Chapter 8 chapter eight

Everyone knows that Xie Shunhui has been hanging around in the "Begonia Courtyard" recently, singing and singing every night. Speaking of it, quite a few people shook their heads and sighed. But the reality is not quite as everyone imagined.Shen Qingyue seemed to be bored sitting in her boudoir and tuning the guqin, unlike the usual make-up when she was about to be out, but the relative sobriety was also meticulously groomed.It was her little girl with sharp eyes who happily raised her voice: "Girl, Mr. Xie is here." Shen Qingyue got up with a smile and said, "It's amazing, you are a rare visitor now." Xie Shunhui cupped his hands generously: "I'll give you Congratulations. But I don't know that Ms. Shen is full of expensive guests all day long, I want to make an appointment for a drink today, but I can't wait for half a month." Shen Qingyue beckoned him to sit down, and at the same time took the little maid to hold it Put the tea cup on the table lightly: "Wait a moment, after a while, when the tea leaves are stretched, I will refill the other half of the water for you, so that you can live up to it." Then, with a soft smile, " In fact, I don’t want you to wait, I haven’t been out of the game very much recently. Seeing that the day of departure is approaching, right now it’s just a matter of eating and drinking with the benefactors of these years, and saying goodbye.” ——Everyone Knows It is said that Miss Shen Qingyue's doom is already at an end, and she has met a master who is willing to redeem her body.The official was originally from Nanjing, and his family could be called a wealthy businessman.Originally, I came to Huizhou to discuss a business deal with someone. I saw Miss Qingyue on the flower wine table, and from then on I realized that there really is such a thing as "following dreams" in the world.After two or three years, she finally redeemed Shen Qingyue's body, and will bring her back to Nanjing soon.

Xie Shunhui got up and walked to the window, suddenly he paused and said: "How many times have I told you that there are no paintings on the wall facing the window, so I don't listen." Shen Qingyue said helplessly: "The official in my family insisted on I hang it here, what can I do to him? You let me tell him that no matter how good the painting is, it can’t compare to the real scene, and he won’t listen to it.” Xie Shunhui also smiled and said: “Now you are really three obediences and four virtues.” See you again There is a piece of flower paper under the inkstone, and the teeny-headed small script is blooming like jasmine, and there is only a seven unique poems, titled "Ode to the Willow": "In the past, Zhang Taiwu had a slender waist, and let you climb and fold the tender branches. From now on, write Danqing Here, don’t allow the east wind to waver.” He sighed and said, “I don’t know who is suffering from lovesickness, and you have to take such pains to refuse him.” Qingyue said: “Over the years, people here are used to the fact that there is a man in the Begonia Courtyard. I'm here—now I'm going out of the blue, and it's normal for someone to be sad." Then he gave Xie Shunhui a look of feigned anger, "It's you, who said you came to say goodbye to me, thinking I didn't know, and I'm afraid there will be no one in the south courtyard today. You just remembered that my north side is still empty." Xie Shunhui said awkwardly: "Who said there is no one in the south courtyard? I specifically told the other side that I would come to see you no matter what. There is one more thing I want to ask you. "Qingyue spat: "Ask me for something! What is fickleness and ungratefulness? That's it."

"I don't know if you've heard of it. A few months ago, there was a prominent family named Tang in Xiuning. Their widowed housewife took advantage of the old lady's birthday to entertain the widows who kept festivals in the surrounding villages. I promised their family He helped them write an article "Ode to a Banquet of Widows" and presented it to the magistrate of Xiuning County—unexpectedly, the magistrate of Xiuning County happened to send someone to compile a collection of articles that praised the customs of his county. Compiled this The collectors insist on inscribing a poem for each article—I have read the poem they inscribed on my "Ode to the Banquet of Hundred Widows", it is so vulgar, if it is really included, it will dirty my pen and ink Then I remembered you—you write a poem for me, and I will give you a virtual man’s name, and it will be done.” Qingyue was shocked and said: “Thank you for thinking it out! Let me write a poem for the chaste woman ——If it spreads out, it’s strange not to make people laugh.” “You know what I know, who else can spread it. I originally wanted to write it myself—but your poems have always been clever and clear, and they are used here. It's absolutely unmistakable." "Forget it." Qingyue smiled cheerfully, "Those chaste women can't figure out the thoughts of people like us, but it's easy for us to figure them out." Xie Shunhui quickly echoed: "That's Naturally - you should take pity on them, how can they live such a happy life like you." Qingyue's eyes flashed a trace of sadness: "This is really meaningless." For a moment, Xie Shunhui also knew that he had made a slip of the tongue, I was anxious to talk about him from left to right, but felt that everything I said seemed too deliberate.Reluctantly, she had no choice but to lower her head and fiddle with Qingyue's qin, and said with a smile: "From now on, I will often think about your "Yangguan Sandie"." Qingyue said quietly: "After we have a few drinks, I will talk about it again." Play it for you."

For a while, the little maid brought wine and a few delicate dishes, and the two sat down. Shen Qingyue served him dishes as usual. Xie Shunhui asked: "This time when I go to Nanjing, do I follow him back to his mansion, or Put you in the other house?" Qingyue was silent for a moment: "I didn't ask about it, let him arrange it." "There's a difference here." Xie Shunhui put down his glass, "Anyway, going to their house is better than being here. , I have to be a low-key girl—it’s hard work for you to say it.” “I’ll be careful.” Qingyue hadn’t drunk yet, but her eyes were already filled with drunkenness, “You too, don’t think you’re always planning for others, In fact, you are the one who makes people worry the most. Listen to my persuasion, over there in the South Courtyard, just play around and forget about it. " Xie Shunhui smiled without saying a word, and drank another cup by himself, but Qing Yue He didn't mean to change the subject, "A person's affection is strong and affectionate, and it's all brought out of the mother's womb. You, your affection is too strong-even if you mix in 70% of the water, it is enough for ordinary people to last a lifetime. The one in the South Courtyard ——wasn’t he Xiaodan who played the role of Guanyin in the Qimen Mulian team before—he is not like us who grew up here and have been in the arena for so many years. It was their leader who sold him in to pay off his gambling debts. Those who become monks halfway are even more ruthless. You can't help but like him, and no one can say anything—just, don't spend too much money on him. Except for me, no one else can say this. "

"I know you are doing it for my own good." He said in a muffled voice, "Before I leave, I will give you my own inkstone. You also know that the She inkstone is good. Take it and use it to write all day long, just as if it was our Huizhou inkstone. This group of friends is still with me." "I still remember." Qingyue sighed, "Five years ago, you shamelessly hugged me to choose 'Huizhou Bayan'. At that time, I followed you nonsense all day long, but I don't know how much happy." "It's because we have no face that you only won the 'Tanhua'; if our face is bigger, the oiran will be yours."

"At the beginning, some of those people died, and some were no longer in Huizhou. I thought that you were still here no matter what—but I didn't expect that it was me who was going to leave." Qingyue looked into his eyes, " I still remember that you brought a friend from the capital back then who knew how to write plays..." "Oh, you said Mr. Tang." Xie Shunhui smiled, "He has already left the capital, resigned and returned to his hometown. In short, he is not very happy." "Where can you make a proud friend." Qingyue teased him, "But I have seen Mr. Tang's new play, it is really beautiful, "The Peony Pavilion" - have you seen it? There is a libretto in it, I don’t know why, after hearing it, I think of you.”

"Which one?" "Love doesn't know where it started, it goes deeper and deeper." They all laughed.Outside the window, the moonlight is like water. These days, Lianqiao has been living in the fear of restlessness.This fear was indescribable and unspeakable, but like a living creature, it always jumped out maliciously when she just felt relaxed and happy.This reminded her of that year, when she suddenly realized that she hadn't reached her red tide—but she was young at the time, and she always felt that death was a big deal, but now it is different, the two children are still young, and even "death" is not for her For mothers, it is a luxury.

But she still had to step into the threshold of the Tang family's house, and then nonchalantly hand the pills to the maid in the old lady's room—finally, as in the past, led by Xiaoru, she walked into Ling Yang's door.Ling Yang's voice was not angry at first, but he turned his back to her and said calmly: "Close the door." Even in the past, when Lian Qiao was a maidservant, she had never heard Ling Yang talk to her in this way. "Let me ask you." Ling Yang turned around slowly, with a girlish smile on her face, "Have you ever heard those gossips?"

"Me." Lian Qiao said quietly, "I don't understand Madam, please explain clearly." Of course she was lying.The first time I heard those terrible gossips was about ten days ago, that was the beginning of Forsythia’s nightmare: She followed her husband to the pharmacy to look at the medicinal materials. Because of their acquaintance, the pharmacy owner took Dr. Go to the back warehouse to see some good stuff that is not easy to show.She was graciously let by the proprietress of the pharmacy to have tea in the house and talk about the children.They talked about a family whose child was born before full term, all because of the deficiency of energy and blood in the mother—then the proprietress of the pharmacy smiled mysteriously and said, "I don't know if I should say something, don't you?" Mind, anyway, you are no longer a servant of the Tang family, you should listen to the story." She vaguely felt that something was wrong, and before she had time to think about it, the woman in front of her couldn't hold back: "I heard people say—— — That lady of your Tang family said that she was the young lady who gave birth to her master's posthumous child, but in fact, that child is not Master Tang's at all, it's just a pre-term child, so she lied about it."

"How can you believe such words!" Lian Qiao felt a "buzz" in her head, and she stood up involuntarily, "The wife of the Tang family has been widowed since she was sixteen years old. A posthumous child—you are also a woman, you should know how difficult she is, what she cares most about is her own reputation, why do you still use this kind of dirty water to splash her!" "Look at you." The proprietress of the pharmacy is still calm, "What did I say? But it's just what I heard. I think you are a trustworthy person, so I tell you. It's just for fun. I don't know what other people think. But I was thinking, even if the rumors are true, I still feel that Mrs. Tang is not easy. After all, observing the festivals and waiting for the honor is the business of the rich, so what has it to do with the poor? For the sake of going down, which widow refuses to remarry? I have helped the neighbor’s widow to match the match. If I keep the archway for a lifetime, can I eat and drink or be used as a silver envoy? Just listen to it. Well, why are you really angry?"

So Lianqiao understood that this rumor was no longer a day or two.It's just that she never dared to think about the scariest thing - she remembered the day when Sister Wei was born - in order to deceive people, they always invited two doctors and prescribed two prescriptions at the same time.That day was still the same, the first doctor Hui Niang invited was the doctor who had been kept in the dark all this time. Whether it hurts or not—they invited Dr. Luo over in the middle of the night, and asked Dr. Luo to prescribe a prescription for the symptoms.Apart from the women in the offensive and defensive alliance in the mansion, only my husband knows that Sister Wei is not a month old.Once thinking of this lightly, Forsythia felt a burst of bone-piercing cold like hitting a pendulum.Whether the person next to her pillow is untrustworthy or not, she didn't even have the courage to ask him.Observing secretly, I felt that he was doing everything as usual, eating and drinking as usual, teasing the child, talking to her, and hugging her familiarly in the dark after the lights were turned off as always.She could touch his familiar skin as soon as she stretched out her hand. For some reason, this made her feel that something must have gone wrong, and it would not be this relative who betrayed her and them. "Have I told you?" Ling Yang still had no expression on his face, "Do it earlier, so as not to have long nights and dreams. The so-called long nights and many dreams refer to the current situation. Those messy words are not only passed on by the servants in the house, but also outside. People say that I didn't take it seriously when Xiao Ru came to tell me the first time, but later even Hui Niang couldn't sit still. I just want to ask you a question, have I told you that there will be today? "Her voice finally trembled, "Tell me, did I tell you?" Forsythia knelt silently.Weeping quietly. "Get up." Ling Yang smiled bleakly, "I'm not a statue in the temple, so you don't have to kneel down to me. Lianqiao, I've always regarded you as a relative, do you understand? Now go and tell us what we agreed on. It’s done, maybe it’s still too late, do you understand?” "I understand." Lian Qiao finally raised her face and looked at her, "But madam, he really promised me that he would never confide a word, I believe him." "How can you believe that he treated you in such a nasty way back then?" Ling Yang could hear the heart sinking hard in her chest - she had said this sentence over and over again, and she herself I also know that such a dialogue is too stupid and useless.But apart from these stupid words, there is really nothing to say. "Can you tell me the truth, Lianqiao, is there anything about him that you can't bear to part with?" Lian Qiao was stunned for a long while, then suddenly she seemed to have made up her mind: "Madam, please forgive me, the master left too early, Madam may not know what it's like to be rubbed together." Ling Yang sneered indifferently: "Forget it, if you insist on keeping his life, I really can't force you. Anyway, it's my own business, and I have to figure it out on my own. It's just Lianqiao, today you out of my With this door, our old friendship will be broken. You don’t have to come to see me even if you deliver medicine in the future, and you can go back to have a husband and a child, so that you can take care of yourself.” Forsythia suddenly felt her knees go limp, and she was paralyzed on the ground.Ling Yang looked at her hard, and finally turned his head.Forsythia just felt strange: why at this moment when she felt like she was collapsed, all she felt was relieved.She propped herself up and kowtowed deeply to Ling Yang's back: "Madam has treated me with great kindness, it is Lianqiao who is ungrateful, and Lianqiao has to repay it in the next life." She raised the back of her hand and quietly wiped away the tears hanging from her chin , There was something called "joy" in her heart, and she shed tears because this joy made her ashamed. Ling Yang didn't look back, the sound of the door closing sent a chill full of malice rolling down her spine.She couldn't believe that Lianqiao left so happily.She thought she would cry, she would beg, and she would explain a lot of nonsense to show her loyalty—Ling Yang actually just needed her to go through the motions.She was so impatient to go away—nasty stuff.Ling Yang cursed in his heart.Now I really think that I have become a good man.If he knew this earlier, he should have tied her to Shentan in the first place. Ling Yang clenched her fists again, she knew she was crying. At first, Hou Wu himself did not expect that the scheme, which sounded sinister and dirty, turned out to be unexpectedly simple to implement.He really wanted to invite Dr. Luo to drink, and he could only blame Dr. Luo for being greedy but not able to drink.But in detail, he also admitted that he couldn't say that he was completely unintentional—he had been with Hui Niang for so long, and now he had Wisteria again, but he had never heard anything about the mansion from the two of her—he pointed out that Of course, it is those things that are not on the table.Either the tone of the two of them was too tight, or they went astray.Beside Madam, he has no one to talk to - he originally planned to get close to that girl Xiaoru, but unfortunately just started, the maid avoided him as if she had seen a plague god.In desperation, he thought of Forsythia—after all, she is the real old man in front of his wife. Although she must avoid suspicion as a married woman, no one can stop him from being friends with the person next to her pillow. Dr. Luo was not a very wary person, and after drinking for three rounds, he began to get his heart out.When he drank too much for the first time, he lamented how rough his half life was; when he was half drunk the second time, he began to laugh and talk about the secrets of patients from various families;After three meals of wine, he had cut his head and neck with Hou Wu.It was an early autumn night with a brilliant moonlight—Lianqiao and the children were asleep in the house, and the two men were in the small courtyard, graciously persuading each other with the moonlight and the few dishes left. .Dr. Luo raised his glass with trembling hands: "Come again, I'm afraid, anyway, you will never get drunk." Then he drank it happily - without looking at whether Hou Wu finished drinking in the end. "My dear brother." He filled it up again for himself, "It seems that it is the Mid-Autumn Festival. After you have been away for so many years, have you ever gone back to your hometown to celebrate the festival with your mother?" Hou Wu smiled lightly: "After my father died, we My mother remarried within a few years. Aunt Hui treated me well. One year, she gave me a few days off during the Mid-Autumn Festival—what’s the point of going back? Half of the courtyard wall has collapsed, no one cares about it, weeds are growing everywhere..." His eyes were wet, but this time it was real. Doctor Luo also sighed again and again, and hurriedly said: "It's my fault. I caused you to talk about sad things. I will punish myself with a drink." After drinking, he said, "You don't know, but Brother Yu is in the same situation as you. I It was also a young man who lost his father, and his mother then married his uncle and gave birth to two sons and a daughter—the days were really miserable..." Hou Wu said very naturally: "That's why I felt in my heart, like A chaste woman like Mrs. Tang deserves to be respected." Hearing this, Doctor Luo smiled meaningfully.Hou Wu stared hard at this fleeting smile, his cheeks were scorched by alcohol, indeed he had never felt such pure ecstasy for many years.He held his breath and said nothing, he knew that he couldn't say anything wrong at this moment, if God was really on his side, the rest would just need to wait for it to happen.Doctor Luo then said: "Like Mrs. Tang, it is not easy to be widowed at such a young age, but whether it is worthy of respect or not is another matter. You are the most powerful person in the Tang family, I am not afraid to let you know ——At that time, Madam Tang's happy pulse only appeared more than two months after Master Tang passed away. It's just that Madam Tang's health is not good, and the young lady was born before full term, so it didn't arouse suspicion. At the beginning, I really thought this Miss can't survive, she is thin and small like a cat cub, she can't even cry when she first landed. Everyone said that this lady is blessed with great life, but whose child she is can't be sure Got it." Dr. Luo sighed, "I think back then, if the elders of the Tang clan hadn't forced my wife to commit suicide, Aunt Hui wouldn't have made such a plan to tell me that my wife had a happy pulse—speaking of Madam Tang I am also a hard-working person. Aunt Hui begged me desperately, so I agreed to help them lie. After all, it is to save a life in a crisis..." "Brother Luo is naturally a benevolent person." Hou Wu interrupted him, "I respect you As he spoke, he filled it again—after half an hour, Doctor Luo fell into a deep sleep, and when it was dawn, he didn't remember what he had said at all. Hou Wu thought for a long time, how to spread the words quietly, without dirtying himself—until one day, someone broke into a new boy and a young maid in the woodshed. Aunt Hui drove the two of them out together without saying a word.He randomly found an excuse to go out to do errands, and found the two desperate people in the suburbs.His savings over the years in the Tang family finally came in handy, and this pair of embarrassed mandarin ducks became his confidantes ever since. In early autumn, when the heat was still hot, Tang Sigong, one of the elders of the Tang clan, passed away.Funerals are naturally pompous.Because Tang Sigong's family is relatively poor, there is not enough manpower to deal with such a scene.In addition to sending money and funeral gifts to express condolences, each family also sent a few servants to take orders.Naturally, some wandering peddlers around would not miss this grand event—for example, those selling water and pulp would gather not far from the back door of Tang Sigong’s house, and the servants would come here every day to spend a few pennies to buy something to relieve fever. Soup and water.Among them was a young couple who sold mung bean heat-relieving soup. They liked to chat with everyone while doing business, especially when someone recognized them as the man and woman who were kicked out, which actually made everyone chat with them more enthusiastically. . In the middle of the night when the servants of each family can gather together, it is most suitable for telling ghost stories, and it is also suitable for spreading some exciting gossip.By the time the gossip reached the ears of Tang Jian's servants, it was too late, and the young couple disappeared immediately.After hearing this, the servants of Tang Jian's house who took turns scolded everyone for talking nonsense at first, but after hearing it three or four times, they excitedly joined the ranks of the discussion—while narrating vividly or adding some imaginary While explaining the details, he reminded the audience: "I'm done talking to you guys. If you spread the word, I will lose my job in the Lord's house..." After Tang Sigong's funeral was over, everyone felt that there was still more to say. One night, Wisteria told her husband in shock that someone was spreading very shameless words about his wife.Hou Wu blew out the lamp calmly: "Tomorrow morning, you and I will go back to understand Aunt Hui." In the darkness, Wisteria was quiet for a while, and then said: "You must have heard this, you haven't mentioned it to Aunt Hui?" Her man replied: "No. I haven't been to Aunt Hui's place for a long time." "Why is that?" He originally wanted to say to her: Now that I have you, I will not go to her again.But when the words came to his lips, they became: "Go to sleep. It's getting late." "This is the end of the matter, Xie wants Madam to tell the truth." Xie Shunhui's folding fan tapped his wrist lightly, "Who is the father of Miss Hu?" Ling Yang remained calm, his eyes fell on the opposite wall, and he just shook his head. Xie Shunhui sighed softly: "Madam herself also said that there are all kinds of dirty words outside. There are only a few men who can talk to Madam, and there are always times when outsiders say it - Madam told me As for the truth, you should tell me the truth, so that I can know what to do." Her fingers twisted the webbing of the belt, still looking indifferent. Naturally, Xie Shunhui was summoned in a hurry by Hui Niang, and the servants of the Tang family hurriedly delivered Hui Niang's letter to Haitang Yard.Xie Shunhui also knew that the situation was really bad at the moment, but he also persuaded Hui Niang that rumors were just rumors after all, and if there was no proof of death, if it was really like facing a big enemy, it would seem that he really had something to hide.His visit to Tang's house this time was just an ordinary visit like before, mainly to meet Master Chuan - he specially asked Hui Niang not to show panic in front of his servants.Hui Niang smiled helplessly: "I'm not so careless as to go to this field. Don't worry, I just told everyone that the day of Master Chuan's rural examination is approaching..." Now, the master's study is the best place for the three of them to discuss matters.Hui Niang casually lifted the covers from the chairs, and the dust flew in the fine sunlight. Ling Yang sat upright on the furniture left by her deceased husband, leaving a space on the right hand side familiarly, just like that After a while, people will open the door and come in.Hui Niang said: "Sit and wait for me first, I'll go and tell Wisteria to bring us tea." She smiled at Xie Shunhui, "I can't help it, even if Wisteria is married and takes care of the house, I still only care about these trivial things Trust her." Ling Yang lowered his eyes and remained silent.Xie Shunhui walked to the window in a calm manner with his hands behind his back.He turned his back to her, thinking that it would be less embarrassing for her to name that person.He didn't know that it was these unhurried steps that showed a little bit of fatigue.He is still handsome, but he is also getting old.Ling Yang smiled suddenly, and shook his head vigorously to himself: "Mr. Xie, don't embarrass me anymore." Xie Shunhui said calmly: "Madam, you still can't trust Xie?" "No." Ling Yang said, "I Can't say it." "Ma'am, don't panic about anything, remember to hold back until it is absolutely necessary." "Then, what is the last resort?" There was a warm smile in Xie Shunhui's voice: "If it's really a last resort, Madam will know of course, no one needs to remind me." "Mr. Xie...why are you willing to help me?" Ling Yang raised her face faintly with a smile, "For the sake of the reputation of 'chaste', I have already dared to do anything. At first, the master thought I was pitiful, but today , if you are as unscrupulous as me, will you still feel pitiful?" "Ma'am." He finally turned around, "Xie is not a merciful person. He doesn't eat fast and doesn't chant Buddha's name on weekdays. Seeing that Madam is trying so hard to perfect himself, Xie feels admiration, so he is willing to help. Madam, don’t think too much, I’m the first headstrong person—if it’s not something I’m willing to do, I won’t go even if it’s reading sage books and making a name for myself.” Suddenly there was another noisy footstep outside, and she heard a knock on the door, and then Xiaoru's voice came from outside the door: "Madam, hurry up and take a look, old lady, she..." She said "wow!" "The door opened with a sound, and Xiao Ru's voice seemed to be choked by the door. "You child." She said unhurriedly, "If something goes wrong, how can you get on the stage?" Then she turned around slowly, and said a blessing to Xie Shunhui, "Mr. Xie, I have to do it myself. Take a look in the old lady's room." Naturally, there was another circle of people outside the old lady's house, most of whom wanted to watch the excitement - the old lady herself had already been expertly tied up by several wives, but this time the old lady was quite different from her usual vicious appearance when she was sick, She looked around, her body twitching between the ropes, as if she could hide from the gaps in the ropes, her eyes were as bewildered as a child, and she kept saying: "I want to go back, I want to go back , let me go back..." The door lady put her arms around her shoulders from behind, and said patiently: "Old lady, we are at home, where are we going back?" She just shook her head carelessly and ignored it.Ling Yang slowly bent down in front of her, her heart pounding, unexpectedly, the old lady stared at her closely, but her face was completely devoid of the usual aggressiveness, she looked at Ling Yang, Lowering her hoarse voice, she said, "Women, tell them, I want to go home, and you take me home..." The tone was almost pleading, as if "Woman" was Ling Yang's name.Ling Yang ignored the faint snickers behind her, and gently touched the old lady's skinny cheeks: "Okay, old lady, I'll take you home. Let's drink the medicine first, then go home, you Are you okay?" Saying this, she gave the lady-in-law a wink, and the lady-in-law spotted the moment when the old lady was stunned, and stuffed a pill into the old lady's mouth. The old lady struggled and refused to swallow it. Hui Niang's voice sounded: "As long as I can't see it for a while, you will treat yourself as a dead person, right? What about people who cook medicine on weekdays..." Hui Niang's voice seemed to be able to call the wind and rain, and immediately there was a trembling The servant woman came out of the crowd holding a bowl of hot medicinal soup: "Don't worry, Aunt Hui, she was cooking medicine in the kitchen according to the schedule, but today the old lady fell ill, and it doesn't matter if the heat is not enough." How dare you just pour it down and drink it." "Quickly pour it down." Hui Niang ordered briefly, then glanced at the two women behind her and said, "If you don't want to swallow, pinch your nose." Seeing Madam Hui coming, the people around gradually dispersed, and only heard Master Chuan's concubine Mei Xiangjiao said: "Let me tell you, the old lady suddenly fell ill, it's not a good omen...don't Something is going to happen in our house." Ling Yang stood up and turned to her, and said with a sneer, "Which family's rule is this? When will you have the right to speak in the old lady's room?" Then she looked behind her The crowd asked, "Is Master Chuan at home? If not, who will call him back? Today I want Master Chuan to slap her on the mouth in front of me." For a moment, Mei Xiang's face turned ashen, and she retreated back with her hands down, Huiniang secretly He glanced at Ling Yang carefully and smiled knowingly. After the old lady was fed the medicine, she became quiet, but she kept repeating that she wanted to "go home", and she no longer recognized anyone else except Ling Yang, the "prostitute".Wisteria acted like a housekeeper, and dispersed the surrounding servants. She had seen her man come to the old lady's room the afternoon before to inspect the candles in people's rooms—since the fire in the neighbor Liu's house Afterwards, everyone in the family took special care of Huozhu—however, she didn't connect this incident with the old lady's sudden illness. No one wanted to admit it, but Mei Xiang's words were actually true - as to whether she was secretly complacent, it's unknown.That night, the third girl and the son-in-law came back in a hurry, saying that they were going to stay at their mother's house for a while.Wu Zhixian got into trouble in Qingzhou - the cause of the incident was that the Qingzhou prefect investigated and dealt with several Huizhou merchants who lived in Qingzhou, and confiscated their goods and bank transfers under a random name. Originally, Wu Zhixian did not intervene in this matter. Everyone understands that the prefect of Qingzhou only borrowed this name because money is tight.Unexpectedly, a merchant surnamed Cheng was investigated and dealt with because of all the goods that had just arrived, and all the cash on hand was put in. The shopkeeper Cheng was so angry that he vomited blood and died.Several Huizhou merchants joined together and complained to Wuzhi County. Everyone knew that Wuzhi County had been an official in Huizhou, and now it was promoted to Qingzhou.Wu Zhixian went to persuade the magistrate, but the magistrate became angry and ordered someone to copy some local products from Huizhou merchants from Wu Zhixian's residence, and stored them as physical evidence of "accepting bribes".Now, Wusha has been withdrawn from Wusha County, and the news is sent back to Huizhou. The eldest son and second son of Wuzhi County immediately went out to try to find a way out. The husband of the third girl is the youngest son, and one leg is not flexible. So he stayed at home and waited for the letter - the third girl came back to her mother's house to raise money for the affairs, and he came back with her. Hui Niang quickly ordered people to settle down her daughter and son-in-law, and then sat in the seedling house while sighing and weeping.In the way of my uncle, she didn't have a chance to talk to the third girl in private.I thought it was a good marriage, but I didn't expect to push the third girl into the fire pit within a few months of marriage.Ling Yang didn't know what to say, so she could only cry with Hui Niang. "How much money is needed for this kind of thing?" Ling Yang's expression at the moment was as dazed as when she was a girl, "Did the third girl tell you the exact number? What if our family can't get it?" Yun Qiao hesitated aside Said: "Third Miss brought so much dowry to their house, could it be that they have all been spent? Ordinarily, there is no reason to go back to her mother's house to ask for it, but if she really doesn't help at all, I am also afraid that Third Miss will not be good in other people's house." Be a man now." Niang Hui wiped the corners of her eyes: "Why didn't I think of this level? It's just that in front of my aunt, I don't want to inquire about the whereabouts of the dowry as soon as I open my mouth. There is no shame in it. If we talk about the extra money, our government will Not to mention that there is really no, even if there is, it is not easy to give it to him-no one knows how much it will take to get through all the joints, even if I am willing to throw money into this bottomless pit for nothing, I can’t account for the whole family.” Ling Yang took a deep breath: "I can't wait to talk about these convincing and unconvincing words!" Yun Qiao said with a smile: "Ma'am, Aunt Hui is very thoughtful. Even Madam and Master Chuan don't care about this, so there is no guarantee People say some ugly things, and besides, if things go on like this, if it really becomes a rule, it is really inappropriate." "Third Miss is waiting for these two or three hundred taels of emergency, you are still here worrying about decency, are you still from your mother's family?" Ling Yang Yang looked away angrily, and suddenly her eyes lit up, "Hui Niang, go ask Mr. Xie. I guarantee that Mr. Xie will borrow it, and we will pay him back after we have issued the IOU." A smug smile, "If it's really like what you said, he threw so much money into Haitang Yard all year round, why not lend it to us to save people, it's always a matter of virtue, and he can't refuse." After all, they almost The maids standing behind him all laughed. Hui Niang and Yun Qiao looked at each other, Yun Qiao said in a low voice: "That's the only way. You can't count on Hui Niang's sister's jewelry every time." Hui Niang sighed forcefully: "There is no better way. , It’s just that we really owe Mr. Xie a lot of favor.” “Not afraid.” Ling Yang said firmly, “Every time like this, Mr. Xie will find it interesting, and will not feel that he is doing good deeds.” Yunqiao laughed "puchi", but there was a wry smile on her face: "Our wife can't choke anyone to death when she speaks." Madam Hui also smiled and said, "This is called 'talking without words. Astonishing death'." After living in the Tang family's mansion for a few days, the new uncle revealed his true colors.To show politeness, Tang Pu invited him over to have a drink. From then on, Tang Pu stuck to Tang Pu like a sesame candy—every place where there was a lot of debauchery could not get rid of him.三五次之后，唐璞也学了乖，眼见着横竖是躲不过的，唐璞便索性减少了自己出门的次数，推说身子不适，哪知道这位姑爷看上去是个顽主，却是小心眼儿得很。见唐璞有推脱之意，便疑心病犯，在自己房里冲着三姑娘指桑骂槐，怨自己家如今落了难便遭人嫌弃，怨自己寄人篱下只得看岳家亲戚的脸色做人，怨唐家不仁不义眼看着亲家遭难却无动于衷，听说是谢先生启程回家拿银子之后再怨自己亲生爹娘坑苦了自己——娶回来一个绣花枕头一样的媳妇儿，看起来像是大家闺秀其实娘家穷得只剩下个空架子……每次怨天尤人的收场都是一样的方式——在深夜里独自喝到六七分醉再强按着三姑娘行房，他自己鼾声如雷的时候，三姑娘往往惨白着一张脸，像是玉雕的小人儿一样，独自枯坐至更深露重，没有一丝表情。 到了天明，当着旁人，这位姑爷倒是有纹有路，尤其是在令秧、蕙娘或是川少爷眼前，更是进退自如。三姑娘房里的丫鬟自然偷偷将夜里常发生的情形去回过了蕙娘，只是毕竟是夫妻间的私事，蕙娘也不好插手。只能趁姑爷不在的时候，悄悄去问女儿——谁也说不好，小时候那个性子倔强刚烈，一点儿委屈也受不得的三姑娘到哪里去了，如今任凭蕙娘说什么，她也横竖只是淡淡地一笑：“不劳娘操心了，我们过得很好。”眼神里也是一片漠然。蕙娘无奈，只能咬牙切齿地在令秧和云巧面前诉苦：“这孽障真是有的是法子来折磨我呀。早知如此当时缠足的时候就该打死她干净……” 虽然蕙娘看不到，却不代表三姑娘没有开心的时候。令秧应该是头一个注意到的，自打三姑娘回来，兰馨便容光焕发起来。令秧每天清早依旧去兰馨屋里写字，亲眼见到兰馨脸上的欢愉之色像涟漪那样在面庞上越发明显地波动。因为气色好，益发显得皮肤吹弹得破。“这下你可惬意了。”令秧安然地说，“三姑娘怕是要回来住上一阵子，有人来同你做伴儿了。”——说完了才后悔自己这话不甚得体，因为三姑娘毕竟不是开心地回娘家串亲戚的，眼下的状况，应该盼着三姑娘早些回去才对。不过也只有兰馨才不会觉得她这话有什么问题，兰馨悠然地一笑，不置可否，眼睛却跟着一亮，像是沉在水底的鹅卵石——即使静静的，也让人错觉跳脱灵动。有时候令秧在兰馨房里，赶上三姑娘进来找兰馨，虽说三姑娘依然沉默寡言，可是只要兰馨在场，她就有表情——神色依然安静，但不知为何，就是让人觉得欲言又止。于是令秧就觉得，自己此刻是不受欢迎的。她会很知趣地告辞离开，走出去几步，身后的门里便传出来她们二人的说笑声。这让令秧有一点儿失落，她跟云巧抱怨说，明明觉得跟兰馨已经那么好了，可是三姑娘一回来才发觉自己好像什么都不是。云巧讽刺地笑道：“我说夫人，你怎的忘记了自己是她婆婆呢？”令秧没有话讲，只得悻悻然地瞪了云巧一眼。 中秋节将至，每年八月都是令秧最喜欢的——按说唐家也到了阖府预备着过八月十五的时候了。可是今年不同以往。川少爷启程去应考了，八月初九，乡试第一场开考，一大早，令秧就领着全家人去庙里上香。一共要考三场，到八月十五才算结束，所以，这个中秋节，也就潦草地过去了。不过姑爷心里揣度的又是另外一层，他觉得唐家这个中秋过得如此简单，摆明了是做给他看的。一则是为了专门表示对他的嫌弃与怠慢，二则也许是为了向他展示，唐家真的不宽裕，讲不了那些排场——也因此，不是故意不借他银子。不凑巧的是，谢先生带信回来，他回歙县家中的时候正赶上他的幼子出水痘，他不能马上回唐家来，说好了耽搁一阵子再带着银子回来。于是，姑爷自然又觉得这门阔气亲戚是诚心要端个架子做些过场，满心的愤懑之气又成功地被勾了出来。倒霉的自然还是三姑娘。某日午后，三姑娘折至房中，将一个盛着银锞子的荷包放在她夫君面前，漠然道：“给你出去喝酒，省得在房里喝多了折磨我。”“你的银子从哪里来？”姑爷横着眉毛问道。“你别管，横竖只当我是从账房里偷的。”“你把我当作什么人了？”姑爷眼看着要跳起来，但是最终还是把荷包揣在怀里，慢吞吞地走出去，吩咐他的书童赶紧备马。 掌灯时分，令秧刚好读完了从兰馨那里借来的《大宋宣和遗事》里的第一辑，兰馨最初说过，这书浅显，又都是讲故事的，令秧一定能读得懂。这其实是令秧有生以来第一次捧着一本书从头到尾地读完。果不其然，兰馨说得没错，确实看得入了迷——读至最后一行的时候她心里甚至涌上来一种久违了的心满意足。她急着要到兰馨房里去还书，好把第二辑换回来，似乎一刻也等不得。小如在她身后颠着小碎步：“夫人，这点事打发我去不就完了吗，何必劳烦夫人自己跑一趟……”她转过脸，骄傲地皱眉道：“你懂什么，借书还书这种事情，若还打发丫鬟去，岂不是将雅兴全都败坏了？”这话还真的唬住了小如，她困惑地睁大眼睛——还是头一次从夫人嘴里听见“雅兴”这种词。夫人近来的兴致真是越来越难以捉摸了，不过罢了——小如甩甩头，总之，川少爷应考不在，此刻到川少奶奶房里去叩门应该还不算打扰。 没有想到，当她在门上轻叩几下，再推开的时候，迎面而来的，居然是兰馨的丫鬟那张仓皇的脸。“川少奶奶呢？”令秧心无城府地问道，“我是来换书的。”“夫人，少奶奶她有点不舒服。”这孩子可能真的不大擅长撒谎，“不然夫人明儿再来说话吧，夫人要什么书我去给夫人拿。”“你？”令秧也不顾小如在悄悄拽她的衣服，夸张地挑起眉毛，“你识字不成？不然你怎么给我找？她身子不舒坦更得叫我瞧瞧了，我那里有的是好药。”说着，绕过了屋里那道兰馨当年陪嫁来的玳瑁屏风，直直地冲着拔步床过去，准备掀开帐子：“何至于这么早就歇下了？知道你没睡着……” 帐子自己敞开了，兰馨只穿着中衣，身上凌乱地披着比甲，鬓角蓬松，整个发髻垂落到了右耳朵旁边，在令秧惊讶地看着她的瞬间，将赤裸着的双脚藏在了被子下面。令秧从没见过兰馨如此衣冠不整的时刻，可是她的脸却美得摄人心魄——这么多年了，令秧突然想起兰馨刚嫁进来的时候，阖府上下都拿她是个“木头美人儿”来开玩笑。她们都强调着“木头”的部分，却一直齐心协力地不肯正视“美人儿”这几个字。三姑娘徐徐地从兰馨身边坐起来，只系了一条抹胸。三姑娘微微一笑，不慌不忙道：“这么晚了，实在没料到夫人会过来。” 小如在她身后悄声说：“夫人，咱们赶紧回去了。” 其实令秧并不大明白她究竟撞到了什么，只是模糊觉得，小如是对的。兰馨的眼光落在了她手里的书上，随即大方地起身，穿着睡鞋去屋角的架子上拿了第二辑塞到小如手里，轻浅地笑道：“我就知道夫人会喜欢。”无论是兰馨还是三姑娘，似乎都已放弃了躲闪。非但如此，这两人此刻对待她的方式里还掺了一点微妙的，若有若无的殷勤。正是这殷勤搅得她不知如何是好，只好说：“川哥儿……他不在，三姑娘你好好来和兰馨做个伴儿吧。我，我就，回房看书了。” “夫人慢走。”三姑娘对她笑笑，令秧突然发现，她此刻的笑容，其实非常像多年前的哥儿。