing, he managed to stop laughing: "Go to sleep, I'm fine."
Kingfisher picked up the pillow and saw Lin Rong smiling happily with tears on his face. He walked out with a puzzled look on his face and shook his head.
Aunt Qu had been entrusted by Lin Rong that day, and she felt that she was a trustworthy person. At this time, she dared to open the curtain and look inside, and asked worriedly: "County Lord, what happened?"
Lin Rong did not lift the bed curtains, but just sat on the bed and sighed, faintly crying: "Mommy, the prince probably really hates me."
Only then did Aunt Qu completely believe what Lin Rong said that day, and she stood in front of the window and felt a lot relieved: "County Master, don't be anxious, the Lord is probably angry, let's go to the old lady's place first, and spend some time, Lord Now that you’ve calmed down, I’ll be fine with a few more words of advice from my old lady.”
She only focused on comforting Lin Rong, but completely forgot to ask what was the reason that made Junhou so disgusted.
Sure enough, after that night, Lu Shen no longer stayed at Lin Rong's place. Even Hang Qing came less and less. Everyone in the mansion gradually spread the word that this noble lady from Jiangzhou had completely offended the prince and fell out of favor. Gradually, some strange words came to Lin Rong's ears, and he became less respectful.
At first, Lin Rong didn't want to pay attention to this. That day, when he saw that even Kingfisher, who was so calm, was so angry that he secretly cried in the corridor, he decided to straighten things out. But she didn't take it personally and sent someone to report it to Hang Qing.
Hang Qing had always been cautious, and was not sure what the Lord meant now. He punished some neglectful girls one by one, and also slapped twenty for those who gossiped. Zang drove him out and apologized to Lin Rong in person: "It's all my slave's fault. I didn't train these girls well."
Lin Rong was dispensing medicine in the corridor, and he was still as friendly as ever: "No, you are very good!" He smiled and said: "I don't want to let anyone down. If you can just live in peace, it will be a blessing for everyone."
In this way, in addition to being more respected by everyone in the mansion, he also has the leisurely attitude that no one cares about when he first arrived in Xuanzhou.
After two days of this, the coarse linen clothes Lin Rong wanted were ready. He also ordered someone to take out a few pieces of silver, twist them with scissors, weigh them on a scale, divide them into pieces of one and a half cents each, and pack them in In several money bags. I also prepared some commonly used pills and medicinal materials.
She was secretly preparing here, just waiting for the opportunity. Unexpectedly, Kingfisher and Fengxiao came in that day: "County Lord, I don't know what happened in the city. You are only allowed in, not out. You have given orders and sent people up the mountain to help Tong. Master Xuan gave something to us and showed his identity in our house, but he still refused to let us out?"
Lin Rong frowned and asked, "Have you sent someone to ask Miss Hang Qing?"
Kingfisher nodded: "I went there to ask in person. She looked like she didn't know anything about it. She also said she would send someone to ask and then come back to the county master."
Lin Rong was silent for a while, then listened to Feng Xiao ask: "County Lord, do you think there is going to be another war? I heard people say that although our monarch has destroyed Xuanzhou City, there are still tens of thousands of people at the southeast corner. The restless generals of the Yuan family are restless, and many people in the city are also restless. It is for this reason that the prince is stationed in Xuanzhou and has not returned to Yongzhou."
As soon as these words came out, the master and servants in the room fell silent. For a long time, Jing Qin said: "Feng Xiao, how can you talk nonsense about this? You wander around the garden all day long, where did you hear this?"
Feng Xiao pursed her lips and shook her head: "I won't say anything anymore."
In the evening, Hang Qing came, holding an invitation with a red cover in his hand: "This is what Madam saw in Xiao Zhongnan that day. Mrs. Qin's post said that she had a new daughter-in-law, and it was a hundred-day banquet." , Madam, please come over and have a seat."
Lin Rong held the post in his hand and did not open it to read it. Then he heard Hang Qing say: "Mrs. Gang sent someone to ask. I didn't know about it, so I sent a boy to inquire. Only then did I know that this Xuanzhou City A group of bandits broke out in the mountains outside. Qian'er killed more than a dozen people from a farm family outside the city. The lord ordered the generals to suppress the bandits, and then the city gate was under martial law."
Lin Rong listened, half believing it, and shook the invitation in his hand: "I am not feeling well today and my head is a little heavy, so I won't go to the banquet. Just prepare something for me and send it over."
Hang Qing's face was embarrassed: "I'm afraid this is not good. The two families are related. Their old lady taught Junhou for a year. Junhou was also going to go that day. He also specially asked his servant to tell his wife that he must go there that day. go."
Lin Rong really didn't want to go. He finally made Lu Shen hate him. He didn't want to meet her again and something would happen to her: "I'm afraid I'm not familiar with him and I don't know what to say."
Hang Qing smiled: "Madam, you are worried now. You are the wife of a monarch. You are willing to go, but they are just thinking about how to talk to you. If you want to be happy, just say a few more words about home affairs. If you are not interested, they will not go." It’s okay to talk.”
Lin Rong had no choice but to nod and ask again: "Is your knee feeling better?" He also ordered Kingfisher and Fengxiao to take out the medicinal materials she prepared and said: "This is a recipe that is not passed down in our family. You make the medicinal soup. Soak it in boiling water for half an hour every night."
Hang Qing hurriedly answered: "Thank you, madam."
Chapter 29
Lin Rong finished dressing up the next day and took a green-curtained carriage to the Xiahou Mansion. The servants from Yongzhou are tight-lipped and have limited knowledge of the wealthy families in these places. There used to be a lot of people in the Yuan family's house with innocent family backgrounds. These people are now rootless people. Ask the ladies in Xuanzhou City to find them. That's right.
Feng Xiao was playful and knew all the girls and women. She took snacks and walked around, and found out everything: "The family where the county master hosted a banquet today is named Xiahou. Mrs. Qin whom I met that day in Xiao Zhongnan She is the matron of this family and a member of the Xuanzhou surrender. Her eldest son, Xia Houzhang, is now out with 40,000 pieces of armor. When their old man was in Luoyang, he was an official and became a Zhongcheng doctor. He taught our prince for a year. Although he is a surrendered minister, he is treated with great courtesy by the king. This time, Xia Houzhang's wife gave birth to twins, which is a good sign."
Lin Rong suddenly understood that attending the banquet was just a political need. She slightly opened the curtain of the carriage and saw that the streets were sparsely populated, with only a few grain shops with their doors open and guards patrolling frequently. The closer we get to Xiahou Mansion, there is almost a post every three steps and a sentry every five steps. She sighed slightly: The rain is about to come!
Even the two girls Jade Qin and Feng Xiao noticed something unusual: "County Master, look at the situation outside, it seems like chaos is going to happen...will we..."
Lin Rong didn't answer, and comforted the second maid for a long time: "Don't be afraid." Lu Shen was a chauvinist to the extreme. Even if he hated himself, he would only do it himself instead of pretending to others.
Xiahou Mansion is not far from the Jieduzheng's residence, but the time for burning incense has arrived. Mrs. Qin stood in front of the screen wall at the second gate to greet her. Although she was dressed in rich clothes and jewelry, her face was already very gloomy, but she still kept her spirits up. Come, with a smile on his face, he came forward and helped Lin Rong out of the carriage so affectionately: "I heard that Madam has been acclimated to Xuanzhou since she came to Xuanzhou. I tried to visit her several times, but she never met. I wonder if she is feeling better recently. Already?"
Lin Rongxiao: "I'm much better."
Mrs. Qin led Lin Rong inside: "You don't come out often. Mrs. Qian'er answered the post and said she was coming. She is not afraid of your jokes. Our whole family is very happy. Especially the girls at home. , busy making clothes and jewelry, for fear of showing timidity in front of the nobles, I might ask my wife to give them some advice later."
Lin Rong was particularly unaccustomed to others being too enthusiastic and flattering towards her, so she asked, "I heard that the family got a pair of auspicious children this time. This is the centenary banquet. Why don't you take me to see the children first?"
Mrs. Qin patted her head: "Look at me, I forget everything when I am happy." While leading Lin Rong over, she called the little girl to carry the soft sedan over first: "Madam, please get on the soft sedan. This place in our house is so beautiful." The garden is not well built and there are not many people around, and there is no guidance from famous people. It is all done by myself, but it is just done by myself. If one part is not good, the garden will be built too big."
A great man once said that riding in a sedan chair was exploiting people, so he never climbed Mount Tai. Although Lin Rong's consciousness was not that high, seeing that these little girls in red and green clothes just looked like junior high school students, he shook his fan and said, "I see your garden is nice, why don't we walk over there and you talk to me. "
Mrs. Qin smiled and nodded: "Yes!"
The Xiahou family's mansion is equipped with winding corridors, pavilions, pavilions, exotic flowers and plants, winding pools and marshes. Its carved beams and painted buildings make the mansion more outstanding. Mrs. Qin explained in a low voice. Lin Rong was led through a hanging flower door. Behind the hanging flower door was an open hall with three couplets. In front of the hall were some evergreen things like pines, bananas and bananas. A few peacocks were spreading their wings under the trees. Thrushes, white eyebrows and parrots were hanging on the corridor. As soon as Rong and his party walked in, they heard the parrot uttering a human voice: "Hail, madam, long blessing, madam..."
As soon as I arrived at the courtyard, I saw a row of young girls in brocade clothes standing on the platform. They bowed and said, "Happy Madam."
Entering the house, Lin Rong didn't know most of the female relatives in the house. Mrs. Qin helped to get acquainted with them one by one. They had all seen the ceremony. As expected, Lin Rong didn't need to find anything to say. He just smiled and nodded, and occasionally responded with a word or two. That’s it.
After chatting for a while, the wet nurse brought a pair of newborn children to Lin Rong. I don't know whether they were frightened or afraid of people or wind. The two babies burst into tears as soon as they were brought in.
Lin Rong had always disliked children, not to mention the fact that these two children were crying non-stop, but they exchanged a few pleasantries and asked the wet nurse to take them over for a look, and everyone looked good.
However, as soon as the two children were held in front of Lin Rong, their crying gradually stopped. Lin Rong touched the top of his hair and saw that the boy and the girl were both very white and fat, with arms like tender lotus roots, looking at Lin Rong babbling, then burst into laughter.
All the female relatives in the room were surprised when they saw her. Mrs. Qin stepped forward with a smile: "These two children are destined to be madam, and they will smile when they see you."
As he said this, a woman came forward and said: "These two children have been criticized by the heavenly master, saying that they are likely to die young and will not live to be more than one year old. Today, these two children smile when they see my wife. It shows that my wife is precious and important." The evil spirit of these two children must be withheld. I have a cruel request, and I also ask Madam to give these two children a name, which is also called Borrowing Madam's blessing."
Lin Rong was stunned and declined: "How can I choose a name? I don't know what the word is?"
