Chapter 6 Chapter Six
Li Xu returned home in the afternoon of the fourth day, one day earlier than the scheduled date, so he seemed an uninvited guest; Bi Wen happily took him in, and then sent Lao Liu to Wangfu and Sanyuan Inn to inform Zhu Shi and Cao Shilong.
"I said King Zhuang would come today, so I had to wait for him; I got a letter last night, so I won't come." Li Xu laughed and said, "If he doesn't come, I will come!"
"The sooner your old man comes back, the better; there is something waiting for you to make up your mind."
"What's up?"
"I can't tell. I'll let our master come and talk to uncle and grandpa later." Biwen asked, "It will take a while before dinner is ready; are you hungry? Would you like to have a snack with two eggs?"
"Okay!" Li Xu was more tainted with Jiangnan's language and customs than Cao's family, and honestly said in Nanfang's dialect: "I'll come to two water shop eggs."
When Bi Wen just brought the chicken soup, water, and eggs, Cao Shilong had already arrived; he was about to come to Zhu's house, but he met Lao Liu on the way, and knew that Li Xu had arrived, so he rushed over and shouted: "Uncle! " Then he knelt down and kowtowed.
"Don't dare, dare not!" Li Xu got up and replied; when Cao Shilong finished his ceremony, he cupped his hands and said, "Brother Shi, forgive my stupid eyes, I don't know I saw it in Nanjing."
"I've seen it before. But you must not remember me." Cao Shilong said, "I'm a generation behind Second Uncle Zhen."
"Oh, oh! Please sit down. You are the second uncle, and——" Li Xu turned to Biwen and asked, "What do you call this elder brother and the fourth master?"
"It's Grandpa Fourth."
"Your fourth grandfather and your second uncle Zhen, okay?"
"Thanks to Uncle and Grandpa. Fourth Grandpa, Second Uncle Zhen, and Second Aunt, I am very happy to hear that you have received grace in old age. I am specially sent to pay my respects to Uncle and Grandpa. I also brought some food , The things used are arranged by Second Aunt Zhen herself."
"It's all in your old house."
As soon as Bi Wen said this, Cao Shilong said again: "When I get it, please have a look at it."
The things were packed in a huge basket, and Cao Shilong couldn't move it by himself; Biwen wanted to help him carry it, but he was a little reluctant.It happened that Qi's mother made new tea; she immediately volunteered.
Arriving at Li Xu's bedroom one after the other, Qi's mother immediately made a mischief: first she turned around and glanced at Cao Shilong, then pressed her index finger on her lips to signal silence, as if he was going to say something flirtatious and purposely warn.
Cao Shilong had no such intentions at all, seeing that she was trying to seduce, he naturally didn't have to be polite; he hugged her, stroked her puffy chest a few times, and then let go.
"Hey! It's quite heavy!" Qi's mother said after trying the basket.
Cao Shilong squeezed her hand and reminded her, "Be careful of the thorns on the bamboo strips."
"I have thorns on my body." Qi's mother said in a very low voice: "Don't touch me." As she said, she glanced sideways again.
"I live in the Sanyuan Inn, the east is across the yard, the north is the room, and the west is the second room." Cao Shilong also replied in a low voice.
Qi's mother nodded and said nothing.The two carried the baskets to the hall; Qi's mother cut the rope with scissors, Cao Shilong lifted the cover, and pointed out one by one, nothing more than shoes and socks, food, medicine and so on.Among them was a packet of Sun Chunyang's pine nut candy; Li Xu tasted a piece, tears streaming down his face.
Except Qi's mother, everyone knows where his tears come from?Biwen wanted to divert his mood, and said deliberately: "You old man lived on the mountain for a few days, why did you get a problem with me crying in the wind?" As he said, he handed over a handkerchief.
"Ah!" Cao Shilong suddenly remembered, "There is one more important thing." He took out a towel bag from his clothes pocket, which contained a letter from Cao Fu to Li Xu.
At the beginning of the credit "my uncle respects you and respects you", the whole family is happy to receive the good news of being pardoned; Cao Shilong was specially sent to Beijing to visit.The letter is not long, and if it is more important, there is only one sentence, if there is a shortage of daily expenses, it can be used in Tongzhou Yuanhe pawn.
The Cao family is the shareholder of Yuanhe Pawnshop; no more than ten people know about it, not even Li Ding.Li Xu naturally knew; it was Cao Yin's deliberate setback back then, with a share capital of 7,000 silver, operating year after year, with increasing profits, and now if the stock splits, at least 100,000 silver can be divided.When Li Xu ransacked his home and needed to make up for the shortfall, he hoped that the Cao family could borrow 30,000 to 50,000 silver from Yuanhe, but the Cao family didn't say anything, and it was inconvenient for him to ask.Now I read what Cao Fu said in his letter; I know that he could not make the decision before, but now that Mrs. Cao has passed away, he can make up his mind; although the scope is limited to "daily expenses", the expenditure is only two or three hundred silver Decimals, but after all, it is emotional.
"The fourth master is loyal." He said this to Bi Wen, put away the letter, and asked Cao Shilong, "Is Second Grandma Zhen still in power now?"
"Yes!" Cao Shilong replied, "Thanks to Second Aunt Zhen for supporting me."
"What about official business? Still leave it to your second uncle Zhen?"
"Fourth Grandpa sometimes cares about it." Cao Shilong said again: "It's okay to leave it alone."
"how?"
"Second Uncle Zhen's spirit is not as good as before."
Hearing this, Li Xu's thick gray eyebrows were almost twisted into a knot: "He's only in his thirties!" He sighed slightly, "It must be because of the words of wine and sex."
Neither Cao Shilong nor Bi Wen dared to answer; during this silence, Zhu Shi's voice was heard.
After entering the door, I greeted Li Xu first; then greeted Cao Shilong, then sat down and said: "This morning, I heard that there was a decree: the concubine Rong passed away, and King Zhuang led twenty guards to drink wine. King Zhuang will not go Yizhou, I guessed that you would always come back early. Sure enough, I guessed."
"Oh!" Li Xu asked very attentively: "Concubine Rong passed away?"
"Yes. Died yesterday."
"Is there another decree?"
"No."
"Didn't the third elder brother come to wear filial piety?"
"Uncle and uncle mean Prince Cheng?"
"yes!"
"No." Zhu Shi asked again: "Concubine Rong is the birth mother of Prince Cheng?"
"That's right!" Li Xu thought for a while and said, "It's almost eighty, right?"
"Why?" Zhu Shi asked puzzledly, "Older than the old emperor?"
"That's not true! At least two or three years older than the old emperor. His surname is Ma, and he is also Huizi. The first elder brother of the old emperor, named Cheng Rui, was born to Concubine Rong; the old emperor was only thirteen years old at that time, or ten years old. Four years old, I don't remember exactly."
"Thirteen years old." Biwen said confidently.
"Huh!" Zhu Shi asked, "How do you know?"
Biwen He Neng said honestly that Guan Qin stole a spring booklet from Second Grandma Zhen and "opened up her knowledge" from Chunyu; everyone talked about it in private, and maybe they would have a child at the age of thirteen like the late emperor.But it's easy to tell lies.
"I heard what the old lady said."
"Concubine Rong has given birth to five sons, only the third elder brother is left behind." Li Xu said with emotion, "Concubine Rong may not be able to die with regret."
Prince Cheng was envious of the current emperor because he recruited Chen Menglei to edit his books, so he deliberately sent him to guard the mausoleum.It's no good to talk about the grievances and grievances of these palace bans; Bi Wen is careful and knows the pros and cons.Immediately dropped the topic.
"Dinner is almost ready, let me take a look." She winked at Zhu Shi, "Why don't you ask uncle and grandpa if you are used to living on the construction site?"
Zhu Shi nodded deeply, expressing his full understanding; but he had nothing to say: "Uncle and Grandpa, there is news, but it is not very good!" He said, "What should you do?" The story of the fading incident was told to Li Xu.
Li Xu was very calm, and said after listening, "This situation is inevitable; I don't think there will be serious punishment."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of Zhu Shi and Cao Shilong were very different in the midst of the accident, one was surprised and disbelieving; the other was beaming with joy.
"I have encountered similar things; Jiang Ning has also encountered them; it is roughly a penalty."
"That's something that happened during the Kangxi period!"
"correct."
"But--."
"I know what you're going to say!" Li Xu shook his hand and interrupted Zhu Shi, "'If you want to be punished, why don't you have a reason?' If you want to punish him severely, you should have found another big case and brought this person into it. There is no need to find fault with such trivial matters. The topic is small, and the article is not big."
"Yes, yes!" Zhu Shi admired him wholeheartedly, "I really have to ask my uncle and grandpa for advice! Only you can always see through this kind of thing. If I had known this, I wouldn't have to rush to write a letter."
Li Xu's eyes widened with surprise, "What?" He asked, "You have already written a letter to Jiangning."
"Yes!" Zhu Shi was very confused. "Is there something wrong?"
Li Xu didn't answer; it took a while before he replied: "It doesn't matter." Then he turned his face and asked: "Brother Shi, when will you come back?"
Cao Shilong originally wanted to rush back because he had caused a disaster and had to deal with it quickly; at this moment, he still wanted to rush back because he had to use Li Xu's words to express his love; There will be no serious punishment.In this way, Second Grandma Zhen would not be afraid that her husband would quarrel with her.
"I'm fine in Beijing." He said, "I think Fourth Grandpa and Second Uncle Zhen must be very anxious to receive the letter from Fifth Master Zhu; I have to tell them what Uncle and Grandpa said."
"By the way! You should go back early. That day?"
"Tomorrow is too late, let's go the day after tomorrow."
"Come again tomorrow. I have a letter, please take it."
"Yes! I will come tomorrow afternoon to say goodbye to my uncle and great grandfather."
"I don't dare to take my farewell! Tonight, I'll borrow flowers to offer Buddha, and I'll drink two cups with you. One is to thank you, and the other is to say farewell." Li Xu asked Zhu Shi: "Brother Zhu, where's our aunt?"
"Grandma" is a good name for Chong Biwen; Zhu Shishi sniffed his nose twice and replied: "You are always back, of course she has to stew rock sugar elbows; she must be in the kitchen at the moment. I will call her."
"Not busy! Not busy! I mean, if there is time, see if the ham and dried bamboo shoots brought for me can be eaten?"
"Yes, I told her to go."
So Zhu Shi went to the kitchen and called Bi Wen out; in addition to conveying Li Xu's intentions, he also told her that Cao Fu would not be punished severely.
This is good news, and Bi Wen was relieved; he made two more dishes out of the ready-made ham, dried bamboo shoots, scallops, etc., and the three of them drank happily until the second watch.
Seeing off the guests back, Biwen had brewed a pot of Dongting Biluochun sent by Cao Shilong; he packed some exquisite tea and food, chatting with Li Xu.
"Fifth brother, you sit here." Li Xu set up two soft chairs in front of his bed, one for himself and Zhu Shi for the other; Pass him; look at his eyes, it's a perfect match with Qi's mother."
Hearing this, Zhu Shi and Bi Wen covered their mouths.
"Just now, after hearing from my aunt, I realized that the discoloration of the imperial gown was caused by his making a mess of it. He was involved in this matter, so we must pay special attention to it; there is nothing wrong with it, and maybe mediocrity will cause trouble." Li Xu hurriedly said again, "Fifth Brother, I'm not saying that you're a mediocre person to write a letter to Cao's family."
Zhu Shi had a very cheerful disposition, and he replied calmly: "You are always talking too much. However, I have something I can't help but say; it seems that I don't need to send that letter. What's the reason? Uncle Grandpa, can you tell me?"
"You sent the letter purely out of concern, and you did the right thing. I'm afraid that the uncle and nephew of the Cao family will dispose of something improperly. Now everyone is in a mood of jitters and panic; Seeking a way to protect oneself. Either cheating on others, or hiding property; I hate this the most in the world!" Li Xu said again: "You are in the south, and you have always heard about my successor."
That refers to Hu Fenghui; the year before last, he was decreed to be dismissed and investigated, and he was so frightened that he hanged himself to death.At that time, it caused quite a lot of speculation. I don't know why he was severely condemned; but judging from the fact that he committed suicide in fear of crime, he was probably Nian Gengyao's close henchman.
When Zhu Shi relayed the rumors, Li Xu laughed. He said: "What year party? He was afraid that others would misunderstand him as a year party because he was not a year party. Mediocrity, he killed himself!"
It turned out that Hu Fenghui was sent to weaving in Suzhou, and it was his wife, Tuo's sister; that is, the Nian noble concubine spoke to the emperor, and then she got her wish.Hu Fenghui is under the five flags, and he is the leader of the "Prince Yong".This violated the taboo that the emperor always hoped that the "coating" would be quiet.When Nian Gengyao fell out of favor, he would set up a big prison; because Nian Gengyao had spoken in front of the emperor for him because of his close relatives, Hu Fenghui was afraid of being misunderstood as the "Nian Party", so he inquired about the "Nian Case" everywhere, and at the same time tried his best "Leave it clear".The emperor knew this; he was very angry, but he didn't give a clear warning. He only sneered at Zhu's decree, and vaguely issued a very serious warning, which made Hu Fenghui even more frightened and restless.So as soon as he was ordered to be demoted and investigated, he thought that there was no possibility of getting a loan, so he hanged himself.
"You see, the boss of the Nian family knows the trick very well; no matter what happens to his younger brother, he will still work in the Ministry of Internal Affairs as usual. Isn't everything safe?"
Li Xu was referring to Nian Gengyao's elder brother Nian Xiyao; Zhu Shi thought it was true, and immediately said, "Maybe the uncle and nephew of the Cao family can't understand this truth. You should write another letter."
"Yes. I must write. However, Ang You should know it thoroughly; he always understands that he is under the care of Elder Brother Thirteen, and the situation is different."
"Thirteen Elder Brothers" refers to Prince Yi; Zhu Shi also heard that Prince Yi is the emperor's most trusted and capable assistant.But I don't know why the "person" handed over to him is "different"?
Looking at his eyes, you can tell that he doesn't understand; Li Xu said: "There are no outsiders here, let me tell you some secrets." He lowered his voice very low: "Everyone knows that my position is not right today. ;What will happen in the future, but only he himself knows. At the beginning, he divided the people who were related to the elder brother and the eighth elder brother into several categories: the first one was for him to deal with it himself, and he had to find Capable people help, such as the eighth elder brother, the ninth elder brother, young workers, uncle Longkodo, etc., not necessarily the people who call for help, and there are also those who do not help properly, but suffer from it. Second. The first kind is also for him to take care of himself, but he doesn’t need to think too much, just remove it, I am this kind. The third kind is honest and easy to control; you can’t just leave it alone To the thirteenth brother, as long as you flatter your errands, keep yourself safe, and don't play tricks, you will be fine. So there is really no need for Ang You to panic, keeping calm is the only way to maintain prosperity."
"According to this, I am too exaggerated. However, Manager Shang's letter seems to be very serious."
"Don't listen to him!" Li Xu couldn't help complaining, "People from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, I see them too clearly! If a person enters the Ministry of Internal Affairs, his temperament will be different. You have to be careful when dealing with them. .”
"Why are you so careful?" Biwen looked at Zhu Shi and said, "Aren't you going to ask my uncle for advice?"
"Let me teach you a secret," Li Xu said, "You have to believe what they say, you can't believe everything, God knows it, and it depends on your own discretion."
"Yes! Uncle and Grandpa's words, I understand; it's like having no books is worse than having no books."
"That's right! That's almost what it means." Li Xu yawned as he spoke.
"Uncle and Grandpa are going to be resettled." Biwen immediately said, "Let's go!" Then, he called in Shou'er, a young servant whom Li Xuxin used, and explained a lot about how to serve the "Master". actually resigned.
Qi's mother was still waiting, and Biwen only thought that she would ask for instructions as usual, whether to eat pasta or rice tomorrow, and what dishes to cook?Unexpectedly, the first thing she said was: "Grandma, I have to ask you for two days off?"
"Ask for leave!" Biwen asked, "Why?"
"Someone sent a message today that my mother is ill, so I have to go back and have a look."
Biwen was surprised, "Isn't your mother dead?" she asked.
"It's the stepmother."
"Stepmother?" Biwen looked at her face carefully and said, "You are really filial to your stepmother."
Qi's mother was a little shy, and she didn't have time to answer; Zhu Shi spoke for her: "Look at the stepmother, you should also, you should let her go!"
"Okay!" Bi Wen said, "But it's only two days, and I'll be back the day after tomorrow."
"I'm afraid it will be too late the day after tomorrow, so I'll be back early the day after tomorrow."
When Bi Wen got up the next day, Qi's mother had already left; Li Xu had just got up, and breakfast was still unavailable, so Bi Wen had to cook for herself.Li Xu is accustomed to southern food and likes to eat porridge for breakfast; this pot of porridge is cooked, and the window is already full of red sun.Zhu Shi had been talking with Li Xu for quite a while; drinking tea on an empty stomach, both of them could hear "gurgling" and "gurgling" in their stomachs.
Bi Wen naturally felt deeply guilty, but Li Xu was even more apologetic, and insisted on waiting for Bi Wen to clean up before eating together.
"Grandma," Li Xu said bluntly, "I don't think Mama Qi is going to be useful. You might as well hire someone as soon as possible, and it's more convenient to add a little girl."
"That's what I said too." Zhu Shi responded, "Little girl is a must; otherwise it would be inconvenient to be a guest there."
This reminded Biwen, "Uncle, I have to ask you for advice." She said, "Tai Fujin asked about me; I have to go to the mansion to pay her respects. I don't quite understand the etiquette .”
"National rituals first, family rituals later." Li Xu said again: "But it's not necessarily; it depends on Tai Fujin's meaning."
"What do you think?"
"Listen to what she calls you? If she calls you Grandma Shiyi, of course you call her Taifujin; if she tells you about your natal family and calls you by your first name, or to be more polite, call you Miss Biwen, of course you should call her Her aunt and wife, that's not what she looks like."
"Yes, yes!" Biwen understood, "I understand."
"Have you met your aunt before?"
"No," Bi Wen replied, "Where is there a chance?"
"That's right! The year my aunt and wife came out of the cabinet, I'm afraid you were not born yet." Li Xu said with emotion, "That was the most beautiful time for our two families. Who would have dreamed of a life like this?"
"Don't be sad, uncle and grandpa. In my opinion, there will be good days in the future." Zhu Shi said confidently, "Xiao Wang is very kind and kind, and he is most willing to miss the past; as long as he is proud, he will definitely take care of his uncle's family."
"Oh!" Li Xu asked very attentively: "Has he ever asked about me?"
"I mentioned it to me, saying that he has entrusted King Zhuang; I also know that my uncle lives with me. Because of the conversation, I asked him if he would like to see him? He said: it is not convenient at the moment." Zhu Shi said again: "I'll mention it to him when I get a chance."
"No, no need!" Li Xu waved his hands hastily, "Since he said 'it's inconvenient at the moment', he always has me in his heart, and when it's convenient, he will naturally notify me to see him." He paused and said: "Actually, it doesn't matter whether I see him or not, but Xiao Ding, I hope you have a chance to mention it."
"Yes, yes! I've been thinking this way all the time. Although I haven't met Mr. Ding, I've admired him for a long time. Let me put it bluntly, he is old and different from you; and now that he has the title of Tongzhi, he knows everything well." It’s easier to focus on.”
Today's emperor controls his subjects, and there is a method of "criminal not as good as children". The father is severely punished, but the son is innocent;From the combination of grace and power, it can be seen that he "distinguishes right from wrong"; and the biggest role is to tell people: Father and brother can't be relied on, only loyal to the emperor, you can get blessings and avoid disasters.So Li Xu joined the army and Li Ding was fine; since he has donated his co-presence, even though it is a false title, if he wants to be included in the team that can make up for the lack, it is not much better than having nothing to rely on.
But Zhu Shi only knew one thing, not the other, because he didn't have a deep understanding of the Eight Banners system after all.Today's emperor has extremely strict control over the traces of the banner people. The adult children under the banner should be on standby in the banner to perform errands, and they are not allowed to leave Beijing unless they are authorized to do so.At that time, Li Ding sent his father out of the customs, and he had reported to the capital of the banner, and when Li Xu returned, Li Ding sent the widow and widow of Cha's family to Jilin. It's an official matter, and it is said that "volunteering to serve in the frontier on behalf of my father", the words are very high-sounding.If he said that he wanted to return to Beijing to work on an errand, wouldn't it be backfired?
For this reason, Li Xu pondered and did not answer; Bi Wen knew a little about the whole story, and immediately said: "You must discuss the matter of Master Ding carefully, and you must keep it in mind."
Xu Li said:
"That's a good thing, you need to discuss it carefully. You have business, please go ahead! I have to write a letter too."
After getting the letter from Zhu's house, the clerk of the Sanyuan Inn greeted him and said: "Master Cao, there is a guest in your house. She said that she was serving your old lady, and she wanted to take her back to the south and let her wait for her." ; so I opened the door and let her in."
Cao Shilong was stunned for a moment, and then he understood, "That's right!" He said, "I asked her to come here." But he immediately thought of his little fellow Xiangcai; Let’s go to the temple fair; we’re leaving tomorrow, so go shopping today!” He took out a piece of silver, about two or three weights, and handed it to Xiangcai: “If you want to go shopping, go shopping as fast as you can; come back before dark that is."
Xiangcai didn't know that the master sent him away on purpose, and he was not allowed to see the "guest" at the moment; he took the money and left happily.Cao Shilong didn't go in until his back disappeared. Sure enough, Qi's mother had cleaned up the house and was sitting and drinking tea.
"I said it was the guest? So it was you!" Cao Shilong asked, "When did you come?"
"It's been a while." Qi's mother said with a little embarrassment, "Master Cao didn't expect it to be me, did he?"
"It's not an accident." Cao Shilong asked, "How did you get here? Did you sneak out?"
"No! I asked my grandma for two days off."
"Then—" Cao Shilong said with a smile, "plan to stay with me for two days?"
Qi's mother glanced at him, lowered her head and asked, "Aren't you happy?"
"Whoever says they don't like it, they can't ask for it. However," Cao Shilong saw no one outside the window, hugged her and kissed her, "This is not a good place! Old Liu is coming to see you off; you can't let him see it."
Qi's mother had planned it long ago. If Cao Shilong had no scruples and was willing to keep her in Sanyuanzhan, she would not care - Sanhe County is a place where banners and Han people are mixed, with unique customs;The girls there, like the girls under the banner, run around the streets, never knowing what it means to be shy; they don't care if they see people; Peng Peng, the famous "Master Du", was the magistrate of Sanhe County before he "walked and fetched" The first emperor heard that he was excellent in governance, and he was not afraid of the evil slaves and servants under the princes and nobles. He didn't enter the stream, but he still made a special purpose to stay in office.
Before the imperial censor "Xingqu", the first emperor came to inspect in person; the local people already knew that "Master Peng" was about to be transferred, and they had no choice but to "kneel incense" when the imperial driver arrived, and asked for an order of kindness to order Peng Peng to stay in office.The late Emperor was greatly moved, and promised to give another good official to Sanhe County; a young girl actually resisted and said back, "No! Your Majesty should give that good official to another place."
Because of this, the mothers in Sanhe County all bring "on the kang".However, it is not appropriate for Lao Liu to find out about a distant visitor who has just met in private like this, so he has found a place in advance; it is a widow belonging to Xianglan Banner, her husband He died, occupying three official rooms, and only got a son and a daughter who were less than ten years old. Two rooms are enough, and the remaining one is specially rented to the civil and military officials who come to Beijing for a short-term stay. It doesn't cost much to do laundry, and living in an inn is more comfortable, so many people ask for advice.Qi's mother happened to meet a vacancy and explained that if she wanted to rent, she would hear back before noon.
"It's great to have such a place!" Cao Shilong asked, "Is it far away?"
"It's not far, just enter the Shunzhi Gate."
Shunzhi Gate is Xuanwu Gate, find a place to knock on the door; the person who answered the door was a middle-aged woman, and Qi's mother called her "Aunt Fu";
"Master Zhao, how long do you plan to stay?"
"Not sure." Qi's mother hurriedly replied, "If you stay for one day, you can pay the price for three days."
Aunt Fu saw a lot of people, so she knew it was a pair of dewy mandarin ducks; instead of being courteous, she was annoying, so she went to bring a pot of tea, and closed the door behind her.
"It's so easy here!" Cao Shilong sat down and patted his thigh; Qi's mother sat on his lap.
"My name is Cuihua." Qi's mother said again: "Don't forget, your surname is Zhao."
"Why did you change my surname?" Cao Shilong said with a smile: "It's not bad to have the first surname from a hundred families."
"Then just let the surname be Zhao."
"What's your last name?"
"Isn't your surname Qi?"
"You? There is another surname." Cao Shilong asked: "Is Qi the surname of her natal family, or her husband's surname?"
"My mother's family."
"Where's your husband's house?"
"Are you hot?" Qi's mother answered irrelevantly.
"That's right! Look, I'm still wearing a mandarin jacket."
So Qi's mother got up, and first took off the mandarin jacket for Cao Shilong; she also took off a black tribute waistcoat.
"I understand." Cao Shilong said suddenly, "Your husband's family name is Zhao?"
Qi's mother smiled and did not answer, which proved that Cao Shilong's guess was right; at this moment, her heart became hot, and her body also became hot.
"No wonder the doors and windows are closed, no wonder it's hot." He said as he started to take off his jacket.
Mama Qi didn't take off her clothes again, but she unbuttoned all the buttons under her chin, revealing a section of white flesh under her neck, and wiped the sweat with her hands.
"Guess right? Your husband's surname is Zhao."
"It's okay!" Qi's mother glanced at him.
"So, I am your husband." Cao Shilong put his arms around her and unbuttoned her underarms, "Go! Go to bed and be a couple."
While speaking, while dragging; Qi's mother smacked outside; when Cao Shilong let go, she quietly went to lock the door, turned around, and fell into Cao Shilong's arms, her eyes were slightly closed, and her breath was heavy.
The "husband and wife" have been in Liangxiang, and Qi's mother reluctantly returned to Beijing; it was already a day late when she arrived home.Go to the kitchen first when you enter the door, because the houses in the alley are full of cooking smoke. "You're back!" Bi Wen, who was chopping meat, said without raising his head. "Grandma, here I come!" Qi's mother took the kitchen knife first, then frowned and said, "I'm anxious, there's nothing I can do! My mother-in-law is about to die." While talking, she recalled the scene of getting up from the hot bed to see off Cao Shilong , Eye circles could not help but red. Biwen couldn't bear it, and felt that her conscience had been blamed. At that time, she shouldn't have suspected that she asked for leave under excuses, made sarcasm, and was still filial to her mother-in-law.So I sat down and wanted to say a few words of condolence. "What's wrong with your mother-in-law?" "Asthma." Qi's mother said, "How many years of old roots; this time the attack is particularly severe. A person who is seventy years old must not be able to keep it; it is just a matter of two or three days." "Hey!" Bi Wen complained to her, "In this case, you should die at home; just ask someone to deliver a letter." "That's what I thought; I'm afraid Grandma won't be used by anyone." "Oh!" Only then did Biwen remember, and shouted loudly, "I cherish the rest! Cherish the rest!" "Here it is!" In response came a little girl, about thirteen or fourteen years old; she was lighting a fire under the stove, but she was not a "servant under the stove" whose head was as flying as a feather and as stupid as a deer hog; Braided hair, light green bamboo cloth jacket and hakama, covered with a half-worn sapphire blue satin long waistcoat, the waist is a bit bigger, so a sash is tied; Qi's mother recognized it as the mistress's clothes; big feet, wearing a pair that is probably new Her blue satin shoes were also given to her by Biwen. "Her surname is Shen, and her nickname is Axi. The uncle changed her name to Xiyu." Mama Qi saw that the mistress was smiling, looking at Xiyu up and down, she was extremely proud, and she knew it in her heart, "Hey," she deliberately surprised, "Look at how well-dressed you are by the grandma! In the mansion; grandpa and grandma are the most sympathetic servants. Don’t be blessed! Be obedient! How old are you this year?" "Thirteen." "The same age as my dead daughter." Hearing this, Biwen was also happy for a while, so she didn't follow the rules of the big family, where servants and servants were roughly equal in front of the master, and only talked about their seniority and changed their names in private: "You can call Qi Mama Second Aunt Qi. Be good with her." Your Second Aunt Qi learns how to use the ladle." "Yes!" Xiyu agreed, and said to Qi's mother, "Second Aunt Qi, I don't know anything! You should teach me a little more." "Of course I will teach you; as long as you are willing to learn." Qi's mother said again: "There is no way to pay attention to cleanliness in the kitchen; a very good waistcoat, it doesn't hurt if it gets dirty. Go and change it!" "En!" Xiyu agreed; but she looked at the mistress, waiting for her to say something. Biwen originally dressed up like this on purpose to cherish Yu; knowing that Qi's mother would come back one day, she intended to "demonstrate" to her.If there is anything unreasonable about Qi's mother, she is ready to settle the wages immediately and send her away.Things are of course different now. "Go change it!" "yes." After Xiyu left, Biwen told Qi's mother that she was an orphan and her uncle liked to gamble; he mortgaged her twenty taels of silver for a period of seven years. Qi's mother didn't wait for her to finish, so she grabbed the words and said: "Grandma, your calculation is wrong! When grandma is trained, you will belong to someone else; all your hard work will be in vain. Why don't you love her again?" Uncle, a few taels of silver; break the relationship forever!" Speaking of the word "ge", a knife goes down, and the tip of the knife at the back goes deep into the chopping board, and the knife is slanted there. Biwen also accepted her idea during her knife; nodded and said: "Your words are reasonable. When the uncle comes back, I will discuss it with him." "Master still listens to grandma." Qi's mother went to get a clean sea bowl; at the same time, she expressed her sincerity in protecting the Lord: "It's not that I said something every day, grandma thinks everything is right, so why don't you just do it right?" Just make up your mind to do this, there is no need to discuss it with the uncle." "That depends on something!" Biwen replied, "I heard that there are quite a lot of banner people in your Sanhe County, and I have always heard about the rules of the banner people; I know what to do, the unique regulations, I understand Yes, I’m doing the same thing, but I still have to keep my words in mind so as not to forgive me.” "That's the 'Baoyi' family—." As soon as the words came out, Qi's mother suddenly remembered that Cao Shilong said that the Cao family was the "Baoyi" of Shangsanqi, so she added the following sentence "I was born to be a slave" , abruptly intercepted. Bi Wen was silent.Fortunately, Xi Yu came back after changing clothes, and the semi-stiff situation was resolved. The three masters and servants worked together, mixing stuffing, kneading noodles, and making dumplings——Biwen couldn't help but think of the days when she was with Aunt Ji, which often resembled the situation at this moment ; but the status is different. While making dumplings and chatting, Biwen talked about going to the palace to meet Tai Fujin, and Qi's mother volunteered to accompany her; she said that she was very familiar with the rules of the banner, so she wouldn't be unable to catch up.Biwen readily agrees.
As soon as they arrived at Pingjun Prince's Mansion, Biwen was accompanied by the housekeeper and entered the middle gate; Lao Liu was the host at the gate and went to the empty room to have tea.Qi's mother didn't care about anything, and went with Lao Liu honestly. The palace has specific regulations. The entrance is a long corridor, with a row of one-story houses on each side, a total of 24 rooms, with various purposes. Guards are on duty to rest, purchase goods and checkout; Posting gifts, waiting for a reply here; moreover, like receiving Lao Liu and Qi's mother, they always set tea and dinner here. When I led to the west head, I saw that the seventh and eighth rooms were connected. There were many people inside and out. I don't know what they were doing?The tenth room is an empty room, and I took my seat here; the last room has a tea stove, and I ordered a pot of teapot as usual on the door, and a plate of rough tea and food "Xiao Ba Pi", and the notice was "Please Master Zhu Housekeeper", you can go to the external account room to open the public account. After exchanging a few words of pleasantries, Qi's mother said, "Brother in the door, please ask Zhigong to go!" "Offended, offended! I have to stay with you less. Come back to eat with the two of you." After finishing speaking, he bowed on the door, turned and left. Lao Liu is used to coming here, sitting and drinking tea; Qi's mother is new to the palace, and everything is new. Looking outside the rear window, there are always old mothers passing by, and she can't help but say: "What are you going to do? I also Take a look." As soon as I walked to the rain porch from the back, I immediately found that my mother stood outside the back window of the large room that was opened.Qi's mother also moved over, found a gap to look in, and saw a middle-aged man wearing a blue cloth robe and a black mandarin jacket sitting beside the central table; there were pens and inkstones on the table, two books, and some A piece of paper, standing across from him was an old man in his sixties who appeared to be the housekeeper of the palace. "I'm afraid this horoscope is wrong?" It turned out to be "Fortune Teller", Qi's mother saw him pointing to a piece of red paper and said. "Mr. Geng," the old man asked, "What's wrong?" "I'm afraid the year is wrong." "I only heard that the time is wrong, so where is the reason for the wrong year?" Mr. Geng seemed quite troubled, "Butler Zhang", he asked, "Is it Xiaoshu?" "Of course the Year of the Wuzi is the rat." Steward Zhang asked, "What's wrong?" "These four horoscopes, according to you, two are the prince's attendants, one is the prince's book boy, and the other is the groom, right?" "yes!" "Wuzi is in the forty-seventh year of Kangxi, and he is twenty years old this year. If he is of a good age, he will not be a groom who feeds and grooms horses. He should be a young man who rides on a horse. Steward Zhang, please ask again .” "Okay! I'll take this one first." I saw Mr. Geng holding a pen in his hand, writing and checking the calendar at the same time.After checking and writing, I put down my pen to meditate; I folded my arms around my chest, and frowned, looking like I was thinking hard. "It's Quaker, what a pity!" "Why?" Steward Zhang asked, "From where do you know it's Quaker?" "He was born on the twenty-sixth day of the sixth month of the Kangxi Wuzi year. His horoscope is Wuzi, Jiwei, Xinwei, and Xinmao. Two golds and four soils, one water and one wood. Xin Wei turns the soil into gold, and gold is born from the soil. Wuji is the most popular.相扶，年干戊为正卯，月干己为偏卯，祖荫极厚；生来应该是贵公子。年支子为'食神'，生卯之'财'，聪明忠厚，福禄有余。这个八字，”耿先生抬起头来，笑笑说道：“张管家，若说是小马夫的命：我也就不必到'天子脚下'来混了。” 这张管家着实沉得住气，“就命论命。”他毫无表情地问：“怎么说可惜了？” “第一可惜，土多；第二可惜，缺火——。” “耿先生，”张管家插了句嘴，“不是说土能生金吗？” “敢情管家也懂五行生克之理'土厚金埋'的道理。这个八字若非时辰生得好，非贫即夭。”耿先生双眼上卷，从老花眼镜上看着张管家说：“管家，我倒考考你，你说，为什么时辰生得好？” “你老抬举我了。”张管家陪笑说道：“我那里懂什么五行生克？也不过听人说，时辰上的那个辛'比'得好。” “对了！因为虽说'土厚金埋'，金多就埋不了，终究要大放光芒的，所以越比越好。不过，这个时辰之妙，不止于辛金之比；下面那个卯字，跟日子上的未字，合成'半木局'，所以这个八字，说起来是两金三土、两木一水；土为木克，力量弱了，才不致于埋金。卯合未成半木局，力量强了，又不致于为金所克。其中消长化合的作用，实在玄妙之至。” “耿先生真高明！不过，'子未相害'，会不会冲破了'合神'呢？” “月柱上那个未干什么的？正就是挡住了日子上与卯相合的那个未。八字凡属贵格，破败都有化解。”耿先生又说：“这个八字如果有火，那就不但富贵，而且必有一番惊人的事业。” “喔！”张管家倾身向前，有些不信地问：“缺火的关系这么重？” “当然！”耿先生又是从眼镜上面看人，“这个八字，想来不知请多少人看过了；那些人怎么说？” 张管家料知不能瞒他，便即答道：“有人说，这个八字合着四句诗：'辛金珠玉性虚灵，最爱阳和沙水清，成就不劳炎火煆，滋扶偏爱湿泥生。'好在年上一个子；月上一个己；有火没有火倒不要紧。” “子为水；己土是湿土，说得不错，可惜只知其一，不知其二。”耿先生翻开万年历，指指点点地：“康熙四十七年戊子，闰三月；六月廿六日早就立过秋了，秋金当令，'日主'之辛，正'旺'未'衰'，所以为贵。因此之故，这个'辛金'，要当'庚金'来看，立秋是肃杀之气，所以'滴天髓'说：'庚金带杀，刚建为最；得水为清，得火而锐。'金不用火炼，不过顽铁。说虽如此，富贵有余，也应该心满意足了。” 这番话说得张管家不住眨眼，“你老的高见，倒还是头一回领教。”他想了一下又问：“不知道流年上怎么样，有什么喜忌？” “那还用说，喜火忌土。金亦不妨，木能生火疏土，也是好的。水不宜多。总之，五行之中，惟土大忌。” “这样说，今年丁未不好？” “未不好，丁是好的。” “丁火不是辛金的'七杀'吗？” “有'印'护身；有'比'相助，身强'制杀为用'，有何不好？”耿先生又说：“不过丁火不如丙火。丙为'正官'。这个八字印绶重重，根基极厚，可惜没有'正官'，如果遇到丙年，'官印相生'；恰恰又是金命，金旺得火，方成大器。这番加官晋爵的喜事，就非比寻常了！” 一席话说得张管家目瞪口呆；怔怔地好半天，又问一句：“倘有喜事，应在什么时候？” “自然是生日一过，交进七月，就有好音。” 张管家闭着嘴深深吸口气；回头看见小厮，便即说道：“替耿先生磨墨！” 小厮磨墨，耿先生批八字；张管家悄悄转身而去。窗外廊上在看热闹仆妇、听差、窃窃私议，声音微不可闻；但大都有惊异之色。齐妈不知是怎么回事；也不便打听，只回来将所见的情形告诉了老刘。 老刘一听就发怔，思索了好一会，突然起身说道：“我也看看去！” 等他走到后窗外面，恰好看到张管家从前面进屋；后面跟着个小厮，手捧朱漆托盘，盘中新出炉的两个大元宝，银光闪闪，耀眼生花。 “耿先生！” 耿先生抬起头来，看到盘中的元宝，似乎有些动容。 “实不相瞒，耿先生刚才看的八字，就是府里的王爷。耿先生实在高明，些许薄礼，请耿先生别嫌菲薄。” “啊，啊！”耿先生站起来说：“厚赐了，受之有愧。” “应当，应当！耿先生是凭本事吃大俸禄。”张管家接过托盘来，恭恭敬敬地一举，然后放在桌上。 “请替我给王爷道谢。” “是太福晋交代的，王爷还不知道。”张管家又说：“太福晋说，耿先生尽管照实说；那几年好，那几年坏，请格外仔细看一看。” “一定，一定，不敢不仔细。”耿先生问道：“去年怎么样？” “去年王爷袭爵。” "when?" “七月廿一。可不是生日一过，交进七月吗？”张管家说：“王爷的八字，也很请了些人看过，都不如耿先生说得准，如今才知道什么叫铁口了。” 听这话，耿先生亦颇兴奋，“这么说，我就更有把握了。”他看着所批的命书说，“王爷一路大运，直到三十二岁；这一年己未，要当心。” “是！”张管家又说：“以后呢？” “等我细看。” 耿先生坐下来，拈笔凝思；脸色慢慢凝重了。 “耿先生，”张管家有些惴惴然地，“三十二岁以后就不好了？” “不，不！还是好的。不过比前面要差一点儿。” “那么到那一年不好了呢？” “虎兔相继，唉——！”耿先生黯然说道：“可惜荣华不久。” “怎么叫虎兔相继？” “我批在命书里头好了。” “不必在这里批，请到里面去坐。” 原来起初只不过将耿先生当作摇唇鼓吻的江湖术士，所以接待在这不上不下的地方，由老管家跟他打交道；及至听他论断如神，太福晋立刻就另眼相看了！不但致送重酬，而且交代“请朱师爷陪这位耿先生吃饭”。既然如此，何不此刻就移砚到朱实那里？ 朱实办事之处，在“银安殿”西侧的一座院落中。此刻已接到通知，倒也渴望一见这个耿先生。所以等张管家一引进来，急忙出迎。听口音是当涂，与南京一江之隔，也算同乡，便越感亲切了。 等张管家在一间空屋中设置笔砚，预备好了茶水，耿先生告个罪，去批命书。这一批费了足足一个时辰，小厨房已来请示过两次。及至入座，已过正午；朱实请耿先生上座，辞让了好一会，毕竟只是相对而坐。耿先生不大开口，只以朱实十分殷勤，加之几杯酒下肚，话慢慢多了起来。 “我是三天之前才到京的。”他说，“本来早想作京华之游，只为好些同道遭了祸事，不免存有戒心。” 朱实也听说过，每一件大案如八阿哥、九阿哥、十四阿哥以及年羹尧之获罪，都有星相术士牵涉在内；不过这些严重的纠纷都已过去，耿先生并没有担心的理由。 “耿先生过虑了！如邹鲁、张明德之流，自有贾祸之道。耿先生精通命理，言必有据，不怕的。” “话虽如此，笔下还是不可不慎。”耿先生又说：“我怕太福晋会担心，报喜多、报忧少。实在说：王爷这个八字——。” 看他说话仍有顾忌，朱实便追着问；挟了一块火腿到他面前，“云南宣威腿；不远万里而来。”他说：“请尝尝，很不坏。” “谢谢！”耿先生挟起火腿，待要入口，却又放下；放下忽又挟起，依旧未曾进嘴。原来想要说话，便不能进食；而话要出口，又觉不妥，所以有这种看来莫名其妙的可笑动作。 朱实知道，只要自己问一声，耿先生就忍不住会说。其实他也心痒痒地想要先闻为快，但偏忍住了不说！因为从到了京师，身在朱邸，听到了许多秘辛，深知片言只语可以惹来杀身之祸；如今看耿先生，分明有句极要紧的话，鲠在喉头，不妨耐心待待，一问便是参预在内，将来就可能会有是非。 果然，耿先生到底忍不住了，“乡兄，”他说，“王爷这个八字，倒是宁愿我看得不准；怕吓着太福晋，我不敢明说。请你记住一句话，'虎兔相逢大梦归！'” 朱实点点头，将他这句话默默地念了几遍；用眼色催他说下去，但耿先生不肯再开口了。
碧文非常兴奋；因为平郡王太福晋相待之情，远出乎她的意料。 “拉着我的手问我的小名叫什么？直说，你只管我叫姑太太好了；又叫两个小阿哥叫我姊姊。简直就当我娘家侄女儿这么看待。” “季姨娘原要收你做干女儿。”朱实笑道，“可不是娘家侄女儿。” “要四老爷肯认我才算。”碧文又说：“姑太太还说——。”她摇摇头，“论理这话我不该说。” “怕什么？你尽管说好了。” “姑太太说，病在床上的那位，倘或寿限真的到了；她替我作主。” 作什么主？朱实想了一下才明白；刚要开口，碧文却又往下说了。 “不过，她说应该，应该——。” “怎么回事？”朱实笑着皱眉，“倒是什么碍口的话？” “她说，应该生个儿子，”碧文红着脸说，“她替我作主，你就心服口服了。” “其实何用太福晋操心，我自己就会作主。当然，有她作主，我的面子也好看。”朱实又问，“还说些什么？” “问起老太太临终以前的光景，伤心了好半天；我说老太太福寿全归，说走就走，一点痛苦都没有。她才住了眼泪。又问我：是不是老太太去了，眼都不闭？我自然说，没有这话。” “对了！”朱实急忙问道：“我也听见过这话，一直想问你；到底有没有这回事？” “怎么没有！”碧文答说，“我亲眼目睹的。当时震二奶奶便说：一定是不放心芹官。就跪在床面前，一面抹老太太的眼皮；一面淌着眼泪说：老太太尽管放心好了。谁不是格外照看芹官，跟你老人家在世一样。谁知道眼睛就是不闭，后来是太太说了，老太太把芹官托给秋月的；怕必得秋月说一句，老太太才能放心。秋月就跪下来起誓，一定不负老太太的付托。当时拿剪子绞了一大绺的头发。” “这是干什么？”朱实诧异地。 “绞了头发，不就成了姑子了吗？意思是她这一生不嫁，专为照料芹官。”碧文又说：“老太太在日，她就说过，愿意伺候老太太一辈子，绞头发就是要表明，说话算话，不过由伺候老太太，改了照料芹官而已。” “忠心义气，愧煞须眉。”朱实不胜感慨地；但没有忘记询问结果：“后来怎么样，老太太瞑目了。” “说起来真教人不大相信；等秋月说完，拿手把老太太的眼皮抹下来，略为按了一会儿，居然就闭上了。你看看，老太太在孙子身上的这一片心！” “唉！”朱实叹口气：“芹官将来如果不长进，连我都对不起老太太。” “有秋月在，自然会管芹官。不过，”碧文微显抑郁地说：“也得和衷共济才好。”弦外似乎有音，朱实自然要细辨，“怎么？”他问，“莫非秋月跟谁不和？” “不是秋月跟谁不和；是有人忌秋月。” 朱实想了一下问：“是春雨？” "and also." "Who else?" “震二奶奶。”碧文踌躇了一会说：“不是我说句刻薄话，震二爷夫妇早就在打老太太后房的那些箱子的主意。人一倒下来，要办丧事；震二爷说，这场丧事非办得风光不可。四老爷一向孝顺老太太，只含着眼泪，连连点头。可是，风光是拿钱买的。钱呢？库款不能动用；就动用了，马上开春买丝，要先放款子给养蚕人家，还不是得想法子。” “震二奶奶说，本来这个年都不知怎么过？偏又遇见这桩大事；她有一万银子的私房，愿意孝敬在老太太身上。此外，也就只有拿老太太自己的钱，买老太太自己的风光了。秋月一听这话，把帐簿都捧了出来，现银、首饰、珠宝、皮货，开得清清楚楚，算起来不过值两万多银子——。” “只两万多银子？”朱实也不信，“我在府里常听人说：老太太的私房可观；没有百万，也有三、五十万；怎么才两万多银子？” “三、五十万也说得多了。十来万是有的；可是据秋月说，都留给芹官了。” “震二奶奶当然不能凭她一句话就信了。是不是呢？” “不信也不行。她有见证。” "Who?" “太太——。” 马夫人证实曹老太太生前确曾有过一句话；指着一口上了封条的箱子，说是留给芹官，待成年以后，娶亲、当差、做官，方准动用。于是将箱子抬了来，上面有张封条；日期标明是芹官十岁生日那天。封条当然是秋月的笔迹，可是上面有个指模，清清楚楚的两个螺纹——曹老太太左手拇指双螺纹，是合府都知道的。 秋月还提出一个建议，启封点数，与帐簿核对以后，重新加封。马夫人自然同意，等揭去封条开了锁，箱盖一掀，将曹震夫妇看得眼都直了：黄的金锭、绿的翡翠、蓝的宝石、红的玛瑙，五色异彩，令人目眩神昏。 费了一下午的工夫，才点清数目，与帐簿上记载，完全相符。秋月写了封条，请马夫人、曹震夫妇都在上面画了花押；然后“咔嗒”一声上了锁，将钥匙放入衣袋，才满浆实贴地加上封条。 震二奶奶原以为秋月会将钥匙交给马夫人；不道仍是不肯放手。心里便打主意，如何将钥匙从秋月手里挖出来？ 这件事要谋定后动，因为一碰钉，便成僵局，而且大损威望。她没有想到，秋月看她的肺腑，洞若观火；当夜便去见马夫人，说她有件极为难的事，绝不能说却又绝不能不说，向马夫人讨主意。 “你忠心耿耿，又是老太太顶看重的人；芹官将来都要靠你照应，我自然替你作主。不过，我实在不懂你的话，怎么叫'绝不能说，又绝不能不说？'” “我说了，只怕伤了那位主子。不说，只怕要对不起老太太；我自己也违背了我在老太太灵前的誓。” 马夫人沉吟了好一会说：“你说好了！你知，我知，决没有第三个人知道；也就伤不了谁了。” “太太肯这样替我作主，我自然要说；不过，太太许了我的话，可千万忘记不得。” “自然，你这样说，总是有绝大关系的事；我格外留意就是。” 于是秋月问道：“太太，你倒说，老太太死不闭眼，为什么我跪下来，祷告过了，伸手一抹，老太太的眼就闭上了？” “是啊！我也在奇怪！必是老太太有什么放不下心的事，你一说破了，老太太安心了？” “正是！”秋月接着说道：“我当时祷告：'老太太必是不放心芹官；更不放心留给芹官的东西，将来到不了他手里。如果是这样，老太太请放心好了！我说过，愿意伺候老太太一辈子；如今老太太去了，我仍旧不嫁，照料芹官，到他娶了亲为止。至于老太太留给芹官的东西，我一定看守得好好的，除非太太，谁要都不行；将来除非芹官当差要用，此外不动分文，到芹官要娶亲了，我当着太太原封不动交给他。'太太，是这样子，老太太才闭的眼。” 这番话说得马夫人毛骨悚然：当然心里也很明白，秋月所说的“谁要都不行”，是指曹震夫妇。这话如果泄漏出去，震二奶奶跟
The "husband and wife" have been in Liangxiang, and Qi's mother reluctantly returned to Beijing; it was already a day late when she arrived home.Go to the kitchen first when you enter the door, because the houses in the alley are full of cooking smoke. "You're back!" Bi Wen, who was chopping meat, said without raising his head. "Grandma, here I come!" Qi's mother took the kitchen knife first, then frowned and said, "I'm anxious, there's nothing I can do! My mother-in-law is about to die." While talking, she recalled the scene of getting up from the hot bed to see off Cao Shilong , Eye circles could not help but red. Biwen couldn't bear it, and felt that her conscience had been blamed. At that time, she shouldn't have suspected that she asked for leave under excuses, made sarcasm, and was still filial to her mother-in-law.So I sat down and wanted to say a few words of condolence. "What's wrong with your mother-in-law?" "Asthma." Qi's mother said, "How many years of old roots; this time the attack is particularly severe. A person who is seventy years old must not be able to keep it; it is just a matter of two or three days." "Hey!" Bi Wen complained to her, "In this case, you should die at home; just ask someone to deliver a letter." "That's what I thought; I'm afraid Grandma won't be used by anyone." "Oh!" Only then did Biwen remember, and shouted loudly, "I cherish the rest! Cherish the rest!" "Here it is!" In response came a little girl, about thirteen or fourteen years old; she was lighting a fire under the stove, but she was not a "servant under the stove" whose head was as flying as a feather and as stupid as a deer hog; Braided hair, light green bamboo cloth jacket and hakama, covered with a half-worn sapphire blue satin long waistcoat, the waist is a bit bigger, so a sash is tied; Qi's mother recognized it as the mistress's clothes; big feet, wearing a pair that is probably new Her blue satin shoes were also given to her by Biwen. "Her surname is Shen, and her nickname is Axi. The uncle changed her name to Xiyu." Mama Qi saw that the mistress was smiling, looking at Xiyu up and down, she was extremely proud, and she knew it in her heart, "Hey," she deliberately surprised, "Look at how well-dressed you are by the grandma! In the mansion; grandpa and grandma are the most sympathetic servants. Don’t be blessed! Be obedient! How old are you this year?" "Thirteen." "The same age as my dead daughter." Hearing this, Biwen was also happy for a while, so she didn't follow the rules of the big family, where servants and servants were roughly equal in front of the master, and only talked about their seniority and changed their names in private: "You can call Qi Mama Second Aunt Qi. Be good with her." Your Second Aunt Qi learns how to use the ladle." "Yes!" Xiyu agreed, and said to Qi's mother, "Second Aunt Qi, I don't know anything! You should teach me a little more." "Of course I will teach you; as long as you are willing to learn." Qi's mother said again: "There is no way to pay attention to cleanliness in the kitchen; a very good waistcoat, it doesn't hurt if it gets dirty. Go and change it!" "En!" Xiyu agreed; but she looked at the mistress, waiting for her to say something. Biwen originally dressed up like this on purpose to cherish Yu; knowing that Qi's mother would come back one day, she intended to "demonstrate" to her.If there is anything unreasonable about Qi's mother, she is ready to settle the wages immediately and send her away.Things are of course different now. "Go change it!" "yes." After Xiyu left, Biwen told Qi's mother that she was an orphan and her uncle liked to gamble; he mortgaged her twenty taels of silver for a period of seven years. Qi's mother didn't wait for her to finish, so she grabbed the words and said: "Grandma, your calculation is wrong! When grandma is trained, you will belong to someone else; all your hard work will be in vain. Why don't you love her again?" Uncle, a few taels of silver; break the relationship forever!" Speaking of the word "ge", a knife goes down, and the tip of the knife at the back goes deep into the chopping board, and the knife is slanted there. Biwen also accepted her idea during her knife; nodded and said: "Your words are reasonable. When the uncle comes back, I will discuss it with him." "Master still listens to grandma." Qi's mother went to get a clean sea bowl; at the same time, she expressed her sincerity in protecting the Lord: "It's not that I said something every day, grandma thinks everything is right, so why don't you just do it right?" Just make up your mind to do this, there is no need to discuss it with the uncle." "That depends on something!" Biwen replied, "I heard that there are quite a lot of banner people in your Sanhe County, and I have always heard about the rules of the banner people; I know what to do, the unique regulations, I understand Yes, I’m doing the same thing, but I still have to keep my words in mind so as not to forgive me.” "That's the 'Baoyi' family—." As soon as the words came out, Qi's mother suddenly remembered that Cao Shilong said that the Cao family was the "Baoyi" of Shangsanqi, so she added the following sentence "I was born to be a slave" , abruptly intercepted. Bi Wen was silent.Fortunately, Xi Yu came back after changing clothes, and the semi-stiff situation was resolved. The three masters and servants worked together, mixing stuffing, kneading noodles, and making dumplings——Biwen couldn't help but think of the days when she was with Aunt Ji, which often resembled the situation at this moment ; but the status is different. While making dumplings and chatting, Biwen talked about going to the palace to meet Tai Fujin, and Qi's mother volunteered to accompany her; she said that she was very familiar with the rules of the banner, so she wouldn't be unable to catch up.Biwen readily agrees.
As soon as they arrived at Pingjun Prince's Mansion, Biwen was accompanied by the housekeeper and entered the middle gate; Lao Liu was the host at the gate and went to the empty room to have tea.Qi's mother didn't care about anything, and went with Lao Liu honestly. The palace has specific regulations. The entrance is a long corridor, with a row of one-story houses on each side, a total of 24 rooms, with various purposes. Guards are on duty to rest, purchase goods and checkout; Posting gifts, waiting for a reply here; moreover, like receiving Lao Liu and Qi's mother, they always set tea and dinner here. When I led to the west head, I saw that the seventh and eighth rooms were connected. There were many people inside and out. I don't know what they were doing?The tenth room is an empty room, and I took my seat here; the last room has a tea stove, and I ordered a pot of teapot as usual on the door, and a plate of rough tea and food "Xiao Ba Pi", and the notice was "Please Master Zhu Housekeeper", you can go to the external account room to open the public account. After exchanging a few words of pleasantries, Qi's mother said, "Brother in the door, please ask Zhigong to go!" "Offended, offended! I have to stay with you less. Come back to eat with the two of you." After finishing speaking, he bowed on the door, turned and left. Lao Liu is used to coming here, sitting and drinking tea; Qi's mother is new to the palace, and everything is new. Looking outside the rear window, there are always old mothers passing by, and she can't help but say: "What are you going to do? I also Take a look." As soon as I walked to the rain porch from the back, I immediately found that my mother stood outside the back window of the large room that was opened.Qi's mother also moved over, found a gap to look in, and saw a middle-aged man wearing a blue cloth robe and a black mandarin jacket sitting beside the central table; there were pens and inkstones on the table, two books, and some A piece of paper, standing across from him was an old man in his sixties who appeared to be the housekeeper of the palace. "I'm afraid this horoscope is wrong?" It turned out to be "Fortune Teller", Qi's mother saw him pointing to a piece of red paper and said. "Mr. Geng," the old man asked, "What's wrong?" "I'm afraid the year is wrong." "I only heard that the time is wrong, so where is the reason for the wrong year?" Mr. Geng seemed quite troubled, "Butler Zhang", he asked, "Is it Xiaoshu?" "Of course the Year of the Wuzi is the rat." Steward Zhang asked, "What's wrong?" "These four horoscopes, according to you, two are the prince's attendants, one is the prince's book boy, and the other is the groom, right?" "yes!" "Wuzi is in the forty-seventh year of Kangxi, and he is twenty years old this year. If he is of a good age, he will not be a groom who feeds and grooms horses. He should be a young man who rides on a horse. Steward Zhang, please ask again .” "Okay! I'll take this one first." I saw Mr. Geng holding a pen in his hand, writing and checking the calendar at the same time.After checking and writing, I put down my pen to meditate; I folded my arms around my chest, and frowned, looking like I was thinking hard. "It's Quaker, what a pity!" "Why?" Steward Zhang asked, "From where do you know it's Quaker?" "He was born on the twenty-sixth day of the sixth month of the Kangxi Wuzi year. His horoscope is Wuzi, Jiwei, Xinwei, and Xinmao. Two golds and four soils, one water and one wood. Xin Wei turns the soil into gold, and gold is born from the soil. Wuji is the most popular.相扶，年干戊为正卯，月干己为偏卯，祖荫极厚；生来应该是贵公子。年支子为'食神'，生卯之'财'，聪明忠厚，福禄有余。这个八字，”耿先生抬起头来，笑笑说道：“张管家，若说是小马夫的命：我也就不必到'天子脚下'来混了。” 这张管家着实沉得住气，“就命论命。”他毫无表情地问：“怎么说可惜了？” “第一可惜，土多；第二可惜，缺火——。” “耿先生，”张管家插了句嘴，“不是说土能生金吗？” “敢情管家也懂五行生克之理'土厚金埋'的道理。这个八字若非时辰生得好，非贫即夭。”耿先生双眼上卷，从老花眼镜上看着张管家说：“管家，我倒考考你，你说，为什么时辰生得好？” “你老抬举我了。”张管家陪笑说道：“我那里懂什么五行生克？也不过听人说，时辰上的那个辛'比'得好。” “对了！因为虽说'土厚金埋'，金多就埋不了，终究要大放光芒的，所以越比越好。不过，这个时辰之妙，不止于辛金之比；下面那个卯字，跟日子上的未字，合成'半木局'，所以这个八字，说起来是两金三土、两木一水；土为木克，力量弱了，才不致于埋金。卯合未成半木局，力量强了，又不致于为金所克。其中消长化合的作用，实在玄妙之至。” “耿先生真高明！不过，'子未相害'，会不会冲破了'合神'呢？” “月柱上那个未干什么的？正就是挡住了日子上与卯相合的那个未。八字凡属贵格，破败都有化解。”耿先生又说：“这个八字如果有火，那就不但富贵，而且必有一番惊人的事业。” “喔！”张管家倾身向前，有些不信地问：“缺火的关系这么重？” “当然！”耿先生又是从眼镜上面看人，“这个八字，想来不知请多少人看过了；那些人怎么说？” 张管家料知不能瞒他，便即答道：“有人说，这个八字合着四句诗：'辛金珠玉性虚灵，最爱阳和沙水清，成就不劳炎火煆，滋扶偏爱湿泥生。'好在年上一个子；月上一个己；有火没有火倒不要紧。” “子为水；己土是湿土，说得不错，可惜只知其一，不知其二。”耿先生翻开万年历，指指点点地：“康熙四十七年戊子，闰三月；六月廿六日早就立过秋了，秋金当令，'日主'之辛，正'旺'未'衰'，所以为贵。因此之故，这个'辛金'，要当'庚金'来看，立秋是肃杀之气，所以'滴天髓'说：'庚金带杀，刚建为最；得水为清，得火而锐。'金不用火炼，不过顽铁。说虽如此，富贵有余，也应该心满意足了。” 这番话说得张管家不住眨眼，“你老的高见，倒还是头一回领教。”他想了一下又问：“不知道流年上怎么样，有什么喜忌？” “那还用说，喜火忌土。金亦不妨，木能生火疏土，也是好的。水不宜多。总之，五行之中，惟土大忌。” “这样说，今年丁未不好？” “未不好，丁是好的。” “丁火不是辛金的'七杀'吗？” “有'印'护身；有'比'相助，身强'制杀为用'，有何不好？”耿先生又说：“不过丁火不如丙火。丙为'正官'。这个八字印绶重重，根基极厚，可惜没有'正官'，如果遇到丙年，'官印相生'；恰恰又是金命，金旺得火，方成大器。这番加官晋爵的喜事，就非比寻常了！” 一席话说得张管家目瞪口呆；怔怔地好半天，又问一句：“倘有喜事，应在什么时候？” “自然是生日一过，交进七月，就有好音。” 张管家闭着嘴深深吸口气；回头看见小厮，便即说道：“替耿先生磨墨！” 小厮磨墨，耿先生批八字；张管家悄悄转身而去。窗外廊上在看热闹仆妇、听差、窃窃私议，声音微不可闻；但大都有惊异之色。齐妈不知是怎么回事；也不便打听，只回来将所见的情形告诉了老刘。 老刘一听就发怔，思索了好一会，突然起身说道：“我也看看去！” 等他走到后窗外面，恰好看到张管家从前面进屋；后面跟着个小厮，手捧朱漆托盘，盘中新出炉的两个大元宝，银光闪闪，耀眼生花。 “耿先生！” 耿先生抬起头来，看到盘中的元宝，似乎有些动容。 “实不相瞒，耿先生刚才看的八字，就是府里的王爷。耿先生实在高明，些许薄礼，请耿先生别嫌菲薄。” “啊，啊！”耿先生站起来说：“厚赐了，受之有愧。” “应当，应当！耿先生是凭本事吃大俸禄。”张管家接过托盘来，恭恭敬敬地一举，然后放在桌上。 “请替我给王爷道谢。” “是太福晋交代的，王爷还不知道。”张管家又说：“太福晋说，耿先生尽管照实说；那几年好，那几年坏，请格外仔细看一看。” “一定，一定，不敢不仔细。”耿先生问道：“去年怎么样？” “去年王爷袭爵。” "when?" “七月廿一。可不是生日一过，交进七月吗？”张管家说：“王爷的八字，也很请了些人看过，都不如耿先生说得准，如今才知道什么叫铁口了。” 听这话，耿先生亦颇兴奋，“这么说，我就更有把握了。”他看着所批的命书说，“王爷一路大运，直到三十二岁；这一年己未，要当心。” “是！”张管家又说：“以后呢？” “等我细看。” 耿先生坐下来，拈笔凝思；脸色慢慢凝重了。 “耿先生，”张管家有些惴惴然地，“三十二岁以后就不好了？” “不，不！还是好的。不过比前面要差一点儿。” “那么到那一年不好了呢？” “虎兔相继，唉——！”耿先生黯然说道：“可惜荣华不久。” “怎么叫虎兔相继？” “我批在命书里头好了。” “不必在这里批，请到里面去坐。” 原来起初只不过将耿先生当作摇唇鼓吻的江湖术士，所以接待在这不上不下的地方，由老管家跟他打交道；及至听他论断如神，太福晋立刻就另眼相看了！不但致送重酬，而且交代“请朱师爷陪这位耿先生吃饭”。既然如此，何不此刻就移砚到朱实那里？ 朱实办事之处，在“银安殿”西侧的一座院落中。此刻已接到通知，倒也渴望一见这个耿先生。所以等张管家一引进来，急忙出迎。听口音是当涂，与南京一江之隔，也算同乡，便越感亲切了。 等张管家在一间空屋中设置笔砚，预备好了茶水，耿先生告个罪，去批命书。这一批费了足足一个时辰，小厨房已来请示过两次。及至入座，已过正午；朱实请耿先生上座，辞让了好一会，毕竟只是相对而坐。耿先生不大开口，只以朱实十分殷勤，加之几杯酒下肚，话慢慢多了起来。 “我是三天之前才到京的。”他说，“本来早想作京华之游，只为好些同道遭了祸事，不免存有戒心。” 朱实也听说过，每一件大案如八阿哥、九阿哥、十四阿哥以及年羹尧之获罪，都有星相术士牵涉在内；不过这些严重的纠纷都已过去，耿先生并没有担心的理由。 “耿先生过虑了！如邹鲁、张明德之流，自有贾祸之道。耿先生精通命理，言必有据，不怕的。” “话虽如此，笔下还是不可不慎。”耿先生又说：“我怕太福晋会担心，报喜多、报忧少。实在说：王爷这个八字——。” 看他说话仍有顾忌，朱实便追着问；挟了一块火腿到他面前，“云南宣威腿；不远万里而来。”他说：“请尝尝，很不坏。” “谢谢！”耿先生挟起火腿，待要入口，却又放下；放下忽又挟起，依旧未曾进嘴。原来想要说话，便不能进食；而话要出口，又觉不妥，所以有这种看来莫名其妙的可笑动作。 朱实知道，只要自己问一声，耿先生就忍不住会说。其实他也心痒痒地想要先闻为快，但偏忍住了不说！因为从到了京师，身在朱邸，听到了许多秘辛，深知片言只语可以惹来杀身之祸；如今看耿先生，分明有句极要紧的话，鲠在喉头，不妨耐心待待，一问便是参预在内，将来就可能会有是非。 果然，耿先生到底忍不住了，“乡兄，”他说，“王爷这个八字，倒是宁愿我看得不准；怕吓着太福晋，我不敢明说。请你记住一句话，'虎兔相逢大梦归！'” 朱实点点头，将他这句话默默地念了几遍；用眼色催他说下去，但耿先生不肯再开口了。
碧文非常兴奋；因为平郡王太福晋相待之情，远出乎她的意料。 “拉着我的手问我的小名叫什么？直说，你只管我叫姑太太好了；又叫两个小阿哥叫我姊姊。简直就当我娘家侄女儿这么看待。” “季姨娘原要收你做干女儿。”朱实笑道，“可不是娘家侄女儿。” “要四老爷肯认我才算。”碧文又说：“姑太太还说——。”她摇摇头，“论理这话我不该说。” “怕什么？你尽管说好了。” “姑太太说，病在床上的那位，倘或寿限真的到了；她替我作主。” 作什么主？朱实想了一下才明白；刚要开口，碧文却又往下说了。 “不过，她说应该，应该——。” “怎么回事？”朱实笑着皱眉，“倒是什么碍口的话？” “她说，应该生个儿子，”碧文红着脸说，“她替我作主，你就心服口服了。” “其实何用太福晋操心，我自己就会作主。当然，有她作主，我的面子也好看。”朱实又问，“还说些什么？” “问起老太太临终以前的光景，伤心了好半天；我说老太太福寿全归，说走就走，一点痛苦都没有。她才住了眼泪。又问我：是不是老太太去了，眼都不闭？我自然说，没有这话。” “对了！”朱实急忙问道：“我也听见过这话，一直想问你；到底有没有这回事？” “怎么没有！”碧文答说，“我亲眼目睹的。当时震二奶奶便说：一定是不放心芹官。就跪在床面前，一面抹老太太的眼皮；一面淌着眼泪说：老太太尽管放心好了。谁不是格外照看芹官，跟你老人家在世一样。谁知道眼睛就是不闭，后来是太太说了，老太太把芹官托给秋月的；怕必得秋月说一句，老太太才能放心。秋月就跪下来起誓，一定不负老太太的付托。当时拿剪子绞了一大绺的头发。” “这是干什么？”朱实诧异地。 “绞了头发，不就成了姑子了吗？意思是她这一生不嫁，专为照料芹官。”碧文又说：“老太太在日，她就说过，愿意伺候老太太一辈子，绞头发就是要表明，说话算话，不过由伺候老太太，改了照料芹官而已。” “忠心义气，愧煞须眉。”朱实不胜感慨地；但没有忘记询问结果：“后来怎么样，老太太瞑目了。” “说起来真教人不大相信；等秋月说完，拿手把老太太的眼皮抹下来，略为按了一会儿，居然就闭上了。你看看，老太太在孙子身上的这一片心！” “唉！”朱实叹口气：“芹官将来如果不长进，连我都对不起老太太。” “有秋月在，自然会管芹官。不过，”碧文微显抑郁地说：“也得和衷共济才好。”弦外似乎有音，朱实自然要细辨，“怎么？”他问，“莫非秋月跟谁不和？” “不是秋月跟谁不和；是有人忌秋月。” 朱实想了一下问：“是春雨？” "and also." "Who else?" “震二奶奶。”碧文踌躇了一会说：“不是我说句刻薄话，震二爷夫妇早就在打老太太后房的那些箱子的主意。人一倒下来，要办丧事；震二爷说，这场丧事非办得风光不可。四老爷一向孝顺老太太，只含着眼泪，连连点头。可是，风光是拿钱买的。钱呢？库款不能动用；就动用了，马上开春买丝，要先放款子给养蚕人家，还不是得想法子。” “震二奶奶说，本来这个年都不知怎么过？偏又遇见这桩大事；她有一万银子的私房，愿意孝敬在老太太身上。此外，也就只有拿老太太自己的钱，买老太太自己的风光了。秋月一听这话，把帐簿都捧了出来，现银、首饰、珠宝、皮货，开得清清楚楚，算起来不过值两万多银子——。” “只两万多银子？”朱实也不信，“我在府里常听人说：老太太的私房可观；没有百万，也有三、五十万；怎么才两万多银子？” “三、五十万也说得多了。十来万是有的；可是据秋月说，都留给芹官了。” “震二奶奶当然不能凭她一句话就信了。是不是呢？” “不信也不行。她有见证。” "Who?" “太太——。” 马夫人证实曹老太太生前确曾有过一句话；指着一口上了封条的箱子，说是留给芹官，待成年以后，娶亲、当差、做官，方准动用。于是将箱子抬了来，上面有张封条；日期标明是芹官十岁生日那天。封条当然是秋月的笔迹，可是上面有个指模，清清楚楚的两个螺纹——曹老太太左手拇指双螺纹，是合府都知道的。 秋月还提出一个建议，启封点数，与帐簿核对以后，重新加封。马夫人自然同意，等揭去封条开了锁，箱盖一掀，将曹震夫妇看得眼都直了：黄的金锭、绿的翡翠、蓝的宝石、红的玛瑙，五色异彩，令人目眩神昏。 费了一下午的工夫，才点清数目，与帐簿上记载，完全相符。秋月写了封条，请马夫人、曹震夫妇都在上面画了花押；然后“咔嗒”一声上了锁，将钥匙放入衣袋，才满浆实贴地加上封条。 震二奶奶原以为秋月会将钥匙交给马夫人；不道仍是不肯放手。心里便打主意，如何将钥匙从秋月手里挖出来？ 这件事要谋定后动，因为一碰钉，便成僵局，而且大损威望。她没有想到，秋月看她的肺腑，洞若观火；当夜便去见马夫人，说她有件极为难的事，绝不能说却又绝不能不说，向马夫人讨主意。 “你忠心耿耿，又是老太太顶看重的人；芹官将来都要靠你照应，我自然替你作主。不过，我实在不懂你的话，怎么叫'绝不能说，又绝不能不说？'” “我说了，只怕伤了那位主子。不说，只怕要对不起老太太；我自己也违背了我在老太太灵前的誓。” 马夫人沉吟了好一会说：“你说好了！你知，我知，决没有第三个人知道；也就伤不了谁了。” “太太肯这样替我作主，我自然要说；不过，太太许了我的话，可千万忘记不得。” “自然，你这样说，总是有绝大关系的事；我格外留意就是。” 于是秋月问道：“太太，你倒说，老太太死不闭眼，为什么我跪下来，祷告过了，伸手一抹，老太太的眼就闭上了？” “是啊！我也在奇怪！必是老太太有什么放不下心的事，你一说破了，老太太安心了？” “正是！”秋月接着说道：“我当时祷告：'老太太必是不放心芹官；更不放心留给芹官的东西，将来到不了他手里。如果是这样，老太太请放心好了！我说过，愿意伺候老太太一辈子；如今老太太去了，我仍旧不嫁，照料芹官，到他娶了亲为止。至于老太太留给芹官的东西，我一定看守得好好的，除非太太，谁要都不行；将来除非芹官当差要用，此外不动分文，到芹官要娶亲了，我当着太太原封不动交给他。'太太，是这样子，老太太才闭的眼。” 这番话说得马夫人毛骨悚然：当然心里也很明白，秋月所说的“谁要都不行”，是指曹震夫妇。这话如果泄漏出去，震二奶奶跟