During the funeral of Mrs. Lu Guogong, the Liu family also had to set up altars along the road. Young Mrs. Fu took the girls at home to deal with the matter. She herself was a concubine and Mrs. Fu did not teach her these things, but she was diligent, studious and originally intelligent. . She first went to ask Mrs. Liu for advice, and then asked how the in-laws of the Duke of Lu behaved, so she learned by doing and didn't make any mistakes.
Mrs. Xu originally thought that Mr. Fu had never dealt with this kind of thing, and she was still waiting for her to beg her, or that she would make up for it after discovering that Mr. Fu had made a mistake, so that her mother-in-law would know that Mr. Fu could not manage the family well. Unexpectedly, Mr. Fu couldn't make any mistakes, so Mrs. Xu was of course disappointed.
Even Aunt Ding said to Liju: "Now that she is proud, she is in charge of the family. However, it is right. She may not really want to teach you, but it was she who forced the Fu family away. Even the family tree has Without this Mrs. Fu, even if she dies, she will be a lonely ghost. People need face, and trees need bark, so she cannot show off her reputation as a virtuous wife."
Lirou nodded: "Yes, she recruits soldiers without bloodshed. The poor second wife never survives. Auntie, I heard from the fifth sister that the eldest sister's marriage is not as good as it seems on the surface."
Although Aunt Ding is quite intelligent, she is just an aunt at the moment. She cannot go out and cannot meet people from the Song family. She does not know this.
"How do you say this?"
"Lizhen said that although the Song family has been a bureaucrat for many generations, the only official now is Mr. Song Shilang, the biological father of the eldest son of the Song Dynasty. The feud between the sisters-in-law in the family has gone out. The eldest son of the Song Dynasty has no fame. I am prepared to be kind, but my eldest sister’s future mother-in-law has heard that she only favors her youngest son. Whether this quota can go to the eldest son of the Song Dynasty is another matter. Also, Mrs. Song actually prefers a certain countryman. Miss Gongfu, it was the Fu family who came to talk to her for a few words before deciding on the marriage." Lirou had a good relationship with Lijia on weekdays, but she was also worried.
Aunt Ding said: "When her mother leaves like this, who will plan for her? Just like you, I am humble and humble, so I can't help you in any way."
Lirou shook her head: "Daddy is in good luck in officialdom now, so what does my daughter have to worry about? What's more, my aunt..."
Aunt Ding smiled and said: "Your uncle is both the son of the Duke and a member of the Imperial Academy. He may even join the cabinet in the future. Although your third cousin is more naughty, I think he has become much calmer in the past two years. You My aunt prefers her younger son. This time the Duke of Lu's family is divided, and a large amount of family property will be divided. You and he are similar in age, so you will definitely be peaceful in the future. Your aunt is also a mother-in-law, which is even better."
Lirou stopped talking. The days of marrying her third cousin were probably all about seeing each other at a glance, and there was nothing wrong with that.
But seeing that Aunt Ding seemed to have lost some weight, she said, "Auntie, why have you lost some weight?"
Qingfeng, who was bringing tea in, said: "Don't you know, girl, that our uncle is ill and wrote to our aunt to ask for an old ginseng. My aunt went to ask my wife to ask for it, but she said that there was only one old ginseng in the house. That's for Mrs. Tai's life-saving use, aren't our aunts in a hurry?"
Lirou frowned: "That's not right. I remember that when my second sister was celebrating wedding, she originally gave her ginseng as a wedding gift. How about I go and ask?"
Aunt Ding nodded silently, "That's all we have to do."
For the sake of her uncle's family, Li Rou quickly found Li Wan, and Li Wan apologized: "I'm sorry, there is some ginseng in this, but as you know, Aunt Zhou from the eldest family gave birth and said it was heavy bleeding. We need a lot of ginseng at home, so my aunt and my wife told me to take it all."
Remembering that Aunt Zhou had indeed sent all the supplements to her when she gave birth, Li Rou didn't want to wait any longer. She had to go to her grandmother or Li Zhen to ask.
Because she was walking in a hurry, Lirou dropped her sachet, so she had to turn back to look for it.
But she didn't expect to hear the Baozhu beside Liwan say: "Second girl, don't we still have two ginseng roots? Although they are not old mountain ginseng, they are still very valuable. Don't you always say that saving a life is better than building a seven-level pagoda?" ?"
"In the past, one tael of ginseng only cost 1,500 taels. Not to mention selling it to her, I would also give it to her. Nowadays, a pound of ginseng and reeds costs only 16 taels, even for the lowest fifth-grade ginseng. , a pound is at least 500 taels. Besides, these two ginsengs I have are high-quality ginseng. My wife told me that they will be used to save lives in the future. Look at that Aunt Zhou, she almost died giving birth. It was saved with ginseng, how can I give it to her? Besides, my aunt once said that Aunt Ding is fake and noble, and most useless, helping her is useless?" Liwan made a sharp analysis.
Li Rou never thought that people could be so practical and snobbish. Even Liwan and she were actually good friends. Everyone said that Liwan was good, and even Mr. Fu praised her for her skillful handling of things. Who knew that she was such a thoughtful person? She took a deep look and led others gone.
When Xiao Fu saw Aunt Ding coming over, her heart softened and she wanted to take out the ginseng she had hidden. But thinking about his daughter Lishu, he still hesitated. Her dowry was not much. Liu Chengxu was an upright official and had no other income except Bing Jing Tan Jing. When she gave birth to Shulin, she didn't even take out this wild ginseng. It was prepared for her daughter. Her daughter is ten years younger than Zheng Hao. She will have to give birth earlier in the future. If something happens, at least she will have a mountain ginseng. Participate to protect your life.
Therefore, little Fu said: "Why not, let's talk to the master and go to the Zeng family to buy one."
Aunt Ding didn't have much money on her hands. She only had two taels of silver a month. Fortunately, she had accumulated two hundred taels of cash over the years. She also took another one hundred taels from Lirou. She couldn't go out, so she asked Xiao Fu's.
"Here are fifty taels of pickled ginseng per catty. I remember that many years ago, the first-class ginseng was even as high as eighty-two taels per catty. Now it may be as high as one, two hundred taels. Seven taels per plant is considered a real root. I think It's enough in less than two hundred and two nights, so I'll go to Zeng's house." Little Fu said.
Aunt Ding was of course very grateful, and she was looking forward to getting it back soon to save her life.
It's just that the second master of the Zeng family and the shopkeeper have gone to the north, but the second wife of Zeng is still very helpful. Perhaps seeing how helpful Mrs. Fu is to the concubine's brothers, she thinks highly of her.
Ten days later, the Zeng family sent a high-quality ginseng. Little Fu said to Aunt Ding: "The Zeng family took less money for the sake of our in-laws and gave us high-quality ginseng. Otherwise, we If you go to a drug store to buy it, you can’t tell the difference between real ginseng and fake ginseng.”
In any case, Mr. Fu tried his best this time, and Aunt Ding was very grateful: "Thank you, madam."
"What are you talking about? It's better to have someone take it back to your hometown as soon as possible and give it to your brother." Little Fu handed her the box.
Aunt Ding left in a hurry.
For a while, Aunt Ding and Li Rou had a lot of changes in their views on Mr. Fu. The two wives and concubines were harmonious. Lijia also said that Mr. Fu had worked hard in front of others. Liu Chengxu's love for his wife became more and more respected. Mrs. Liu praised Mr. Fu several times. .
Mrs. Xu originally wanted to take back the power of the housekeeper, but she never thought that Mr. Fu would go around trying to win people's hearts. Many of her people were kicked out by Mr. Fu, and some were even squeezed out. She couldn't sit still anymore.
That day Li Zhen came over to see Li Rou. Li Rou was making insoles in her room. She was making insoles for her father, so she was very meticulous.
"You have done a lot, do you deserve my share?" Li Zhen smiled.
Lirou spat at her: "I didn't give it to you this time, but you should take it easy. Now our wife often takes us out and has to offer all kinds of needlework. I don't even have enough."
Li Zhen thought to herself that Li Rou had never dared to talk to her like this before. It was just that now that her second uncle had been promoted, even Li Rou had become stronger. But she rarely had an attack and just said: "I have something to tell you."
"What's the matter?" Seeing that she was mysterious, Lirou sent her servants out again.
Li Zhen said: "I know that Mrs. Fu has been treating you well recently, but you don't know, is she pretending to be a good person? I asked my mother, when she took office in Shandong with her second uncle, the old lady My wife specially gave her an old wild ginseng, which is life-saving. She has no use for this old wild ginseng. She keeps it for herself, but she won’t give it to you. She even used your parents’ private money to buy it from the Zeng family. , to show off her reputation.”
Lirou asked in confusion: "Since our wife is useless, how did you know about it?"
"Think about it, this wild ginseng should be placed in a ventilated, dry place, protected from insects and moisture. Normally, storing this ginseng is nothing more than sealing it in a can with asafoetida, or putting it together with tea leaves. In your wife's room, isn't it? There is just a tea can, the one made of blue and white porcelain, and there is wild ginseng in it." Li Zhen actually didn't pay attention to it on weekdays, of course it was Mrs. Xu who told her.
Lirou thought of what Liwan and Xiao Fu had done, and just sighed: "Fifth sister, will you give me your only ginseng?"
Li Zhen was speechless.
Lirou thought that many times, she was not the first choice of others because the portion was not enough. Her biological mother was just an aunt. If the old lady was ill now, I'm afraid little Fu would not be able to take it out, and Liwan would also be a favor.
It was a pity that when the Liu family delivered the ginseng, the uncle from the Ding family had already gone. Her sister-in-law asked someone to bring a message saying that if it had been ten days earlier, she could have been saved, but it just took ten days to save her.
Aunt Ding cried a lot. According to the rules, the Liu family rewarded her brother with twenty taels for the funeral. Young Fu paid the money to Aunt Ding in the palace.
So, it was already the winter solstice, Li Shu had just put on new clothes, and the incense of jade was already burning in the house. On this winter solstice, the incense of jade stamens is burning, the smoke rises high, it can bring warmth to the cold night, and the warm air fills the room. Li Shu prepared it herself, taking four qian of white sandalwood, eight qian of clove bark, four qian of Shao Nao, one qian of benzoin, a little musk, and four qian of Paulownia charcoal. Grind it into powder, mix it with honey, and hide it for half a month before it becomes fragrant.
And starting from today, she can hang the "Picture of Plum Blossoms to Relieve the Cold". She added a touch to the picture before going out with the hand stove.
Mrs. Liu's place was already crowded with people. She didn't feel cold at all despite the cold winter weather. The back room was extremely warm. Lijia's wedding was in full swing. She couldn't embroider so much embroidery alone, so her sisters all helped to do it, and they didn't stop here.
"I happened to make some jade incense and wrapped it up. If you like this fragrance, come and get it from me." Li Shu sat down and said to them with a smile.
Li Wan stretched out her hand and asked for it: "You are always so clever and clever, but I can't do it. It would be best if you give me a little and go back to Xunxun."
Shui Zhi quickly took a package and delivered it to Liwan's maid, and heard from her superior Liu Chengxu that the plum blossoms were in bloom in the garden and he wanted to invite relatives and friends to come and enjoy the plum blossoms.
"It just so happened that the village had newly sent glutinous rice last time, and I made sweet-scented osmanthus winter wine, which was just in time to drink." Little Fu smiled.
Liu Chengxu was very happy again.
In fact, Li Shu thought that this kind of flower-viewing banquet would only cost a few dollars. It was just a few dishes of pastries and fruits, many of which were from her own farm, along with some rice wine brewed by her mother and a pot of mutton soup. It's really affordable and elegant.
Li Shu also contributed her jade incense: "When this incense is burned, the smoke is high and misty, like a fairyland, and it can keep a cold room warm."
"Exactly." Liu Chengxu then said to Mrs. Liu: "Whenever colleagues come to our house, they say that Mr. Qiu is the most hospitable to guests and that his son is also the most popular in Dali Temple."
Mrs. Liu praised Mr. Fu for being so appropriate, but Mr. Fu quickly said that she didn't dare to do it.
Looking back, little Fu said to Li Shu: "Your father likes to drink and hang out with friends. If other families prepare so many high-quality banquets, it must cost a lot of money. But in our family, every time your father calls for people, This money is definitely no more than one tael, which is the word elegance."
Li Shu said: "Every time, mother decorates the pavilion first. The fashionable flowers are all from her own pavilion, it just depends on how they are placed. As for the snacks, fruits, and vegetables, they are all sent from Zhuangzi. You, the waiter, use your daughter to bring them from the pavilion every time." I learned the tea-making method from Grandma Zhu. The most expensive thing is the banquet, but it also depends on whether they will stay for dinner?"
"That's right, for example, if you take dim sum, make the mold. It's actually very simple, but it looks very good. And for example, put some white lotus root and lotus seeds on the rice, which is called Yujing rice. Sometimes during the Double Ninth Festival, you can also put some white lotus root and lotus seeds on it. When golden chrysanthemums are boiled with rice, it's called golden rice. With a little thought, you can make it elegant, beautiful and delicious, and it's more cost-effective than making some abalone and sea cucumbers." This is what Mr. Fu wants to teach her daughter step by step.
Li Shu also wrote down what little Fu taught her about what the embroidered eight-fruit barrier was, what the Lexian dried fruit was, and what kinds of carved candied fruits there were. Many of them may not be something that money can buy. She, who has always been studious, quickly jotted them down with a pen and tried them when she could cook.
No one expected that Liu Chengxu’s so-called plum blossom banquet would not be attended by his peers, but by several future sons-in-law. The most nervous one is of course Song Mingji, the eldest son of the Song Dynasty. He has now become an official with Enyin and is a sixth-rank Baihu in the Jingwei Command Department. However, Daqi has always valued culture over military affairs and used culture to control military affairs. He really can't be counted as a Baihu. What.
Of course, seeing that he was the son of the Cangchang Minister, others treated him very politely.
But Song Mingji knew that if he wanted to take root and move up, he couldn't really dawdle, otherwise it would be fine when his father was around, but if he was gone, his situation would be bad.
Now his future father-in-law invites him before marriage. Song Mingji has not liked reading since he was a child. He is not the material here, but he knows that his future father-in-law's family is a second-ranked Jinshi. Even though the old man of the Liu family and Mr. Liu both had military positions, one was a martial arts scholar and the other was a martial arts champion. They were both talented and learned.
But Song Mingji's mind was still quite flexible, so he went to his younger brother Song Mingcheng for advice. Compared to him, his younger brother was quite literate, and the relationship between the two brothers had always been very good.
"I think since it's a plum blossom banquet, I have to write a few poems about 'plum'. If you help me think about it in advance, I won't make a fool of myself." Song Mingji said with a smile.
Song Mingcheng teased his brother: "What's wrong? I'm afraid of losing to your brothers-in-law."
Song Mingji was very honest: "I'm not afraid of losing to them, I'm afraid of losing the face of our Song family. It's okay if you don't help me. Dad has a few Qingke, so I'll just go find them."
"Hey, why don't I help you? My sister-in-law will come in in a month. If you get embarrassed and lose face in front of my sister-in-law, I can't bear it." Song Mingcheng smiled.
The two brothers chatted and joked for a while. Song Mingcheng remembered the girl from the Liu family he had seen. He heard that she was already engaged, and it was Zheng Hao who was engaged. Even the young master of Cangchang Shilang couldn't compare to him. He slowly smiled. Faded.
Song Mingji smiled and said: "Second brother, I heard from my mother that you are also planning to get engaged next year. I have already met the daughter of the Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Rites for you. By then, we two brothers will be married."
Song Mingcheng smiled.
Like Song Mingji, Zeng Yunxi also looked to his cousin for ideas. He was very generous. As he leaned on the recliner, Zeng Yunfang was helpless: "You have also been studying for many years. You can just recite poems and compose poems."
"You are so naive. I am doing this for the sake of my Zeng family's face." Zeng Yunxi said plausibly.
Zeng Yunfang was already a child at the age of twelve. He relied not only on talent, but also on hard work. Zeng Yunxi could not bear this hardship, but he was also determined to be a scholar. Only with fame can he not kneel before officials.
"Then third brother, you should rely on yourself more. You are also the one who will end up. You were quite comfortable when we went to those poetry gatherings before. Why are you so nervous today?" Zeng Yunfang was puzzled.
Zeng Yunxi said: "I asked in advance. If it weren't for Zheng Hao, I would have no problem overpowering Song Mingji. I heard that he is not good at studying. But Zheng Hao has been promoted to a high school——"
"Third brother, it's not a loss for you to lose to him. They are all the best."
"Yes." Zeng Yunxi also thought about it.
For some reason, he saw no one around, so he raised his head and asked, "Is she, is she okay?"
Although Zeng Yunfang didn't hear him mention that person's name, but he knew who "she" he was talking about, Zeng Yunfang glanced at his third brother. This brother has known how to sneak away from his husband since he was a child, and knows all the fun things. In his eyes when he was a child at that time, he thought he was extremely great.
Even though the relationship between my mother and my second aunt is not very good, she still likes this cousin very much. He is born to understand people and the world, and everyone in the family dislikes him.
But such a person who was able to handle everything at any time and anywhere was actually trapped by love. After Cousin Zhong sent her away quietly, she became ill for several days, as if nothing happened. Zeng Yunfang thought he had forgotten it, but unexpectedly his cousin mentioned it again.
"She is very good. Last month, my uncle wrote to say that he had arranged a marriage for my cousin, who is the son of the local county magistrate. My uncle has made a living in the county government again, and the wedding is scheduled for next year." Zeng Yunfang said.
Zeng Yunxi smiled and said: "That's good, that's good."
He walked out, and for some reason Zeng Yunfang always felt that his cousin's back was a little lonely.
Compared to Song and Zeng who were nervous, Zheng Hao was not necessarily in a relaxed mood. He was not mainly because he might be tested by his father-in-law, but because of another thing his mother said.
"Both your father-in-law and mother-in-law value you very much. Your father-in-law's appointment is expected to be coming soon. He will soon be appointed as the Imperial Censor of the Imperial Palace to assist the Minister of Industry in regulating the Yellow River. I'm afraid he will have to go to Jining." Zheng The lady looked at Zheng Hao and said.
Zheng Hao knew about his father-in-law Liu Chengxu's family background and had considerable experience in river management. This year, he went to the Emperor Shu. Although the Emperor did not go to court very often, he still knew who was talented. This result is normal.
But what my mother meant when she said this was...
He raised his head and looked at Mrs. Zheng, who said with interest in her eyes: "So, your parents-in-law intend to let you as an unmarried couple meet, and then you won't be able to see each other for several years."
It was this matter that Zheng Hao was not relaxed about. He already had the status of a scholar, so he participated in many poetry gatherings, and he could even be said to be doing it with ease.
Facing an eleven-year-old girl is far more difficult than a poetry meeting, such as what to give and what to say. These are very troubling issues.
He was said to be enlightened at a young age, knowledgeable and knowledgeable, but most of them were about studying or the etiquette of being a child of aristocratic families, but no one taught him how to interact with little girls.
He comes from the southern ancestor of the Zheng family in Xingyang. When he was eleven years old, his grandfather, who was once the prime minister, died. His father Ding You was at home. At that time, he told him that he must inherit his grandfather's legacy. Maybe the southern ancestor Zheng family could produce another prime minister in the future.
For the first time, he went to the Lu family and asked his sister, Mrs. Lu, for advice.
Mrs. Lu got married at the age of 15 and has been married for several years. She did not expect her eldest brother to come at this time, except for him, because the eldest brother Zheng Hao has always been very polite and seems to have no hobbies except reading. He can be called the proud son of God. , although he comes from a prime minister's family, and his father is a high-ranking official at the ministry level. He can rely on his father's excellent performance, but he is very ambitious.
The relationship between the brother and sister is really not very good. Now that her brother comes to visit, she is suspicious.
He then heard Zheng Hao say: "You have been to Liu's house several times. What do you think the little girls like?"
Mrs. Lu suddenly realized that her brother was asking this. She finally felt that she could still put on airs in front of her brother: "Ahem, you want to ask Miss Liu San. This is not an ordinary little girl..."
Zheng Hao listened to his sister's lips clasped together and carefully remembered everything about Li Shu in his mind.
It was very lively outside. Three uncles from the Liu family came to visit today. Especially since the Liu family is a famous daughter's country, three famous young men came at once, and the servants were even more excited.
Unexpectedly, Liu Chengxu didn't take any poetry test at all, he was just chatting with them.
He himself has served as a people-friendly official for many years, served as a censor, and investigated cases. He always has a youthful attitude. When talking to his three sons-in-law, he also talks about everything and says whatever comes to his mind.
Especially since he himself solved an unjust, false and wrong case twenty years ago, he attracted even more attention. Liu Chengxu smiled and said: "Speaking of which, the biggest reason why I was able to successfully solve the case, guess what it is?"
Zeng Yunxi was the most tactful and said immediately: "Of course it is thanks to my father-in-law that you are upright, not afraid of power, outspoken and remonstrating, and tirelessly able to solve this case."
Okay, this was what Song Mingji was planning to say, but he didn't expect to be snatched away by Zeng Yunxi. Song Mingji said: "I think my father-in-law is as meticulous as his hair and can solve cases like a god."
"No, neither." Liu Chengxu waved his hand.
Even Zheng Hao was curious and said with a smile on his face: "Why on earth? Please ask my father-in-law not to hide anything."
Liu Chengxu smiled and said: "That's because your wife is so talented in writing. It's hard to find that person. She just asked someone to draw a picture of twenty years of aging based on the description. It's lifelike. I'll send it to all states and departments to get it." Find this person and catch him in one fell swoop. Otherwise, even if I guess who it is, I can’t find the murderer. Sometimes men should not look down on their daughters. If you discover the talent of this woman, the husband and wife can only go far if they work together. .”
After saying that, he asked his servants to take out the painting that Mr. Fu had painted at that time, and everyone was shocked.
Zheng Hao said: "It's like a real person in front of you. If you don't see it with your own eyes, it would be unbelievable."
Only then did everyone understand Liu Chengxu’s intention. If you all want to marry a daughter of the Liu family, you can’t take it lightly.
Liu Chengxu said: "If you regard them as helpers, they are the best helpers. If you regard your wives as cattle and horses, then they will always be kept in captivity, and they will live like flies and dogs for the rest of their lives."
The three sons-in-law quickly stated that they would definitely treat the Liu girl well.
The sisters hiding behind all covered their mouths and snickered after hearing this. Li Shu thought to herself that there is no difference between men and women. Even Zheng Hao knows how to please her father-in-law. No, she will have to meet Zheng Hao later. Yes, I have to run away quickly.
…
After being beaten by his father-in-law, Zheng Hao still thought about how to chat with the little girl later. He remembered what his sister said about the jewelry, whether it was finicky, distracting, Huasheng or right.
Let's start with jewelry, clothes, and then talk about poetry. It is said that these are the topics that the third girl of the Liu family is most interested in.
He glanced at the courtyard door. There were red camellias growing in the vat at the door, showing their vitality. After knocking on the door, he was led by his servants from the path to the main hall. When he was about to step in, a melodious sound of the guqin came.
The high one is green and desolate, while the low one is deep and sad. It is clearly the "Eighteen Beats of Hujia" played.
The girl was dressed in red. When she raised her eyes, her eyes were shining brightly and her eyes were moving. He also looked over when she raised her eyes, their eyes met, and they smiled at each other. :,n,
