The girl moved lightly with her lotus steps, wearing a moonlight white silk top, azure narrow sleeves and half arms, a high-waisted green skirt with a persimmon pattern tied around her waist, ink-like blue silk ribbons forming a heart-shaped bun, and only two silk flowers in her hair. And a silver walking stick, as cold as the moon in the rain curtain, with a temperament like orchid.
Song Hengfeng's eyes were slightly focused, and he looked at her quietly in the pavilion. Even though he had never been close to women, when he saw such a jade girl, she was so beautiful and unsullied, he felt that it was pleasing to the eye, although he could not avoid seeing more. After a few glances, no unnecessary thoughts arose.
The two people's eyes met, and the man they saw was tall and strong, with a back as straight as a pine tree. Even from a distance, Shi Yanwei could feel that his figure was taller than any husband she had ever seen before. ; If he came in front of her at this moment, his figure would be completely covered, and a mountain-like shadow would fall against the light.
With such an extremely unusual stature and bearing, without much thought, he must be Song Heng, the head of the Song family and the Marquis of Dingbei.
With the gurgling sound of rain in his ears, Shi Yan was secretly wondering whether he should go forward to meet him and say hello. Suddenly he saw a well-proportioned young man holding a bamboo-bone oil umbrella and walking quickly towards the pavilion. Talking to Song Heng through the sound of rain at the bottom of the stairs.
Song Heng calmly withdrew his gaze, turned around to receive the umbrella handed over by the boy, opened his long legs and walked out of the pavilion, striding towards the east courtyard.
Here, Shi Yan stepped across the stone bridge with her skirt slightly lifted, walked through the winding corridor to the west, and then passed a rockery and two sections of corridors to reach Mrs. Xue's bamboo residence.
Because Mrs. Xue loved bamboo and lotus, she asked a skilled craftsman to dig a spring in the front yard of the Green Bamboo House and dig an underground channel to bring running water there to plant lotus. She was afraid of being too wet, so she only lived in the backyard on weekdays. When she was entertaining guests alone, Will go to the front yard.
Dozens of male red sturgeons can be seen in the water, as well as turtles, shrimps, crabs and other water animals. The green lotus leaves complement the bamboos, pines and cypresses in the courtyard, making it quiet and elegant.
At that time, the rain was hitting the lotus leaves, and there were little ripples on the water. A green-shelled turtle was lying in the cracks of the rocks to hide from the rain, slowly turning its neck. Shi Yanwei looked at it and found it interesting, so he simply stood by the water and stopped for a while.
Just as he was looking at it, he suddenly heard a clear female voice coming from under the window: "Mrs. Yang, are you crazy about the red sturgeon? Baba is not afraid of getting cold even if he is standing by the water on a rainy day. Come in quickly, the wife is here." I’m waiting for you in the house.”
Shi Yan slightly raised his head to look at her, smiled in response, and then followed Ruisheng across the front yard to the back yard.
"Mrs. Yang, Madam Yang is here." As he spoke, Rui Sheng placed the umbrella against the wall for Shi Yanwei, and then raised his hand to push open the pear wood flower-and-bird partition and let people in.
In front of the rosewood painted Suihan screen surrounded by three friends, Mrs. Xue, whose temples were slightly stained with frost, sat on the right side of the red lacquered pear wooden table. She smiled and called Shi Yanwei to stop being polite and sit down next to her quickly.
Mrs. Xue wears a single bun, with an emerald peacock crown in her hair and two red silver tree hairpins. There are several shallow wrinkles on her forehead. She has kind eyes and kind eyes, and is kind and approachable.
Shi Yanwei had been alone with her several times, but suddenly he didn't feel restrained at this time and sat down opposite her openly.
There were seasonal fruits and a small plate of dried fruits and melon seeds on the table. They were clean and fresh. Mrs. Xue looked her up and down, her eyes darkened, and then she smiled and asked her to eat the fruit.
Shi Yan nodded slightly, grabbed a dry lychee and held it in his hand. He calmly told her about Huanzhu getting wet in the rain, wiping his hair and drinking ginger soup in the kitchen.
It's hard for her to have such delicate thoughts to think about others. Mrs. Xue paid more and more attention to her pure and kind-hearted nature. She nodded her chin and said, "It's as it should be. I don't lack people here for a while. Just let her go."
After the words fell, Shi Yan smiled slightly, and Shuyu pushed the door in holding a lacquered tea tray, and first offered a cup of Mingqian Laojunmei and Mrs. Xue to drink.
Mrs. Xue held it in her hand and smelled the faint fragrance of the tea soup. Her eyes fell on Shi Yanwei's thin shoulders and asked: "You have been taking the medicine for these three months. I think you are in good health." Do you remember what happened before?"
Shuyu has been serving Mrs. Xue since she was a child, and she is Mrs. Xue's customary first-class personal maid. At that time, Mrs. Xue did not ask her to step aside, so she stood beside Mrs. Xue and waited quietly without moving an inch.
Shi Yanwei frowned slightly when he heard the words, his eyes were dim, as if he was upset about this, and he lowered his head and said: "Mrs. Lao is worried about me, my son (a woman in the Tang Dynasty called herself) is all well. It's just what happened in the past, now. I can’t remember it at all, but I don’t know why.”
Mrs. Xue asked her casually without intending to, but she didn't expect it to arouse her worries. She immediately put down the celadon tea bowl in her hand, took her hand and comforted her: "It's okay if you can't remember. You should have everything in your house anyway. Just live in peace."
Shi Yan nodded slightly in agreement, and the two chatted again. Mrs. Xue suddenly remembered something, and looked at her carefully again, "You are only eighteen years old, why are you dressed so plainly? There are some things in my body that have not been used for many years. I’m afraid the hairpin will become ashes, so giving it to you can be considered a good use.”
After saying this, Shi Yanwei refused, turned to look at Shu Yu beside him, and calmly ordered her to fetch something and bring it to him.
Not long after, Shuyu came in holding the mahogany mother-of-pearl makeup box that Mrs. Xue mentioned, and Duixue came in behind her holding a silver-backed bronze mirror.
Shuyu held the makeup box in front of the two of them, and Mrs. Xue immediately ordered Shuyu to open the box. The box full of jewels was immediately revealed, dazzlingly.
Mrs. Xue pointed to the makeup box and said, "Just pick out a few that suit your taste and take them back."
Shi Yanwei had never seen such a battle before. He lowered his eyes and looked at the shining gold hairpins and jewelry. After feasting his eyes, he felt that they were like hot potatoes.
It's not the New Year's Day, and I haven't done anything special recently, so I really don't know why Mrs. Xue is like this.
"As the saying goes, there is no reward for no merit. I have always been stupid and have never done anything for the family. I completely rely on the shadow of my late brother and the wishes of Mrs. Sanlang. I only get two taels of monthly money every month. I feel ashamed. How can I do it?" Don’t accept such precious things again.”
How could Shi Yanwei know that her polite rejection would actually make Mrs. Xue value her more and more. Mrs. Xue liked her for her good looks and the fact that she was from the Hongnong Yang family. Seeing that she was so knowledgeable and knowledgeable , I love it more and more in my heart.
"Look, I just said one thing, but this little lady came up with a basket of words to block my words." Mrs. Xue joked with Shuyu and Duixue, and then cast her kind eyes on Shi Yan Wei's face was full of smiles.
"They are just ordinary old things. They are not worth a few bucks. Why should Mrs. Yang refuse like this? Your brother gave up his life for Erlang, leaving only you as a sister. I treat you like my granddaughter. It's not an exaggeration. But don't refuse anymore, or I will get annoyed with you."
Shuyu took the mirror from Duixue and joked with others according to Mrs. Xue's words: "Since Madam Tai said so, Mrs. Yang should not be polite, just pick it up and take it."
Seeing that there was no way to escape, Shi Yanwei had no choice but to bite the bullet and pick out the most simple-looking silver butterfly hairpin under the gaze of the three of them.
Unexpectedly, after seeing the silver butterfly hairpin, Mrs. , to make that black silver so light and flexible, it requires a skilled master to spend a lot of time and thought. It takes three or two months to make such a piece, which is very rare. I think her skin is fair, Her eyes are bright, and this is the perfect hairpin to wear at that time. Hurry up and wear it with her so I can take a look."
Shu Yu responded with a smile, took the silver butterfly hairpin from Shi Yanwei's hand and put it into her bun. She clicked her tongue twice and then turned sideways to Mrs. Xue and joked: "What a pretty fairy. , Madam, are we at Toad Palace?"
Mrs. Xue comes from the Xue family in Hedong. Her name is Ling Yun. Although the Xue family is not as good as the five surnames and Qiwang, she has been favored by the court since the Three Towns Rebellion because of her advocating martial arts and frequent generals. , many people in the clan served as military officers. If this were not the case, Song Gong, who was born in the military, might not be able to ask to marry her.
Xue Lingyun has been a famous beauty in the North since she was young. She has seen all kinds of beauties in her decades of life. However, a woman like Shi Yanwei who gave her the feeling of "Autumn water is the god and Qionghua is the bones"... It's rare.
Even without that radiant beauty that moved Bei Di, Mrs. Xue still felt her eyes closing tightly when looking at her.
"Although they are naughty words, they are rare to meet the occasion. Let's get two more flower and tree hairpins and tie them into her hairpins." Mrs. Xue said as she made a gesture with her eyes, making a pile of snow and holding a bronze mirror to look at Shi Yanwei, while Shu Yu went to get it. A gilt hairpin came out and was inserted diagonally into her hair.
Shi Yanwei didn't feel that there was anything special about herself in the mirror compared to usual, except that the silver butterfly hairpin in her hair was really beautiful. You couldn't tell much just by putting it there, but it seemed to come to life when it fell among the black hair. General, lifelike.
"It's Er Niang's birthday in two days. She only had hair extensions last year, so I just thought of setting up a family dinner for her. You can pick out some of your favorites and take them back, and wait until Er Niang's birthday. You should also dress up and come over to have some fun."
It was originally for Song Qinghe's birthday party. According to Mrs. Xue's love for her, and for the dignity of her granddaughter, it is not surprising that she would give some jewelry to this guest at the table. Shi Yanwei did not doubt that he was there, and stood up and crossed his hands to express his gratitude to Mrs. Xue.
"The Madam's kindness is appreciated by me. It's just that I don't go out much, and I don't often wear jewelry. If the Madam rewards me too much, wouldn't I have to let them eat ashes in another world? If I don't have chicken feathers to ring the copper bell, all my efforts will be in vain. . Look at it, this silver butterfly hairpin is very good and doesn’t need anything else.”
Although she declined, she was relieved by Shi Yanwei's witty words. Mrs. Xue laughed loudly after hearing this. After all, she didn't force anything on her and just asked her to wear the two flower and tree hairpins together.
Shi Yanwei readily agreed and was about to sit back when he suddenly heard a maid outside pass the door through the door saying that Madam Grandma was here. He changed his mind and said goodbye to Mrs. Xue. He walked to the door and met her face to face. After the two saluted each other, they passed each other.
This ancestral lady is Jiang Lan, the concubine of Song Sanlang and Song Yu. She comes from the Fanyang ancestral family, and her family is of eleventh rank.
The Zu family was also a famous family in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties. Ancestor Zu Ti was a famous general in the two Jin Dynasties. In the former dynasty, the style was a bit weaker, and the basic power was not as good as before. Most of the clan members were officials in the northern area, and few were high-ranking officials in the imperial court. member.
"Grandma, I wish you all the best." Zu Jianglan was wearing a printed crimson shirt, a red and green seven-pleat chest-length skirt, and a seven-pin flower hairpin crown on her high bun. Shi Shiran sat down opposite Mrs. Xue. Putting your hands together on your knees, you look dignified and graceful.
"Mr. Lang has been busy with affairs recently. He arrived at home at the second watch last night. Tomorrow Maozheng will go with Erlang to Jinyang to inspect military affairs. He is not allowed to come in person to explain to everyone. I will come here to let grandma know."
Mrs. Xue thought that the day after her eldest daughter was the birthday of Erniang, she lowered her eyes and thought for a while, then slowly moved the Buddhist beads in her hand: "Taiyuan to Jinyang is only about fifty miles away. We will leave at Maozheng tomorrow, and we will be back at night the day after tomorrow."
Zu Jianglan pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Sanlang told my son that there is nothing important and he can return in two days. Yi'er thinks that Erniang will be home before noon on the day of her birthday."
As Zu Jianglan expected, Song Heng and Song Yu rushed back from Jinyang on the morning of Song Qinghe's birthday.
Song Yu first went to the bathroom to take a bath, and asked Eleven Niang to be gentle for a while, then asked for hot water to be brought in, cleaned her up, and took a nap with her.
Song Heng has no wife or concubines. There are only two honest maids and a concubine in the courtyard to serve him. At this moment, he is handling military affairs in the study. Cui Lao does not dare to enter, only Shanglu and Jubai are left in the corridor. Alternately waiting for dispatch.
About two hours later, Song Heng ordered orange and white to prepare water. After taking a bath, he stepped into the room wearing a grape-patterned purple lapel robe, a turquoise, gold and jade leather belt across his waist, and black leather Liuhe boots. Cui Lao saw him come in. , went to fetch a purple gold crown inlaid with white jade to tie his hair.
I was fully dressed for a while, the sun was setting outside the window, the sunset was like fire, the wind was blowing the green leaves, and the half-open red window let in the fragrance of flowers.
Song Heng stood up from the pear wood chair and was instantly taller than Cui Yu. Moreover, he carried a chilling aura that had been on the battlefield for a long time, which could invisibly give people a sense of oppression.
Ju Bai and Shang Lu have been in his courtyard for several years, but every time they serve him, they still feel a little frightened and need to be very alert, for fear of making a mistake and making him unhappy.
To this day, when I think of the day three years ago when the master was so angry that he beat the boy next to the second master to death, Shang Lu would feel frightened.
Cui Yu gave them both a look. Ju Bai was the first to understand and brought over the birthday gift prepared by the head of the family for Er Niang.
"Have you got everything ready?" Song Heng asked lightly.
Phytolacca lowered his head and respectfully answered yes.
Song Heng hummed softly and stepped out of the threshold.
Walking through flowers and willows all the way, you come to a winding corridor. Just turn around the screen door at the end of the corridor, and walk more than a hundred steps forward to Mrs. Xue's Bamboo Residence.
Song Heng was about to take a few steps out of the screen door when he suddenly saw a tall girl approaching. She was actually the girl he had met in the rain that day.
Different from the plain and simple dress when we first met, she looked quite radiant today. If she hadn't been holding a red lacquer food box in her hand, she would have looked like a noble lady from a high family.
Song Heng was secretly puzzled and slowed down unconsciously.
