In the early morning, there is still a residual chill of the night. As soon as I walked out the door, I heard the cheerful call of magpies in the trees.

Qiu said with a smile: "There are magpies calling early in the morning, and it is estimated that there is a happy event." ”

Mother Li nodded hurriedly and said, "It must be." ”

As he spoke, a flock of sparrows flew in the distance, and all of them landed on the wall.

Ruyan didn't need to be instructed, but when he saw this, he turned around and went into the house and took out a small bag. The rest of the people in the courtyard also retreated into the house. In the courtyard, there were only three people left, Qiu and Li's mother.

Qiu took the bag and grabbed a handful of broken rice from it and spilled it in the yard.

The sparrows on the wall immediately flew down and landed in the courtyard and ate merrily. The magpie in the tree, also joins in.

After a quarter of an hour, the sparrows flew away after they had eaten their fill. Ruyan then instructed the mother-in-law to clean up.

A little maid lowered her voice and said to the other: "Sister Axia, it is their blessing that these sparrows have touched the old lady. "In early winter, Qiu saw two sparrows chirping on the wall, and when he thought it was funny, he threw some broken steamed buns to tease them, who knew that the sparrows would come again the next day. Qiu's heart was the softest, and he threw them food again. Gradually, there were more and more sparrows, and Qiu prepared a small bag of food for them every day. Now it has become a scene in the courtyard.

Ah Xia smiled and said, "We are also blessed. "From the time Ah Xia entered the Han Mansion to the present, she has never seen the old lady scold anyone, let alone beat someone.

Since worshipping the Buddha, Qiu, like the Bodhisattva, often donates money to the temple, and gives porridge and clothes to the poor people in winter. Seeing this, others followed suit and helped many people.

Not long after breakfast, Qiu Shi prepared to enter the Buddhist hall to worship the Buddha. Mother Li smiled and said, "Old lady, Mrs. Xia will come to visit today." "This Mrs. Xia is the wife of the new prefect of Suzhou. Because he can speak well, he is very liked by the Qiu family.

Qiu Shi thought for a while and said: "When you are old, you have forgotten many things, but I am fortunate to have you by my side." "Since there are guests coming, I won't chant Buddha today.

Li's mother is two years older than Qiu's, and she will forget some things, but the maids around her will remind her. In fact, Mother Li should have rested and enjoyed happiness at her age, but the Qiu family was reluctant to let her leave, so Mother Li stayed by her side.

At the end of the hour, Mrs. Xia came. This time I didn't come alone, but I brought a young girl.

When the girl saw Qiu, she immediately gave a blessing: "Say hello to the old lady, and wish the old lady good luck and health." ”

Holding Xiang Zixin's hand, Qiu Shi smiled and said, "What a lovely girl." After speaking, he looked at Mrs. Xia with a complaining face: "If such a lovely girl didn't bring it earlier, it's your fault." ”

Mrs. Xia said with a smile on her face: "Old lady, this is Zixin, my niece." It was also known that the Qiu family intended to marry Han Jianming, so she specially brought her niece. Of course, she was also selected by careful selection of Xiang Zixin.

Qiu Shi took Xiang Zixin's hand and was reluctant to let go, and said, "How old are you this year?"

Xiang Zixin said generously: "Seventeen." ”

At this age in Jiangnan, he is either married or married, and the Qiu family is a little disappointed in his heart.

Mother Li knew what she was thinking when she looked at Qiu's expression, and immediately coughed and said, "I don't know what kind of tea Miss Xiang likes, I'll let someone prepare it?"

To be able to speak on such an occasion, the identity is definitely different. Xiang Zixin smiled and said, "I don't pay attention to this, I can do anything." ”

"There is no need to be restrained on the old lady's side. After speaking, Mrs. Xia smiled at Qiu's family: "This child doesn't like to drink tea, and she drinks boiled water at home on weekdays, so you can just ask someone to bring her a cup of boiled water." ”

Xiang Zixin now drinks boiled water at home, but it's not that she likes to drink boiled water, but there is no good tea to drink. However, hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Xiang Zixin's eyes, and she didn't understand why Mrs. Xia said this.

Qiu's Wan'er: "Yes, Yuxi also likes to drink boiled water, but he doesn't like tea." I didn't expect Miss Zixin to be the same as Yuxi. ”

Only then did Xiang Zixin understand Mrs. Xia's intentions, which was the favor of the old lady who wanted to bo: "Old lady, where does the little girl dare to compare with the princess." In the eyes of many men, Yuxi is Si Chen, and they despise her very much. But the women are very envious of Yuxi. The husband and wife are affectionate, the children are smart and lovely, and they hold great power, which is simply a big winner in life.

Qiu Shi smiled and said: "Don't compare with her, that child is a hard worker, and he is so busy every day that his feet don't touch the ground...... I told her to rest well, don't be so tired, she doesn't want to live or die, and said that if you don't do things for a day, you will be idle. ”

Mrs. Xia smiled and said, "The princess is also capable." "Ordinary women, even if she is asked to do those things, she can't do those things.

Qiu was very interested, and had a conversation with Mrs. Xia. When she knew that Xiang Zixin hadn't allowed her to do so, she was moved: "The weather is good today, let's go to the yard for a walk." ”

Mrs. Xia was naturally willing to accompany her.

When the Qiu family entered the house to change clothes, he said to Li's mother, "You go and call the eldest master to the garden." ”

As Qiu's henchman, how could she not know what Qiu's heart was thinking. Mother Li hesitated a little and said, "What if the old man is busy and doesn't have time!" If there is something serious to deal with, Han Jianming will definitely not come over.

Qiu Shi said angrily: "You just tell him that I have a fancy for a girl, let him come and take a look." If he doesn't come, I'll settle it down. "There is no hostess in this house, it is inconvenient to socialize and not to mention, and the marriages of several children have also been delayed. She didn't allow Han Jianming to drag it out anymore.

Mother Li whispered: "This girl looks good, but we don't know her details now, so it's not appropriate to let the eldest master see it rashly." "This girl is good-looking, but there must be something wrong with a seventeen-year-old girl who hasn't allowed anyone else.

Qiu said: "Didn't Xiang say just now that it was a delay in keeping filial piety. Besides, it's not just a matter of deciding on it, just letting him see. "If Han Jianming takes a fancy to it, he will go to check the details of the Xiang family when the time comes. If it doesn't agree, then there's no need to say anything.

Mother Li said: "Old lady, this matter is not urgent. ”

Qiu said: "I can't help but be in a hurry! You see that Brother Chang'er is nineteen years old after the New Year, and the family affairs have not yet been decided, and the following children have also reached the point of talking about marriage, how can this family be done without a housewife?" Ah Xiu also has a few children herself! Besides, that doesn't follow the rules.

Seeing that Qiu's mind had been decided, Li's mother knew that it was useless to persuade again, so she had to agree.

Outside, Mrs. Xia whispered to Xiang Zixin: "Don't be nervous, what you do on weekdays is what you do today." "In front of people like Han Jianming, who are old and sophisticated and scheming, pretending to be seen through at a glance.

Xiang Zixin nodded lightly and said, "Okay." ”

At this time, Han Jianming was discussing with Mr. Zhao. Mr. Zhao said: "Master, we no longer provide them with food and weapons, I'm worried that they won't survive this winter?" Due to Yan Wushuang's crusade, Yuxi suspended the delivery of food and weapons to the rebel army. There are some things that still need to be done on the surface.

Han Jianming shook his head and said, "It's no problem to survive this winter, I'm afraid they won't last until next spring." "In the spring of next year, the imperial court will send troops to quell the rebellion. According to the information they received, Zhou Fei and Lou Qingyun were ready to personally lead troops to quell the rebellion.

Mr. Zhao said: "I hope they can hold on for a little longer." "If the rebel army lasts for one more day, the court will have to spend more money and food, which is a good thing for them.

The guard said outside: "Master, Mother Li, who is next to the old lady, asks to see her, saying that she has something to do." ”

After listening to Li's mother's words, Han Jianming said helplessly: "I'll go over later." "Recently, Qiu Shi has been urging him to solve personal problems, but he is so busy that he has no time to deal with this!

After sending Li's mother away, Han Jianming explained a few words to Mr. Zhao, and then prepared to go to the back garden.

Mr. Zhao touched his long beard and said with a smile: "Master, when you go to see other girls, you have to change your clothes." ”

Han Jianming didn't believe Qiu's vision, and the reason why he agreed was because he didn't want Qiu's temper tantrums. Speaking of Qiu's, Han Jianming actually has a headache. Maybe it's because he's too obedient, causing the Qiu clan to act more and more freely, and sometimes it makes him tired of coping.

Mr. Zhao said: "Even if you don't go to see a girl, it's not appropriate to wear such clothes to meet foreign guests." Seeing Han Jianming looking at him, Mr. Zhao said, "Master, it's really not good to have no housewife in the house." "Qiu's health is very good, and he could have helped the housekeeper, but Qiu's housekeeper is afraid that it will cause chaos.

Mr. Zhao has been by Han Jianming's side for more than 20 years, and he has also watched the changes of the Qiu family day by day. It can only be said that the person married by the Qiu family is unreliable, but having capable and filial children can be regarded as a blessing.

Han Jianming finally followed Mr. Zhao's advice and deliberately cleaned up the garden he went to.

Passing through the fan-shaped arch, Han Jianming heard Qiu's happy laughter. Ah Xia, who led him, explained: "Every time Mrs. Xia comes, she can make the old lady smile. ”

When he got closer, Han Jianming saw a girl standing next to Qiu.

I saw that this girl was wearing a moon-white orchid brocade and a moon-white skirt. A water-blue silk ribbon around the waist is tied to the slender waist, which is soft and not easy to hold. Half of the green silk on the head was pulled up, and the rest hung down behind him, without wearing a cumbersome hairpin ring, only a delicate orchid hairpin carved from white jade. Goose egg face, eyebrows like green daisy, white and tender complexion. In terms of appearance, it is not a country and a city, it is only middle and upper-class, but the charm around it is rare.

Sensing that someone was looking at her, Xiang Zixin couldn't help but turn around. Seeing the people looking at her, Xiang Zixin was stunned. I saw that the person who came was wearing a lilac brocade robe, with a piece of black jade around his waist, and his figure was tall and long.

At this time, the Qiu clan called out a statement, and Xiang Zixin came back to his senses. Thinking of his behavior just now, he immediately lowered his head with a flushed face.

Han Jianming walked over and greeted Qiu's family: "Mother." ”

Qiu Shi pointed at Mrs. Xia and said to Xiang Zixin: "This is the wife of the Xia Governor's Mansion, and this is her niece." ”

Xiang Zixin endured her shame and gave Han Jianming a blessing gift: "I've seen Lord Han." ”

Han Jianming glanced at Xiang Zixin again, and quickly withdrew his gaze, not staying on her for a long time. Walking over to help Qiu's, Han Jianming said: "Mother, it's windy here, let's go back!"

When Qiu's goal was achieved, he did not refuse: "You accompany me back!"

After sending the Qiu family back to the house, Han Jianming nodded to Mrs. Xia's aunt and nephew and went out.

Back in the front yard, Han Jianming called Han Hao: "Go and check the details of the Xiang family and this girl." ”

Han Hao was a little surprised, but he still nodded and said, "The little one will go." He knew the purpose of Mrs. Xia bringing a big girl to the mansion, but he didn't expect the master to be interested. Come to think of it, there will soon be a housewife in the house.

A quarter of an hour later, Mrs. Xia left the Governor's Mansion with Xiang Zixin.

After getting into the carriage, Xiang Zixin was very entangled. She really wanted to know if Han Jianming valued her, if she took a fancy to her and was willing to marry her, then her family's fortunes would change, but she couldn't ask this.

Mrs. Xia also saw Han Jianming for the first time, she was obviously forty years old, a year older than her husband, but she looked only thirty years old. If she walks with her husband, it is not an exaggeration to say that there are two generations. There is no way, Mrs. Xia's husband is old.

Looking at Xiang Zixin, who had been keeping her head down, Mrs. Xia said, "You behaved very well just now. ”

Xiang Zixin stirred the handkerchief in her hand and said, "Auntie, I'm looking at Lord Han......" She couldn't say the next words.

Xiang Zixin knew very well why she came this time, but she decided to sacrifice herself for the sake of her family, but she still felt a little wronged in her heart. This is also normal, a young girl wants to marry an old man, and anyone will feel wronged. But after seeing Han Jianming today, her grievances have disappeared. Now, she is worried that Han Jianming will look down on her.

Mrs. Xia took Xiang Zixin's hand and patted it, and said, "Planning is in people, and success is in heaven, and this matter depends on fate." She could see it clearly from the side, Lord Han had seen Zixin twice today. People like Han Jianming showed their intention after watching it twice. However, these are all her speculations, so naturally she won't tell Xiang Zixin.

Xiang Zixin lowered her head, but the writhing handkerchief revealed her anxious mood.

Mrs. Xia sighed and said, "I still have a fifty-year-old ginseng there, I'll take it to your mother later!"

Zixin's father is not a martial artist and a general manager, but her mother Wu had an illness three years ago. Originally, there were not many industries, and this disease hollowed out the family's funds. It's just that a lot of money has been spent, but Wu's body has not been good. In the past few years, because of Wu's illness, the third room has been stretched. Xiang Zixin's trip to the Han Mansion today was purchased by Mrs. Xia.

Xiang Zixin said with a touched face: "Thank you, aunt." "These relatives in the family are all shunning them because of her mother's illness, but Mrs. Xia is still willing to take care of one or two.

Thinking about the situation at home, Xiang Zixin's heart was as bitter as Coptis chinensis.

Mrs. Xia also hopes that Han Jianming can take a fancy to Xiang Zixin, which can not only solve the dilemma of the third room, but also help her husband.