Chapter 28 28

Indeed, Shuying gradually changed.This time she did not obey her father. She still reads English with Jianyun, and learns various subjects with Qin and Juemin.After Keming lost his temper that night, he stopped talking to Shuying about studying.He doesn't care about Shuying's life.As long as he saw that Shuying came to Dingxing sooner or later, she came to say hello when he came home from outside, and she was not absent at the dinner table, he would be satisfied.Zhang has no definite claim at all.Seeing that Keming didn't speak, she didn't interfere with Shuying.She let the girl do as she wished.Sometimes she even covered up for Shuying in front of Keming.

After that, Shuying actually lived some quiet days.Her life is regular and peaceful.No one bothered her.This is like a pool of autumn water, sometimes when the morning breeze blows, a series of ripples float on the surface of the water, and after a while of turbulence, it still returns to a calm state.She naturally has too small worries, but also too small joys.Yet above all this was a great hope.This was placed in front of her by Juehui, Qin, Juemin, and Jianyun.She took that hope as her goal and walked towards it step by step.She did not know when that hope would be fulfilled.But she trusted those people, she knew they wouldn't fool her with mirages.So she can live with peace of mind for the time being.In this peaceful life she began to feel that time passed quickly.

Time flows forward without stopping.The weather is getting cooler gradually.The noisy cicadas were blown away by the autumn wind.What replaced it was the mournful chirping of crickets in the crevices of the stone slabs under the steps at night. Autumn is the best time to live.Half of the people in the Gao family are always idle every day, and there are more guests than before.During the day, everyone gathers to play cards, sometimes one table, sometimes two tables, Wang and Shen must be present, and Zhou and Zhang often also participate.Keming didn't join in often.Although his firm has not received many cases recently, they are not too few, and he often needs to appear in court to defend.He is still not at home often, sometimes he would sit in his room and read old books.Ke'an went to Keming's office every other day, sometimes drafting one or two appeals, or receiving guests.The rest of the time he either went to the theater, played with his brother Keding, or scolded his son at home, and occasionally wrote a couplet or two screens for relatives.Keding also has his small mansion.He took turns staying in the two places, and often invited Ke'an to the small mansion to drink, play cards, and smoke opium.If he was at home, after breakfast, he would initiate a game of cards.The previous generation was busy dawdling at the poker table.Children and nephews have more freedom.Except for children fighting, other disputes in this family gradually decreased.

Juexin went to the company every day to do business as usual.He often visits relatives in his spare time.He is at home, and if there is a shortage of players at the poker table, he is pulled to fill up.He declared several times to quit gambling, but when his aunt sent someone to invite him, he agreed without hesitation.In addition to playing cards at night, they also have another kind of entertainment, which is listening to blind men sing books.This was also initiated by Wang and Shen.But Juexin was also very interested in this.At night, there may be a moon or the sky is full of stars, and the steps and courtyards on both sides of the main room are full of people. Most of the people in the mansion come to enjoy the folk music.Only at this time is the mansion very lively.Even Aunt Chen, who was always invisible during the day, showed her face.Of course, she didn't forget to wipe her face white and her body fragrant.For the last few months she had been going to her mother every day, and returning in the evenings to take part in the common entertainment.

Juemin hated these two kinds of entertainment, but he also knew that they kept the family peaceful, and they gave Shuying some leisure time.He can also use this opportunity to do something outside.He counted the days, he considered the future.Shuying wears filial piety for her grandfather for one year, and after nine months, it is considered full of filial piety.The Chen family has every reason to come to urge an early decision, and maybe they will come to pick him up at the beginning of next year.Shuying's doomed day is getting closer day by day.He often worries about this.He saw Shuying studying all kinds of homework happily every day, and seemed to have forgotten this matter, and he couldn't bear to mention it to her, which made her worry in vain.Therefore, he just secretly discussed with Qin, or with other friends, some necessary preparations and steps.

Qin still often comes to Gao's house.She came more often, almost every other day.But usually she would go home as soon as it got dark; if Mrs. Zhang also came to Gao's house to play cards, she could wait until the second watch to go back with her mother.Qin and Shuying spend more time together.But they also have time to play with Shuhua and Shuzhen.Sometimes the sisters even negotiated to bring Yun over to row boats and have dinner in the garden.As soon as Yun came, there was more laughter among the group of girls.Yun learns rowing from Shuhua, and borrows translated novels from Shuying.She often smiled innocently, and her smile even caused a smile on Shuzhen's mouth.Qin secretly guides and loves them like an elder sister.Jean did her best to maintain an air of peace and joy among them.But when they talked about Hui, Lian Qin would groan in depression.At such times, Yun hid the dimples, frowned tightly, and pouted angrily.At this time, Shuying's clear eyes will be covered by dark clouds again.They could only express a little sympathy and grief for Hui's fate, but they could not relieve Hui's pain in the slightest.As soon as they talked about Hui, sisters Qin and Shuying longed to see her, especially when they knew that she had recently recovered from a new illness. They hoped that she could chat, laugh and play with them as before.It is not easy for them to invite Hui to Gao's house.Hui personally told Juexin that she was not in charge.Yet young hearts are often not afraid of difficulties.They tried their best, and asked Zhou Tongjuexin for help, and finally invited Hui.When Juexin reported the good news to them the day before, how excited and happy these girls were.

Shuying got up early that day.After she finished washing in the back room, she walked back to the front room, where Cuihuan had already propped up the carved lattice window with window sticks.The room is bright.It had rained lightly the night before, and the air in the morning was particularly refreshing.A sweet fragrance rushed to her nose and slowly penetrated into her interior. "Second Miss, smell the fragrance of sweet-scented osmanthus. It bloomed so well in one night. I really welcome Miss Hui," Cuihuan said happily. "Today we are enjoying the sweet-scented osmanthus in the garden. Cousin Hui will definitely like it. Cuihuan, remember to fold some sweet-scented osmanthus for Miss Hui to take back," Shuying instructed with joy.But afterward she became worried again, her joy faded, and she said to herself: "They said that Cousin Hui has lost weight, I haven't seen her for a long time, she gave birth again, I don't know how her body is like?" A magpie screamed triumphantly on the eaves.Cuihuan jokingly said: "Second Miss, listen, the magpies are also calling, there must be a happy event today. What are you worried about?" Shuying couldn't help but chuckle, and said: "Cuihuan, why are you talking about this today? Are you crazy?" "Today the sweet-scented osmanthus flowers are blooming, and Miss Hui is here again, and the third lady is having her birthday, so why is the second lady not allowing me to say a few happy words?" Cuihuan argued with a smile.Then she asked again: "Second Miss, are you still working hard today?" Shuying shook her head and smiled and replied, "I won't read today. The third lady must have gotten up very early when she was born. After I greet the master and wife, I will be happy." Go out and see her." Shuying went to see her parents to say good morning.Mrs. Zhang is combing her hair in the room.Keming talked with Juexin in the study.She greeted Keming, said softly "Dad is up", and stood beside her.Keming nodded to her, didn't ask any questions, and continued to talk to Juexin.She heard Keming say: "This time Liu Sheng went to the countryside to urge the tenants to settle the bill. I don't know what the result will be. Liu Sheng picked up the woman, and he was much more timid. I asked him to go to the countryside to look at the fields. He didn't even care about the fields." I ran back without looking at it. It's a bit ridiculous." "I heard that the countryside is still not quiet. It's even worse where the army goes, and the tenants are hiding, so no one can be found," Juexin explained.

"I don't believe Liu Sheng's words. He often speaks for his tenants," Keming said, shaking his head. "You'd better be tighter to him in the future." "Yes," Juexin replied flatly, although he disagreed with Keming's opinion. Shuying knew that they were talking about the field, she couldn't bear to listen to this kind of words, she barely listened to a paragraph, and then walked away.When she returned to her room, Cuihuan was tidying up her desk, wiping the surface with a rag.She then ordered: "Cuihuan, Miss San invited me to eat noodles this morning. I won't be coming back. You can come out and look for me after finishing your work in a while. I'm not in Miss San's room, but at Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master." In the house," she said, and hurried out the door.

Shuying stood on the stone steps, a strong sweet fragrance rushed towards her face.She looked up and saw that the golden osmanthus plant in front of her was in bloom, and the tree was full of small red and yellow flowers, dotted among the dark green leaves.She thought triumphantly: "Cousin Hui likes sweet-scented osmanthus, she must be happy today." She walked along Guitang to the corner gate, and was about to step out of the corner gate when she heard Shuhua calling her from behind.She turned around quickly.Shuhua was coming out of Mrs. Wang's room, wearing new clothes, looking at Shuying with a smile on her face.Shuying said with a smile: "Third sister, I wish you a lifetime, I wish you a lifetime," and she put her hands together and bowed.

"Don't dare to do it, don't dare to do it," Shuhua declined with a smile.Seeing Shuying bowing, she also returned the gift, and asked, "Second Sister, where are you going?" "I'm going to your place. You promised to treat me to noodles," Shuying replied with a smile . "Naturally. You have given me all the presents, so why not invite you to eat noodles? I'm going to kowtow to my third father and third aunt now. You go with me. Let's go out together in a while. The sweet-scented osmanthus here is really fragrant. The sweet-scented osmanthus in the garden It must be wide open too. Cousins ​​Hui and Yun are here today, and we are very lively," Shuhua said happily.She took Shuying to see Keming, and Shuying went with her.

Keming was still talking to Juexin in the study.Seeing Keming, Shuhua called out "Third Dad", then bowed down and kowtowed, and got up to say hello again.Without waiting for Shuying to explain, Keming knew that it was Shuhua's birthday, so he quickly bowed and bowed in return.He was also very happy to see that Shuhua knew the etiquette.Juexin saw Keming's happy face, and a smile appeared on his face.Shuying accompanied Shuhua to salute Mrs. Zhang again.Shuhua talked there for a few words, then left and went to Shuying's room.Cuihuan followed behind them.Just as Shuhua sat down, Cuihuan suddenly stood in front of Shuhua and said with a smile, "Miss San, I wish you a happy birthday," and kowtowed.It was too late for Shuhua to stop her, so she folded her hands and bowed. "Look, Cuihuan has become very polite these days," Shuying laughed beside her. "Miss San, I wish you a birthday. I'm going to treat you to birthday noodles today," Cuihuan said with a smile. "Naturally. I've ordered too much to prepare some noodles today. You can go outside later and eat with Qixia, Qian'er and the others," Shuhua replied proudly. "Miss San is so generous," Cuihuan jokingly praised.At this time, she heard the voice of "Cuihuan" in the next room, and hurried out. Shuhua and Shuying talked for a few words, and Cuihuan walked in with a red paper bag.She handed the paper bag to Shuhua, and said with a smile: "Miss San, this is from our master and wife." Shuhua took the paper bag, and put it in her bosom without opening it. Politely said to Cuihuan: "You used to say that I thanked the third master and the third wife." "Yes, I will say it," Cuihuan agreed.But she still stood in front of Shuhua and explained, "Here is four yuan. I saw that my wife sealed it." "Do you mean that Miss San will treat you to a midnight snack at night?" Shuying asked. "I don't know if Miss San is willing or not?" Cuihuan looked at Shuhua and said with a smile. "Okay, I'll treat you this afternoon. I'll pay for it myself," Shuhua replied straightforwardly. "Anyway, I didn't pay for this breakfast. I finally invited Cousin Hui, Cousin Yun, and Sister Qin to play. I am willing to invite you to treat me...." Shuzhen suddenly lifted the curtain and came in .Her face was heavily powdered and she was also wearing new clothes.Seeing Shuhua sitting in the room, she said pleasantly: "Sister San, when you went to mother's room, I just got up and combed my hair. Then I looked everywhere for you, but I couldn't find you. I saw the candles in the main room still Burning. I think you probably worshiped God and went to the second sister’s room. You are indeed here. Bless you.” After she finished speaking, she bowed to Shuhua, and took out a red paper bag and handed it to her. Shuhua said, "Here are two yuan, Mom gave it to you." Shuhua returned the gift, took the paper bag, and said thankfully, "Go back and thank Aunt Fifth for me," and then invited: "I invite you to our room for breakfast noodles today." "Then let's invite you this afternoon, shall we?" Shuzhen said. "No, I've already made a deal. This afternoon is my real treat. I'll eat noodles later, not mine, and I don't pay for it," Shuhua said beamingly. This day was also the taboo of Shuying and Shuhua's grandmothers. According to the rules of the Gao family, an early confession was required, so Qin and her mother came in the morning.When they came, the Shuyings were still chatting in the back room, and the three sisters went out to meet their cousin Qin when Qixia reported the letter. At this time, it was very close to the time for "setting the offering". Every chair in the main room was covered with a chair cover, and a new table curtain was replaced on the altar table.Some people gathered in the hall.Men and women are separated on the left and right.Qin and Mrs. Zhang are standing among a group of people on the right.The three Shuying sisters entered the hall and went to salute them.Mrs. Zhang was talking to Keming and Juexin, and the sisters Shuying surrounded Qin and asked questions affectionately.People kept coming, and later even Ke'an and Keding also appeared.The two servants Su Fu and Yuan Cheng brought in the bowls, and Ke Ming and Ke An took them and put them on the altar.Four bowls of vegetables, two bowls of noodles, this is the old rule of the Gao family.After the dishes were ready, candles and incense were lit, and then Keming held the pot and filled the two small silver wine glasses with Shaoxing wine.So starting with Mrs. Zhou, everyone took turns to kowtow in front of the worship mat in the order of seniority and youthfulness.Kowtowing three times was considered the end of the ceremony, and the yellow watch was burned, and the crowd dispersed. The seats are already installed in the dining room in the upper left room.Qin and Mrs. Zhang were invited by Shuhua to eat noodles. Including the three Shuying sisters, Zhou Shi, Juexin, and Juemin, there were a total of eight people, which happened to fill a table.There had been seldom such excitement in the room in recent months. Juexin was also quite happy to see everyone talking and laughing.After they finished eating, Shuhua sent Qixia to greet Cuihuan, Qian'er, Chunlan, plus the maids in this room Huangma, Mrs. He and Mrs. Zhang, a total of seven people ate lively.Shuhua watched with great interest, and she often persuaded them to eat more with a smile, but when they were full and thanked her, she ran away a little embarrassed. Around three o'clock in the afternoon, Mrs. Zhou, Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Xu came with two sisters Hui and Yun.There was a lively scene in Zhou's room again.After saluting hastily, everyone sat down politely. The three sisters Qin and Shuying welcomed Hui with great enthusiasm.They invited Hui and Yun to Juexin's room.They surrounded Hui Xu and asked a lot of questions.Loh's answers were very brief.This is no longer the former Loh.From time to time she looked tired.If she said two more words, she would be out of breath; if she walked two more steps, she would also be out of breath. There was no color on her face, and her cheeks were thinner than before. Even though she had put on makeup, she couldn't hide her sickness.A pair of eyes appear large, but the eyesight is not good.Sisters Qin and Shuying look forward to Hui's arrival every day.However, standing in front of them, Hui brought them a feeling of grief.Seeing their dear ones tortured in such a pitiful state over the course of a few months, these girls could no longer muster up the courage to say a joking word.On the contrary, Hui often asked them about various things with a smile.When Hui heard that Shuying was studying various subjects hard, a gratified smile appeared on her thin face.She praised Shuying and said: "Second cousin, you really have such ambition. You are better than me. You will not fall into my trap." Hui then gave the gift she brought to Shuhua, which was a piece of clothing. The colors are very vibrant.Shuhua thanked her with satisfaction.She said with a sad smile: "This is the color of spring, you deserve to wear it. I don't know why I like spring very much recently, and I look forward to the arrival of spring every day. But I'm afraid—" After she swallowed suddenly if.She still tried to put a little joy on her face, but this effort was not successful.And even the meaning of the words she swallowed was guessed by everyone. "Sister Hui, you were ill just now, so you shouldn't have such thoughts," Qin persuaded with emotion. "Look, we are all happy when you come here. We all miss you, we all care about you. Why do you still despise yourself?" "Sister, how reasonable you are to listen to what Sister Qin said. Even if you don't For your own sake, you should also think about ours, we cannot do without you," Yun said with tears in her eyes, leaning against Hui, following Qin's tone of advice. "I don't want to part with you either. But you don't know what kind of life I live. I have endured enough. Now I cry sadly, and I don't have the energy. The tears are really dry and I can't cry. I'm afraid I will become sicker and weaker day by day like this," Hui said desolately. Juexin knew that Tianhui was coming, so he returned home early from the company.He walked to the door of his room and heard someone talking inside, it was Hui's voice.He stood quietly outside the door curtain and listened for a while.Hearing the last sentence, he couldn't bear it any longer, so he lifted the door curtain and went in. Juexin's appearance immediately interrupted the conversation just now.All eyes were on his face.He put on a smile and greeted Hui and Yun, and deliberately said to Hui: "Cousin Hui, you look much better today. I didn't expect you to recover so quickly, and you don't look sick at all." But his pair of eyes are loving Looking at Hui's haggard face, it was like looking at a dead flower, lest the flower would wither in a blink of an eye. Everyone looked at Juexin in amazement and thought his words were wrong.But Qin and Shuying immediately understood his intention.They echoed from the side, and deliberately found some pleasant words to say.Yun also knew their intentions, so she responded to everyone with a smile.At first, only Shuhua was really joking.Afterwards everyone forgot their melancholy and played noisily in the room for over an hour.Hui also smiled several times. Seeing that the weather was fine, Shuhua remembered the plan she had discussed with Shuying to enjoy the sweet-scented osmanthus in the garden, so she proposed to go to the garden.Hui also said that she wanted to go.Others naturally agree.At this time Juemin also came back.When they left, Juexin was worried that Hui would not be able to move around, and asked Qixia to help her. Everyone entered the garden gate, talking and laughing along the way, which was very lively.Everywhere they went, they always stopped for a while to let Hui rest for a while.Hui came here before she got married.The separation of several months made her miss every plant and tree in the garden. She looked at all the scenes reluctantly, with such eyes, as if she was saying goodbye to all of them.Everything in the garden is full of vitality.The air is also clean and slightly fragrant.The breeze is like a mother's hand stroking people's cheeks frequently. Under the wooden bridge, there is a clear stream flowing slowly, and the sound of the water seems to be the happy whispers of children.These all tugged at her heart.But she deeply felt that there was a big distance between them and her.She doesn't seem to be part of this world anymore. Hui was supported by Qixia across the bridge and walked into the courtyard.A burst of rich sweet fragrance rushed to her face.She unconsciously took a breath of the aroma.She heard Shuhua say: "It's so fragrant." She looked up and saw that the silver osmanthus plants in front of the thatched pavilion were all in bloom.She suddenly smiled and sat down in the pavilion with everyone. "Cuihuan, go and ask Lao Wang to fold sweet-scented osmanthus, and bring them back to Miss Hui and Miss Yun later," Shuying told Cuihuan remembering one thing.Cuihuan agreed and walked away.She also brought a teapot to boil water. "Take it back for me?" Hui asked slightly pleasantly. "That's right, I still remember that Cousin Hui likes sweet-scented osmanthus," Juexin interjected with satisfaction. Hui showed a wry smile and said, "Thank you for remembering." She continued sadly: "I don't want it anymore, let the second sister take some back. I have no interest this year. Take a good flower to me, but it will wither in a day or two, so let it stay on the tree. "" If you don't fold, you will also thank the flowers.Anyway, it will be open again next year.Why do you cherish it so much," Shuhua said disapprovingly. "Cousin Hui, you don't have to be polite, just take some back. There are so many branches on the tree, we can't see it. We will often send you flowers in the future. If you are depressed, looking at the flowers can also relieve your boredom," Shuying said to Hui kindly. "Sister Hui, what the second cousin said is also very correct," Qin also echoed.She looked at Hui with pity, suppressing the sudden grief. "We miss you every day, and finally you came here today. We often play together, and everyone is lively. Sometimes you think of us when you are alone. We have no way to see you, I will give you some flower branches, and you will see the flowers as if you saw us. This can also comfort you. Do you think about it?" "Cousin Hui, look, sister Qin can really talk. We can't say what we want, she can't say it all at once. I just said it. She taught the second sister to read. She is a good sister to our sisters. We really can't do without her. I used to be really worried that she would fly to another house. Now I am not afraid, I know that the second brother is there Here, I can rest assured," Shuhua joked Qin when she saw the tears gradually appearing in Hui's eyes. "Bah, I'm talking serious, I want you to interrupt. I'm not a bird, how can I fly around?" Qin slightly blushed and spit with a smile, making everyone laugh. As soon as the laughter stopped, everyone saw the gardener Lao Wang walking towards Cuihuan with an axe. Hui sighed, and said in a panting mournful voice: "I will never forget your kindness. But now I am very afraid of seeing the flowers wither. I always remember the two lines in "Funeral Flower Poems": How long can bright beauty and fresh beauty last?" , Once wandering, it is hard to find. Of course, flowers are like this. In fact, why are people not like this?I'm usually at home..." When she said this, she suddenly coughed. She lowered her head, covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and pressed one hand on the stone table. This time she coughed more severely, and her face turned red. Qixia stood beside her and beat her back. Everyone looked at her with concern. Even Lao Wang stood in the courtyard and looked inside with surprise. Soon Hui stopped coughing, took the teacup Cuihuan handed her, and drank a few mouthfuls of tea.She still panted for a while, then raised her eyes tiredly to look at everyone, and said weakly: "I want to go out for a while." "Sister, I'll go out with you," Yun said tearfully. "Let's all go out," Shuying said. Everyone agrees with Shuying's words.Before they left, Shuhua also ordered Lao Wang to chop off the sweet-scented osmanthus and send it to her room. Hui lay on Shuhua's bed for a while, and gradually recovered.Qin and Shuying sisters stayed in the room with her.Then she sat up too, and chatted casually with them.She talks less, or they talk more.Later, Qin and sisters Shuying went out to "put a confession", leaving Yun, Cuihuan, and Qixia in the room to accompany Hui. Not long after the offerings were made, it was time for lunch. Lunch was eaten in Juexin's room, and Juexin and Juemin also came to participate. It was still Shuhua's treat, but the plan she had agreed with Shuying to enjoy the sweet-scented osmanthus in the garden could not be realized. Hui only ate half a bowl of rice.But when she saw Shuhua talking and laughing and drinking, she often had a smile on her face, which reassured everyone.After eating this meal for two hours, Loh's seat was relatively comfortable, and she felt that she could support herself, so she tried her best not to show a little tiredness.She thought: This might be the last lively meeting she had with them.So she didn't want to leave early, and she didn't want to spoil their interest with her sorrow.Later, as soon as she left the table, Mrs. Zhang, under Chen's order, came to urge her and Yun to prepare to go home. Chen was worried that Hui's body would not be able to support her, and asked her to go home early to rest.She stayed at Zhou's house that night, as Mrs. Zhou had agreed with Zheng Guoguang. When Hui was leaving, Shuhua insisted that Qixia put a few sweet-scented osmanthus flowers in the place behind Hui's sedan chair.Hui finally took the sweet-scented osmanthus away.Her sedan chair should be very heavy, because she took away not only a few sweet-scented osmanthus, but also the love and sympathy of those girls, and she also took away Juexin's heart.