As January enters, the temperature becomes even colder, and even at noon, the air seems to be freezing.
Jiang Li walked in the Hou Mansion, Xue Liu in front, Yan Yu and Xi Yun following Jiang Li, as if he was a prisoner being escorted.
Jiang Li has long been accustomed to this kind of treatment.
He was actually a prisoner under guard in this Noble House.
The only crime he committed was that the eldest lady was jealous of his mother, who had died many years ago.
That’s right, it’s jealousy!
When Jiang Li was young, he had confirmed this from the words of some servants in the mansion.
But no matter how he thought about it, he didn't feel that Jiang Shirong had any tenderness towards his mother.
And he had a vague feeling that Jiang Shirong seemed to be afraid of facing his mother.
"The most powerful martial artist in the world, Marquis Wu of Dazhou Town, would actually be afraid of a weak woman who has no power to bind a chicken!" Jiang Li was puzzled.
After walking through the long alley, passing through many courtyards, gardens, and corridors, Jiang Li walked two full sticks of incense before arriving at Qiluanxuan where the eldest lady lived.
It is said that once you enter the Hou family, it is as deep as the sea, and this is the best proof.
"Why are you here so late?"
"Qiluanxuan" has a tall courtyard. Although it is only the courtyard where the eldest lady lives, it is more grand than the residences of fourth- and fifth-rank officials in Shengjing City.
Outside the gate of the courtyard, twenty sergeants wearing the heroic armor of the Great Zhou Dynasty stood holding halberds. The hard-forged silver armor erupted in the sunlight with a cold light, which was solemn and majestic.
When Jiang Li and the three girls walked outside the gate of Qiluanxuan, there was already a nanny in her early sixties, with a flabby face but as cold as ice, standing on the stone steps waiting for her.
"Mother Yan, why are you out here!"
Xue Liu heard the scolding and hurriedly stepped forward. She put her legs together and bent her knees, lowering her head slightly: "It's all because of Jiang Li's delay in walking, so he's late!"
Yanyu and Xiyun behind Jiang Li also hurriedly saluted.
"You are an ignorant and unskilled bastard who has neither skill nor fame. If you go to Liu Bohou's house, you will bring shame on him!"
Aunt Yan glanced at Jiang Li expressionlessly, then turned and walked into Qiluan Pavilion.
"Jiang Li, hurry up and catch up. It's because you're walking slowly that I get scolded!"
Xue Liu turned around and scolded angrily, speeding up her pace to catch up with the former.
Jiang Li didn't speak, but followed Xue Liu silently.
In my memory, every time my predecessor came to Qiluanxuan, he was always on tenterhooks and cautious, fearing that he would be punished by the eldest lady if he did something wrong.
This was Jiang Li's first time entering Qiluanxuan after his rebirth, but the memories in his mind were too deep, making him feel very depressed.
Qiluanxuan occupies one-fifth of the area of the Hou Mansion.
Pavilions, pavilions, pools and pavilions are hidden among the green trees and cypresses, and are also decorated with rockeries, bonsai flower beds and various rare green plants.
There were countless houses with exquisite carvings and undulating layers. Jiang Li even saw a large stage.
It is said that there are hundreds of servants serving the eldest lady in Qiluanxuan alone.
"Jiang Li, the eldest lady is having a meal, please stay here and don't look around!"
After walking for a while, they came to a large hall. Nanny Yan said coldly and walked in with Xue Liu and the others first.
Jiang Li stood outside the hall and glanced around, and saw a graceful and bejeweled middle-aged beautiful woman sitting behind a long table in the depths of the hall, with a calm expression and elegant manners.
The long table is made of golden nanmu, with a simple and elegant shape, carved with dragons and phoenixes, and is fully twenty meters long.
It is filled with nearly a hundred plates and bowls of various sizes, filled with all kinds of delicacies, delicacies, exquisite pastries, thick soups and fresh fruits.
Eighteen girls with delicate faces, fair skin and pink lips, walked around the long table like butterflies, picked up dishes one after another and walked up to the beautiful middle-aged woman.
The two personal maids wearing silver mouse coats observed the words and gestures, and according to the middle-aged beautiful woman's preferences, they picked up the dishes and scooped up the fresh soup and brought them to the beautiful woman's mouth.
"What a grand display!"
Jiang Li looked at the mountains of dishes on the long table and couldn't help but shake his head.
In this world, there are also civilians and poor people. Just like in the previous life, most people live in poverty.
Madam's table of food costs at least several hundred taels of silver, which is equivalent to the entire property of a middle-class family in Shengjing City.
Jiang Shirong was an important minister of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He had a high and powerful position, but he prided himself on being honest.
The royal family rewarded many fields, real estate, and manors, but they could not support the expenses of the Marquis's family.
I don’t know what can be used to make up for the shortfall in money.
"Forget it, everyone get out!"
In the main hall, He Loushi caught a glimpse of Jiang Li waiting outside the hall from the corner of his eye. His brows wrinkled unconsciously. He suddenly felt upset and lost his appetite.
She waved her hand in disgust, and the maids and slaves in the palace quickly removed all the long tables and dishes, making almost no sound in the process.
"Miss, that bastard is still waiting outside the door!" Nanny Yan whispered.
"Let him in!"
He Loushi nodded, and Granny Yan shouted outside the hall.
"Concubine Jiang Li pays homage to the eldest lady!"
Jiang Li stepped into the palace, stood at the entrance of the palace, lowered his head to say hello, and did not raise his head to look directly at He Lou who was sitting at the top.
This is also He Lou's request.
She had personally said that she hated Jiang Li's face and ordered him not to raise his head whenever he came in.
The air in the hall fell into silence.
Except for Mr. He Lou, Aunt Yan and a few personal maids, all the servants had already left the hall.
After an unknown amount of time, He Loushi's voice came slowly from above.
"Jiang Li, you were unlucky when you were young, and your mother died early. Fortunately, you grew up under the protection of my Marquis. Over the years, I have also had high expectations for you. I hope that you can be like your other children when you become an adult. Like an elder brother, he shares his father's worries and serves the court!
"However, you are timid at heart, don't like Chinese writing and are not good at martial arts. After all, you still haven't become a talent!"
He Loushi sighed deeply, his tone was gloomy, and he looked very sad.
"Jiang Li is stupid and let his wife down!"
Jiang Li lowered his head, unable to see clearly what his expression was.
"Well, since you are Shi Rong's heir, as the mistress of the Hou Mansion, I am also your mother. No matter how naughty the child is, I, as a mother, cannot stand by and ignore it. After all, I still hope that you can have a good ending! "
When Helou said this, a rare smile appeared on his face: "You are over sixteen, and you have reached the age of marriage, but you are my concubine's son, and the title and property of the Marquis Mansion have nothing to do with you, and because of that, you With a lazy temperament and no skills, good girls from ordinary families will naturally look down on you. I also spent a lot of hard work to find a good marriage for you!"
"A good marriage?"
He Loushi's laughter reached his ears, and Jiang Li's heart skipped a beat, suddenly having a bad premonition.
When did the eldest lady, who had always regarded him as a thorn in her flesh, become so kind?
The He Lou family above smiled and said: "General Liu Honglie of Yunhui of the former military governor's palace was personally conferred by Emperor Jing. Although his family background and rank are not as good as those of my Zhen Wuhou Mansion, he is still a prominent family.
"Right now, Liu Honglie is looking for a son-in-law for his eldest granddaughter Liu Qingshu. I took the lead and agreed for you. Now you have been registered as a son-in-law. When the date is chosen, you will be married into the Qianjun Bohou Mansion as your son-in-law! "
"Turning me into the status of a son-in-law and a lowly son-in-law!"
Jiang Li only felt a thunder explode next to his ears.
He clenched the fists hidden in his sleeves and slowly raised his head. Jiang Li narrowed his eyes slightly and looked directly into He Loushi's eyes.
According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a son-in-law with a lowly status cannot be a farmer, an official, an official, or a teacher.
There was no other way to go but to become merchants, traders, monks and Taoist priests, and border guards.
He Loushi is going to kill him to death!
