Taohua wanted to cover Cao's mouth, but it was too late. Jiang Danhua had already raised his eyebrows, looking surprised: "The third aunt said that this hairpin was rewarded by the county lord?" Which county lord? "Who are you fooling, the family has been staying in Wuxi for a long time, I'm afraid this Cao family is the first time to enter the capital, will she know the county lord?

At this time, it was difficult for the Cao family to ride a tiger, and he turned his eyes to look at Taohua, and said vaguely: "It means that the coral beads inlaid on this head were rewarded to Sister Tao'er by the lord of Nanhua County." ”

The ladies in the hall were a little surprised. can clearly say the name of the lord of Nanhua, it can be seen that the Cao family is not making it up, but how can the lord of Nanhua appreciate Taohua?

Only Jiang Danhua snorted from his nose, and muttered in a low voice: "Why does the county lord want to reward the third sister?" Don't be the third aunt who can't get good things and fool the second sister, right? ”

Jiang Yanhua couldn't help but say: "My mother didn't lie!" My sister accompanied the county lord to the temple to make incense, Mrs. Jiang was unwell pregnant, my sister offered some pickled plums to her, Mrs. Jiang Shao used it and said yes, and the county lord rewarded it! It's a string of coral beads, and my sister is reluctant to wear it, so she dismantles it and beats it into a hairpin. ”

The so-called sending pickled plum Yunyun is Taohua's rhetoric to the outside world, as for the diagnosis of the happy pulse, Cao and Jiang Yanhua don't know, the mother and daughter have always thought that in addition to pickled plums, Taohua must have been waiting for the Nanhua county lord to be happy that day, so he got such a reward, just because the words of the waiter are not good, so they only talk about pickled plums.

Jiang Yanhua pursed her lips and whispered: "Pickled plums are only worth a few dollars, hasn't the county lord seen it?" "Although this coral bead is not a very valuable gemstone, if it is a string of red colors of the same size, it is quite rare, and it is really ............

Everyone's eyes fell on Taohua's face, and Taohua just smiled: "Young Mrs. Jiang has been married for many years and is pregnant, so the county lord is naturally happy. At that time, in the temple, the young lady was unwell and had nowhere to seek a doctor, and after using the pickled plum, she got better, so the county lord took the pickled recipe, and heard that it was a recipe handed down from the family, so she rewarded the coral beads. ”

Jiang Danhua had nothing to say at this time. Although she is in the boudoir, she also knows that Mrs. Jiang has been infertile for many years, and now she is suddenly pregnant, and the lord of Nanhua is happy, and it is possible to reward anything. Besides, if you take the recipe handed down by other families and appreciate more things, you won't owe any favors, which is reasonable for people like the lord of Nanhua who are above the top.

Jing's was the first to open his mouth and smiled: "I didn't expect that the county lord of Nanhua actually went to Wuxi, and Sister Tao could still vote for the county lord's eye, which is really a good thing." ”

Jiang Danhua lowered his head and whispered: "What is the eye, it's just a prescription." ”

"Fifth sister is right." Taohua smiled slightly, "It's just a coincidence." If you say that you are looking at your eyes, it is that the second aunt sees her niece well and lifts me up. "She doesn't want to have anything to do with the Lord of Nanhua anymore, lest she be known, and then she thinks about trying to curry favor with the Lord of Nanhua or something, it will be a big trouble.

Jing laughed: "I just like the peach girl's calm energy." He beckoned Taohua to his side, and casually wiped a turquoise jade bracelet from his wrist and put it on Taohua's hand, "At the age of a girl, she should wear some bright colors and play with them." ”

Taohua felt that the bracelet was a little hot, but in front of everyone's eyes, she could only thank her: "Thank you Second Aunt." ”

Xiao Shi was shocked by Jiang Zhu's acquaintance with General Lu and Taohua's pleasance with the county lord of Nanhua, and he already felt unhappy, and then saw Jing's close to Taohua like this, he was even more impatient, and coughed lightly and said: "The second brother's family is inevitably tired from afar, and now that I have seen the ceremony, I should go back and rest for a while, and I will go and order dinner." I remember that the second brother likes to eat pink fish, and the second brother and sister love to eat shrimp, I wonder if the taste has changed now? Brother Nan and Sister Lian have something to love, and they also said to their aunt. ”

Jing smiled: "It's still my sister-in-law, and I still remember the taste of my lord and me." The old man has been out all these years, and when it comes to summer, he thinks about Chang'an's pink fish and cold skin. ”

Old lady Jiang began to droop her eyelids after she finished talking about General Lu just now, and only then did she stand up slowly, and said lightly: "I came here as soon as I entered the door, and I didn't have time to freshen up, go quickly, presumably your aunt will come to see you in a while." After speaking, he walked out with his hands behind his back, and when he saw Taohua, he nodded to her, "Why don't you go back and copy the book quickly." ”

Taohua smiled and walked out: "Uncle Grandfather, it just so happened that I saw a strange medical case today, and I wanted to ask you." ”

Old lady Jiang walked slowly in front of her with her hands behind her back, and said casually: "Oh, what medical case? ”

The two ancestors and grandchildren went out one after the other, and here the Jing family chuckled, and also got up to say goodbye, and the family of four retreated and went to the west side courtyard.

Half of the luggage in the west courtyard has been packed, but there are still many piles outside, a woman in her early fifties is directing the little servants to move things, and when she saw Jing and the others coming back, she hurriedly stepped forward and said: "The old lady will go to the main room to rest first, the side room has not been finished yet." This yard is a little smaller, and things are really not laid out. "She is Jing's nurse, and everyone calls her a good mother.

Jiang Zhu frowned and looked at the yard that was lined with a bunch of cages, and turned to Jing's and said, "Let's stay for a few days first, and wait for news from the general." If you can go outside, you don't have to bother, if there is no real shortage for a while, buy a house in the capital and move out to live, and save you ladies such grievances. "I think the Yue family's house is like a garden, and the courtyard where the Jing family lived before marriage was larger than this west courtyard, but now the family is crowded together, isn't it wronged.

Jing said with a smile: "Look at what the old man said, this is also a courtyard, where is it wronged." However, it is also appropriate to buy another house, that is, the master can find a place to be released, and it is good to have a house in Beijing, is there no time to come back? The lord doesn't have to worry about this, I will ask someone to see it, the lord just walks around to General Lu these days. By the way, the boat of Governor Cui's house is ahead of us, this will be there a long time ago, and I will take Lian'er to visit in a few days. ”

Jiang Zhu nodded: "Governor Cui is sending a woman to Beijing to get married, and I can't come, I'm afraid it's also a little inconvenient." You went to see Mrs. Cui, and you can help if you can—it's just that I'm going to tire you again. "After he got married, he borrowed a lot of money from his wife's family, and his wife was capable, and after a long time, he inevitably felt guilty.

Jing just laughed: "What's so tiring about this." The Cui family must have brought a housekeeper over, even if it is useful to me, there are only a few places to use it. Don't stand in the courtyard and talk, go in and change your clothes, and go and see your aunt. ”

Mother Liang said with a little embarrassment: "The slave maid just inquired, and my aunt is now serving with the old lady in Baicaozhai, but I heard that even the old lady is not allowed to enter that place." "She is the most capable person around the Jing family, and while she is busy cleaning up the house, she can still find time to ask the Jiang Mansion people who brought them in for news.

Jing Shi groaned: "But what." Fangcai's father said that my aunt will come to see us in a while, so in this way, the place of Baicaozhai is afraid that the old lady does not like to be disturbed. Anyway, the master changed his clothes first, and the aunt will come after a while, so don't let the aunt look like she doesn't look good. ”

Although the house was not all cleaned up, there was a place to change clothes and rest for several masters, Jing took Jiang Lianhua to change clothes in a room, a group of maids hurriedly stepped forward to serve, Jiang Lianhua handed the hairpin in his hand to one of the maids and said: "Before the rain, put it away, when you go out on March 3, you will wear this." ”

Jing Shi smiled while changing his clothes: "Don't say it, your third aunt took out this hairpin, and it was unexpected by me." The color of this coral bead is rare, even if it is not appreciated by the county lord, it is also very beautiful. ”

Mother Liang looked at the hairpin with her hand before the rain, and was also a little surprised: "I didn't expect that the third old man's family could come up with such a good thing." "It's not that Jiang Xi's family can't afford to buy such coral beads, but once this kind of quality is rare, money may not be able to buy it. Second, this is a meeting gift for my niece, and there is no reason to spend a lot of money to buy face. According to the dress of Jiang Xi's family, they would not do such a thing.

"If it weren't for the county lord's reward, there probably wouldn't be one." Jing Shi laughed and said, "It's just that I don't know how that girl from Taohua got acquainted with the county lord...... But I see what the girl means, and she doesn't want others to get naked, so she obviously blocked my words through the mouth of the Dan girl. ”

Jiang Lianhua said lightly: "I heard that the lord of Nanhua County has a big temper, and the third sister is right not to come forward." can get her reward, even if it is because of Mrs. Jiang, I don't know how the third sister will be low. ”

Jing smiled: "It's like this, in front of nobles, you have to be like this." "Doesn't she have to bow down and be small in front of Mrs. Fuzhou Prefect and Mrs. General Lu?

Liang's mother hurriedly said: "Girl, this is a distressed wife." ”

Jing knew that her daughter was a little tall. Although he is very measured when he goes out, he will not offend people, but he is also unwilling to worship those noble girls. However, they are merchants, and the merchants are the last of the four people, even though they are much looser than the previous dynasty, but they are still inferior to those officials and dependents.

Jiang Lianhua has been taught by her teacher like her brother since she was a child. Not only did he invite a famous female master in the Jiangnan area to teach the female red needle finger of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, but also listened to the old gentleman talk about the Four Books and Five Classics in the outer courtyard with his brother before the age of seven. In terms of talent, she is stronger than her brother Jiang Nanhua, even if she gets outside, she is not inferior to those official daughters.

Jing knew that her daughter had been wronged. Jiang Lianhua used to show her talent when she first went out with her, but she was ridiculed by those official girls who were not as good as her. Doesn't Jing's feel sorry for his daughter? But these entertainments are inevitable, that is, Jiang Zhu will become an official in the future, and this is not a serious imperial examination, and it is natural to leave a handle for others. What's more, if you become an official, there are even bigger officials above, even if it is for the future, do you want to flatter?

"Lian'er, you are now a girl at home, it's okay to say, there is always a father and mother to bear it for you. But in the future, if she marries someone else and becomes a daughter-in-law, even if it is for the future of her husband, these relationships will have to go. Jing Shi was a little emotional at this time, and he didn't care about changing clothes, so he took his daughter's hand and talked endlessly.

"Looking at your aunt today, her face is much haggard, and she can't even hold the meeting gift for your brothers and sisters. This is still your eldest uncle who has just been promoted this year, and he has a good job. Mother doesn't need to ask to know, it must be your big sister's business. She entered the palace, she was a mother, she was a nobleman, right? The result? Now that the child is gone, her life in the palace must be difficult! Do you think she should bow down in front of the queen and the concubines on weekdays? ”

"I know you think your mother is a little embarrassed in front of those officials and wives, but we have to rely on them in business, if you offend them, your father will not be able to bear it. Even if your father gets an official, he will be a six-grade or seven-grade at most, and when the time comes, in front of the boss's family, my mother will have to flatter. It's all for your daddy! ”

Seeing that Jing's was a little excited, Liang's mother hurriedly said: "The girl is still young, Mrs. will tell the girl the truth here, and the girl will understand." ”

Jing sighed: "She is fourteen years old, and she will be married in a few months, and she is about to marry someone who is going to talk about her family, where is she still young?" At that time, the old man not only donated medicine, but also went to the barracks to donate prescriptions, wasn't it to change the lintel, so that their brothers and sisters would have a background? But after all, we have a shallow foundation, and if we marry someone in the future, we will be a small official, and for the sake of her husband's future, she will have to do these things. ”

Jiang Lianhua was silent all the time, and then said in a low voice: "Mother, I don't think you are ashamed, I just feel tired......"

"My Lian'er—" Jing touched her daughter's jet-black hair and sighed deeply, "Which woman doesn't come over like this?" It's hard to be a woman, and it's already lucky for your mother to marry your father. ”

Although Jiang Zhu had no background and relied on the Yue family for the first time in business, as soon as they got married, Mrs. Jiang allowed them to go out together, which saved the Jing family from the hard work and embarrassment of serving the two mothers-in-law. And Jiang Zhu always felt a little indebted to his wife because of this, so he was extra considerate to Jing's.

When Jing first got married, the family also prepared two maids to take over the house, but Jiang Zhu didn't touch any of them, and when he was old, he sent them out to get married. With this alone, Jing felt satisfied. Whenever I was wronged in front of those officials and wives, but when I thought about those warblers and swallows in their backyard, I suddenly became calm.

Mother Liang was about to persuade a few words, when she heard a voice outside, Jing's maid Zizhu came in and replied, "Madam, my aunt is here." ”

Aunt Zhu had already heard from the maid who was waiting for her that her son's family had arrived, but without the words of Mrs. Jiang, she didn't dare to run here casually. Although in the past few years, everyone in the family has said that she is favored by Mrs. Jiang and can live in Baicaozhai, which even the Yu family can't enter lightly, but she herself knows that this is not the case.

Just now, Mrs. Jiang took Taohua back to Baicaozhai and asked her to come to the West Courtyard to have a look, so she hurried over. As soon as Jiang Zhu saw her, he knelt down with his son, crying and laughing: "How is my aunt doing all these years?" ”

"It's all good, it's all good." That's true. She lives with Mrs. Jiang, and no one has ever deducted her share, and she can also share Mrs. Jiang's share, so she naturally has a good life.

Jing also took Jiang Lianhua out, saluted Aunt Zhu, and asked someone to carry a box of things over: "This is the body-tonifying herbs, clothing and jewelry that the master collected for his aunt outside, as well as some small toys, and I will ask them to send them to my aunt in a while." "Half of the luggage they brought back this time was a gift for everyone in the house, after all, they haven't been back for more than ten years. Aunt Zhu doesn't look like much, but everything in it is good, and Jiang Zhu put his heart into it.

Aunt Zhu was taken aback and hurriedly said, "I don't go out all day, what do you want so much clothing and jewelry?" I will keep this medicinal herb, and leave the clothes and jewelry to the second girl. ”

Jing said with a smile: "The old man picks all the ones that are suitable for the aunt, so the aunt will stay." If you're lucky enough to stay in Beijing this time, you'll be able to see your aunt more. ”

Aunt Zhu listened to the strange thing, and hurriedly asked what was going on, and listened to Jiang Zhu talk about the official, and she was so happy that she put her hands together and read the blessing of the Bodhisattva. She believes in Buddhism, but Mrs. Jiang doesn't believe it, so she only dares to recite scriptures in her room on weekdays, and she is so happy that she gets a little carried away at the moment, and she says it casually.

Jiang Zhu took out a white jade Guanyin from the box and said, "Knowing that my mother believes in the Bodhisattva, I specially invited the master of the temple to open the light, and it is convenient for my mother to bring it back to worship." "This white jade Guanyin is only the size of the palm, the jade quality is not too good, it is green and white jade, but it is carved cleverly, the cyan carved into the treasure light behind Guanyin and the body of the silk, Guanyin itself is white jade, looking at Wei Miao Weixiao.

Aunt Zhu couldn't put it down, and said to her son: "What to bring back to worship, this is to 'please' back to worship." I recite a sutra every day, and put on three incense sticks, and the Bodhisattva can bless your family with peace and health, which is my piety. ”

Jing asked someone to carry the box to Baicaozhai, but Aunt Zhu refused to carry Guanyin with her, wrapped it carefully with a handkerchief, and handed it to the maid who came with her, and asked her to go back in person after a while.

Although Jiang Zhu also missed his biological mother, he was a man who was not good at sitting for a long time, so after saying a few words, he took Jiang Nanhua to talk to Jiang Xi, leaving Jing and Jiang Lianhua to accompany Aunt Zhu.

"Auntie, I heard that Baicaozhai is not allowed to let people in?" Jing ordered the maid to serve tea, and asked with a smile.

Aunt Zhu hesitated: "Yes." In the past few years, the old lady has wanted to compile all the previous medical cases into a book so that no one can disturb him. I just went with the past to serve tea, because the old lady didn't like to use the girls, and the little girl was not careful enough, so I moved in. "She served Mrs. Jiang when she was a child, and although she became a concubine, she was still good at serving tea and pouring water.

"The old lady has just been quiet all these years. In the main courtyard, the eldest lady has to go to ask for peace every day, and there are five girls. The old lady didn't have a suitable place to shop those medical cases, so he moved to Baicaozhai. Aunt Zhu said carefully, "The people below chew their tongues, you can't take it seriously...... If the second master becomes an official, I heard that those imperial historians don't do anything else, just wait to arrest people, this can't be sloppy. "If you are disrespectful to your mother, it is a big sin.

Jing smiled: "Auntie, don't worry." Our lord naturally wants to honor the old lady. "The gift to the Yu family is second only to Old Lady Jiang, and it can definitely stop everyone's mouths.

Only then did Aunt Zhu put her mind at ease: "The second wife is doing things, I am naturally relieved." Although Mrs. Jiang did not seek a future for his concubine, he chose a good daughter-in-law for him.

"By the way, I just saw that the old lady recruited the third girl, could it be that the third girl can enter Baicaozhai?"

"Not really." Aunt Zhu sighed a little, "Listen to the old lady, the third girl knows some medical skills, so the old lady specially called her to sort out and copy." Hey, the old lady taught the second young master a little, but he was beaten by the eldest master, and he didn't mention it again. I see, the old lady actually still wants to have a successor. ”

Jing's was a little funny: "No matter how you pass it on, three girls and one girl's family, you can't pass on the mantle, right?" ”

Aunt Zhu waved her hand: "Where can this be, but it's better than nothing." If you are free, it is also good to ask the eldest young master to talk more with the old lady. ”

"Brother Nan still has to accompany the old man on weekdays...... "Jing Shi showed a look of embarrassment, "Now that the family business, Brother Nan has been able to get some hands." "Old lady Jiang looks more and more eccentric, and Aunt Zhu doesn't get any benefit from serving him closely, what can Jiang Nanhua do in the past? Is it really impossible to study medicine? What's more, although Jiang Nanhua is the eldest grandson, he is not the eldest grandson of the eldest house, so he can't compare to Jiang Songhua's status in the mind of Mrs. Jiang, so why bother sticking to it.

Aunt Zhu hurriedly said: "I'm just talking." The eldest young master is really capable, how old is he to be able to do business. But this family matter, can you have eyebrows? Since the second master wants to seek an official, it is better to wait for the time being. ”

Jing smiled and said, "The master thinks so too." What's more, Brother Nan is only seventeen, so he is not in a hurry. She originally wanted Jiang Nanhua to marry her niece's niece, but now if her husband can take a step further, her son's future will naturally only be better, so why worry.

Aunt Zhu hasn't seen her son for many years, although she has a lot to ask, but in the end, because of her identity as a concubine, she reluctantly got up after saying a few words, and took the jade Guanyin back to Baicaozhai with her own hands. First quietly set up Guanyin in his own room, put on three sticks of incense, and then went to Mrs. Jiang's house. When I walked under the window, I heard Taohua in the room say, "In this way, this medicine is not wrong." ”

Old lady Jiang's voice then came out: "The medicine should be right, even when the baby is born, it is also as usual, but when he is six years old, he finds that his eyes can't see red." I've been thinking about it for more than ten years, but I still don't understand. ”

Aunt Zhu heard that she was talking about the medical case, and quickly stopped. Old lady Jiang didn't allow her to go in at all when she was compiling the book, and when she heard this inside, she quietly turned back to her room, but she couldn't help but think in her heart: What kind of strange disease is this, what does it mean that your eyes can't see red?