Early the next morning, Lirou told Mrs. Liu that she was going to Gu's house. Mrs. Liu did not stop her: "You have always had a good relationship with her, so you should go and comfort her, but you just talk, and you have to go to Gu's house." Don’t wait too long.”
Lirou was very measured: "Yes, grandma."
The Gu family is the residence of the Taifu, and its servants are not ordinary arrogant. Gu's father returned to Beijing from other places to serve as a minister of the Ministry of Industry. In fact, if this marriage had not been done by fingertips back then, such a marriage would not have been possible given the current status of the Gu family.
When Lirou went up the steps, she lifted up her skirt and entered Gu's house. When Mrs. Gu heard that she was here, she hurriedly said: "Sister Rou, you are finally here. Xue'e cried all night last night. You are the only one who can persuade her."
Lirou was anxious after hearing this, and immediately went into the Gu family's embroidery building. She saw that Gu Xue'e's eyes were swollen like peaches. When she saw Lirou, she wanted to laugh, but she couldn't. She couldn't open her eyes no matter what.
"Sister Gu, are you okay? In fact, this happens in every household. My second sister and the third young master of the Zeng family have made an arrangement. The third young master of the Zeng family has already had an affair with a cousin of the Zeng family. . We have been separated for a year and have been disconnected, but after the matter is settled, Miss Zhong is already a thing of yesterday, so why bother." Lirou thought that Cen Yunfang was indeed what Li Zhen said, he was a bastard. Even if someone else is related to him, The beginning and end are also hidden and tucked away, so where can it be like this?
But Li Rou also thought that Cen Shifang was the legitimate son of the Marquis of Guangyang, and that the Guangyang Marquis Mansion was deeply favored by the saints. His father was deeply trusted by the emperor. If Gu Xue'e wanted to find another good one, she might not be able to find anyone better than this.
Gu Xue'e is thirteen years old this year. In terms of age, she is more than five years older than Lirou, but she is not as stable and mature as Lirou. She was a little afraid of this marriage. The Guangyang Hou family was complicated, and the Gu family was originally from a poor family. Since the old man retired, her father's official career was mediocre, but her family's family background was very simple. Thinking about it, she felt overwhelmed. Now it's good, I have an old childhood sweetheart.
In the past few days, Gu Xue'e always felt that the days were like years. She said seriously: "Good sister, I know that you and I are good, so I said these heartfelt words to me. In fact, I think, if I just marry an ordinary person, as long as my family background It’s not like this for a pure person with good character. What’s more, Cen Shifang of the Guangyang Marquis Mansion is said to be a martial artist..."
People born into a scholarly family like them all want to marry a talented person. Even if they are not talented people, they should be literate people who can speak well. Instead of marrying a soldier or a Qiuba, thinking they are rude.
Lirou had no idea what she was saying, and she didn't know how to persuade her. Her second sister loved wealth and splendor, so she didn't care about marrying the Zeng family. But sister Xue'e was not such a person.
"Sister Gu, where can I put Cen Shi?" Lirou wanted to remind her to inquire more about her so-called cousin, her childhood sweetheart, so that she could deal with her later, but now that she saw Gu Xue'e crying like this, she couldn't say anything.
Therefore, she started talking again: "Sister Gu, the Cen family is very talkative and has a high family status. It will not help if you cry like this. Why don't you think about how to cheer up."
Gu Xue'e smiled bitterly: "Good sister, this marriage is a finger-to-tip marriage. You are right. I have to go regardless of whether I like it or not. But I think with my temper, I am afraid that I won't be able to survive for a few years. If I really I'm gone. If you still remember me, just put a bunch of jasmine flowers in front of my grave. We strung them together at that time, and your hands are more skillful than mine."
Li Rou felt that these words were a bit unlucky, so she tried to persuade her a little more.
After this day, Gu Xue'e did not cry again. Although she did not become strong, she still accepted it silently. The Gu family thought that Lirou's persuasion was effective and gave her many gifts.
Li Rou felt that she deserved it, but Li Zhen was a little jealous after seeing so many gifts, so Li Rou gave a lot to her, which made her happy.
As for Cen Shifang's childhood sweetheart cousin, the Liu sisters actually met her by chance. Because Mrs. Lu Guogong was inviting guests to play, Mrs. Liu took Lishu and Lirou with her. Lishu usually only studied and practiced piano, and had not been out for a long time. She was a bit unfamiliar and not as familiar as Lirou.
Mrs. Lu Guogong pointed to Li Shu and said to Mrs. Liu: "This must be your third girl. It's really rare. Why don't you bring such a good girl to your in-laws often?"
Mrs. Liu smiled and said: "What are you talking about? I'll bring it right away, right? Lishu, please give your regards to the Duke of Lu."
Lishu kowtowed three times on the futon that had been laid out. She performed the etiquette as if it were just like what Grandma Zhu once said. Etiquette is not something you learn, but is ingrained into your bones naturally. Mrs. Chi also praised Lishu because she had an old relationship with Mr. Fu: "Have you been studying recently?"
"Yes, I studied with my sisters at Zeng's house, but I didn't do well."
Mrs. Chi said: "Then you are really humble. Your mother is a master of painting. How can you be so bad? I think in the future, people will be better than others."
Li Shu didn't even dare to take it seriously.
Everyone didn't know what happened to Mr. Fu, so Mrs. Chi told her again. The people who listened were astonished, but Mrs. Fu was a little on pins and needles.
Liusu, who was standing behind Mrs. Fu, also noticed her master's thoughts. She knew that Mrs. Fu actually didn't care about these so-called concubines. She was very kind to Aunt Su and Aunt Ding, and even treated Liwan as her own. He also often asked his servants to take good care of the two young masters.
Even the eldest daughter Lijia often gave kind words to the third girl. Of course Liusu also knew that the third girl was a person who had made up her mind and would never look back. But no matter what, Mrs. Fu was really kind and kind to her concubines and even her children.
However, she and Little Fu seemed to have a strong quarrel. This seriousness did not mean that she hated Little Fu, but that she was very sad.
Lishu was even happier when she saw everyone praising little Mr. Fu than herself. Her mother was really talented in calligraphy and painting. She could figure it out on her own without having to learn from a famous teacher. She is also the wife of the Liu family that Ming Media is marrying, so she just wants to appear in front of everyone.
Because Li Shu also said: "My mother is good at painting, especially figures, but I can never catch up. Sometimes when I see her painting people, I feel more real than myself in the mirror."
Many people had never seen little Fu, but they saw that Lishu behaved so well, had an outstanding appearance, her voice was like an oriole coming out of the valley, and when she saluted, she seemed like a fairy descending from the earth, and she was also considerate. They could all imagine how outstanding Li Shu was as her mother, and when they looked at Mrs. Fu, they all felt a little sympathy and pity.
In these families, anyone who has concubines and waiters who are too beautiful will be regarded as a threat. Moreover, the little Fu family is also a married woman, and she was married into the house through three matchmakers and six marriages. It must be difficult for Fu family to win.
From time to time, Mrs. Guangyang Hou arrived outside again. Lishu heard that the female family members inside looked at each other. Needless to say, she seemed to be aware of the trouble between the Guangyang Hou Mansion and the Gu family a few days ago.
But Li Shu was thinking about other things. Aunt Ding, like Lirou, was always good at picking up the slack and seemed to have no desires or demands. But once the leak is really picked up successfully, things will get windy and rainy.
I don’t know how my mother and Aunt Ding are doing?
As she was thinking this, she saw a woman with a smile coming in from the door. She was of medium height and had an oval face that looked dignified and beautiful. Standing next to her was a cardamom girl with a pony bun with only two jade hairpins in it. The heavy clothes in winter did not look bulky on her body at all, and she was the same as the rumored dog-skin plaster who came to ruin other people's marriages. completely different statement.
Of course, people should not be judged by their appearance, but I don’t know why Mrs. Guangyang Hou brought her to the house on this occasion.
Lishu sat quietly and listened to their greetings. It turned out that this cousin was the daughter of Mrs. Guangyang Hou's brother. Because her brother died on the battlefield in order to save Guangping Hou, she kept her niece by her side.
Li Shu paused and said to Mrs. Liu, "It turns out she is Queen Zhonglie."
This matter is a bit difficult to handle. Maybe after the girl's father passed away, he entrusted her to the Cen family. It's a pity that the old marquis married her on the same finger before. Maybe the Cen family didn't do this before. I thought it was okay, but I didn't expect that the Gu family went to Beijing, and this matter had to be taken seriously.
Of course, this was someone else's business, and Lishu didn't bother to care about it, because her aunt saw a lot of guests, so she took them to a warm pavilion to rest. Lishu fell asleep as soon as she entered the warm pavilion. At any rate, she had brought honor to her mother today. I didn't notice that Lirou went out.
Lirou was also unlucky. As soon as she came out, she met the cousin. The cousin seemed to recognize her and couldn't help but smile: "I know you. You are Gu Xue'e's friend. Please tell her that my cousin and I I am in love with each other, so please ask her to withdraw voluntarily, that will be fine."
Originally, Li Rou always ignored matters that had nothing to do with her, but somehow she remembered Gu Xue'e's behavior. Moreover, when she heard the words "mutual love", she couldn't help but think of Aunt Ding's letter.
The letter asked her to be filial to her grandmother and hope that her grandmother would give her a good future, because she was forced by Little Fu to the point where she was like an old woman, huddled in a corner, but Little Fu treated her so well that she could not catch her. She had no excuses, and because she was not favored, her servants despised her.
Aunt Ding's letter even pointed out why Liu Chengxu didn't favor her because her father and little Fu were in love with each other.
Lirou feels that this kind of love is too selfish. You yourself are in love, and her other female relatives, aren't they all human beings?
Therefore, when she heard the Cen family's cousin mentioned this for the first time, she stabbed: "Don't tell me this. If you really have the ability, you should tell the Cen family and let the Cen family marry you. I don't know what It's called 'two lovers' love. My family is very strict in tutoring, and we are never allowed to talk about any private life-long commitments, otherwise we will be beaten to death."
The cousin girl of the Cen family did not see this cute and cute little girl saying such things. She pointed at her and said: "You, why do you say that about us? Do you understand me?"
"Really? Then do you dare to tell me what you said again to the ladies up front?" Lirou tried to pull her away.
The cousin girl of the Cen family did not expect that she had made a mistake. She thought that Lirou was a woman who had never seen the world like Gu Xue'e. Who knew that Lirou was also a ruthless character, so she ran away quickly.
On the official engagement day between the Gu family and the Guangyang Marquis Mansion, spring has already bloomed. Now, only Li Shu and her two younger sisters are going to the Zeng family to study. However, Li Rou and Li Zhen are going to the Gu family today. So, only Li Shu Shu went to Zeng's house to study alone.
She doesn't feel lonely. There are always people who think that you don't take the imperial examination, you are not a man, and you don't want to be king and hegemon. Why are you working so hard? But Li Shu thought that she didn't want to waste every day. The book was filled with the experiences of previous generations, which would last forever. Live each day well and focus on the present. What's wrong with that?
I always want to aim high, wishing I could reach the sky in one step. I would stop studying if I couldn't take the imperial examination. If I couldn't be like Wu Zetian, I would just lie down. Lishu felt that this kind of people were just ambitious but short-handed. They could not reach a thousand miles without taking small steps. To achieve something, one must have the right time, place, and people, both of which are indispensable.
The way of heaven has damaged more than it can make up for, dynasties change, people suffer, and new dynasties rise again, what can ordinary people do? It’s nothing more than following the crowd.
This year, Mr. Gong’s teachings have become more severe and he has begun to teach the entire Book of Songs. Generally, after learning the Book of Songs, few people learn the other four classics. So far, only Xu Shen has mastered the five classics.
Of course, when they were reading through the Book of Songs, Mr. Gong also taught them how to write poems. For some reason, Li Shu was not very good at painting, but she was still good at writing poems and poems. Zeng Yingxiu was also a rare person who persevered. In the end, Mr. Gong gave the lecture. Sometimes, there are often only the two of them sitting underneath.
Writing articles generally requires reading a lot of books. Lishu happened to have nothing to do, so she asked Mr. Gong to make a book list and asked him to buy "Guanwen Guanzhi", "Ancient Interpretations", "Article Standards", "Hundred Ancient Chinese Writing Techniques", "Combined Interpretations of Ancient Tang Poems", "Fu Xue Zheng Hu", "Parallel Style Wen Chao", "Six Dynasties Wen Jie", and "Selected Works of Zhaoming" are quite good.
Reading these books requires complete immersion. Lishu would sometimes read late into the night, writing down what she didn’t understand before asking her husband. People seem to grow up through continuous efforts, and they can't even imagine that they know so much.
That day, when Lishu came back from school, she first came to Mrs. Liu's place, but she saw an acquaintance.
"Why are third cousin here? Are you here to see your wife and eldest sister?" Li Shu never expected to see Fu Minglun here.
Fu Minglun is not the kind of scholar who holds his own. He has a funny temperament and no airs. When she went to the Fu family during the Chinese New Year this year, Li Shu felt that the next generation of the Fu family, Cousin Fu, could really revitalize the family.
Moreover, he was not moralistic at all and even gave her a piano sheet to encourage her to play the piano. Lishu had a good impression of him.
Fu Minglun smiled and said: "I'm here to ask you old ladies for your good wine. An old friend of my father's came to our house. He likes to drink Baofeng wine the most. My uncle used to be an official in Henan. I guess you have some in your family. So I came to ask for some altars."
Mrs. Liu laughed and scolded: "Good boy, it turns out this is a lawsuit against my family's wine."
"You also feel sorry for me, so as not to be scolded by my father when I go back." Fu Minglun handed over his hand.
It was obvious that Mrs. Liu liked him very much. Even though she said so, she still had two jars of Jinhua wine and two jars of Baofeng wine brought over. Fu Minglun asked Li Shu what she was studying again, and Li Shu said: "Now we are starting to study the Five Classics. My husband will teach the Book of Songs, and we will only pick a few from the other four classics. Let us see for ourselves..."
"This is great. If you don't understand something, just ask me." Fu Minglun is very open-minded and doesn't think there is anything wrong with women studying more.
Li Shu happily agreed.
Fu Minglun also said that he would take the general examination in three years, and now he had to study hard behind closed doors. Mrs. Liu said that he would just get through it. Obviously Fu Minglun is also very ambitious and high-spirited.
But Li Shu knew that he had failed in the next subject. In fact, failing to pass was very serious. The imperial examination was very difficult. In addition to talent and learning, luck was also needed.
When Mrs. Liu saw Fu Minglun and Li Shu discussing articles together, she thought that they were a good match. Fu Xiaosan had a free-spirited temperament and was very talented. It was not difficult for such a person to become a Jinshi, but it was not easy to have an official career. He must have a strong and capable wife who can persuade him. Although Lishu is young, it can be vaguely seen that she sees things clearly, dares to do things, and is even talented, especially her eloquence. , very convincing.
Since they have similar interests and are cousins, it would be great if they could get married.
It's not that Mrs. Liu doesn't think highly of Lijia. Lijia is good, gentle and steady, and good at using people's hearts to her advantage. However, she does all this to maintain her established reputation and is not willing to really do anything. He is afraid of offending others and wants to maintain his reputation. He has no interest in it. I am afraid it will be difficult to win over a sincere person like Fu Minglun.
Of course, she knew with her toes that Fu Minglun and Lishu were impossible, and she was not stupid about the Fu family's attitude toward little Fu and Lishu.
This was just a small episode, but Lijia came over quickly, but Fu Minglun had already left. In the room were Lishu, Mrs. Xu and Mother Wei, who were playing horse hanging with the wife.
In her previous life, Lishu learned to play Ma Diao at the age of six. She was bored at home and could not go out, so she asked her servants to play Ma Diao with her. Her poker skills were not very good, but she could play Ma Diao with her grandmother, an elderly person. , still very usable.
"I've already lost a round. It's my turn this time." Lishu had lost four games in a row. This time she turned over and touched a single chicken, which made her excited.
Mrs. Liu smiled and said, "Don't be deceitful?"
Li Shu pushed the cards: "I've been playing with these two for a long time, but I didn't get them, so I really touched them myself."
The other three families offered her money. At this time, Li Shu saw Li Jia coming and wanted to get up to give her a beating. Li Jia said, "You can beat her with peace of mind. I'm here to take a look."
Li Shu knew what she was coming to see, and so did Mrs. Liu, and Mrs. Xu even smiled and said nothing.
After Lijia returned to her room, she saw that the Zeng family had sent another load of silk and satin. It was as if the in-laws were walking around. Aunt Su had her hands on her hips and was shouting and drinking, making her look ridiculous.
Of course her thoughts were seen by Mrs. Fu. In fact, Mrs. Fu and the Fu family do have a tacit understanding. Mrs. Fu also hopes to get married in person, but Mrs. Fu also said that her second sister-in-law wants to be named on the Minglun Gold List and then get engaged again. She cannot let her get married now. He was distracted, and Mrs. Fu believed in her mother's family, so everything remained calm.
But in three years' time, my daughter will be in her prime, Li Shu and Li Rou will be engaged, and the family may not be able to come up with such a large amount of money at once.
Thinking of this, Mrs. Fu felt a little worried, and looked at Liusu, who was smiling: "Aunt Su's place is very lively. I heard that the Zeng family has given something to our second girl."
Mrs. Fu nodded: "Go and prepare a return gift. Don't lose etiquette."
"Yes." Liusu felt relieved knowing that Mrs. Fu was not jealous.
Lijia heard last time that Fu Minglun had given Li Shu a piano score. This time she heard that the two of them had a very happy chat at her grandmother's place. She rushed over and Fu Minglun left again, even though she knew how annoying the Fu family was. Little Mrs. Fu, but she always felt unhappy.
…
These disputes have nothing to do with Li Shu. Li Shu devoted herself to studying and learning the piano. This year Mrs. Liu went to Zhuangzi again, and Mrs. Liu accompanied her. It is strange to say that although the two old people live separately, they seem to have a good relationship.
If I don't go out to socialize, I won't have so many worries. So when my ninth birthday came quietly, I realized that a year had passed, and I was still writing some poems and articles.
All the gentlemen invited by the Zeng family's female school are also leaving. They plan to go home to celebrate the New Year before looking for another family, because they have already paid everything they need to pay, and even Mr. Gong has applied for it through the recommendation of Mr. Zeng. Go to Huzhou Prefecture for experience.
What made Li Shu happy the most was that Liu Chengxu's term of office had expired and he was transferred to the post of Prime Minister of Dali Temple. He heard that he was originally going to be transferred to Kedao, but because he supported the Qing Dynasty, his official position was only in the sixth rank.
Liu Chengxu was coming back, and so was Little Fu. During her tenure, she gave birth to another son, named Shulin, which means that the family has a Kirin son.
The male owner of the second room was coming back, so Mrs. Fu started cleaning her house half a month in advance, and her face became much rosier. Now her father is already the Minister of Etiquette, and is the favorite to join the cabinet. Her body has almost recovered. If she can give birth to a son and a half, it will not only comfort her, but also ease the relationship between her and Liu Chengxu. After all, they used to have such a good relationship.
Lishu was writing at home that day when she heard a reply from Lin Ji's family outside: "Old lady, the second master and second wife have entered the city."
Lishu hurried over to Mrs. Liu. She and Mrs. Liu greeted each other and said, "Grandma."
"Good child, come and sit here. Your mother is back, are you happy?" Mrs. Liu was very happy to know that little Fu had given birth to a son. As for Aunt Ding not being pregnant, she didn't care. Obviously What came out of little Fu's belly was much more noble.
Li Shu nodded fiercely: "I'm very happy. I also want to see my brothers, especially the new brother, who I haven't even met yet. I made a small bellyband, but I don't know if it will fit?"
At the age of nine, she has already started learning tailoring and embroidery from Mother Hu. Now she doesn't have to go to a girls' school. She just spends her days doing needlework and eating hot tea and snacks with Mother Hu and the girls, which is very pleasant.
In her previous life, her mother died when she was ten years old, and she will be ten years old in a year. Fortunately, her mother is back this year, and she must protect her well. Others thought that giving birth to a child was safe, but her mother was too thin and she was afraid that her frequent births would be really bad for her health.
Just like Li Shu was worried about her mother, little Fu was also worried about her daughter. Liu Chengxu sat opposite her and held a target scope for her. He watched as little Fu wiped off the lipstick she had just applied and raised a little more with her little finger. Apply it carefully on your mouth, look around in the mirror, and see that her face is more charming, then take the target mirror out of Liu Chengxu's hand.
"Okay, you look good enough. Why are you worried that your daughter won't recognize you?" Liu Chengxu joked.
Little Fu shook her head lightly, but nodded again with her eyes wide open: "After all, it's been three years, and I'm getting old too."
Liu Chengxu stroked her lips with his thumb, a little affectionately and a little tenderly: "What are you talking about? You are only in your early twenties, and your husband is old. I have been running around all day in the past few years, and he is no better than before."
Little Fu hugged his arm with both hands and said very affectionately: "So what? In my heart, you are more heroic than anyone else."
The couple often spend time together, especially when they are away from home in the past few years. Whenever Liu Chengxu goes out, he knows that his wife loves to paint landscapes, and the two of them visit famous mountains and scenery in their free time. What he especially loved about Little Fu was that she was indeed not as calculating as Aunt Ding. She stocked up on food and supplies in advance and wanted to make a profit as soon as people needed them.
He is the same person as Mr. Fu. Mr. Fu would rather his sons have rough food and the family suffers a loss. When he sees the poor people, he will give alms and take out the money and never withhold money from people. Although they have been in office Not rich, but comfortable.
"Ahem." Liu Chengxu turned away, feeling a little uncomfortable.
Little Fu smiled coquettishly, raised the corners of her mouth, and relaxed her brows.
In any case, she is no longer afraid that Fu will try to steal her husband this time. Of course, when she was in Henan, she specifically asked her companion to find Rao's mother, and actually asked her an intimate matter about the Fu family.
She was also moved. This incident could almost destroy the Fu family, so that she could no longer sit back and relax.
But in the end, she decided to keep the matter in her heart. It was definitely not because they were sisters. Because they had no sisterly affection, Mrs. Fu regarded her as a thorn in her side. On the surface, Mr. Fu did not beat or scold her, but he regarded her as the same as Aunt Ding and others, and the people around her framed her.
Even so, she felt that this method should not be used to compete for favor in the back house.
Because she knew about this matter and Liu Chengxu never asked about it. With his many years of criminal experience, he might have already guessed it, but he just pretended that this matter never happened, and he had to do the same, otherwise, wouldn't this be forcing Mrs. Fu to die? ?
Women are not like men. If a man is romantic, no one will say anything. A woman with a white jade and a slight flaw will be forced to death. The Fu family also has a Lijia.
"Fortunately, after getting off the boat, Aunt Ding's body and bones are much better, so I feel relieved." This time, Mrs. Fu discovered Aunt Ding after a few years. She is indeed a good mother, who can do Lirou's work from early on. She can do sewing at night and is also a good daughter-in-law. She has no second thoughts about Liu Chengxu and always wants to please him. She is even filial to the wife.
But one thing was that she was at a disadvantage. In order to show her ability, she hoarded food when she was pregnant. She read the newspaper in advance and guessed that there would be a food shortage, so she prepared to sell it at a high price.
This person has noble personal ethics, but he has shortcomings in major matters.
But Xiao Fu also knew that for such a woman, Liu Chengxu might affirm her abilities and respect her as a concubine but never go beyond her duties, but he would never fall in love with her. Because Liu Chengxu himself is a very affectionate person at heart. He is dedicated to serving the country, and he will not hesitate to offend others in office, but he never regrets it.
Just as I was thinking about it, Chang An said outside: "Master, madam, we have entered Qianmen Street and will be there in a moment."
Little Fu's eyes were focused, and she looked forward with great expectation. Soon, she would be able to see her daughter. She didn't know what her Lishu looked like after she was born. :,,
