Chapter 25 Initial responsibility

Dong Xiaowan was sitting in the cabin, with an unfinished needlework on her lap.She was holding a needle with a long thread in her hand, and while she was slowly knitting and polishing her hair, she turned her ears sideways, listening to the sounds on the deck.When she recognized that it was not her husband's footsteps, she lowered her head and continued to fiddle with the work in her hands. The hull rocked slightly.Probably due to the continuous passing of clouds and shadows, the sun shining on the curtains is sometimes bright and sometimes dark.Through the curtain, one could hear the "plop, plop" sound of buckets pumping water and the shouts of boatmen looking for a berth.This place is a large wharf outside Danyang City. It is the hub of traffic. Whether it is a ship going to the north of the river or a traveler going to Nanjing by land, most of them will rest here. So beside the wharf and on the embankment, one day Very lively and crowded at night.Dong Xiaowan and her family arrived here yesterday morning.Before that, they lived in Jiangyin County, not far downstream, and planned to go to Nanjing to take refuge.However, two days ago, the servant who stayed behind in Rugao brought news that Gao Jie's soldiers had not harassed that area after all, and the local government stepped up repression, and the once chaotic county town has gradually restored order.Many gentry and rich families who fled for refuge returned to the city one after another.Therefore, after discussion, Maoxiang had to postpone the plan to go to Nanjing again, and followed his father's order to escort the family back to Rugao first.

Speaking of this escape, although it was only eight days, their family was not only turbulent and turbulent, but also terrified.Especially when crossing the river, he was almost desperate because he was surrounded and intercepted by the Jiangyang thief Gu Sanmazi.Fortunately, when the tide was low, the boats on both sides ran aground, and the eight members of their family were able to sneak ashore in a small boat and escape by land.But when they arrived at Zhu Yuanwai's house in Fanhuzhou, the thieves followed him again, claiming to ask for a thousand taels of gold, and if they didn't agree, they would set fire to the house.They were so frightened that they had to flee overnight, and they didn't settle down until they hid in Jiangyin County.After going through these tosses, a large part of the luggage and belongings they brought out from home, including many precious calligraphy, paintings and antiques, have been lost, which can be said to be a heavy loss.The only consolation is that the whole family is safe and sound, which is finally a blessing in misfortune.However, after suffering that time, they dared not go back the same way, and decided to go to Zhenjiang first, planning to cross the river from there, and return home by way of Yangzhou.It's just that for some reason, the fleet has stayed in Danyang for a whole day and night, and there is still no sign of departure.In addition, early this morning, Mao Xiang hurried ashore, saying that he was going to do something, and he hadn't returned for a long time, Dong Xiaowan's heart couldn't help but hang up again...

"橐, 橐, 橐", a familiar sound of footsteps came from the deck - light and calm, Dong Xiaowan's heart moved slightly, and she quickly raised her head. "Oh, Xianggong is back?" She put down the needle in her hand and stood up with a smile. Mao Xiang nodded: "Well, I'm leaving now, come in and get some money." Dong Xiaowan was slightly startled: "My husband is leaving? Where are you going?" "Baogang. It's sixty miles away from here—it's impossible to go to Zhenjiang. I heard that Baogang can cross the river. I'll go and see."

After a pause, he probably saw the concubine's bewildered look, and said impatiently: "Right now Yangzhou is still surrounded by Gao Jie's soldiers and horses, fighting and killing there every day, the roads are all blocked, it's impossible to get through—— Hey, quickly bring the silver!" Dong Xiaowan still couldn't quite understand: Since the war is still in turmoil over there, why is her husband in a hurry to cross the river?But she didn't dare to ask again, so she quickly agreed, walked to the head of the bed, took out a heavy cloth bag from the box, and brought it over.

"Not only do you want to break the silver, maybe you can hire a boat when you go there. You can also bring five ingots for those ten taels." Mao Xiang said while lifting the cloth bag to the table and began to pick out the silver from it. Speaking of it, this is also an unexpected thing - since fleeing from Rugao, Dong Xiaowan has unknowingly managed money for the family.At first, it was because the young mistress Su only cared about her two precious sons along the way, and ignored everything else; Maoxiang had a lot of outside affairs to deal with, and she was really too busy, so she had to ask Dong Xiaowan to help. Give money and give things.Seeing that the concubine's hands and feet were nimble, meticulous and clear, Mao Xiang simply handed over the errands to her.Dong Xiaowan naturally understands the great responsibility, so she will do her best and dare not be negligent or slack.Now, hearing her husband's order, she hastily took out five more silver coins.

"Sir, these are ten taels." She said. "Well, let it go." Mao Xiang didn't look back, only caring about being busy. Dong Xiaowan didn't hand over the money immediately, but secretly looked at her husband.After nearly half a month of hard work, she found that Mao Xiang had obviously lost her shape—the once plump and handsome face was thinner than before leaving home, and her neck seemed slender, even through the clothes, she could not see it. It can be seen that the shoulder blades on both sides are shaking... Dong Xiaowan looked at it, her heart felt sore, and tears flowed out of her eyes.She bit her lip hard and put the silver on the table.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Probably found the tear stains on the sealing paper, Mao Xiang turned his face sideways, and frowned and asked. "No, it's nothing." Dong Xiaowan turned her face away and said in a concealed manner, at the same time hurriedly wiped her eyes with her sleeve, "A little dust." "It's fine, why are you crying?" Mao Xiang said while continuing to collect the money. "No! Really, it's just dust." Hearing what she said, Mao Xiang didn't ask any more questions, Guan Zi gathered up the silver he was going to take away, then called Mao Cheng, told him about going to Baogang, and asked his followers to prepare immediately.After explaining, he turned around and looked at the concubine again.

During this period of time, Dong Xiaowan has put on makeup again and returned to normal.Seeing that Maoxiang was ready, she took a set of clean clothes and towels over with both hands. "Sir, do you think this suit is suitable?" This is a 60% new moon white straight gown and a black square scarf.Because her husband was carrying silver taels, and people in Baogang were unfamiliar, Xiao Wan didn't want him to dress too well, so as not to attract the attention of bad guys.Mao Xiang undoubtedly also understood this level, he nodded and said: "Okay, put it away for now, and I'll change it later." After a pause, he looked at the concubine's face that looked slightly clearer, "Well, you've worked hard enough these days!"

"Oh, no!" Dong Xiaowan immediately shook her head, while looking at her husband suspiciously. Mao Xiang smiled wryly and nodded: "I know. You have guarded the money for the past ten days, but you haven't had a good night's sleep. You fell asleep and woke up in the middle of the night, and went to the back with a lamp to count—— You also have to be careful, don’t get tired! In fact, everyone knows that you are a novice just after entering the door. Even if you are on a business trip and it doesn’t make sense, that’s fine. No one will blame you. You, or if you don’t want to make it public, then it’s okay to write it off on my account, why bother picking every penny over and over again!”

Dong Xiaowan listened obediently.Ever since the night before crossing the river, Ziyi revealed to her that her grandma Su Shi had been secretly monitoring and guarding against her, Dong Xiaowan was really surprised, and Maoxiang's cold and serious appearance made her even more nervous and uneasy .However, the trust and consideration shown by her husband at this moment, like a ray of sunshine, dispelled the fog of doubt in her heart. "Oh, no! Maolang didn't despise me, it's just me being supercilious! Even grandma let Ziyi look at me, in fact, it was for my own good, and she was afraid that I would do something wrong. How can a person like me have Today's destination, what else is there to worry about and complain about!" She thought with guilt and self-blame, her eyelids turned red again.But then she got herself under control.

"Aha!" She said in a cheerful voice, "Don't tell me, my husband, I have calculated carefully, and the silver taels that have been in and out of my concubine's hands for the past ten days are really not bad!" Mao Xiang smiled slightly: "It's good if it's not bad! So, you have to be prepared. When you return to Rugao, the family's bills may be handed over to you." Dong Xiaowan was startled suddenly: "What did Xianggong say? Let, let the concubine come and take care of..." Mao Xiang nodded affirmatively: "Yesterday, the master mentioned this matter first, and the wife and young mistress also agreed, and asked me what I meant." Hearing that it was the master's suggestion, Dong Xiaowan understood a little bit.On the night when Maoxiang decided to send his father and Aunt Liu from Jingjiang to Jiangnan, Maoqizong once proposed temporarily that he should bring some scattered silver so that he could use it at any time on the road.At that time, because Maoxiang was unprepared, he was a little overwhelmed in a hurry. In the end, it was Dong Xiaowan who brought out a bag of scattered silver. Inside, there were small bags and small bags, all of which had been sealed with paper, and the amounts were marked one by one. and weight.Mao Qizong met and praised Dong Xiaowan's carefulness.It seems that that incident contributed to the master's thoughts today.However, even so, Dong Xiaowan was still very anxious. "Ah! Then, did Mr. Xiang agree?" She hurriedly asked. "I have something to discuss with you." "No, I can't! I can't be a concubine, really!" Dong Xiaowan shook her hands in a hurry, and said in fear, "The concubine has only been in the house for more than a year, and she is young. The mothers and fathers in the family are more sensible than the concubine and have face. , the concubine relies on the support of the husband, and it will be fine for a few days, but for many years, the concubine can't support it!" Mao Xiang glanced at her, and said: "It is precisely because those people rely on their seniority and experience, they think they have face, they dare not say anything, and they don't take you seriously, so you are allowed to manage the accounts." It's up to them, and it won't work if they don't want to listen to you in the future. This is because the master and wife want to help you. Besides, you also have the ability, so go ahead and do it!" In the decision of the masters, there was such a layer of intention hidden in it, which Dong Xiaowan undoubtedly did not expect.She couldn't help being stunned - obviously, in this case, if she refused again, it would not be prudent and self-effacing, but ignorant of flattery. "Naturally," Mao Xiang added after thinking, "Even if you manage the account in the future, you must not abuse your power, domineering, and you must not observe it for obvious reasons, and you must compare pennies and pennies. Always be lenient. My family lives in the world. It is important to know that the world is changing and the people are confused. People like us, if the servants of the people do not obey the law, once something happens, those guys will turn against each other. When the time comes, the disaster will be severe. It's the same. You haven't seen that in recent years, there have been many stories about how slaves have taken advantage of the time to initiate chaos and poison the master's family. In some master families, even one family was killed, and the property and fields were divided up in an instant. This is a good lesson, and it must be ignored. Shen—you, you have to remember!" Because of the corruption and chaos of the current situation, Mao Xiang's face showed a strange irritability.He began to frown, and walked up and down the small cabin with his hands behind his back. Dong Xiaowan nodded her head in thought, and gradually, a sense of determination rose from the bottom of her heart to realize her responsibilities and obligations.Finally, she raised her eyes, looked at her husband, and said boldly: "Master, since the master, wife and grandma ordered my concubine to take care of the accounts, I will do my best to do it carefully, and I will definitely not embarrass my husband!" After a moment of hesitation, she turned her heart away and said, "I still have one thing to report to my husband. , please give me your blessing.” "What's up?" "Do you still remember, Mr. Zhu? That night, the thieves chased after Zhu's house. When we escaped through the back door, Mr. Xiang supported his wife with one hand and grandma with the other. Remembering my concubine, afraid that my concubine will not be able to catch up, I stop and wait from time to time. The concubine is very grateful for the kindness of my husband, but it is not right to do so! Just imagine what kind of person your wife and grandma are, and what kind of person your concubine is. If it is because of your concubine If the wife and grandma are even slightly wrong, then not only will the concubine’s sin be punishable by death, but also the husband will inevitably be called unfilial. Therefore, the husband really loves the concubine. From now on, I will try my best to protect my wife and grandma. Even if the concubine suffers misfortune, Died in the ravine grass, there is absolutely no resentment!" He probably thought that she was going to put forward some conditions on the account management, so Mao Xiang still walked up and down to listen, but stopped soon.He looked at the concubine, looking a little surprised.Then, shaking his head slightly, he seemed to want to explain, but finally he just sighed and said: "You suffered a lot that night! Don't worry, after this experience, I've learned to behave well. No matter what happens, I will never be in such a mess—well, I still have to go to Baogang , it's getting late, help me change my clothes!"