Master Jiang took out the letter, Taohua was holding Brother Bai'er, and when he heard the words, he raised his head and said, "Is it a letter from the uncle's family?" ”

Master Jiang has a single name with a tin character, his ancestors have practiced medicine for generations, and in the generation of Master Jiang's father, both brothers are in the palace as imperial doctors.

The eldest lady of the Jiang family is named Fang Zheng and has two sons. The eldest son, Jiang Jun, is the uncle that Taohua said, and now he is raising his father in the capital and is an official from the fifth grade. There is also a concubine's son, Jiang Zhu, but he is doing business abroad.

Jiang Xi is the son of the second room. The second old lady Jiang Fanghui, many years ago, died in childbirth due to a noble person serving in the palace, and was also questioned for his guilt and died in prison. The second old lady was in love with her husband and wife, and she died of illness within a few months. Jiang Xi's parents died, and his father was a guilty person, and the crime was in the palace, and it was difficult to go in the scientific examination, so he simply took his wife Li and daughter Taohua and returned to Wuxi, the ancestral hometown of the Jiang family.

Li is the daughter of Jiang Fanghui's friend, and although Jiang Fanghui was convicted, Mrs. Li refused to break the contract and married her daughter. Jiang Xi and his wife get along, and they have lived a few years of only envying mandarin ducks and not immortals. I don't know if it's jealous by nature, Li's body is a little weak, and he only gave birth to a daughter for many years after marriage, and it was easy to get pregnant again, but he was a corpse with two lives, and he abandoned his husband and daughter.

Jiang Xi was so sad that he refused to marry again. After four years, when Taohua was ten years old, someone persuaded him: When his daughter is older, if she has no mother, she will be among the five who will not marry, and she is afraid that there will be obstacles in family affairs in the future. Jiang Xi listened reasonably, not to mention that her daughter was growing up at this time, and she was extremely capable, and she was not afraid of suffering under her stepmother, so she started to continue the strings.

Although Jiang Xi can no longer conduct scientific examinations, he already has a reputation for being a talent, and he is not in vain. The Jiang family is not prosperous, but generations of medicine has a lot of savings, there is a medicine hall and a Zhuangzi's ancestral property in Wuxi, and the family property is solid after a few years of operation. Jiang Xi didn't want to be young and beautiful, as long as he was gentle and kind to his daughter, and finally picked the Cao family. One is a little pity, and the other is that she has a soft temperament, although she is a halfway couple, she is also harmonious. is two girls, one without a mother and one without a father, they can also be regarded as sympathy, Jiang Xi loves his daughter, and he also treats Cao's daughter as his own. Later, the Cao family gave birth to Bai Ge'er, and life was better.

In the long house in the capital, Jiang Xi also talked to Taohua before, but the language was unknown, most of them talked about how good Mrs. Jiang was to him in the past, but he didn't mention his cousins. Over the years, there have been correspondence between Beijing and Wuxi, and some local goods have been given to each other during the New Year's Festival, but Taohua always feels that Jiang Xi and his cousin do not seem to be very close.

"It's a ghostwritten letter from your lobby brother." Jiang Xi casually handed the letter to his daughter, "Your second cousin was born this year, but unfortunately he didn't pass the last hurdle and failed to win the show." ”

Taohua unfolded the letter and said casually: "The second cousin is only fifteen this year, and it is not bad to be a middle school." "The second cousin Jiang Songhua is the eldest son of the uncle Jiang Zhu and is an honest man. People are too honest, there is a lack of transparency in reading, and the uncle Jiang Zhu can read, and he has already won the show at his age, so it seems that Jiang Songhua is not good enough.

Jiang Xi also sighed: "He is the eldest son, and your uncle is keeping an eye on him." In fact, although Brother Song's writing is not obvious, he is a solid one, and he reads seriously when he is a child. At that time, he still lived in the backyard and went to the study early every day. You get up late, you never see him in the morning, and you ask your mother if your second brother always doesn't get up. You were three years old at the time, but remember? ”

Taohua smiled: "I really don't remember this...... "She only crossed over this body when she was six years old, and she had never seen her uncles and cousins in the capital at all. And the original owner of this body, when he was five years old, he kowtowed, and the guide was a little stupid, if the appearance of each person may be able to barely find a little in the memory of the original body, where will such a trivial matter be remembered.

Jiang Xi's expression changed slightly, and he sighed: "No wonder, you were young at the time, and then you fell again-hey, it doesn't matter if you don't remember, you will always see you." As he spoke, he suddenly remembered, "This time, there are things that your eldest sister has given from the palace, and I will ask them to move over in a while." I've seen it, four palace satins, all of which are good; There is also a box of palace flowers, which is said to be new this year, and it happens that the two of you sisters are wearing them. ”

Taohua tried her best to search for the information of the lobby sister Jiang Meihua from the remaining memories, as if she vaguely remembered that she was a very pretty girl, and there was always a little coldness between her eyebrows, and she couldn't remember it anymore.

Speaking of which, the mother-in-law over there has already moved in the satin and palace flowers, and the rest of the local products in the capital are naturally sent to the kitchen.

The four palace satins are lake blue, stone blue, peach and honey four colors, a box of palace flowers a total of six, the color style is also different. Cao Shi looked at it and admired: "In the end, it is a thing in the palace, and it is exquisite when you look at it." ”

Momoka glanced casually. The texture of the palace satin is good, and the patterns are also fresh, but the Jiangnan area is rich in silk, which is the things used in the palace, and there are many Jiangnan tributes, so this palace satin is not worth anything when it comes to Jiangnan, but the things that come out of the palace have a good name; It's a pity that the palace flowers are good, but it's a pity that they are all small flowers such as begonia peach blossoms, but it is also suitable for thirteen or fourteen-year-old girls to wear them.

These Taohua didn't care, what she cared about was another thing: "So, isn't the big sister happy?" ”

Jiang Jun's official position is not high, and Jiang Meihua naturally will not have any high-level status when she enters the palace, but she just ordered a beauty at the beginning. The palace is very particular, and the concubines have rules for everything they say and do, just talking about appreciating things outside the palace, not everyone can do it. If a low-ranking concubine wants to send something to the family, it is not a reward, but she has to hold the eunuchs to send it out quietly, and no one can know about it.

If Jiang Meihua is still a beauty, she is not qualified to openly reward people outside, at least she must be promoted to Jieyu. But there are also rules for the promotion of concubines in this palace, Jiang Meihua has not moved much in the palace for two years, and she was suddenly promoted at this time, most likely because she was pregnant.

Jiang Xi was startled by these words: "You girl-how do you know?" "The nephew's letter didn't mention it, but the family who came to deliver the things said that the daughter was only twelve or thirteen years old, how could she know anything like that?

Taohua said with a smile: "I heard that the ladies in the palace are happy to be promoted, and the eldest sister can reward things this time, so she must be promoted, so ......"

Jiang Xi thought about it for a while, and couldn't help laughing: "You girl is too elf-" He didn't think of this, but his daughter knew it as soon as she heard it.

Momoka pursed her lips and smiled. Her father, although he lost his parents at a young age and his wife in middle age, is still a simple and happy person, and he never thinks about these twists and turns.

Cao Shi endured and endured it beside him, but he couldn't help but whisper: "The eldest girl hasn't been out of the cabinet yet, but it's not good to say anything happy......

Jiang Xi was stunned for a moment and said with a smile: "This is also a happy event-it's just that, there is no need to mention it again, there is no need to mention it again." He was born in a medical family, and he didn't think there was anything inappropriate to announce it, but Cao's words were also a popular truth, he didn't care, but he didn't want others to look at his daughter sideways.

Taohua smiled, lowered her head and continued to read the letter, and said casually: "Big sister is finally going to come out." "Next year is the year of the draft, Jiang Meihua has been in the palace for more than two years, if there is no good news, there will be fewer opportunities for newcomers to enter the palace next year. It is a blessing to be pregnant at this time. There are few heirs today, and there is only one daughter so far, whether Jiang Meihua is a boy or a girl, it is a great joy.

"Big girl-" Cao Shi was taken aback by her words, "My niece has become a mother, this is a matter of honoring the ancestors." What a place the palace is, living a rich life with fine clothes and food, how can it be said that it is boiling...... was heard, and said that we don't respect the emperor! ”

Taohua smiled: "What my mother said is that I lost my words." "The supremacy of imperial power, this is indeed unspeakable. It's just that the Jiang family has been a royal doctor in the palace, can't they see enough of the selfishness in the harem? Even Jiang Fanghui was folded in the palace, and the uncle could still send his daughter in, I really don't know what he thought.

Jiang Xi actually didn't approve of his brother sending his daughter to the palace, but he was just an uncle in the next room, and he didn't care about it, so he changed the topic and said: "Next year is your uncle's 60th birthday, and your uncle's meaning is to ask us all to go back to the capital." Even your second uncle will return to Beijing next year. ”

"Daddy, are we going back to Beijing?"

Jiang Xi nodded: "Back." There was a look of nostalgia on his face, "Dad hasn't seen your uncle and grandfather for many years, and I don't know how good his old man is now." ”

When Jiang Fanghui and his wife died, Jiang Xi was only fifteen years old, and he was taken care of by Mrs. Jiang, and even he married a wife. Jiang Xi and his uncle have been close since childhood, and they haven't seen each other for many years, so they are really worried about it, but they are too far apart, so they have to ask someone to bring some local products from Wuxi into Beijing every year, just to show a little affection.

Hearing that he was going to the capital, the Cao family was a little nervous, but Jiang Yanhua showed a smile on his face: "Daddy, is the capital very far away?" When do we leave? How to get on the road? How long to walk? ”

Jiang Xi smiled: "Beijing, if you don't say anything, you have to go for more than 20 days." Take the water route to Tianjin first, and then change to the land route. However, your uncle's birthday is April next year, and there are still some days left, and we will have time to start again after the first month of next year. ”

Cao Shi said a little timidly: "Not only to congratulate my uncle on his birthday, but also to prepare a congratulatory gift......

Jiang Xi narrowed his eyes slightly: "Uncle is tranquil by nature, he doesn't need anything valuable, only carefully select some things that are not available in the capital......" His parents died early, and he stayed by his uncle's side for ten years, and his feelings were deep, if it wasn't for the accident, he wouldn't have left the capital to come to Wuxi. It's okay not to talk about returning to Beijing all these years, but now when I mention this matter, I feel a little emotional.

Cao Shi was a little embarrassed: "The things here in the south of the Yangtze River have also been sent to Beijing during the New Year's holidays, if you say that there are no things in the capital...... "Where can I tell her to get some fresh ones?"

Taohua finished reading the letter, folded it and put it away, and said with a smile: "If you talk about new things, the second uncle is a businessman, and we can't resist it." However, the second uncle mostly walks in the northwest, and my father wants to find new toys, so he still goes south. I heard that there are often foreign ships coming to Guangzhou, why not ask someone to inquire? ”

As soon as he said this, Jiang Xi nodded: "I was just about to tell you about this - I am also planning to go to Guangzhou in a few days." ”

Cao Shi was taken aback: "If you want to find something, the old man entrusts someone to it, I really don't worry, it's okay to ask Shopkeeper Lin to take a trip, how can I go to such a far place by myself!" ”

Jiang Xi said with a smile: "Although Guangzhou is farther, the road is easy to walk. The shopkeeper Xie of Maotongyuan said that his family was about to send someone to Guangzhou to handle a batch of goods, and I followed them to take a look. ”

Taohua pursed her lips and smiled: "It turns out that Daddy has already made up his mind." Let me guess, is it for the sake of benzoin? ”

Jiang Xi laughed: "You ghost girl, I really can't hide anything from you!" ”

Taohua leaned over with a smile: "Daddy, I want to go to ...... too"

"It's not going to work." Jiang Xi smiled, "You're almost thirteen, you're a big girl." Besides, over there in Guangzhou, I heard that the atmosphere is not the same as ours-" He saw his daughter pouting, and hurriedly said, "Besides, Daddy is out, and you still want to watch the medicine hall and Zhuangzi." ”

Momoka is just giving it a try. After all, this is ancient times, although Jiang Xi is a very rare father who loves his daughter, and he is not old-fashioned, but in the end, it is the thinking of ancient people: her daughter is a big girl after the age of ten, but she can't dress up as a kid and go out like she did when she was a child. And in the past, she only went to a few towns near Wuxi, but Guangzhou was a real journey, and it was not surprising that Jiang Xi refused to take her there. At the moment, he no longer pestered, but said: "When will Daddy leave?" This trip is far, and the things used on the road should be well prepared. ”

Jiang Xi said disapprerovingly: "This way is all to the south, the weather is getting hotter, just bring a few clothes to change and wash, but the south is humid, and you can bring a few medicines to relieve heat and dampness." It's just that on your birthday this year, Daddy won't be able to catch up. "Go to Guangzhou, let alone a month or two, Taohua's birthday in March, obviously not to come back.

Cao Shi couldn't interject all the time, and then he couldn't help but say: "Such a long way, master...... What kind of incense is to buy, isn't it safe to ask Shopkeeper Lin to go? Since she married into the Jiang family, Jiang Xi has never been far away, and when she suddenly said that she was going to a place as far away as Guangzhou, she suddenly felt bottomless.

Jiang Xi waved his hand and said, "It's not just for the benzoin, I also want to go and see it." It is rare for Mao Tongyuan to also go to handle the goods, which is very convenient and does not have to worry. Although he already has children, he still has a bit of a childish temperament, and he just walks away, and he doesn't care at all.

Taohua smiled: "Mother doesn't have to worry, my father used to go out often." Mao Tongyuan Xie shopkeeper is a very proper person, and he will definitely go in and out safely. When she first arrived in Wuxi, she also took her biological mother out often, and later took her out. That is, after marrying the Cao family, he was confined at home for three consecutive years, and he naturally would not let go of the opportunity to travel far away at this time.

Cao's face was worried, and he stopped talking, and only after a while did he whisper: "I'm always not at ease...... What's so good about Guangzhou, it's worth the long journey......"

Taohua frowned slightly and didn't speak again. Since the death of Concubine Xian, although the first emperor did not condemn the Jiang family, Jiang Fangzheng resigned from the Tai Hospital, and anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Jiang family is not good at practicing medicine anymore. The two uncles of Changfang are not here, but Jiang Xi has been studying medicine with his father since he was a child, and he is very interested in medicinal herbs. Now that he can no longer practice medicine, he wants to write a book of medicines, which will include all the herbs in the world and make it convenient for those who study medicine.

There is no Li Shizhen in this world, and there is no "Compendium of Materia Medica", Jiang Xi's wish is not only his ambition and hobby, but also happens to fill a gap, and Taohua is greatly supported. Since you want to collect all the herbs in the world, how can you stay at home all the time? Jiang Xi thought about this, but he had a family to worry about, and he couldn't go to a place too far away, and now it is rare to have this opportunity to go to Guangzhou, so why stop him.

Jiang Xi also heard Cao's complaints, but he had a gentle temperament, and Cao's was thoughtful and considerate to him since he entered the door, and he also gave birth to Bai Ge'er, so he didn't take it to heart, only took a pair of bracelets out of his sleeve, and said with a smile: "I only care about reading the letter, and I almost forgot about this." But it was a birthday gift for the Cao family.

There are many brothers and sisters in the Cao family, the dowry is thin when they get married, and they are married to Jiang Xi for the second time. What's more, there is no woman who does not love jewelry, this pair of bracelets is a red gold carved bracelet, hollow inside, not heavy, but carved with a delicate entwined lotus pattern, and two pearls are inlaid at the center of the flower. Cao loved it at first sight, and when he put it on his wrist, he looked left and right, and he didn't care about saying anything.

Yan Hua praised it beside him, and asked the maid to hold the curtain she had embroidered. In the flower hall, it can't be stretched out, but it is also called by the maid to show the ammonite diagram above.

Jiang Xi looked at it carefully and said with a smile: "This embroidery is really good, Yan Hua's needlework is really exquisite." He looked at the soft shoes sent by Taohua again, and said, "Taohua's needlework is getting better and better." The colors are bright and the patterns are chic. ”

Mint was beside her, and she looked closely at the curtain. If you talk about delicate needlework, Jiang Yanhua is better, but the ammonite picture was originally painted in light ink, and the embroidery on the curtain inevitably looks a little plain, and it is indeed not as bright as the soft shoes made by her own girl.

Cao smiled: "It's all good, it's all good." "Turn your head and call the big girl Qingguo," it happened to be spring, and it was time to replace the thick curtain, and just put this on the branch." There are also soft shoes made by the eldest girl, which can be taken raw, so that they are not allowed to get dirty. ”