In late November, Gu Xiaosu, the second sister who married into Changningbo's family, washed the third son and invited the sisters to go together.

Yuyi has been addicted to dressing up her daughter recently, and she only thinks that her daughter who combs her girl's hair bun is bright and beautiful, and she wishes that she would go out to the market every day, so she happily responded to the post and sent her daughter out.

Gu Ci is very rare today, a warm sun-like apricot orange brocade robe, rice pearls and silver threads embroidered into a pattern of nine phoenixes, a circle of carved white jade buckles with auspicious cloud patterns on the sleeve collar placket and hem, the same white jade bead belt around the waist, a jasmine-sized hosta mutton fat jade ribbon on the head, woven into the moon bun, staggered and dotted on the back of the hair head, earrings are the same four hosta flowers of different sizes, the jade pendant forbidden bracelet is all lustrous mutton fat jade, and the outside is a purple black sea otter hair cloak. If it were someone else, I am afraid that she would not have the courage to wear such a color and wear so many jade jewelry, but Gu Ci's skin is pink and delicate as if it were transparent, and the jade jewelry is not as fair as her cheeks, and her facial features are delicate and picturesque, which can completely suppress the warm orange bright eyes, and her eyes are swept away, and she has already shown the color of the city at a young age.

When Gu Ci arrived, the other sisters were already sitting and drinking tea. It's not that she is playing a big name, but her honor guard really covers a wide area, and if she is not the last to come, I am afraid that it will affect the intersection of other people entering and exiting Changningbo Mansion.

As soon as the cloak was taken off, the daughters of the Changning Bo family and the Gu family sisters who had just gotten up to greet her were all stunned, some of them had hot eyes, some of them were ashamed of themselves, and some of them were like Gu Yue with unsour appreciation, "Ah Luan is more beautiful today." ”

Gu Yi also reacted after a momentary gaffe, "Yes, this color on Sister Luan is really rare." ”

The eldest sister and the third sister, who are married, did not come today, and the girls in the Protectorate Mansion were headed by Gu Yue and Gu Yi.

A daughter-in-law of Changningbo's family said sourly, "No, this is the new tribute satin bar in the south this year, called Streamer Xia, there are ten horses in total, all of which are rare colors such as orange, bright blue, mint green, and pearl peach." ”

Gu Ci ignored this person, nodded to Gu Yue with a smile, and then apologized to Mrs. Changning Boshizi, who was sitting next to the second sister, "I'm really sorry, I'm late." ”

Mrs. Shizi hurriedly invited her to take a seat, and the atmosphere became active again, but Mrs. Shizi's concubine, Princess Fengyang, was not here today, which made Gu Ci a little surprised.

It's still relatively simple to wash the three, and Gu Ci gave the same as his sisters, ordinary silver bracelets.

It was the unknown daughter-in-law who was muttering, "I haven't seen how generous the county lord is." ”

Gu Ci frowned and looked at Mrs. Shizi - she didn't pretend to hear. She turned her head to look at the woman head-on, her face was slightly longer, her eyebrows were raised, her eyes were mean, and the corners of her mouth were slightly hanging. There was a little jasper in an apricot-colored dress standing beside him, with a delicate face, and a hairpin white juan flower, but unfortunately the little white flower was compared to scum by Gu Ci's jade flower.

"I don't know what this one is called?" Gu Ci asked politely.

Mrs. Shizi will appear, "This is the eighth lady of my brother-in-law." ”

"I see." Gu Ci smiled contemptuously.

It was the Chen family who gave away the land of Zhishuangzhai, and the eighth lady and Xiao Baihua changed their faces together, and retreated back with a blushing face.

***********************

Gu Ci wanted to sit and leave after giving the gift, but the outside reported that King Guangen and the Nine Emperor Princes were coming. Mrs. Shizi instructed the nurse to take the baby to the front yard to show the two princes, and then a chamberlain stood outside the door to convey the meaning of King Guangen, the child should not see the wind when he is young, and the two brothers came to take a look, so that Concubine Du Xian could learn a few words, and they would not stay for long. Mrs. Shizi had to ask the ladies in the house to sit elsewhere for a while, the older ones were sent to the side hall, and the little girls went to the flower hall outside, not far from the back garden of the house, and the leaves of a few maple trees were very beautiful red.

A few girls from Changningbo's family led everyone out, originally they and Gu Ci were nodding friends, and they should accompany Gu Ci who came to Changningbo's Mansion for the first time, but maybe Gu Ci's dress hatred value has soared recently, and several people are faint today. Gu Ci didn't care, if Mrs. Shizi or Feng Yang were there, she would say a few words, and she would only talk to Gu Yue and Gu Yi a lot.

When the guests arrived at the flower hall, the weather was not too cold, the brazier in the corner of the house had been lit, and a few round tables were filled with sweets and snacks. When he sat down, he saw several little girls and young daughters-in-law of Changningbo's family leading a group of girls from the Gu family to sit separately, and the eldest three girls asked Gu to sit at the same table, and the eighth lady and Xiao Baihua also followed behind him.

Gu Ci saw that Gu Yi and Gu Yue had been pulled to speak, so he turned around and said, "I think the maple leaf is good, go out for a walk." ”

A maid holding a tea tray beside him staggered, a few cups of tea poured out, Gan Tang was quick-eyed, waved the tea tray to the side, and sprinkled the skirt of the small white flowers with all the tea that Gu had resigned.

Gan Tang smiled slightly, and said to the maid who missed, "This sister is so cold that her hands and feet are not very flexible?" Fortunately, it didn't stain the county lord's clothes, so be careful next time. ”

The maid knelt on the ground and wanted to beg for mercy, Xiao Baihua tearfully wanted to be wronged, the eighth lady glared and wanted to make trouble, and the third girl opened her mouth to explain. Gu Ci didn't want to listen to a word, turned around and left, leaving the stage for them to play. Seeing this, Gu Yi greeted politely and followed Gu Ci. Gu Yue got up and talked around with this group of people with a smile.

***********************

The maple tree looked only separated by a wall, and it was not close, so it had to go around the moon hole door next to the weeping flower door. Gu Ci looked at the layout of the inner courtyard of Changningbo Mansion while walking slowly, and behind him, Gu Yi and the maid Weilan caught up.

"Why is the fifth sister here?"

"After all, this is someone else's house, and the fourth sister is not at ease."

"Leave me alone, go socialize with them."

Gu Yue and Gu Yi's circle of contacts is different from her, she can be a domineering county lord and slap the master's face in the face, so they have to abide by the rules of being guests. If it weren't for the fear that he would go out and run into the two princes, just now Chang Ningbo's family played this kind of 'make you have to change clothes' scheme, Gu Ci really wanted to leave directly. However, even if you carry a sedan chair for the two sisters who are in marriage, let them brush up on the experience of 'understanding the big picture and taking care of the overall situation'.

The two of them arrived under the maple tree and picked up a few leaves boredly.

"Sister Luan, don't be angry, it's a mediocrity not to be envied."

"Is it just jealousy?"

"With such a family background and appearance, few people can not be jealous, right?"

"That being said, everything I have is from my parents. If you blindly envy what others have, doesn't it mean that you are dissatisfied with your parents? ”

"Well, that makes sense." But you are still very jealous, Gu Yi echoed verbally and sighed secretly.

"The fifth sister will go back to accompany the fourth sister, I will know the way myself."

Gu Yi didn't insist, and also picked up the maple leaf and left with the maid.

The two sisters had just been separated for a while when a drizzle fell in the sky. The three of Gu Ci's master and servant were about to walk along the corridor outside the Moon Cave Gate towards the flower hall, and the two little maids who had been watching the courtyard in the corner came up, and the red clothes invited her to sit in the nearby open Xuan for a while, and the green clothes brought them umbrellas. Gu Ci nodded in thanks, followed the red clothes to Changxuan, and motioned for Ah Yue to follow the green clothes who turned the corner and disappeared. Gu Ci pretended to enjoy the scenery and walked slowly, listening attentively while opening his mind, is there a man in front of Changxuan, or is he going to take medicine? Or was it planted to her at the scene of the murder? It can't be that some hidden master takes a fancy to her bones, Qingqi secretly lures her as an apprentice, right? It seems that there really is a man's voice.

She's only ten years old, okay, what can this trick do?

To be sure, she took a few steps closer.

More than one man.

Gu Ci rolled his eyes in his heart, motioned to Gan Tang to knock the red clothes unconscious and put him down, and then went around the bushes under the cloister to listen to what the man in Changxuan had to say.

Ah Yue came back at this time, "County Lord, the little girl in green has entered a courtyard called 'Diecui'. ”

"Didn't come out again?"

"She didn't enter the house, she was eating melon seeds with a mother-in-law in the gatehouse."

Gan Tang also inquired and returned, "County Lord, inside is a fourteen or fifteen-year-old man and a small servant, and the little servant is called the 'Seventh Master'." They were indeed waiting for someone, and the man kept saying, 'Why haven't you come yet, time is running out'. ”

"Is the wall of that yard high?"

"It's not high, it's actually surrounded by fences and vines, but the gatehouse is relatively large."

"Can you knock two men unconscious and throw them into the back room?"

Gan Tang hesitated, "The two of us can do it, but you ...... alone, the county lord."

Gu Ci said regretfully, "That little guy is cheap for this maid." ”

Gan Tang calmly called out softly at the door of Changxuan, 'Lang Jun, please come with me', and as soon as the two men went out, they were cleanly stunned.

Ah Yue dragged the boy away, and Gan Tang also explained, "Don't forget to put this son's purse in the secret place of the yard." ”

Gan Tang carried the red clothes and the little servant into the open xuan in turn, opened the doors and windows, ripped off the belts of the two, and glanced back at Gu Ci, "The county lord will wait outside, it will be fine immediately." ”

Gu Ci withdrew disappointedly. After a while, Gan Tang came out, and she gossiped and asked, "Did you strip them naked?" ”

Gan Tang choked for a moment, "How can it be, the slaves and maids are just tearing their pants." ”

Gu Ci looked at her adoringly, Ah Yue also came back with wet hair, and the three masters and servants walked along the corridor in the opposite direction of Changxuan. The cloister was farther than when they came, and the people seemed to be so cleaned that they didn't even have a chance to ask for directions. Gu Ci was afraid of getting lost, so he asked Gan Tang to explore. Gan Tang didn't take long to return, and motioned for the two to follow her softly. The cloister turned around and was actually connected to the rockery, and there was a sound of talking, which made Gu Ci's gossip heart ignite a raging fire.

One man and one woman.

The ears of the three of them didn't need to be very close to the rockery to hear, so Shi Shiran sat on the railing at the end of the corridor to rest.

***********************

“…… The mother concubine said, this is also what my father meant, I, I want to ......"

“…… I wish Your Highness the fulfillment of your wishes and farewell! ”

Isn't this voice the fifth sister! That is the Nine Emperors? I haven't been in contact for a while, and Gu Ci is not sure, but who else can be called His Highness? It can't be the file of King Guangen, right?

This gossip is so exciting!

Gu Ci gave Gan Tang an approving look with satisfaction.

"Wait! I didn't mean that, I, it's just that it's inconvenient to see each other in the future......"

"Then we will never see each other!"

"Don't! Other! The concubine promised me that if you are willing to wait, I will give you everything I can! ”

"What can you give?! Let me be a side concubine? And then tell me that you can give me anything but a name?! I'm the daughter of the Gu family! ”

"Ah Shan, I won't fail you. It's just that I have to marry Ah Luan, can't you bear it for me? You and Ah Luan have always been close, Ah Luan is gentle and kind, you will not be wronged! ”

Gu Ci was shocked! The emperor told Concubine Du Xian to let her marry the Nine Emperors? And the Nine Emperors like the fifth sister and want to take her as a concubine?

"Not aggrieved? Do you think Concubine Xian Niangniang has no grievances at all these years?! ”

"After the deed is done, Ruo Luan ...... I can marry you!" ”

Gu Ci scolded in his heart, I want to help usurp the throne of the Protector Mansion, and then kick her away or kill her, so that my beloved little wife can be corrected? ! No, even if her brain was kicked by a donkey, she couldn't marry the Nine Emperors! This premise itself does not exist!

"Yuan Nian! If you want to be Emperor Wu, it depends on whether Ah Luan and Gu Jiafang are willing to be the Chen family! ”

"Ah Shan, don't be like this, you are also a girl from the Protectorate Mansion, I will think of a way to ......"

Gu Yi was furious in her heart, she didn't want to marry the Nine Emperor Princes like Gu Yi in history, but it was not bad to have a good relationship with the future emperor. Who knows that the real him is just a warm, sunny and meticulous brother next door, the two have exchanged letters for so long, I feel his sincere care and greetings, all kinds of delicate and interesting and intimate gifts, listen to her admonitions, admire her talent, and call her 'the world's first confidant'. She just watched herself fall deeper and deeper into it, indulging in it and couldn't extricate herself. She believes that it makes sense for the emperor to choose him as his successor in the end, his seriousness and carefulness are enough to make him a Ming monarch, and the positive evaluation of him in the history books is not bad, 'benevolence and love for the people, and choose talents'. If she wasn't the Gu Yi who died by herself, and she could be heart-to-heart with him, could she look forward to being his virtuous queen and the lover of a lifetime? Take 10,000 steps back, he didn't become an emperor, he would also be a virtuous king, he was not old enough to participate in the succession, and his personality was not annoying, what reason did she have to refuse such a sincere and noble man? But after all, he is a prince, how can he not have ambitions? In the face of the temptation of power, no matter how innocent and benevolent he is, he will easily abandon her and choose a more favorable woman, because they have no idea of being loyal to a certain woman at all!

This damn ancient!

The sad and angry Gu Yi hurriedly rushed out from the other side of the rockery, Weilan followed behind her, the Nine Emperor Princes looked at the direction she left and wanted to chase after her, but an attendant hidden in the rockery came out to stop him and led him away from the other direction.

Gu Ci, who was sprinkled with dog blood, looked at the two maids, "Which way are we going?" ”

Gan Tang pointed in the direction of Gu Yi, and the three of them chased after him together.

Not long after, the two waves of people met not far from the flower hall, Gu Ci smiled and asked Gu Yi, "Fifth sister has just arrived?" ”

Gu Yi looked dazed, "Yes, I didn't expect it to rain, so I hid for a while." ”

Gu Ci didn't care, she had already thought about it, even if the emperor wanted her to marry the Nine Emperors, she would have to wait for five years, and it would be no difficult to destroy the family! The worst situation is that Aunt Xuezhenyi does not marry, anyway, there is a family and the prince's brother, it doesn't matter if she has a nominal man or not. Entering the flower hall, Gu Ci ignored some scrutiny and politely said goodbye, Gu Yue saw that Gu Yi was in low spirits, and also left with the other sisters.

When Mrs. Shizi heard the news, she hurried to send them to the Weeping Flower Gate, and Gu Ci saw that she could sweat in late autumn, and secretly guessed if she finally found that there were two men in the inner courtyard? My heart was rolling with joy.

***********************

After returning home, Gu Ci rushed to his mother to find comfort. Yuyi was furious after hearing this, and sent someone to quickly call Gu Yao and Gu Ao back in the palace, and it happened that Gu Yi and Gu Ao also had something to say, and then called Wu Shenqiu over, and the family gathered in Qingyi Hall, and all the subordinates retreated to the outside of the courtyard, and Cai Xing and others guarded the door. Yu Yi first told Gu Ci what happened in Changningbo Mansion today, and several men changed their faces one after another.

Wu Shenqiu went to Changningbo Mansion more often, "Diecuiyuan should be the courtyard of the Eighth Lady, but unfortunately I don't know who that man is." ”

Gu Ci was very surprised, "Just for the sake of the land of Zhishuangzhai, as for her grudge until now?" I've given more money. ”

Gu Ao smiled lightly, "Before Concubine Chen Shufei's two sons died, the people of Jingtianbo's family walked sideways in the capital. ”

Gu Xi's eyes were frighteningly sharp, "I'll go to investigate the matter of Chang Ningbo's family in a while." ”

Gu Yao's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and his voice was still very calm, "It is definitely impossible for the emperor to let the Nine Emperor Princes marry Ah Luan, it should be Concubine Xian and Changningbo's own opinion." ”

Yuyi said arrogantly, "I will figure this out, dare to beat my daughter's idea, this palace wants to see who gave her this courage!" ”

"Concubine Xian is also two sons, so she is naturally bold and dares to treat Ah Luan as Chen Jiao? Hum! Gu Ao said.

Wu Shenqiu comforted softly, "I think Concubine Xian is dissatisfied with Ah Shan, and wants to coax the Nine Emperor Princes to get close to Ah Luan, and that man should not be going to Ah Luan today, after all, Ah Luan is still young, so he can't climb the ......."

Gu Yi said calmly, "Where did they get the confidence?" ”

Gu Yi immediately understood the meaning, "Will they make a move on the prince?" ”

Gu Yao said calmly, "If the prince will have an accident in Beiguan, we don't have to fight with Qianyi." ”

"But he loves to run around!" Gu Ci said worriedly.

Gu Yao was slightly surprised, "Ah Luan knows the whereabouts of the prince?" ”

"I don't know, but he writes about what he ate, and it looks like he's ......in the west."

Gu Ci really obediently wrote one every three days, and in the recent reply letter, Yuan Yi wrote that he ate mutton soup, isn't this just mutton steamed buns, obviously going west.

Yuyi was also anxious, "This kid is just messing around!" ”

Gu Yao asked her, "Are you sure?" ”

Gu Ci said the contents of the letter, and everyone's expressions were complicated, and they fell silent for a while.

Gu Ci was anxious, "Do you want to send someone to find it?" Could something really be wrong? ”

Gu Ao hurriedly comforted her, "No, when the prince and I toured south, they were also elusive, making it difficult for people to grasp his whereabouts." If we send someone, we will be exposed. The less people know, the better. ”

"I'm going to say no one!"

Gu Yao smiled and sighed, "If we ask you in the future, you can just tell us." Now the prince should be fine, just see if there is any news in the next few days. ”

Then Gu Xi said that Gu San in the second room had found Gu Er for a trip these days, the stone account room went to Gu Fangzhai in Dongshi three times, Gu San's daughter-in-law went to Changningbo Mansion five or six times in the month that the second sister gave birth, and the personal grandmother of Fang's wife also went to Changningbo Mansion today, but she just gave gifts and left.

Gu Ci was even more surprised, "What's the matter with the Fang family?" ”

THEN GU YI BLABLA AGAIN AND TALKED ABOUT THE FANG FAMILY'S BAD LUCK AND ENTERING THE BEIJING CAMP.

Gu Ci thought for a while and asked, "yes, why did the Fang family come to the capital to find a way out?" ”

"Mrs. Tai is the most prominent person in the Fang family, and she wants to take advantage of it."

"But Mrs. Tai has no money."

Everyone was stunned, but Wu Shenqiu reacted first, "Ah Luan means that Mrs. Tai has no capital to give the Fang family?" ”

"Yes, if you want to make a comeback, don't you have to look for money first? Why did the Fang family think that they would definitely be able to get money in the capital? ”

Gu Ci is strange about this, there is no shortage of businessmen in any noble family, why does the Fang family think that if they take refuge in the capital, someone will definitely accept it? If you want to raise money with the power of the Protector Mansion, you can still charge a big-tailed wolf to scare some small money houses outside, in the capital, let alone borrow the face of the old lady Gu, even Gu Yao will not dare to pack the ticket Yinlou Money Village will definitely buy it. Mrs. Fang must not have much cash on hand, and the income of the Protector Mansion is 30,000 or 40,000 taels, according to the marriage situation of the children and grandchildren in recent years, plus the annual expenses, even if the remaining silver is given to Mrs. Fang, it is not enough for 10,000 taels.

10,000 taels to open a shop in the capital, just buy a small door on the first floor, and even the decoration money is not left!

After all, Yuyi has been the housewife for many years, "It seems that the Fang family has something to rely on in the capital." Otherwise, with the name of Mrs. Ba and the Protector Mansion, you can make more money outside. ”

Gu Yi hit the nail on the head, "There must be a handle in hand." ”

Gu Yao looked at the children with satisfaction, "The affairs of the Fang family are still checked by Zheng Ze and Shu Chi, if you need manpower, you can find Xiao Er's housekeeper in the outer courtyard, Jingxiang, you think about the 'official and gentry integrated tax', don't be distracted for the time being." Haocang: I'll write to you. "Shu Chi is the word given to Gu Yi by the horse sacrifice wine, which is too suitable for his slow temperament.

Gu Ci looked at her father with a pair of big eyes, "yes, what about me?" ”

Everyone laughed, Yuyi hugged her daughter, "Ah Luan is responsible for eating, drinking and having fun, and it is good to be dressed up beautifully by her mother." ”

***********************

The affairs of Changningbo's family were tightly covered, but Layue heard that he and Jingtianbo's family were married again, and Chen Qilang and his cousin Du Jiuniang were married, Chen Qi was the man who was thrown into Diecuiyuan by Ah Yue to show everyone Gu Cihua, Du Jiu is the biological daughter of the eighth lady Chen.

Gu Ci and Du Jiuniang don't have a deep relationship, but thinking that he has harmed a lady with such a lewd man, he is a little unhappy. Intimate brother Gu Yi enlightened her. Because Concubine Du Xian regards the second sister Gu Xiaosu's father-in-law and the fifth master as her own brother, the courtyard of their house is the largest, only the fifth master and his wife and Aunt Ding's sister, as well as the eighth master and the second brother-in-law, the eleventh master and the three families live, from Changxuan, Fenglin to the rockery. Since there was no one on the road that day, Chen Qi was able to stay in the inner courtyard unharmed, and he thought that the eighth lady would have contributed a lot. Only the eighth lady, mother and daughter lived in Diecui Garden. If it wasn't adultery on the part of my aunt and nephew, it would only be a tryst with my children. Chen Qizhen didn't come for Gu Ci, he just wanted to find a girl from the Gu family to raise his value, he was a concubine, and he would earn money if he hooked up with his concubine, and the concubine would not lose. Pouring tea on Gu Ci was what Miss Du San meant, and she was jealous of her clothes, so when the little white flower beside Mrs. Eighth and Chen Qi's sister went to change her clothes, the paint stained on the brocade stool completely ruined her new clothes. The two maids in red and green may have been sent by a concubine who sensed the intention of the eighth lady, and deliberately asked the youngest and most difficult Gu to resign. There are too many people offended by the eighth lady, and it is difficult to judge which one it is at present.

Gu Ci asked incredulously, "Why are they so bold, and they are not afraid of ruining the reputation of the other girls in the family?!" ”

Don't you like to emphasize that the reputation of the sisters in the family is 'one glory and one loss'? For the sake of her daughter, the eighth lady should not kill a thousand enemies and hurt herself eight hundred like this.

Gu Xi seemed to smile, "Ah Luan, no matter how bad your reputation is, the person who wants to marry you can still go around Quzhuan Pond, understand?" ”

"The marriage of the two families is only for the sake of profit, regardless of character?!"

"The stakes are big enough, and fame is secondary. Besides, if a woman becomes a relative, after a few years, others will naturally forget about it. It's a big deal to associate with people who don't know the past, or people with much lower status. Women are in diplomacy and look at men. ”

Gu Ci only felt that his three views were refreshing and turning the page.

Gu Yi pinched her face, which still felt good, "Have you forgotten Tang Jiajia's example?" ”

yes, this era doesn't seem to mind that the sister paper is stronger. Besides, men do not lack women except for wives, and what kind of support they get from their parents-in-law is more important than what kind of wife they marry. On the other hand, if the wife is not doing well, she can convince her mother's family that it is no problem to reconcile and leave. Didn't there be a news in Mingxiu Daily that Lu Shangshu, who replaced Mrs. Qiao's entry into the Ministry of Engineering, and Second Lieutenant Jin of the Xicheng Praetorian Guard were half-brothers, which was the result of their mother's remarriage, and the two were much closer than brothers with different surnames and different mothers. Gu Ci is entangled, is this situation better for women? On second thought, you don't have to be widowed to remarry, at least it's better than the times when your reputation was damaged and you had to become a monk or commit suicide!

"Got it......"

"Of course, there are benefits to having a good reputation, and the selection range is larger and higher."

"Seventh brother, you will find the seventh sister-in-law in the future, reputation is secondary, but the character must be good."

"You don't have to worry about that."

"Also, you have to have the same heart."

"Okay, you just remember, with your brothers here, you can do whatever you want in the future, even if you raise a few little noodles, it doesn't matter."

"Noodles?" Gu Ci felt that her knees hurt a lot, she was only ten years old, okay!

"Uh...... Brother and I'm going to get busy beforehand! ”

Gu Yi disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving Gu Ci, who had been broken into scum, messy himself.