There is a system in this dynasty, and all officials and their families in Beijing who have more than six grades in the court have a decree, and every time they meet a banquet in the palace, they can enter the palace to receive the banquet.

You Ziyu is the head of the household department, and he is a six-grade official of the imperial court, and You Lao'an is You Ziyu's mother-in-law. Only the Chen family, although it is the continuation of You Ziyu's three mediators and six hired eight sedan chairs to marry into the door, because he was already widowed before entering the door and is not innocent, so he cannot be awarded according to the official rank of the husband's family. Therefore, when receiving the banquet on Chinese New Year's Eve, the Chen family does not have to enter the palace to congratulate, but only plays wine at home, waits for the mother-in-law to return from the banquet, and opens the ancestral hall to worship the ancestors.

Long before Chen entered the door, he knew that he did not have a fate. Because at that time, there was an elder brother Chen Qi who tried his best to persuade him, and because of the ancestral system of the dynasty, there was nothing to do.

However, when the matter came to an end, seeing You Lao'an wearing a six-grade imperial uniform, entering the palace to receive the banquet proudly, although Chen's face was not revealed, his heart was a little uneasy.

The third sister knows her mother's thoughts best, and she can see the Chen family's widowhood at a glance, so she has to quietly guide and persuade everyone behind her back. Because he said, "Why should Mom be like this? In my opinion, there is nothing good about entering the palace to receive the banquet. If Mom doesn't believe it, look outside-the sky is cold and black, and I can't even see the sun, so I will enter the palace against the northwest wind. It's kowtowing and asking for peace again, and after some tossing, I can't even eat a hot meal, and I have to pour a cold wind on my stomach. It's a living sin. I still feel sorry for the old lady at such an age, whether she can stand it, and I'm glad that my mother doesn't have to do this. Mom envied them. ”

Chen Shiyuan was still full of resentment, after listening to the words of the third sister, and thinking about it carefully, this crooked remark actually made some sense. Deng Shi chuckled uncontrollably. Stretched out his hand and nodded the smooth and full forehead of the third sister, and said with a smile in his mouth: "You, I don't know where you got those tricky and weird ideas. After all, I can't say you can't - I can't tell the world that you can't go. ”

The third sister saw that Chen's heart was also opened, and she had no choice but to reply: "You don't care if this idea is tricky or weird, you just say whether my words make sense." ”

After a sentence, I couldn't help but laugh and joke with Chen: "What does it matter if you can rely on your husband's family to get a fate." Mom should think about giving me a little brother. When the time comes, I will teach him to read and improve, just wait for him to take the top prize, and earn a wife for his mother in the future, that is his mother's blessing. Even if you are tossed in the face of the miserable wind and rain, you are willing, right? ”

Although the third sister's words were joking, they hit Chen's mind. Because I thought that I had married into the You family for more than half a year, there was no news about my stomach. Chen couldn't help but be in a hurry. But it was not good to tell the third sister about these worries and troubles, so I had to endure it sullenly. When I was going to go back to my parents' house in two days, I discussed it with my mother and sister-in-law. Or take medicine to recuperate or pray to God and worship Buddha, so you can come up with an idea.

The third sister didn't notice Chen's distress this time. Although she is more mature and stable than ordinary daughters because of the crossing, the adults are willing to talk to her if they can't make up their minds about some things. But because of this, the third sister has some independence and arbitrariness that have been soaked into her bones from the ears and eyes of the previous life, and these experiences have made her unable to fully think from the standpoint of the ancients. For example, what the Chen family was worried about, in the eyes of the third sister, they didn't feel anything.

Now that the Chen family has only been married to the You family for half a year, although he is a newlywed Yan'er, he is also an "old husband and wife" according to his age, not to mention that You Ziyu may have some symptoms of deficiency due to his previous indulgence. Even if it is conditioned by the imperial doctor, it is like a poor land that wants to become fertile land sooner or later, how can it be so easy.

Moreover, it is not easy to force an heir. The more anxious you are, the more you can't get what you want. It is those seventeen or eighteen-year-old couples, who have not heard from each other for three or five years after they got married. Not to mention Chen and You Ziyu. Therefore, in the eyes of the third sister, I only feel that my mother does not need to be so anxious.

It's a pity that the Chen family doesn't think so, and those who covet the You family's wealth and even the Chen family's dowry behind their backs can't allow her to think like this.

At the moment, it is not said how anxious the Chen family is about the heir. only said that the You family mother and son would return from the banquet when they were about to return from the banquet, but they brought back a not good news.

Just because of the banquet, the Empress Dowager suddenly fainted in an emergency, and now she rules the world with filial piety, seeing that the Empress Dowager is not good, she immediately dispersed the feast and led the prince and many princes to guard the Empress Dowager in Shoukang Palace. The concubines at all levels in the palace also reduced their meals and makeup, and served in Shoukang Palace. The ministers of the court and the central government were concerned about the safety of the empress dowager, and they had no intention of feasting. Therefore, when I went home, I scattered all kinds of play and wine. You Ziyu, as the head of the household department, also had to follow Shangfeng's example. The first thing he did after the old family came was to instruct the housekeeper Pan Youliang to take the family to dismantle the stage, and asked Chen to retire from the play.

Once the arrangements are made, then there is the heart to lead the men and women of the family to open the ancestral hall to worship their ancestors.

I think that after the daughters of the You family went to the house, they learned the coercion of the Chen family with the grandfathers of the Chen family, and when the ancestral hall was opened to worship the ancestors on this day, the You family has been silent and peaceful at any time. It is not as you said before, "Be sure to beat your daughter-in-law in front of your ancestors." Seeing this, Chen didn't bother to take the initiative to make trouble.

After the ceremony, all the clansmen withdrew from the ancestral hall and went to the upper room. After eating tea, I gossiped a few words. And all the people were scattered. Chen helped You Lao'an to send him to the second gate. He turned back and sat down. There were two little girls who went to the room to serve in the morning, and they set up futons and offered hot tea locally.

You Ziyu carried Chen's to kowtow to You Lao'an for tea, You Lao'an smiled and pressed the New Year's money purse silver bill, You Ziyu and Chen kowtowed again, got up and sat down.

Then the eldest girl took the second, third, and fourth girls to kowtow to You Lao'an for tea, and after receiving the old lady's New Year's money, she kowtowed again to thank you. got up and kowtowed to You Ziyu and Chen's to make tea, and You Ziyu and Chen also gave a purse, which was filled with a New Year's bill.

Then several of You Ziyu's concubines and aunts came forward to kowtow to tea, and worshiped You Lao'an, You Ziyu and Chen's one by one.

Finally, the stewards, grandmothers, servants, and maids of the mansion also saluted according to the errands. Picked up the New Year's Bill. Only then did the feast be officially set up. Because there is no drama and wine to enjoy this year, this meal is only a little bit of a meal and then dispersed. You Lao'an is very old, and he has endured the toss of entering the palace to receive the banquet, so he has some bad feelings, so he will go back to the room to rest for the time being. Just wait for the night vigil.

The next day was the first day of the Lunar New Year, and because the Empress Dowager was ill, the palace banquet on this day had been waived. The people of Youfu stood up with five drums, but they went to the ancestral hall to worship their ancestors. After that, he went back to the upper room and received the gifts of the juniors. Because of the affairs in the palace, there is no joy of drinking and feasting, but it is just a pastime for one's own time.

The next day was the second day of the Lunar New Year, and Chen returned to his parents' house with his husband and daughter. After worshipping his parents and getting free, he sent the younger generation to play by himself, and told his mother and sister-in-law in detail.

When Feng married into the Chen family, it was only after the third year that he became pregnant with Brother Huan. In the first three years, I was impetuous and nervous, even if I had children in the future, it was engraved in my bones. This will be called Chen's chatter, and they will all be turned out. Treat others with yourself, but I feel more and more sorry for my sister-in-law.

What's more, the Chen family married into the You family, and the scene was much more troublesome than when she married into the Chen family. She was restless and anxious at that time, her father-in-law and mother-in-law were both sensible people, and they were not like others, who gave their son and aunt a room because she couldn't conceive. Chen Qi did not use the excuse of being difficult for the heirs to pull people into the room.

Because of this, Feng has remembered the kindness of his in-laws all his life. So later, the Chen family was fighting with her, and even if Feng complained a few words behind his back, he was not the same as Chen in person. treats the two nieces and daughters as if they were their own.

What's more, since Chen and Li returned home, my sister-in-law has been getting along with each other for a few years, and it is not like being unable to get along with each other when I was young. Now seeing that the Chen family is so anxious, the Feng family can't help with anything else, so he can only beg Chen Qi to teach the grandmother invited from the East Palace to take a look at the pulse of the Chen family, and maybe he can give some secret recipes for the concubines and concubines in the palace to have children.

Mrs. Chen thought the same.

For a while, Mama Yan was led in by Bixi, and Mrs. Chen spoke so eloquently. Although Mama Yan has served the master in the palace and is also familiar with pharmacology, she has not been the gynecological saint of the hospital for a long time. There is nothing to be said about the current situation of the Chen family. I had to give the prescription for conditioning the body that the imperial doctor often prescribed to the masters in the palace when he served the master in the past to the Chen family. Because he smiled and comforted a few words, he only said, "Mrs., don't be too anxious, the fate of children is determined by heaven, and it is impossible to ask for it, so it is better to go with the flow." What's more, my wife and uncle have only been married for half a year, and the days to come will be long. ”

When Chen heard this, he had to smile reluctantly. He said, "I don't know about it. Just ......"

Chen thought about the rotten relatives of the You family, and couldn't help but sigh. Just when Mama Yan turned around, she told her mother and sister-in-law about the fact that the You family came to the door a few days ago to ask about the crime. In the end, he still said angrily and funny: "Tell me, where are there such relatives who are not in harmony." Even my nephew and daughter-in-law's family affairs want to meddle. I was shocked by a few words, and now it has stopped. ”

Mrs. Chen met with Feng, and she also sighed and scolded again. Because he thought of the aunt and concubine in You Mansion and the eldest girl in front of him, Feng asked, "Your master's eldest girl is also seventeen or eighteen years old this year." Now it's a big deal? ”

Chen was stunned for a moment, and then smiled bitterly: "Since I married into the You family, I haven't had leisure in the past half a year, but I haven't freed up my hands to see her for her." ”

When Mrs. Chen heard this, she had to tell her daughter once. Because he said: "You can be careful, don't be foolish, and do the stupid thing of losing the watermelon and picking sesame seeds." I advise you to move things back from the side rather than delay this one. Whether it's good or not, it also has to do with people's lives. It's that people outside see it, not to say that you don't have time to look at her for her, but it's like you, who is a stepmother, and there is no one in your eyes, and when you see that she is not your own, you are lazy to discipline her. And then there is the villain who has a black heart and rotten lungs, and says something behind his back, you are full of mouths, and you can't talk lightly. At that time, it will not be good for the husband and wife to separate. ”

Feng Shi was beside him, and also thoughtfully reminded: "The old lady's words are very true. After the New Year, you can look at her for her. It's a good match, and after asking for a name, the date is big and small, and it takes another year of work. By then, the eldest girl would be seventeen or eighteen years old. ”

When Chen heard this, he smiled and said, "I don't think so." It's just that my mother and sister-in-law know about me. In the early years, he kept the system at home, and he didn't socialize with anyone, and he didn't know anyone. Now although he has entered the door of the You family, he has no fate. I don't even know who has a promising and motivated little offspring. Not to mention the old lady in our family. I just ask my sister-in-law to pay more attention to me when she invites a table to eat and drink on weekdays. ”

When Feng heard this, he naturally agreed.

In the evening, when everyone returned home, the Chen family had no choice but to sell themselves and ask You Ziyu for credit. You Ziyu might as well join the You family as a general, and she can think about the life of the eldest girl, and she is even more grateful for Chen's motherly feelings. In addition to being emotional, he couldn't help but promise Chen's many benefits, and took the initiative to hand over his private ladder to Chen's to receive.

After that, everyone returned home, changed clothes and washed, and went to the room to say goodbye. Chen Shao was not allowed to mention to You Lao'an that she begged her sister-in-law to pay attention to Jingzhong Junjie and look at each other for the eldest girl. You Lao'an was also full of praise, because he ordered Chen to allocate 3,000 taels of silver from the public to handle the dowry for the eldest girl, and handed over the dowry of the eldest girl's biological mother that she had received before to the Chen family. Ordered Chen's good life to dot up.

Chen did not shirk it, not only received things, but also became more and more careful and thoughtful when preparing the dowry for the eldest girl Zhang Luo. If it was in the past, Chen saw a large amount of silver passing through his hands, he must have been greedy for ink to feel at ease. Only she has a rich dowry now, and there are one or two thousand taels of income every year just counting the income of the grange shop, and at this moment, she can't look down on the few taels of silver that she prepares for the eldest girl's dowry. And in order to make a face in front of You Lao'an and You Ziyu, the Chen family didn't bother to do the act of stealing chickens and dogs, but only scattered a lot of silver, and bought the things back, regardless of the family cages, medicinal herbs and spices, porcelain antiques, silk and satin, beaded and emerald heads, and clothes for the four seasons...... □□ are the most fashionable tricks in Beijing today.

When Feng went out to socialize, he didn't forget to pay attention to the handsome young man who was similar to the family. Ask the Wang family today, ask the Li family tomorrow, and gradually the acquaintances in Beijing and China know the news that the Chen family's sister-in-law looks at other people's children for the eldest girl of Youfu. I also know that the eldest girl of the You family has not yet seen each other properly, and the Chen family has prepared most of the dowry for the eldest girl Zhang Luo. not only spent the three thousand taels allocated by the male middle school, but also gave the eldest girl the dowry of his biological mother without missing anything. In addition, Chen, as a stepmother, also subsidized 500 taels of silver for makeup.

As soon as the news spread, acquaintances in Beijing and China praised each other, only saying that the Chen family was really benevolent and kind, and he could treat the children of the first sister as his own. also said that the eldest girl of the You family was so blessed to have such a stepmother who didn't care about money and was dedicated to planning for her. It's no worse than her biological mother.

If you change to a shallow and childish stepmother, Zhang Luo only cares about face and love when preparing for the dowry, but doesn't care about it, or no matter how ruthless she is, she doesn't even care about face, but she is greedy for ink from her hands, and the eldest girl has to endure it.

For a time, the Chen girl's reputation became better and better in Beijing. Every family is proud to marry the daughter of the Chen family. Even though the daughters born by Chen Qi and the Chen family are all famous or not of the right age, the girls in the Chen clan are more and more worried about getting married.

Chen looked coldly at the flattery and honor of the clansmen, and unconsciously remembered the words behind everyone's faces when he left and returned home a few years ago.

There are few busy times. After this toss, the Chen family forgot about worrying about their heirs. Unintentionally, in May of the following year, when the dowry of the □□ was ready, Chen relieved himself and pinched his fingers, only to remember that his monthly letter did not come a month late.

Chen was overjoyed, and hurriedly asked Lang Zhong to check the pulse, and as a result, he got the good news, only saying that Chen was two months pregnant. When Chen heard this, he was overjoyed. I was afraid that Lang Zhong would diagnose the wrong pulse and be happy, so I invited two Lang Zhong to diagnose the pulse, and they were all happy pulses. At that time, the family was jubilant, and You's mother and son had a son in middle age, and a grandson in their twilight years, and they almost laughed stupidly. Busy soup soup and rice, fasting monks preaching, the family of all sizes rewarded three months of monthly money to show their joy.

Chen sent someone back to his parents' house to report the good news. The grandmother who reported the news went to Chen's house to report the good news, and the old lady Chen and the old lady Chen also felt happy to descend from the sky, and were busy sealing the first-class reward and the visitor. He also ordered his subordinates to prepare food and medicinal materials for the fetus and send them to You's family. Seeing this, the Feng family happened to discuss the eldest girl's family affairs with the You family, so he simply took all the maids and daughters-in-law to the house and said hello to the Chen family. By the way, I mentioned to the Chen family who she was optimistic about the eldest girl, who was the surname, and what the family foundation was.

At that time, You Lao'an was also there, and after listening to Feng's introduction, he had to take charge of his granddaughter's visit. Everyone agreed with each other, and they looked at each other under the pretense of enjoying flowers and eating wine, and they were very satisfied with each other.

It's a pity that the blessing is unparalleled, and the will of heaven is unsatisfactory. Just when the two families were discussing the stall of inviting a matchmaker to come to the door to propose marriage, bad news came out of the palace again - the queen mother died.