The old lady planned to get the money back, so she went to the old man first in the evening, intending to test it. After dinner, while being served by the maid to untie his hair, he asked casually: "A few days ago, I planned to wait for my granddaughter-in-law to enter the door, and then I handed over all the things in this house to my granddaughter-in-law." ”

The old man leaned on the soft couch and nodded, he knew his wife's plans, and he had said this several times before Ning Nianzhi entered the door. I also prepared the ledger and key two days in advance, and I waited for the next few days to explain everything.

"Before I explain the matter to my granddaughter-in-law, I have to prepare properly, and I have to give my granddaughter-in-law a clear account book." The old lady continued, the big girl retreated, Mama Liao personally stepped forward to help the old lady rub her scalp, she is an old man who serves the old lady, the strength is just right, and the technique also makes the old lady like it, every time the old lady takes apart her hair, she has to personally rub it to be comfortable and loose.

"But what's wrong with the ledger?" The old man is old and fine, and when the old lady says a word, he can guess the next words, and his brows wrinkle: "What year is the account book?" ”

"The year before last." The old lady turned her head and glanced at the old man: "On the account, there are 100,000 taels of silver in and out." ”

The old man was silent: "Who will be in charge of the house at that time?" Second or third? ”

"It's not clear at this point." The old lady said slowly: "I guess it should be the second family, you were not in good health at that time, and you were busy with the war, and I was also worried about you and Dongliang, so I was impatient with the housekeeper's affairs, so I handed it over to the second daughter-in-law and the third daughter-in-law." But the third daughter-in-law is like that, I'm afraid she doesn't have so much courage, but maybe she was picked up by the second family. ”

The old man sighed: "What should be done about this matter, there are no rules, if there is no conclusion on this matter, then no matter who is in charge of the house, it will follow this precedent, what has become of the original family?" Treasury or Silver? Whoever wants to dig can dig casually? ”

As he spoke, he was slightly sad, remembering what Yuan Dongliang said before, I am afraid that the old lady's feelings for him have slowly worn off a lot. If there was such a thing before, how could the old lady ask him like this, the housekeeper director is the matter of the woman in the back house, and if there is a problem with the account book, it is also a matter that the housewife wants to ask, if you have enough trust in the person next to the pillow, are you afraid that you will be blamed by the family after you dispose of it?

Thinking about it, he couldn't help but get up, went to the old lady's side, raised his hand and pinched the old lady's shoulder: "These things, you just have to make up your mind, you should be punished, you don't have to ask me, I believe you." If the second child dares to complain, you don't have to care. ”

The old lady only smiled, but did not answer. Turning his head and instructing Mama Liao: "Let people go to the second, third, and fourth rooms to say, tomorrow morning, let everyone come over and say goodbye." ”

Chatting Mama hurriedly responded, and went over to pass the word in person, this must not be according to the old lady's original words, Liao Mama smiled on her face, and only said after saluting: "The old lady hasn't seen a few girls for a few days, and she is also panicking, just right, Ming'er Xu Niangzi plans to make some new meals, and the old lady said, let a few girls also try it." Because the second lady was still locked up by the second master, she specially explained: "The second lady has also suffered in the past few days, the old lady's meaning, in the end, she gave birth to a child for the second master, and this grandson has it, and it is not good to be locked up so often, and when she turns around, she will let the second lady go to the main courtyard to have a meal and admit her mistake, and this matter can be regarded as being revealed." ”

The second old man hurriedly responded: "Mama don't worry, that confused daughter-in-law has already realized her mistake, and she thought about going to accompany the old lady two days ago to admit her mistake, but I am afraid that the old lady is still angry, and I don't dare to appear in front of the old lady to make her old man unhappy." Since the old lady has commanded this, I will ask the fool to go and greet the old lady when I go back. ”

The matter was settled, and she said to Ning Nianzhi again, and Mama Liao completed the task and went back.

Early the next morning, the men of the family went out, and the women took the children to the main courtyard to say goodbye. Ning Nianzhi came early, and was combing the old lady's hair with his own hands, his movements were gentle, and the old lady smiled from ear to ear: "Oh, Nianzhi is filial piety, this child, I have seen it since I was a child, that is the most filial person, I used to envy your old lady, I think she has such two well-behaved and lovely granddaughters, this life is a happy life, now, I have the best one, and it is time for your grandmother to envy me." ”

Ning Nianzhi couldn't help laughing: "Grandmother, if you continue to boast, I'm afraid I'm embarrassed to go out to meet people." ”

Mrs. Ning doesn't think that there is anything good about her two granddaughters, if she can't marry into a high-ranking family, it won't be filial piety.

The two of them talked and laughed, but they lined the second lady who had just entered the door like an outsider. Probably having learned a lesson, although the second lady was indignant, she didn't dare to say anything. The third lady stood behind the second lady and looked around, while the fourth lady hung her head as usual, silent.

The second lady's eldest daughter-in-law, Xiao Miao, is a fast-talking, similar to the second lady's character, seeing that Ning Nianzhi is favored, she said in a weird manner: "It's different, my grandmother used to see us, just like she didn't see it, but now it's good, I can't wait to treat the eldest sister-in-law as my own granddaughter, and we can only look at the hot eyes." ”

Without waiting for the old lady to speak, Ning Nianzhi smiled and said: "If your eyes are hot, the second brother and sister will learn more from me in the future, and often come to please your grandmother, as long as you let your grandmother hide it, are you afraid that your grandmother won't give you good things?" ”

Xiao Miao's face immediately became difficult to look at, Ning Nianzhi just plugged in the last hairpin for the old lady, looked left and right, and said with a smile: "Sure enough, it's still my skill, grandmother, look at it, is it a little younger than in the past?" Now it doesn't look like my grandmother, but more like my aunt. ”

The big girl who was waiting to comb her hair next to her also smiled: "Grandma is ingenious, just listen to what the slave and maid say to know how to get it, this cleaned up hair, it is really better than the slave and maid to get out, and now the slave and maid can only hope that the grandmother can be lazy, otherwise, I am afraid that in the future, the old lady will not need the slave and the maid and others, and the slave and the maid will not be able to receive the monthly money at that time." ”

This is a clever remark, and it is to praise Ning Nianzhi again, and it is said to the old lady's heart, and the wrinkles on the old lady's smiling face are stretched: "You will say, but don't worry, I am reluctant to be tired of my granddaughter-in-law, in the future, I still have to use you." ”

The maid hurriedly made a reassuring look, and the old lady couldn't keep her mouth shut. Seeing the second lady and daughter-in-law standing next to her, her mind moved, and she took out a step from her dresser, stretched out her hand and dragged Ning Nianzhi, inserted her in her hair, looked left and right, and said with a smile: "It's very good-looking, just take it, grandmother is old, she doesn't need such a conspicuous thing, it just so happens that you are young, take advantage of the good color." ”

Bu Shao is a little green, very precious, the eyes of the second lady and daughter-in-law are red, and when she remembers what Ning Nianzhi said before, her face is even better.

The old lady's focus today is not to educate them to be filial in order to get good things, or they have become filial, and the old lady doesn't want to give this good thing. Today's focus is on the ledger, 100,000 taels of silver. After teasing the second lady's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, the old lady took Ning Nianzhi's hand and got up and led people to the front hall.

knew that these people probably had breakfast in their own yard before they came, but the old lady still ordered someone to set the meal, and she and Nianzhi were useless. The grandparents and grandchildren are very comfortable, the craftsmanship of the is very good, Ning Nianzhi is not very accustomed to the taste of Yuncheng two days ago, and now he already thinks it is very delicious.

"Eat more, and if you like it, let someone do it later." The old lady was very kind and pushed Ning Nianzhi's plate with two chopsticks and dishes to Ning Nianzhi, Ning Nianzhi hurriedly smiled: "Thank you grandmother, grandmother loves me so much, I think, if I eat like this, in a few days, I will definitely grow into a fat man." ”

The old lady laughed: "What's wrong with fat people, fat people are so blessed, but you just have to pay attention to your body, not too fat, otherwise, you won't be able to walk, a little fat, it's still very good-looking." You can stand up in clothes, and you are blessed to have a rounder face. ”

Yuan Tingting was a little unhappy, and in the morning, the old lady didn't even give her a look. At this time, he pouted and muttered: "It's not good-looking when you're fat, it's like a pig, the female son wants Miao Tian, and she wants to sway, so that she looks good." ”

The old lady glanced at her and didn't speak, but the third young lady was still a little blind, so she quickly dragged Yuan Tingting and served her vegetables: "Sister, didn't you say that you want to eat goose fat rolls?" This is the craft of, you can taste it and see if you like it. ”

Yuan Xiu shrunk and didn't speak, although Yuan Min is also a concubine, but there is such a girl in the fourth room, the fourth master still values it, and even the fourth lady is not bad for Yuan Min, Yuan Min is bolder, and he also takes care of Yuan Xiu, who is also a concubine, so he stretched out his hand to pick up vegetables for Yuan Xiu: "You can also taste it, it's delicious." ”

Yuan Jing rolled her eyes at Yuan Min, but Yuan Min didn't see it.

Ning Nianzhi was afraid that the old lady's appetite would be ruined, so he hurriedly smiled and said: "Grandmother, in fact, I look thin and have meat on my body, I don't believe you can touch it, is it quite strong?" ”

The old lady really pinched the outstretched arm, and said with a smile: "It's really quite strong, the girl's family has to be the same as you, so that the body is good, and in the future, it's better to give me a fat doll as soon as possible." ”

Ning Nianzhi's face was blushing and he didn't answer this sentence. The second young lady and the third young lady are a little uncomfortable in their hearts, one is that they have a son, and they feel that the old lady is unhappy that they can't see their son, and the other is that they have not given birth to a son, and their mother-in-law doesn't like it, and they don't know when they will be pregnant.

In a word, everyone has different thoughts, and more or less their faces are slightly revealed. The old lady looked at it, and secretly pouted in her heart, and felt that it was a wrong decision to let these people come to eat together, but everyone came, and it was not good to drive them all away at this time, so she had to speed up, and after eating eighty percent full, she ordered people to remove the dishes.

"I asked you to come here today, I also have something to say." When it was cleaned up, the old lady did not wave her hand to let people go as before, but put on the appearance that she had something to say, and the three ladies muttered a little in their hearts.

Especially the second lady, she was even more worried in her heart, she didn't forget that the old lady had threatened to separate the family several times before, if she took advantage of the old man's absence, the old lady would bring up the old matter again...... No, the old man is not here, and the old lady can't split up even if she says she wants to split up.

Thinking about the second lady, her heart was a little more stable.

But the third lady was a little anxious, yesterday she only heard that Ning Nianzhi was accompanying the old lady to visit the garden, and she also wanted to use her daughter to please Ning Nianzhi and the old lady, but she didn't expect that she happened to know such a thing.

She is also a little weak in the things on the account. When the second sister-in-law reached out like that, she hugged a lot of silver to her house, and she couldn't help but think about it when she looked at the heat in her eyes. Now the old lady has found out...... But while being weak and timid, I can't help but have some expectations in my heart, there is a second sister-in-law in front of me, I shouldn't find out what she did, right? After all, compared with the second sister-in-law, those of themselves are just a small thing.

"Read, bring the account book." The old lady commanded, and the fourth lady was a little confused, looked up, and then looked down at the place under her feet. The third lady smiled a little reluctantly: "Old lady, but do you want to talk about the housekeeper?" But a few days ago, didn't this account book key or something already be read? ”

The second lady couldn't laugh, she was shocked and scared, and she hesitated, what if, she didn't find out?

"You'll find out in a moment." The old lady looked at the second lady with a cold look in her eyes and an expressionless face. The second lady couldn't help but shudder, but immediately raised her head and chest again-Ning Nianzhi is just a yellow-haired girl, she has found the hands and feet of an experienced old account room, so it's strange that the little girl who came out of the pavilion can see it!

Mama Tang soon came over with the account book, and Ning Nianzhi got the old lady's signal, took the account book directly, opened it and read it: "Eggs, twenty-five, twenty-five taels of silver." Thirty horses of linen, fifty taels of silver, fifty pounds of pig's head, one hundred and fifty taels of silver......"

The second lady's face changed, but then she smiled and said: "I have an impression of this, but the account from two years ago? ”

The old lady sneered: "You really should know that these two silver eggs are up and down in our house, but we have eaten them for a whole year." ”

The second lady said with a smile: "Speaking of which, this tael of silver is still cheap, and it is the cheap price that people want to buy from our original family." Otherwise, the war was chaotic at that time, and whoever had eggs would not take them out and sell them. ”

As he spoke, he turned his head and asked the third lady: "The third brother and sister were also in charge of the house at that time, and they also knew the prices, when the war was torn, everything was expensive, not only eggs, but also the old lady's Buddha incense in the past, Buddhist scriptures and the like, which were things that money could not buy." ”

The third lady was dragged by the second lady, her face was quite embarrassed, but she hesitated, and nodded at the gaze of Shang Ning Nianzhi and the old lady: "What the second sister-in-law said is that at that time, the war was fierce, and it was difficult to buy things with money. ”

The old lady couldn't help but smile: "What you said is quite reasonable, but if there is no evidence, is my wife the kind of person who randomly accuses people?" Since you want to reason with my wife, then let's talk about it today. Mama Liao, are people coming? ”

Mama Tan hurriedly stepped forward and replied: "Our family is waiting outside with people, and the old lady said a word, and people came over." ”

The old lady nodded, and Mama Liao went outside to call someone in person. Not long after, I saw Manager Liao come in with a few people. looked like they were all honest, and when they came in and saw a room of people, they were a little cramped, and they didn't even dare to raise their heads.

"I heard that your family has been in Cloud City all the time, even during the two years of the war, and they have never left the city?" The old lady asked very kindly, those few people, you look at me, I look at you, after a while, someone stood up and replied: "Back to the old lady's words, the small family has indeed never moved out of Cloud City, and in the two years of the war, although the life is hard, because the Xiliang Army is still dealing with the people of our court most of the time, so, as long as you hide some, there is no worry about your life." ”

"Was life good then? Where do you get your food from? The old lady asked again, although the man was a little timid, but he spoke very methodically: "I don't dare to eat more vegetables, I am really hungry, so I secretly go to the grain store to buy some, or ask the city guards, secretly go to the countryside to buy, but the price is expensive, in previous years, one tael of silver can be eaten for a month, at that time, one tael of silver is only enough to buy a day's rice grain, eggs are one tael of silver fifty, pork is half a tael of silver a catty......

The second lady's face changed drastically: "Where did the soil buns come from, it's really unbelievable......"

The old lady scolded sharply: "If you don't want to hear it, just go back to me!" The second lady was frightened, and there was a sense of shame, there were not only outsiders in the house, but also juniors, and now, the face inside and outside was gone.

But given her ten guts, she didn't dare to stand up and scold the old lady, let alone get up and leave at will. If she leaves today, not to mention whether the charges can be justified later, it will be a reputation for unfilial piety, and the old lady will have enough reasons to drive her out of the house, even if she can abandon her.

The third lady is not as bold as the second lady, since the head of Liao led people into the door, her face has changed, she is miserable, with some sweat on her face, the handkerchief in her hand is about to be twisted into a rope, and she wants to speak, but she doesn't dare to speak, Yuan Jingjing next to her sees the clue, her brows are slightly furrowed, she looks at Ning Nianzhi for a while, looks at the second lady for a while, purses her lips, and said coquettishly: "Grandmother, do you want to listen to Gu?" Listening to the ancient words, why don't we find a few female gentlemen to talk to another day? ”

The old lady ignored her, and continued to ask the men who were dressed in ordinary clothes, and one person said a paragraph, which was enough to explain the price of the year clearly. Grain and the like are indeed a lot more expensive, but cloth and the like are much cheaper, just like linen, in the past, it was sold for fifteen wen a horse, and in those two years, fifteen wen could buy three horses. There are also Buddha incense and the like, which are less than half the price in previous years.

After asking, the old lady asked Manager Liao to send those people out of the house, and then stared at the second lady without speaking. The second lady didn't know what to say at this time, and the words of defense were too pale, and the old lady wouldn't believe it at all. But if she wants to admit that she embezzled the money in the public school, it can't be done.

The old lady slowly turned the Buddha beads in her hand: "This is the price of Yuncheng, our family was two years ago, but only Dongliang was in Yuncheng, and the rest of the female dependents were all in Liuman City." ”

At that time, it had already begun to fight back to Xiliang, and Yuncheng was taken back, but the old man was not in good health, and the old lady was naturally waiting for Liuman City. The second lady was afraid that something would happen to them when they came back, so they had to stay in Liuman City.

The old lady blocked the second lady with a word, and she couldn't think of a word of justification, so she couldn't open her mouth at this time. The old lady didn't pay attention to her, turned her head to look at the third lady, and beckoned to Ning Nianzhi, who continued to read: "Medium rouge, five taels of silver for a box, medium silk flowers, one tael of silver for a ......"

The third lady's face changed drastically, she couldn't compare to the second lady, and when the matter came, she had to find a way to shirk it. The old lady was ready, she was already a little weak-hearted, and when she saw that she didn't hide her past, she was frightened, and she knelt in front of the old lady with a puff: "The old lady spares her life, I, I didn't mean it, I swear, I only took away 20,000 taels of silver, not much at all, I will pay it back now, please let the old lady spare her daughter-in-law this time for the sake of her daughter-in-law's first time doing this kind of thing." ”

While saying and crying, Yuan Jingjing and Yuan Xiu didn't dare to sit anymore, so they quickly got up and knelt on the side. The third lady pitifully begged for mercy: "The old lady will spare me this time, I will immediately send money over and make up the account." ”

The third lady admitted her mistake, and the second lady immediately seemed to have grabbed a life-saving straw, raised her hand and pointed at the third lady and scolded: "It turned out to be you!" I have long seen that you are not a safe person, and you really took advantage of the convenience of the housekeeper to get a lot of benefits for yourself! When was you bought this account? You can even fake my account, you really have the ability! ”

Saying that, he turned his head to look at the old lady: "This account book must have been deceived by the third brother and sister, old lady, you have to believe your daughter-in-law, I am not the kind of person who embezzles money in the public, and my daughter-in-law is not the kind of shallow eyelid, these things must all be done by the third brother and sister!" ”

The third lady was anxious, and glared at the second lady angrily: "You are spewing blood!" Do you think the old lady will believe you on this side? At that time, although I was also in charge of the house, but we have always been well water does not violate the river water, whose errand who let people go to get the right cards to get the silver, your second lady is the majestic original housewife, how can I be, how can I cross the second sister-in-law you to do things in the account book? Could it be that the second sister-in-law is the kind of foolish ghost who lets others fool her? ”