Fu Qionghua said, stood up and greeted Fu Xuzhi, "Tell your little sister to take good care of her. Let's have a meal first."
"Look at these dishes. I know you liked some of them when I returned to Beijing. I specially asked the accompanying chef to make them. Try them, Xuzhi. Do they taste good?"
She finally saw her son, and she was naturally happy. How could she take Xie Shu, an outsider, into her heart, so she changed the subject with a smile, pulled Fu Xuzhi to sit down, and picked up the chopsticks to pick up a piece. Put the sweet-scented osmanthus, glutinous rice and lotus root on the plate in front of Fu Xuzhi.
With a smile on her face, Xie Yan also sat down next to Fu Qionghua, but she secretly looked at Fu Xuzhi, her cousin.
Cousin Xu comes from a high family. Although he is the second son of the eldest son of An Guo Gongfu, his eldest cousin was born prematurely. The root of the disease was planted in his mother's womb. He was weaker than ordinary people since he was a child. He has often been sick in these years. His body could not bear the heavy responsibility of being the heir apparent of Duke Anguo, so even though he was the eldest son of the eldest son, his uncle never handed over the invitation to the palace for the title of heir apparent.
She heard from her mother that her grandmother, Mrs. Wei, secretly wanted to make cousin Xu the heir apparent. However, after all, I was concerned about the thoughts of my eldest grandson and eldest daughter-in-law, so I kept delaying and did not put this matter on the table. But there are many people in the house who are good at guessing people's hearts. Even if they don't say anything, they don't understand in their hearts that in the future, the position of the heir apparent will definitely fall to the second son, Cousin Xu.
Not to mention, Cousin Xu is the prince's companion when he urinates. If the prince ascends the throne in the future, he will be a real minister of the emperor. The benefits he can bring to Anguo Duke's palace are not comparable to that of a sickly older cousin.
Xie Yan was thinking in her mind, and she felt that Cousin Xu was better than the other young men she had met since she was a child. No wonder her mother loved Cousin Xu, her natal nephew, so much. She often talked about how good Cousin Xu was. How to be valued by the prince, how to be liked by her grandmother and uncle, even her direct daughter felt that her mother was partial.
However, she also understands that her mother married her father at a low age. Although she has never said a single regret over the years, her mother has always felt that the Xie family's family status is a bit lower, so she has always shown it in front of outsiders. She put on the airs of Anguo Gongfu's aunt to prevent others from looking down on her. If cousin Xu is successful and can become a close minister of the emperor in the future, then the Xie family will be able to follow suit, right?
Fu Xuzhi was a little uncomfortable with such closeness, but he couldn't resist his aunt's kindness. He thanked him, picked it up with chopsticks, took a bite, nodded and said, "It tastes good."
In fact, he didn't like these sweet and glutinous foods very much, but because his mother liked it, he gave it to his grandmother last time. Maybe his aunt happened to see it and thought he liked it, so she misunderstood.
After hearing this, Fu Qionghua didn't think much about it, and smiled and gave him the side dishes.
Fu Xuzhi stopped him in a gentle voice: "Xuzhi can do it by himself. How can I ask my aunt to take care of me as a junior?"
Aunt Kang saw that her wife was too enthusiastic, and the young master felt a little uncomfortable. She hurriedly went over to serve the three of them. She smiled and said, "My aunt hasn't seen the family for a long time, and she suddenly felt sad after seeing her. How happy I am, I think that the old lady who is far away in the capital must also be thinking about my aunt, my biological daughter, and this time I can be reunited in Beijing."
Fu Qionghua also knew that he was too eager and made the child uncomfortable, so he asked Aunt Kang to do some work.
After hearing what Aunt Kang said, Xie Yan looked at Fu Xuzhi with a smile and asked, "I heard from my mother that it will be my aunt's birthday in a few days. I haven't been in the capital since I was a child. Although I spent a few days with my aunt when I went back to the capital, , but I don’t know my aunt’s preferences, and I don’t know what birthday gift to give her. Can my cousin tell me?”
Hearing this, Fu Xuzhi smiled and said, "My mother doesn't need anything in the Duke's Mansion, and my cousin is a junior. It's okay to give her something to show your appreciation. There's no need to be too nervous."
After hearing this, Xie Yan asked curiously: "Then cousin, what birthday gift are you going to give to your aunt?"
Fu Xuzhi said warmly: "Since it's a birthday gift, I want to give my mother a surprise, so why don't I say it now?"
Xie Yan couldn't help but curled her lips and said: "Cousin Xu is really stingy. If you don't say anything, you won't say anything. I think cousin Xu's filial piety towards my aunt must be very valuable. Naturally, to my aunt, my cousin is No matter what you give, my aunt thinks that it is the best birthday gift from my cousin, and it cannot be compared to outsiders like us."
As Xie Yan said this, she did not see Fu Qionghua, whose smile froze for a moment because of her words.
If Fu Qionghua, the aunt of Duke Anguo, was the most disliked person in her life, the Zhou family was definitely the only one.
Listening to Fu Xuzhi calling Zhou's mother, and preparing so carefully for Zhou's birthday gift, she felt very unhappy, as if there was a stone pressing down on her, making her panic.
Even if she had known that Zhou's birthday was coming soon, Fu Xuzhi, as her son, would definitely prepare gifts, but seeing this scene with her own eyes, she found that she still couldn't accept it.
Seeing her wife's expression change, Aunt Kang hurriedly tugged on her sleeve without leaving any trace, and said with a smile: "Look at our eldest girl, she is really a sensible person. She and our wife wanted to go to the same place. Along the way , Madam is also thinking of preparing a birthday gift for the eldest lady."
After hearing this, Fu Xuzhi raised his head, looked at Fu Qionghua, and said with a hint of intimacy in his tone: "Thank you, Xuzhi, for thinking of my mother."
Hearing this, Fu Qionghua's eyes suddenly filled with tears. She was afraid of exposing her flaws and making Fu Xuzhi suspicious, so she quickly smiled and said, "Xuzhi, please don't be so polite to me. I am from Anguo after all." Although she has been married away from home for these years, she is still thinking about the Duke's mansion in her heart."
Fu Qionghua said, with a bit of sobs in his voice. He wiped the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief and said with a smile: "Let's not talk about this anymore. After all, we are almost in the capital now and we can go back soon."
Fu Xuzhi felt vaguely that there was something wrong with his aunt, but he didn't ask any more questions.
My aunt is married far away, and the Xie family's family status is not as good as that of An Guo Gongfu. It can only be called a poor family. I must have suffered a lot of grievances in the Xie family over the years. Otherwise, she would not miss Guo Gong's mansion so much and do so. Emotions are exposed.
He had heard from his grandmother about the things that his aunt had caused to marry into the Xie family, so he didn't have any trouble in his heart. After he got what he wanted, he had to bear what he deserved. How could he do that? All occupied?
Besides, even if there is something, it is not something that his nephew can ask in detail.
If my aunt had any grievances, she should go back to the Duke's Mansion and tell her grandmother privately.
Because of this episode, the atmosphere during the meal was somewhat awkward. After all, although they were aunt and nephew, they could not get close to each other all of a sudden after not seeing each other for many years. So after Fu Xuzhi finished his meal, he said that His Highness had something to do and it was not easy to delay, so he said goodbye and left.
Although Fu Qionghua was reluctant to part with him, he also knew that he had important errands. Besides, he didn't know how to get along with his son at the moment. Being too close would make his son uncomfortable, so it would be better to ask him to leave first to feel more comfortable.
She watched her son leave, then turned her head and nodded Xie Yan's forehead, saying: "Why are you mentioning your aunt so well? The Duke's Mansion has the rules of the Duke's Mansion, so I have to wait for that day to get this birthday gift. from."
Xie Yan was scolded by Fu Qionghua for a while, and she showed a bit of grievance on her face, and said impatiently: "The Duke's mansion is prestigious, and our Xie family is not poor and shady. I am his cousin. How can I not even ask him a question?" ?”
"What happened to my mother today? I just made my second sister so embarrassed. Now my mother is going to do this again. Who can I complain to?"
As Xie Yan said this, she turned away and ignored Fu Qionghua.
Aunt Kang said quickly: "Look at what the eldest lady said, I really misunderstood the madam. In her heart, the madam only cares about our eldest lady. She was afraid that the eldest lady would ask too many questions and make the cousin think that the eldest lady was more lively, so she Just a word of advice for the girl."
"This capital city is no better than outside. The girls from this noble family have very stable temperaments. They are not as lively as the girls."
Xie Yan curled her lips, turned to Fu Qionghua and said, "I am a serious cousin of Duke An Guo. As long as my grandmother doesn't dislike me, who dares to say anything?"
Fu Qionghua smiled and touched his daughter's hair, but he had various thoughts in his heart, but it was hard to express them to his daughter.
...
in the house
When Xie Shu heard the word "lying", she was startled, and she quickly whispered back: "I don't dare, little girl."
Xiao Yan raised his eyebrows: "Then you don't know who Gu is now?"
Xiao Yan looked at her and said, "Since you have a maternal family like Anguo Gongfu, you can't be so stupid."
After he finished speaking, Xie Shu knew that she could no longer pretend to know his identity, so she could only take a step back and bow to the person in front of her: "I have met His Highness the Crown Prince."
Because she had been standing for a long time, her legs were now a little numb. When she saluted, she endured the discomfort and made a dignified posture without losing etiquette.
Xiao Yan looked at her and saw that a thin layer of sweat broke out on her forehead in a short while, and then said: "Get up."
Although he said this, Xie Shu saw that his eyes became colder and colder, and the majesty of the person in power around him became more and more compelling.
Before he could speak again, Mr. Xie said with a wink, "I have never seen His Highness today. I am willing to swear an oath. If I tell anyone, I will call you..."
Xiao Yan raised his eyebrows: "I haven't finished speaking yet, but you are impatient."
Xie Shu closed her mouth in anger, not knowing what to say. She felt that Xiao Yan was even more difficult to get along with than she had seen in the Buddha beads.
At that time, I just felt that the Holy Heart was unpredictable and accompanied you like a tiger. Now I felt that Xiao Yan had a really bad temper when he was the prince. No wonder he had such a bad reputation in the capital.
Xie Shu thought in her heart, but naturally she did not dare to reveal her thoughts at all.
Seeing her obedient look, Xiao Yan changed the subject and said casually: "Since I am going to the Buddhist hall to offer scriptures, can I bring the scriptures with me?"
This time he fell ill, but he calmed down so quickly and slept for a while, which was unprecedented before. He felt very strange in his heart, but he didn't know why.
Could it be that the woman in front of him used some incense to soothe his headache. If so, everything close to her must also be stained with this fragrance. Why don't you stay and let the people below have a good time checking it out.
Xie Miao didn't know Xiao Yan's intention, but she was very obedient and took the two scriptures on the table and handed them to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan stretched out his slender white hands, took the two scriptures she handed over, opened them and took a look at them, and said: "The writing is good, but the paper used to copy the scriptures is a little too sloppy. Aren't you afraid of being disrespectful to the Buddha?"
Xie Shu glanced at Xiao Yan secretly, sighed softly in her heart, and muttered: "She only has three or two months of silver every month. How can she afford good paper? Buddha probably won't blame her, but will be considerate." her."
Come to think of it, Prince Xiao Yan has been a member of the royal family since he was a child, and he doesn't know how much ordinary people spend.
Xie's face was full of respect, but Xiao Yan suddenly smiled and said: "That's all, this word is so well written, don't bury it. I will reward you with ten pieces of porcelain blue paper and a box Ni Jin, if you copy it again, it will be an apology to Chong Cang Gu."
As he spoke, he called Eunuch Cui in and gave a few words. Eunuch Cui took the order and went down to make arrangements. Before leaving, he looked at Mr. Xie with a slightly strange look.
As for Xie Shu, she couldn't believe her ears. It took her a long time before she replied: "My handwriting is poor and I dare not smear His Highness's eyes."
Xiao Yan looked over: "Are you saying that you are blind and can't see good or bad?"
Xie Shu's words were stuck in her mouth, so she had no choice but to thank her body and accept the order: "I will definitely copy it well to satisfy His Highness."
Xiao Yan nodded: "Well, there is nothing to do here, you can go ahead."
Xie Shu didn't want to stay with the prince Xiao Yan for a moment, but she was still thinking about Qingdai and asked in a low voice: "Your Highness, your servant..."
Xiao Yan glanced at her and waved his hand: "Go down, don't bother me with trivial matters!"
Xie Shu felt blessed, turned around and retreated.
When leaving, Xie Shu took away the frightened maid Qingdai, as well as a box containing porcelain blue paper and gold.
After she left, Eunuch Cui pushed the door open and came in. He happened to see His Highness holding a scripture in his hand, put it to his nose and smelled it.
Eunuch Cui stepped forward and reported what he found to his master.
After a moment of hesitation, he continued: "Today's incident was probably a coincidence, but I was wondering why His Highness calmed down so quickly. In the past, His Highness had severe headaches and must have lost his mind. How could His Highness still sleep like this time?" For more than an hour. Is there anything different about Miss Xie?"
"Or, it's the incense used by Miss Xie, which can just soothe His Highness and alleviate His Highness's headache. If this is the case, it will be a good thing to meet him at Fu'an Temple in Beijing this time."
Xiao Yan casually handed the scripture in his hand to Eunuch Cui and ordered: "Send someone to check, what kind of fragrance is on this?"
...
