Chapter 6 out of nowhere
Hearing that Mr. Kang's family and Mr. Sun's treasurer were going south to Hankou to inspect the business in such a hot weather, Qiu Taiji couldn't sit still any longer.It is really rare for two giants to take such an extraordinary move in many years!In this, there is clearly dissatisfaction with bad guys like him.
Both giants have been dispatched, can he still sit at home and continue his vacation?
Therefore, before the two elders left, he went to see shopkeeper Sun Da, and asked him to be sent to a distant and miserable Zhuangkou as soon as possible. What's more, he couldn't take another vacation.
"Old Dongtai and the big shopkeeper, they are so generous and merciful, they didn't expel me for being disrespectful, and I am so grateful that I will never forget it. If you put on a thick face and take a vacation, are you still like Tian Chengyuan?"
After hearing what he said, Shopkeeper Sun just said coldly: "If you don't want to take a vacation, you can go to work. What about your mother-in-law, she also agrees with you to go?"
Qiu Taiji said: "She agrees. Even if she disagrees, I have to go!"
"Hmph, it's not like you just left, your mother-in-law and aunt are also looking for death, right?"
"Boss, don't be ashamed of me anymore."
"Then you can go to Guihua Zhuangkou to be the assistant gang. There is a boy in the head office who has just graduated from apprenticeship, and I will also send him to Guihua to practice. When you leave, take him with you."
The indifference of the shopkeeper was expected by Qiu Taiji, but it was unexpected when he was reassigned and naturalized.Although Guihua is outside the mouth, it is also Dazhuangkou, and it is also the birthplace of the Kang family.The head office has always been sloppy in appointing personnel.The shopkeeper demoted him there, did he still have a deep love in it?Therefore, Qiu Taiji was even more grateful when he heard it.
On the third day of June, the old club and the shopkeeper left. On the fourth day of the second day, Qiu Taiji took the young man with him and embarked on a journey to Guihua City outside Beishangkou.
How could Qiu Taiji's woman, Mrs. Yao, be willing to leave a man in her heart?During the half-year vacation, after only staying for less than a month, he left her and went away for a long time. This has never happened before.From the seventh day of last month to the third day of this month, how did the twenty-six days go!She waited hard for three years, and the man who finally came back was a man who had lost his soul.First, he lost his soul and wanted to die; later, he finally didn't want to die, but the soul still didn't come back.
Guarding a man who has lost his soul, you don't even have the mood to cry.Even the deep sorrow of lovesickness is gone.What a cold summer it is!
After three years of waiting, how could it be such a cold summer?
It wasn't until he decided to go to work early that he seemed to have a little breath of energy.Ask her if she wants to?You have really become a living dead, no need to ask!But stop him and don't tell him to leave, I'm afraid this little vitality will be lost again.If you want to go, just go.If you don't go, you are also a living dead!
On the night before leaving, the man's mind had already reached the point of naturalization outside his mouth.He said that naturalization in summer is cool.He also said that he had not been naturalized for more than ten years.He also said that the third master of the host family is naturalizing.Just don't say that we will be separated for another three years!It has been three years since they were separated, and they are still like the living dead.
Early in the morning on the fourth day of the lunar new year, she sent the man out of Shuixiu Village.She didn't cry, but just watched the man go away, just waiting for the man to look back.
But he didn't look back.
Only a cold feeling, no desire to cry.
After being hit by this blow, Qiu Taiji lost his shares, was demoted, and finally didn't like ostentation.After he decided not to die, he said to Mrs. Yao: "You don't want to order many servants, so just pick a few you like and leave the rest." Mrs. Yao said in her heart, you reduced your shares just to show off. Got rich money?However, she didn't want to call the man who had lost his soul, seeing the servants dismissed, it was desolate.Now that the man is gone, Mrs. Yao started to do it.
After Qiu Taiji left, there were actually only two owners left in this mansion: Mrs. Yao and her nine-year-old daughter.The parents-in-law have passed away one after another, and the eldest brother-in-law has set up his own family.With a cold heart, Mrs. Yao drastically reduced the number of servants, leaving only four servants, two men and two women.There are two maids, one middle-aged, who is in charge of cooking and laundry, and lives in this village, and does not stay at Qiu's house at night; the other is young, serving Mrs. Yao's mother and daughter.There are two male servants, an elderly lame old man with some martial arts skills, who is in charge of guarding the gate and night; a small male servant is in charge of carrying water, sweeping the courtyard, shopping, and running tenants.
These four servants are all very honest and not very decent-looking people.The two maids both had a bit of a naive look; let alone the lame old man, he was not only lame, but also very bad at speaking, and couldn't speak a few words all day long.In comparison, it was just the little manservant who was smarter and more decent.In addition to doing some physical work, he also had to run. He was too stupid to be afraid.
In short, anyone who reads the four servants left by Mrs. Yao will believe that she will continue to faithfully observe the Women's Day for three years.
This is also the usual practice of ordinary business women.It is said that there are many gossips in front of widows, and these merchant women who guard their homes alone are really more difficult than widows.The gossip about the widow in the market only hurt the widow's family, but the gossip caused by the business woman also hurt her man, and three years later, she will report it with her eyes.For three years, one after the other, they were widows of the Lord.Therefore, in order to avoid suspicion, they not only use simple and ugly servants, but also themselves, they usually wear plain clothes, even unkempt faces, trying their best to cover up the brilliance of life.
Jin Su is a top-notch handsome man who competes for the firm.These top-notch handsome men, of course, also pick beauties first to marry.In this way, merchants are always beautiful.It is cruel and difficult for a beautiful woman to conceal her brilliance.Even if it is unkempt, it is actually just showing a little bit of one's own ambition, how can the brilliance of life be concealed.Therefore, for a family with parents-in-law, the guardianship of the parents-in-law becomes the strictest line of defense.However, the strict guarding of the parents-in-law often inspires tragic actions by some women.
Dashengkui, the number one merchant in Mongolia, had a very famous treasurer, Wang Tingxiang, during the Daoguang and Xianfeng years.When he was an ordinary clerk, the young daughter-in-law who was left at home gave birth to a wild baby under the strict supervision of her in-laws.This unfortunate little life was not only drowned, but the dead baby was also secretly hidden by the furious mother-in-law, pickled in the pickle jar, and left as a criminal evidence for Wang Tingxiang who came home from get off work in the future!
Qiu Taiji is such a handsome man, and Mrs. Yao is of course also a beautiful woman.However, when the Qiu family's parents-in-law were alive, Mrs. Yao got along very well with them.Because she is so satisfied with her man, talented and capable, and he is so affectionate to her, where can she find such a good man?No matter how hard she was, she was willing to keep festivals for him.Even after her parents-in-law passed away one after another, she guarded the house awe-inspiringly, not even making a gossip.
This time, the man came back in such a state of embarrassment, and went away in such a daze.The family house suddenly changed drastically, and it was desolate.Although Mrs. Yao's heart was full of coldness, she could no longer give birth to that awe-inspiring feeling.
Man, man, I've worked so hard for you for so many years, it's good for you to ruin everything so easily.You still want to die, so heartless!Why?It is because of your unfeelingness!I have been so miserable at home for many years, what about you?You must be a prostitute when you go out, you must be dressed in brocade, and you must be a prostitute at banquets!Banquets must be prostitutes, banquets must be prostitutes, it's not just those old gangsters who are jealous of you spreading rumors about you, even shopkeeper Sun Da also said the same about you.
Shopkeeper Sun told me so about you!You hanged yourself mercilessly, and I asked shopkeeper Sun Da why did you die, and shopkeeper Sun Da said, you must be a prostitute at a banquet!
It is because you are always prostitutes at banquets that this family is almost ruined.
I know that Shopkeeper Sun is exposing your shortcomings like this, because he wants me to scold you and restrain you severely.But I didn't say anything to you.It's not that I don't dare to speak about you, it's because I'm afraid that if I do, you'll die again.You are so unfeeling, just want to lose me and die? !
Mrs. Yao is really a strong woman.After Qiu Taiji left numbly, she guarded this desolate and cold home, and within a few days, she decided to do a rebellious thing.
She has been married to Qiu Taiji for many years and only gave birth to a daughter.Even if she likes this daughter in every possible way, she is still just a daughter.One day, if the heartless man really wanted to lose her, even if he died, who would she rely on?She had wanted to have a son for a long time, and men wanted sons too. When her parents-in-law were alive, she wanted her grandson every day.But how could she give birth to a son after staying in an empty room for many years!Every three years during the half-year festival, there was always a time when she was not full of piety, praying to heaven and earth, and dying in every possible way, but since she got this daughter, there has been no news about it.
Mrs. Yao always felt that she was sorry for the man and the Qiu family.How did she become a saline-alkali land with no crops?Fortunately, her in-laws and the man didn't have much complaints about her.Because among the surrounding business women, there are too many saline-alkali lands that do not grow crops.Most of the merchants stationed abroad to do business are not prosperous.Many have no children, many adopt children, and many buy children.In addition, there are many cases of abortion and drowning due to adultery.
Mrs. Yao is a woman with a strong nature. She has always been unwilling to adopt a male, let alone buy a male baby.What's more, the two brothers Qiu Taiji are both businessmen who have been stationed abroad for many years, and they only have one son under the old family, so what about adoption?She has always hoped that she can raise a biological son so that her family will not have no descendants.Only in that way can she be worthy of a man who is talented, beautiful and affectionate.
Now that such a sudden change has occurred, Mrs. Yao feels that her passionate love for the man has cooled down.The man ruthlessly gave up the half-year wedding, but she herself was over thirty and was getting old.If she doesn't give birth to a boy, she will be alone in this life.Such a heartless man, such a lonely daughter, who can entrust the rest of her life to?This time, during the short 20-day wedding period, guarding a wooden man who lost his soul, not to mention news of a childbirth.
The man has gone away and will not return for three years.There is only one way to have another child, cheating and having sex.
But how could she go this way?
That is the road that many business women have walked, and it is also a road that cannot be broken from generation to generation.How many times have I heard the story of a merchant woman having an affair!This kind of story circulated among women, there are sorrows and joys, bitterness and sweetness, blood and tears, liver and gall, dead wives, and women who died of infatuation.There are too many tragic endings in it, but there are also many wisdom and ingenuity in cheating.I often hear these stories, as long as you want to have an affair, you will definitely have an affair.Those stories teach you everything.
Most of the stories Mrs. Yao knew were heard from her sister-in-law, the eldest daughter-in-law.She didn't want to hear it, but the aunt still wanted to talk.How can the two sisters-in-law who keep the vacant room come up with that kind of story as soon as they talk?But Madam always loves to tell you.
When the in-laws were alive, they didn't like the aunt, but liked you. The aunt was angry and wanted to teach you badly; after the in-laws passed away, the aunt spoke more presumptuously.It is also vaguely heard that the aunt is actually not so strict about women's festival.
Mrs. Yao has never been tempted.The aunt is jealous of her, because her man is stronger than the boss. Not only is he much more handsome, he is also much more capable, and his stature is much bigger.The door she guards is much more beautiful than the old family!
Who would have thought that after so many years of prosperity, and so many years of being loyal to the family, it would be so desolate today.
Now, are you determined to imitate my aunt, do you want to be bad?No, never!She just wants to give birth to a boy, a boy who can be entrusted with the rest of her life!
In fact, when dismissing the servant, Mrs. Yao had a plan: that little servant was specially left by her.
As in many stories, Mrs. Yao would not even think about secretly meeting a man with similar feelings.Men with knotted hair are unreliable, how dare wild men be relied on!What's more, where can I find a man who is more talented and beautiful than my husband?Such men have all left their hometowns to devote themselves to business.Some merchant women stared at the young tutor.But how many of these people can be trusted?There are also many stories of cheating with long-term servants, but they just choose strong and honest men, but the result is always true love, which is difficult to end.
Mrs. Yao's selection of this little servant really brought a bit of maternal love.Therefore, she thought that she wouldn't get too deep and could end up easily.
There are such differences in age and status, no one will be in love with anyone for a long time.After two years, I really got what I wanted, so I recommended him to a shop to be an apprentice.This is exactly his wish - go to a foreign country to do business.
This little servant is Guo Yunsheng, a farm boy from a neighboring village.Because they were envious of Qiu Taiji's prosperity, when he was thirteen years old, his parents interceded and sent him to the Qiu family as a servant.In order to curry favor with the Qiu family, he is willing not to pay a penny of commission, hoping to make a better future, and at least recommend a firm to be a buddy in the future.Ticket shops, tea houses, I dare not imagine, even grain shops and camel transport clubs that do rough work.
Mrs. Yao was willing to accept this servant just because she loved the boy.At that time, Guo Yunsheng was naive and not yet childish.But it can be seen that he is not stupid, and his appearance is also good.When he first came, he was only asked to clean the courtyard.But after sweeping the yard, he quietly found work, which was not annoying.Usually also very well behaved, never causing trouble.Whenever we met, we always smiled childishly.Mrs. Yao likes this boy very much.
Mrs. Yao came from a wealthy family and was fluent in writing and ink.When my daughter was four or five years old, she began to teach girls to read and write.Although it is not very useful for a woman to circulate literature and ink, at least she can read her husband's letter by herself.Business women don't see men all year round, so they have to beg others to read a letter, and it's hard for a man to write even a word of affection.This is the reason her natal family told her to read and write, and now she uses it to teach girls.Besides, to be idle is to be idle.Not long after Guo Yun was born, Mrs. Yao liked him and was allowed to learn to read.He is not stupid after all, he knows how to read, and then goes to work, and he is right on both ends.
Four years have passed, and Guo Yunsheng is seventeen years old.Although he is still diligent, docile, and well-behaved, he has clearly grown into a young man.Mrs. Yao felt more like a mother's love for him. She watched him grow up day by day with her own eyes.Not only has his body grown taller and formed, but he also has a little writing and can speak and do things neatly.This is what she gave him.If Qiu Taiji hadn't come back in such a state of embarrassment, Mrs. Yao would have asked her husband to recommend a firm for Guo Yunsheng this summer.Who knew, this holiday season would be like this!
Yunsheng, Yunsheng, it's not what I think.I don't want to teach you badly, because I really regard you as my own child.Yun Sheng, I can't tell you clearly, so let's just repay me once.You won't reject me, will you?If I do this, it won't scare you, right?
I can only do this, even if you repay me once!
Mrs. Yao decided to do this, so she didn't want to hesitate too much.She also has a fantasy that she can finish this matter with Yun Sheng soon and get pregnant soon.That way, in the eyes of outsiders, there won't be any gossip to say, because the man just left.That way, everything will be invisible.
In the stories passed down by businesswomen, there are also many unknowing and unknowingly cheating.But she is not cheating.
The number of servants has been reduced, the house has become deserted, and that matter has been decided, but Mrs. Yao doesn't want others to see any changes in her.Everything remains the same.Even for Guo Yunsheng, he is still loving and strict.Mrs. Yao even said to him: "Yunsheng, you don't need to learn characters from now on. There are fewer people in the family, so you have to worry about things. You have learned a lot, and it is enough to be a buddy."
Guo Yunsheng obediently agreed.Sure enough, I was busy doing things quietly all day long.
When evening came, the cook's maid sealed the fire and went home.The lame old man who watched the door closed the door, dragged out a spring stool, and lay down in the door opening to cool off.This is also the same.
As for Mrs. Yao, she still enjoys the shade in her yard and talks with her daughter Shui Lian, maid Lan Ni, and Yun Sheng.It's just that enjoying the cool air lasts longer than before.After a long time, the daughter was sleepy, so she asked the maid to wait for the young lady to go to bed first.In the first two days, the maid waited for the young lady to go to bed and came out again.Because I have to wait to serve my wife.Later Mrs. Yao said: "You don't need to come out, just stay with her and sleep first. She is young and sleeps alone at home, afraid."
She and Yun Sheng were the only ones left, and she was still talking about the gossip she had done before, which were very serious gossips.At that time, the tenth day of the sixth lunar month had passed, and when the half moon was rising, it had been dark for a long time.Mrs. Yao finally said: "It's getting cold, let's rest too. Yun Sheng, go and bring some water, I'll wash up."
She spoke quietly.Yun Sheng didn't feel anything unusual, so he got up and fetched water from the kitchen.After Yun Sheng left, Mrs. Yao took all the washbasins and foot basins to the court.When Yun Sheng brought half a small bucket of warm water, she said calmly, "After I finish washing, you can clean it up, I won't be called Lan Ni anymore."
After washing her face and rinsing her mouth, she sat down and slowly took off her shoes and socks.At this time, Yun Sheng turned his face away.She pretended not to notice it, and slowly took it off, until she stretched her bare feet into the basin, and then said as calmly as possible: "Yunsheng, pour water."
Yun Sheng was obviously very nervous, poured the water in a panic, and turned his face away again.Mrs. Yao just pretended not to notice and washed her feet slowly.After a long time, he called Yun Sheng and handed over the foot towel.Yun Sheng was very flustered, but she still didn't seem to notice it.
After washing, he greeted Yun Sheng as calmly as possible: "Come, help me go back to the house."
Yun Sheng helped her walk, and she could feel his nervous breathing.She still didn't say anything.Helping her to the door of the house, she said to Yun Sheng, "Go and tidy up quickly, go back and rest, you have to get up early tomorrow." After speaking, he closed the door and bolted it.
In the room, she heard Yun Sheng tidy up and wash his belongings in a panic, and then heard him leave in hasty heavy steps.
Everything went as planned without any surprises.Actually, where is this her plan?It's all little tricks picked up from those cheating stories.
Mrs. Yao couldn't bear it suddenly, and covered her face and sobbed.She felt so pitiful, so pitiful!To be as strong as her, it took such a lot of thought to seduce a little servant of his own family.This is obviously learning to be bad, and it takes so much thought and means, it seems that it is not intentional to learn to be bad.She doesn't want to do this!But she wanted to cry bitterly, but she couldn't cry out.She couldn't disturb her daughter who was sleeping in Xitou's boudoir.Her crying in the middle of the night had already annoyed her daughter because she woke up too many times.So from the age of seven, she asked the maid to accompany her daughter, and slept in the boudoir at the west end, and stayed alone in the bedroom at the east end.She lived in a ostentatious five-room main house, with mother and daughter living at two ends, and no one would wake the other up unless they burst into tears.But in the silent night, how much she wanted to cry aloud!
Be pitiful, you have to do this.Once it has started, it cannot be stopped.This is like acting, which is also very interesting.Really, when you showed your bare feet to this little fool, didn't your heart feel hairy and your face burn?Fortunately, it was half a moon, and it was so hazy that I couldn't see anything clearly.
The next day, Mrs. Yao found out that Yun Sheng was ashamed when he saw her.She still acted as if nothing had happened, what should she tell him, or what should she tell him.In the evening, she continued to enjoy the shade as usual, until very late, leaving Yun Sheng alone to accompany her.When the moon was high, Yun Sheng waited on her to wash her face, rinse her mouth, wash her feet, and helped her back to the house.No matter what kind of situation Yun Sheng was in, she acted as if nothing had happened.
In this way, several days passed.
That day when she woke up from a break, Mrs. Yao called Yun Sheng as if nothing had happened, and went to tidy up the warehouse.
Rich people in Jindi all have a decent warehouse.Of course, the Qiu family's warehouse is not for storing those useless sundries, so they are very particular about it.First of all, it was not placed in a corner of the side courtyard, but in the last courtyard of the main courtyard, which is the deep courtyard where Mrs. Yao lived, and two south rooms were selected as warehouses.The position is prominent, and it is close to the owner, so if there is any movement, you will know it.Secondly, it is naturally very secure, the walls are thick, the windows are small, the doors are strong, and the locks are added one after another.Furthermore, except for the master's house, ordinary servants are not allowed to enter at all.Everyone knows that the two south rooms are well-made warehouses, but no one knows what kind of valuable family property is stored in them.
Guo Yunsheng was of course very excited when he heard that he was asked to clean the warehouse. This is because the master trusts him.In the past few days, he felt that the second wife of the master's family trusted him very much, and even asked the waiter to wash her face, mouth, and feet.In his mind, the second wife of the main family is an exceptionally noble, beautiful, and dignified woman.It's a last resort for a servant like me to serve her so closely.What happened to the second master of the master's family, the scene was too small, so there were only three or four servants left, and it was inconvenient to use him, so he had to be used.Erniang had always treated him well, often saying that she didn't have a boy in her family, so she treated him as her own boy.Now, many servants have been sent away, but he has been left behind, which shows how much kindness he has received.
No matter how you say it, when serving Er Niang, you can't think wildly!But he just can't control himself.Every day, I look forward to the time under the moon to serve Er Niang to wash her feet.At that time, I couldn't watch it, but I wanted to watch it; I wanted to watch it, but I didn't dare to watch it.When I saw Erniang during the day, what I thought about was her two little white feet.Why is my family so bad? Are you afraid that Erniang will find out and drive you away?The more you curse yourself like this, the more useless it is.In the past two nights, the moon was bigger and brighter, and I was even bolder. I dared to stare at it without turning my back.Are you really looking for death?
Seeing Erniang today, Yun Sheng still felt guilty, but he tried his best to pretend nothing happened on the surface.Seeing that Erniang didn't have anything unusual about him, she felt better.Therefore, after receiving the key from Erniang, Yun Sheng opened the two big locks smoothly.Following Erniang, it was the first time he walked into this mysterious and unusual warehouse, and Yun Sheng finally stopped thinking about it.
The warehouse was crowded with boxes and cabinets, all of which were locked.Except for some blue and white porcelain placed outside, Yun Sheng hardly saw anything too valuable.The room was a bit dark and not bright.
Erniang told him to dust off the dust on the top of the cabinet first, then wipe it clean, and finally sweep the floor. "Clean up the room first, and when the plum leaves come out, there are some things in the box that need to be taken out to dry."
Yun Sheng said: "Then Er Niang, go out and avoid it first, and be careful of the dust."
Unexpectedly, Erniang said: "It doesn't matter, I will take care of it with you."
Yun Sheng thought, this is an important warehouse, how could the master ask me to stay alone?He starts cleaning.There was a lot of dust on the top of the cabinet, and the feather duster didn't work at all.He had no choice but to hold the dustpan in one hand and carefully sweep it down with the other.
"Sweeping like this, how long are you going to clean up?" Er Niang said in a very stern tone.
"I'm afraid that the dust will blow up and choke Er Niang."
"Just scan quickly, it's not like I haven't done my homework!"
After finishing speaking, Erniang opened a long cabinet and buried herself in arranging the things inside.
Yun Sheng hurried to do his own work, his hands and feet were quick, but he was still cautious.He stood on the high stool first and swept the dust from the top of a row of cabinets.That is the old dust accumulated over the years, thick enough and choking.Before long, the room was full of dust.Er Niang came over and said, "You stand on a high place to sweep, and I'll get you a dustpan at the bottom, finish sweeping quickly, so that you can spray some water and press down the dust."
"Er Niang, I can do it myself."
"I know you can do it, so I help you sweep it, isn't it for the sake of speed! It's like a fire, and I can't get out of my breath."
Yun Sheng had no choice but to do so. He swept the dust into the dustpan from a high place, and Er Niang picked it up and dumped it outside the door.He was a little grateful in his heart, but he wasn't too flustered. When he handed Erniang the second dustpan, why did he put it all on Erniang's body? But it almost poured down along Erniang's neck, from her chest to her feet, and even her face was splashed all over, turning the noble Erniang into a dusty person.
Yun Sheng was so frightened that he almost fell off the high stool, and he jumped down in a hurry, overwhelmed with shock.
Er Niang seemed to be frightened, and she didn't care about the attack, she just hurriedly shook the dirt off her body.After shaking a few times, he hastily untied his clothes and shook: the dust had already poured into his clothes and stained his chest.
Yun Sheng didn't seem to be able to react for a moment, staring blankly at Erniang, who unbuttoned her shirt and exposed her bare chest. The dust flowed down along the cleavage, drawing a wide gray color, making the two nipples look more beautiful. Bai Genggu—he even thought that the body was covered with sweat and dust on a hot day, but he still didn't realize that what he saw was Erniang's body!
Erniang hurriedly scraped the dust off her chest with her hands, and wiped her white breasts to the brim, then suddenly raised her head, and found Yun Sheng was staring at her, hurriedly covered her clothes, and at the same time, her face changed drastically.
"Dog, you are too daring! You covered me in dust, so you did it on purpose!"
Seeing that Erniang was so furious, Yun Sheng was so frightened that he fell to the ground: "Erniang, I didn't mean it, I really didn't mean it—"
"It's not intentional, you've lost your soul, so just throw dirt on me! Dog, do you want to choke me to death, or want to dirty me to death? A dustpan full of dirt, just throw dirt on my chest!"
"Er Niang, I really missed—"
"What kind of meticulous work is this, and you will miss it! Are you not thinking about the work?"
"I don't--"
"Not yet! Your hands are useless, but your eyes are useless. You dare to look at everything!"
Yun Sheng was already sweating profusely, terrified.
"You don't want to live anymore?"
...
"Still don't want to eat your bowl of rice?"
...
"You little thing also saw that we were a little unlucky, so you became bold and wanted to play tricks?"
"Second Niang—"
Hearing Erniang speak so emphatically, Yun Sheng raised his head and wanted to beg for a few words, but saw Erniang's lapel was still open, and hurriedly lowered his head again, so frightened that he didn't know what to beg for.
"Dog, I've always treated you like my own boy, I never thought you would be so ungrateful!"
"Er Niang, I'm sorry for you."
"I raised you up, so I know that my studies are bad, right?"
"Er Niang, you can punish me however you want, but Er Niang, you have to go wash up first! It's a hot day, making Er Niang feel so uncomfortable, I really deserve to die!"
"Do you still know it's uncomfortable? You made me feel so uncomfortable on purpose?"
"I'll go get the water for the bath first, after washing, punish me!"
"Then why don't you hurry up, you want to torture me to death!"
After Yun Sheng ran away, Mrs. Yao buttoned up her clothes, locked the warehouse, and went back to her upper room.Lanny was taken aback when she saw the madam's disfigured face, a whole countryman.Mrs. Yao took the opportunity to scold Yun Sheng again, but in fact, she just scolded Lan Ni on purpose.
When Lanny served her in the bath, she still scolded her endlessly.That night, while enjoying the shade, Yun Sheng was not called to wait on him.This was also done by Mrs. Yao on purpose, to let others know that she was really angry with Yun Sheng.
She wants to do this rebellious thing to the end, but also wants to cover it up perfectly.She believes that her wisdom is no worse than other business women.The scene performed in the warehouse today is no longer learning other people's stories.This planning and performance made her taste a kind of excitement that she had never had before.
Poor thing is Guo Yunsheng, how can he know that the wife of the host is acting and seducing him?After being scolded severely, he didn't ask to serve in the shade, he decided that Erniang was cruel and wanted to drive him away.
It was the fate of a slave to be dismissed from the master's house.But he was driven away in such a shame, how could he go back to see his parents!Ever since I came to the Qiu family, I have been very lucky, why did I suddenly get into such a big disaster?It's all because I can't control my own family, I just think wildly in my mind, and I accidentally do this kind of thing.But he kept thinking about the situation at that time, as if he didn't think much about it at that moment?Erniang came to help him dump the soil, she was just grateful, how dare she be careless when handing her the dustpan?No matter how I think about it, I also feel that it is strange to miss.
Could it be that Erniang's family missed it?
You can't think like that.The master's family will help you do the work of a servant, and you can still blame the master's family?Besides, how could you stare at Erniang's bare chest!At that time, he was really like a fool, he forgot to avoid it.Who can blame this!
Even if you are driven away, you can't forget the kindness of the Lord's family.The parents said, the Qiu family taught you how to read and how to look good. We can't give you these two things alone.Erniang also often said that she loves you as her own boy.If you haven't repaid the master's family, you will be expelled like this. Even if you can read and grow up, who dares to use you!How could it be so unlucky.
Yun Sheng lived in such a panic for two days, barely seeing Er Niang.Occasionally seeing him, Erniang also looked angry and ignored him.It was not until the third day that he was called away suddenly.He thought he was going to drive him away, but instead told him to continue cleaning the warehouse.This time, Erniang just sat in the shade of the courtyard and watched him work alone in the room.As if he had received a pardon, he worked hard and carefully inside.
That night, when Erniang was enjoying the shade, she also called him away.In front of Lan Ni, Er Niang still kept talking about him.He also said that Lan Ni, Mama Li from the kitchen, and Master Liu from the gatekeeper all interceded for you, otherwise, they would not spare you.After Lan Ni waited for the young lady to go to bed, Erniang seemed to speak even more loudly.
"Yunsheng, you little bastard, they all said that you are well-behaved and law-abiding. How could you know that you would learn to be bad! Can I tell them what you did?"
Yun Sheng hurriedly fell to the ground again: "Er Niang, please forgive me this time, I won't dare again in the future!"
Erniang sighed, and said, "Get up, get up quickly, if I don't spare you, what can I do to you? You have been with me for four or five years, and if it is not a last resort, I can drive you away?"
"Er Niang treats me like a parent, no matter how you punish me, it won't be too much."
"Get up, you little thing, you really didn't piss me off!"
Yun Sheng got up and said, "Er Niang, you deducted the wages and punished me."
When Guo Yunsheng was sent to Qiu's house, although he said he didn't want wages, how could Mrs. Yao refuse to pay?In order to save the money and get a bad reputation, it is better not to let him come.Because of her love, Yun Sheng's salary has never been low.Not too low, how much money can I have?
So, Mrs. Yao said: "Little thing, I'll relieve my anger after deducting your wages?"
"Then Er Niang can punish you however you want."
"Then I'll kick you out!"
"Eliminate me, and I will never forget Er Niang's kindness."
"Little thing, you are so sweet now. Is it difficult to drive you away? Just say a word. Treating you like your own boy hurts you, and spoils you."
"In the future, I won't dare again."
"Hey, although I have never given birth to boys, I also know that when you boys grow up, you all want to be bad."
"Er Niang, I'm not—"
"Needless to say. Yunsheng, how old are you this year?"
"Seventeen."
"Are you seventeen? I think you are still young, are you seventeen?"
"That's not it. I came here when I was thirteen, and I have served Erniang for four years."
"No wonder, it's the age to talk about daughter-in-law. Didn't your father and mother tell you about daughter-in-law?"
"My mother wants to make trouble. My father said, how can a servant be able to form a good relationship! Waiting for your boss's second master and second mother to be kind and recommend you to join the firm, why don't you worry about being a decent daughter-in-law?"
"What about your own family, do you want to marry a wife?"
"I don't want to, I just want to serve a good boss."
"That sounds good! If we don't recommend you to join the firm, will you never marry a wife?"
"I will serve my master all my life."
"I can talk, look at that day in the warehouse! You are not sure what you are thinking, you just put a dustpan on my chest, and the floating dirt got into the neckline and flowed straight into it. It didn't dirty me to death! Shaking the dirt, I forgot that a young man like you is still standing. You are also bold, you are welcome, and you will die if you catch it!"
"I'm freaking out—"
"It's still like a sentence. I've seen it a long time ago. You little thing is stupid when you see something wrong. Just say that this evening, I asked you to serve and wash it as a last resort. If something like this happened to your second master, The prosperous scene seems to have been frosted. Can I not be bothered? I can’t sleep early at night, and you and Lan Ni are the only ones who can talk. Shui Lian is so small, she can’t stay up all night, so I have to ask Lan Ni to accompany her Sleep. You said, if you don’t ask you to wait for me to wash up, who else should I call? You little thing is fine, I wash my feet, and you stare dumbfounded!”
"I did not see--"
"You're being stubborn again, you think I'm stupid! I treat you like my own child, thinking that you are still young, and I don't care about you at all. Waiting for a mother to wash up, you can still think wildly! That day in the warehouse, I saw you staring wide-eyed , looking stupidly like a greedy cat, I realized that your little thing has failed in learning!"
Yun Sheng was so frightened that he knelt on the ground again.
"Little thing, just know how to kneel and get up. If you have this kind of thinking, it's inevitable for a boy to grow up. I don't blame you anymore. Wait a while, you wait for me to wash my feet, if you want to see, you can rest assured, Er Niang I don’t blame you today. If you’ve seen enough, you won’t be greedy anymore. Yun Sheng, Er Niang treats you like her own child, and doesn’t care anymore.”
"Er Niang, I don't want to read it, I must learn it well and live up to Er Niang's praise!"
"Look, you're trying to be brave again. Yun Sheng, let me ask you, do you really want to join the firm?"
“可不是！进了商号，更不会忘记二娘的大恩大德。”
“可你知道不知道，进商号，为首一条，就是不能想媳妇，不能馋女人！”
"I know."
“你知道个甚！进了商号，要有出息，就得驻外。驻了外，就得像你二爷那样，三年才能回一趟家。在外，也不能沾女人。谁犯了这一条，都得开除出号。你二爷这回出事，犯的是讲排场，坐了官轿，所以才没出号。”
“我也决不犯这一条！”
“小东西，看你那馋猫的样儿，谁敢要你！”
“二娘，你们不举荐我，就是怕我犯这一条呀？”
“我要早看出你是馋猫，还能留到今天不撵你走？我以为你还小呢，哪承想你小东西也是个馋猫！”
“我决不敢了！”
“又说傻话。哪有饿汉说不饥的？还不知道女人是甚，说不馋，谁信！我也困了，你打水去吧。”
云生慌慌地跑往厨房去打温水，心里真是七上八下，不知该惊该喜。二娘既原谅了他，怎么又说你想看就看？既说馋女人是商号大忌，怎么又会原谅他的馋样？今夜晚二娘对他真是疼爱有加，可又总说他是馋猫，还是不放心他吗？云生毕竟是个不大谙事的后生，经过这几天的惊吓，根本不敢再胡思乱想了，哪里能明白姚夫人的实在用心！特别是她提到商号大忌，更叫云生铁了心，要严束自家。
进商号，那是他的最高人生理想，也是他们全家的最高理想啊。主家二娘的高雅美貌，虽然叫他发馋，可要是管束不住自家，那就几乎是要触犯天条。
所以，云生打来水，伺候二娘洗脸漱口时，就远远站着，还背过了脸。已快到十五了，深夜的月亮十分明亮，偏偏连些云彩也没有。等一会儿伺候二娘洗脚，你千万得管好自家。
“云生，你过来给二娘擦擦脊背。”
云生被这一声轻轻的招呼，吓得心惊肉跳。还要给二娘擦脊背，他可是一点防备也没有。
“没有听见？”
“听见了。”
他转过脸，老天爷，高贵的二娘已将上身脱光了，虽是背对着他，那也像是一片刺目的白光——他管不住自家，呼吸急促起来，但狗日的你说成甚也得管住自家！
“二娘，我的手太脏——”
“那你不会先在盆里洗洗。麻利些吧，想叫风吹着我！”
二娘的口气和平时没有两样，你千万得管住自家。云生努力平静地走了过去，可老天爷，在脸盆跟前洗手，要走到二娘脸前了——幸亏二娘移过身去，继续背对着他，在擦前胸。
洗过手，二娘递过湿手巾，他又不由出起粗气来，狗日的，你说成甚也得管住自家！他撑着湿手巾，刚挨着二娘的脊背，只觉着是一片刺目的白光，简直不会用劲了。
“云生，你手抖得那么厉害，心里又想甚？”
“没想，甚也没想——”
“麻利擦吧，想叫风吹着我呀？”
云生真是在做一件太受苦的营生，喘着粗气，流着汗，在心里不断骂自家狗日的，才终于平安交代了。
二娘洗脚时，居然叫他给脱鞋袜！还对他说，小东西你想看，就看，不用偷着看，往后二娘不责怪你了。他真是一边求老天爷，一边骂自家狗日的，才管住了自家。
洗漱完，云生扶了二娘回屋，到门口，二娘没打发他走，叫他扶了进屋。他只得扶了进去。
屋里黑黑的，他问：“点着灯吧？”
二娘说：“不用，有月亮呢。”
他就匆匆退了出来，慌忙收拾当院的洗漱家什。收拾完，便匆匆回到自己在偏院的住处。他不知道这个夜晚发生的是怎么一回事，只是知道终于管住了自家。二娘真是把他当成她自家的娃，什么也不再避讳他了，还是又在考验他，看他还是不是馋猫？早就听说，那些大字号爱考验新伙计，故意把钱物放在你眼跟前，看你偷不偷。二娘也是在考验他？
狗日的，你总算管住自家了。
可二娘是那样高贵美貌的女人，他哪能不馋呢！
二娘那边，只是迟说了一句话，就让这个小东西跑了。说了半夜那种话，又赤身露肉叫他擦背洗脚，临了叫扶她进屋，还说不用点灯，他就一点意思也没看出来？真是一个憨蛋、傻瓜、不懂事、不中用、不识抬举的小挨刀货！她本来想再说一句话：你收拾了院里的家什，先不要走，我还有句话要问你。还没有等说出来，这个小挨刀货他倒跑了！
听着云生匆匆离去的脚步声，姚夫人真是越想越气。费尽了心机，以为谋划得很出色了，可连这么一个小奴才也没套住！自家一向是那样好强，尊贵，可做这件事，是连一些羞耻也不要了，居然引诱不了一个小下人！自家难道早已人老珠黄，连一个下人也打动不了？永远过着这种孤单熬煎的日子，不老得快才怪呢。都是因为做了受不尽苦的商家妇！
明亮的月光，透窗而入。姚夫人赤身立在窗前，泪如雨下。
这样的事，不做则已，一旦做起来，就很难停下了。
做了许多天引诱的游戏，居然没有成功，姚夫人的自尊受到了伤害，她当然不肯罢休。别的商家妇人都能做成这件事，她居然做不成，就那样笨，那样没本事，没魅力呀？而一步一步深陷到这样的游戏中，她也更难返回到原先那样的苦守之中了。云生这个小东西，简直成了一个诱人的新目标，在前面折磨着她。这不似以往那种对男人的等待，是一种既新鲜，又热辣的骚动，简直按捺不下，欲罢不能。本来是想引诱这个小东西，现在简直被他这小东西吸引了。
自家就那样卑贱？
云生这小东西，也许真是个憨蛋，不该选了他这样一个小挨刀货！不成事，就打发了他拉倒，一天也不能留他。他就是痛哭流涕，捣蒜似的给你磕头，也决不能留他！还想叫举荐进商号，这样的憨蛋，谁要你！你这个小挨刀货，一心就想进商号——
姚夫人左思右想，终于还是要把这件事做下去。
这天，她见了云生，装得平静如常。没有恼他，也没有宠他，只是吩咐他，把二爷的账房仔细打扫一遍。
邱泰基在家居住的时日，虽然极其有限，但他还是给自家安置了一处像模像样的账房。它就在姚夫人居住的上房院的西厢房。里面除了账房应有的桌柜文具，还有一处精致的炕榻。只是，这炕榻就像这间账房一样，一向很少有人使用。今天，炕榻上铺垫的毛毡、棉褥，姚夫人都令揭起晾到院中，做了翻晒。
云生在打扫这间账房时，当然是很卖力的。他对这样精致的账房，更是充满了敬畏和羡慕，什么时候，自家才能真的出入商号的账房呀！所以，他是一点也没有再胡思乱想。他以为，二娘已经宽恕了他了，他不会被撵走，一切又都如先前那样正常了。
这天是十五，应该是月亮最明亮的时候。可是到了晚间，天上却有了薄云，明月没有出来，只是天幕明亮一些。坐着乘凉的时候，感觉稍显闷热。会下雨吗？几乎一夏天都没有下雨了。姚夫人见今晚的圆月没有出来，心里先有一些不快。在这种不快的心境中，她就渴望下雨。要阴天，那就是阴得重些，下一场大雨，雷鸣闪电，狂风大作，接着就暴雨如注。老天爷，你就下一场这样的大雨吧。
但天上分明只是一层薄云，天幕很明亮。一点儿风也没有。
今晚，女儿也是过早地就困了。兰妮伺候女儿去睡的时候，打着哈欠，憨憨的，没有一点异常。这些天来，这个憨丫头照样能吃能睡，也不出去串门，一点异常也没有。还常劝二娘不要生云生的气，他不是有意要气二娘。那你今晚就守着小姐，踏实睡你的觉吧。
又剩下她和云生了，但她今晚似乎已经没有心思再做藏而不露的引诱。小东西，他是一个憨蛋，你再做精心的引诱，那也是白费事！你是主，他小东西是仆，他只会听你的吩咐，哪敢做那种非分越礼的巴结？有一种偷情的故事，商家妇总是引而不发，等待男人忍耐不下，发昏做出冒失举动，她先惊恐，再盛怒，再痛不欲生，再无可奈何，再谅解了男人，最后才收下了这样的私情。姚夫人本想仿照这样的路数走，可遇着这样一个憨蛋，哪里能走得通？叫他做的事，只有得了你的命令，他才肯做。
只是，做这样的事，怎样能下命令？不管能不能下，姚夫人在今晚已经没有耐心了。她不想再嗦了，成就成，不成就把这小东西撵走！她承认自己不会偷情，全没有做这种事的智慧和机巧。她正经惯了，为了自己的男人，她早已经把自己造就成一个太正经的严守妇道的女人。想不正经一回，原来也是这样的难。难，也要做一回。成也罢，败也罢，反正要做一回。
姚夫人在今晚的失常，她自己可没有觉察出来。
她只是焦灼不安地不想同云生多说无关的闲话，也不想多熬时辰。和云生只单独坐了不大一会儿时候，就说今天要早歇了。在云生伺候洗漱时，她比平时麻利，也没有对云生做过多的挑逗。
只是在云生扶她进屋的时候，她说：“今黑间，要歇在西厢房，上房有些潮，明儿天好，你把上房炕上的东西，也倒腾出来，晾晒晾晒。”
扶她进了西厢房，云生问：“点灯吧？没月亮，怪黑。”
她说：“不用点，点了招蚊虫。云生，你先去把当院的洗漱家什收拾了。收拾完不要走，我还有句话要跟你说。”
姚夫人没有一点停顿，一口气将昨天就该说的话说了出来。云生也没有特别的反应，很平常地答应了一声，就出去拾掇家什了。姚夫人站在窗前，焦灼不安地谛听着云生的动静，只怕这憨蛋收拾完又会逃走。
说了不叫他走，他听清了吗？
小东西，他算是长了耳朵！收拾完，他也来到窗前，隔了一层窗纸问：“二娘，院里拾掇妥了，还有甚吩咐？”
姚夫人慌忙从窗前退后，极力平静地说：“你进来，我有话跟你说。”
小东西进来了。
“你坐下吧，能瞅见椅子在哪儿吧？”
“二娘，不用坐了，有甚事，你就吩咐。”
“叫你坐，你就坐。”
"Hey."
姚夫人看见小东西在摸索着寻椅子。她进来一阵了，已经适应了屋里的黑暗，能依稀看见暗中的一切。云生刚进来，还是两眼一抹黑。她给指点了座椅的方位，看他拘谨地坐下后，忽然就产生了一种很冲动的想法：在这小东西看清暗景以前，她先把一切都设置好。这个燃烧似的想法，不容多想，就迫她实行了：她一边同云生说话，一边就将身上的衣裳，一件一件脱去了。隔了一张桌子，她坐在另一把椅子上，可她已经不着一丝衣物，只有暗光将她覆盖，更有一股火，在周身燃烧。
“云生，我早有一件事，要对你说。”
“什么事，不是要撵我走吧，二娘？”
“尽说气我的话，我会撵你走？我是想给你举荐家好字号，总不能叫你一辈子伺候我。”
“伺候二娘一辈子，也愿意。”
“小东西，净说嘴吧？你就是真愿意，我也不忍心。老伺候我，能有甚出息。这次，你二爷回来，本来就要叫他给你寻家字号，哪想他就出了这样的事？我们也不像以前风光了。云生，你没有嫌弃我们吧？”
云生慌忙离了座，跪到地上。
“二娘，你这样说，奴才就真该给撵走了。今生今世，我也不敢忘了二爷二娘的恩情！”
“又说嘴吧？”
“真话！”
“那快起来，坐下吧。”
小东西，他还什么也没有看出来吗？
“云生，等你二爷在归化城安顿下来，我就写信叫他给你寻家字号。他要还是丢了灵魂似的，我就出面给你寻字号。不觉你倒十七了，再不能耽误你了。”
云生又扑通跪了下来，“二娘，真的吗？”
“还不信二娘的话？”
“信，信！不拘什么字号，我都要长出息，不给二娘丢人！”
一说驻字号，就这样上劲，这忽然叫姚夫人有些伤心。这个小东西，也和自家的男人是一路货，把商号看得比女人重要！我已经把女人的一切，无有一点遮拦地亮给你了，你还没有看见！小东西无论是坐着，还是跪了，都一直那样拘谨着，不敢往她这里看。居然会这样憨？
“驻字号，我知道你会有出息。就怕你也会犯馋女人的大错。”
“二娘，我决不会了。”
“你先听我说！”姚夫人忍不住，厉声说了一句。
听到这一声，跪着的云生，是把头埋得更低了。
“云生呀，你没有娶媳妇，还不知道女人是甚，怎么会不馋女人？除非你是憨子傻子木石人！所以，我今天要教你做一件事，叫你知道什么是女人，学会怎样才能不馋女人。小东西，你抬头看我！”
他抬起头来了，但没有一点异常的反应。难道还没有看清？屋里依旧那样黑暗，月亮并没有出来，可进屋已经有一会儿了，怎么还看不清！哪有你这样的憨蛋！
小东西他终于惊叫一声，伏到地上：“二娘，二娘，我不能——”
“你不能什么？”姚夫人厉声问了一声。
“叫二爷知道，我活不成——”
“云生，我问你一句，你是想驻字号，还是想叫我把你撵走？”
“当然想驻字号——”
“那你就听我的，敢不敢？”
"..."
“敢不敢？”
“那就敢吧——”
“不敢，你这就走！”
“敢，二娘——”
“云生，云生，二娘是为你。你这么大一个男娃了，连女人是甚还不知道，成天跟馋猫似的，你当我看不出来？这么一副馋样，哪家字号敢要你？二娘虽是过来人，身子不值钱了，若不是看你有出息，想疼你，能这样不管不顾，叫你小东西开蒙解馋呀？”
“二娘——”
“小东西，想看，你还不快看！”
小东西，你怎么就那么憨，那么笨，那么胆小，已经这样了，还不敢冒失一回，不敢过来搂住二娘，都这样了，还得样样教你，你怎么是这样一个小憨娃！都这样了，你不能再哭，你引诱这样一个小憨娃，不能算可怜，那些七老八十的男人，他们不也喜欢讨十五六的女娃做小吗？不能光叫他们男人有理，什么都是他们有理，你也学他们一回，讨一回小。云生，憨娃，二娘不是教你学坏，二娘是万不得已了，就算你报答一回二娘吧，这事二娘不会叫任何人知道，不会坏了你的名声。小东西，你抖什么，你手脚也太笨，样样都得教给你，还不相信我能送你进字号？
小东西，小东西，要知道是这样，我何必还要费那么大心思，谋划了那许多计策，折腾了这许多天，早知这样，我干脆就对你说，小东西你报答一回二娘，二娘送你进字号，只怕你早就麻麻利利躺到二娘的炕上了！小东西呀，你也是把字号看得比女人重？还是年轻了好，年轻了壮，可还没有怎么呢，你就出了一身汗，我不嫌男人的汗味大，不嫌。
不，我没有哭，我不是哭，不是哭，你想怎么看二娘，只管看你的，想怎么亲二娘，只管亲你的，我不是哭——样样都得教你。
第二天，姚夫人想极力显得平静，可分明没有做到。连那个傻兰妮都问了几次：“二娘是不是病了？”
倒是云生这个小东西，比她还装得稳。见了她，有些羞涩，但没有太失常。他的憨是装出来的，还是把进字号看得太重了，不敢有闪失？
天晴了，十六的明月要出来。
六月十六，邱泰基和那个新伙计郭玉琪，北上经太原、忻州、代州、山阴、右玉，已走到了杀虎口。
杀虎口也是出蒙通俄，尤其是通往归化、包头、前营乌里雅苏塔、后营科布多的大孔道，古边地的大关口，俗称西口。所以，杀虎口也是晋商的大码头。这里，自然有天成元票庄的一间分庄。
杀虎口分庄的老帮伙友，已经听说了邱泰基的事。知道这位一向得意，今日忽然遭贬的出名老帮，要路过本地，本来想很快意地看看他的落魄相，可及至等来了，却叫人吃了一惊。
邱掌柜居然是一步一步从太谷走到了杀虎口！一般山西人走口外，负重吃苦，一步一步将荒凉的旅途量到头，那并不稀罕。可大商号的驻外人员，即使是一般伙友，也支有往来的车马盘缠，何况是领庄的老帮。邱泰基徒步走口外，分明有痛改前非的心志在里面，这太出人意料。
一向以奢华风流出名的邱老帮，现在哪还有一点风流样，又黑又瘦，身被风尘，更把负罪之意分明写在了脸上。若不是因为捎了总号的信件，要交给杀虎口庄口，他居然打算寻家简陋的客栈，打一夜尖，悄悄就走了。
见是这番情状，谁还有心思奚落他？
这里的吕老帮就设了盛宴招待他，他再三推辞，哪里会依了他！
“邱掌柜，我们都是长年在码头领庄，谁能没有闪失？老东家大掌柜已经罚了你，我们再慢待你，传了出去，那成了甚了？我吕某还能在码头立足吗？咱们吃顿饭，喝杯酒，算是你邱掌柜给我们一个面子。”
吕老帮把话说成了这样，邱泰基感到更有些难堪了。
“吕老帮，你这样说，我就更无地自容了。我惹的祸，不是做瞎了一两笔生意，是坏了咱天成元的声名，真是罪不该赦的。西帮惟以声名取信天下，咱天成元在商界又是何等盛名！叫我给抹了这样一把黑，连累得老东台大掌柜也坐不住了，那么大年纪，冒暑出巡汉口，你说我的罪过有多大！还有什么颜面见同侪呀？”
吕老帮就说：“你罪过再大，也还是咱天成元的人吧？路过一趟，连自家字号的门也不进，这不是要坏我吕某的名声？再说，还有跟你的这位郭掌柜，初出口外，我能不招待人家？”
邱泰基总算入了席，但只是饮了三盅酒，怎么劝，也不多饮了。邱泰基这样，那个跟着的郭玉琪，也不多饮，场面真是很冷落。席间，吕老帮多所宽慰，邱泰基依然神色凝重。老东家和大掌柜是否真要出巡江南，吕老帮早想问个仔细，但见邱泰基这种样子，也不便开口。直到终席，吕老帮才问：
“老东台和大掌柜，真是要出远门，下江南？”
“早已经启程了。他们是六月初三离开太谷，我们初四上路。现在，他们已到河南了吧。现在河南湖北，那是什么天气？唉，你说我的罪过有多大吧！”
“已经启程了？这里的字号，还都不相信呢