What's the use of standing? The four brothers and sisters of Zhao Yan were stunned for a while, but they still accepted the reality.

Fortunately, the landlord was very kind, and when he saw that there was a young child among them, he took the initiative to help tidy up the house, and boiled some hot water on the fire, so that the three of Zhao Xiang's sisters and brothers could take a hot bath.

However, no matter how kind the landlord is, they also have their own families, and it is impossible to help the Zhao brothers and sisters all the time, so when they saw that it was almost evening, they quit and went back to their own homes to cook.

There are still some rice, noodles, meat and dishes in the kitchen, before Zhao Yan went out to pick up people today, he had instructed his subordinates to make a table of good dishes, but the subordinates were taken away early, and they didn't have time to cook the meal, so they only washed and cut the ingredients. Zhao Man instructed his sister: "The eldest sister used to make some soup and water all day long to please my grandmother, I must be good at cooking, tonight's meal will be handed over to you, remember to chop all the firewood, and wash the clothes after a while." ”

Zhao Xiang was angry, she still wanted to put her sister on the shelf, in the past, even if her father Zhao Jue was an official outside all the year round, and the family was headed by Aunt Xiao Qian, but with her grandmother, these brothers and sisters never dared to be too presumptuous in front of her. Now that my grandmother has not left the prison, and the people have left, these concubines are going to step on her head, which is simply unbelievable!

But Zhao Yan stood on the side of his sister, he thought he was the head of the family, since Zhao Xiang was the eldest sister and knew how to cook, shouldn't he do more? As for his sister, she is still young, and she helps take care of her younger brother. It's enough to do a few pieces of needlework, and I'll leave the rough work to the eldest sister.

And himself? He also had to raise money everywhere. Find a way to redeem your mother, where is the time to pay attention to these trivial things?

Zhao Xiang endured the humiliation and cooked. Although she has learned some soup and water, it is mainly a nourishing thing, as long as she asks someone to wash and cut the ingredients, and then put them into the pot under her command, add water, and stew. She may have to master the fire, but she will never be the one who burns the fire. She has never learned serious home-cooked meals, and what she has learned is high-end cuisine. After getting married in the future, she will show her face in front of her in-laws, showing that she has outstanding education and knowledge. Where can she get all those home-cooked ingredients? After tinkering for a long time, it was dark. I made a plate of yellow wilted fried greens. A large bowl of chicken soup with a light taste like water, as well as blackened stewed pork ribs, put too much water in the rice, and it became porridge.

Zhao Yan Zhao Man scolded while eating, if it weren't for the fact that they were really hungry, they wouldn't be able to look down on such food. Zhao Li directly cried and refused to eat, but Zhao Cheng went to buy Hefangzhai's pastries and came back. to feed him. Zhao Xiang endured his anger and didn't eat yet. He was driven to wash dishes, laundry, and chop wood, only to feel that life was gloomy and hopeless.

At this time, she heard the couple chatting with the landlord next door, and mentioned their brothers and sisters: "The children of the official eunuchs are really more squeamish than others, and they have a big temper, but they look really good." Especially the eldest girl, although she is still young, she has already fallen into Peugeot Water. If we tell our son that she is a daughter-in-law, our grandson will definitely look good in the future! I wonder if her brother will agree? ”

"I must be willing, his family has no money now, and after he is an official again, he is no longer an official family, and he can't even live his life. Although our family is not wealthy, but it is also a serious citizen, the family has a few acres of land, a few rooms, although our son is older, but in the shop apprenticeship, is about to leave the teacher. His girl married into our family, and she didn't have to worry about food and clothing, why didn't she want to? But let's take a look first, and don't mention it to his family for the time being. That little girl looks thin as a handful of bones, not like a good child, what's the use of just looking good? Besides, the name of the daughter of this criminal official is not good, so we may be able to find a better girl for our son. ”

Zhao Xiang was so angry that he trembled, when did even such a poor ghost with a humble status dare to miss her? At the beginning, she was favored by King Ying's side concubine Tian, entering and exiting high-ranking households, and intersecting with daughters and nobles, Tian also threatened to recognize her as a goddaughter, and personally kissed her, although the purpose was just to help King Ying win over people, but she was also really concerned about her family affairs. At that time, the family she said was either a prince or a general Shangshu. That's it, don't pick and choose, don't the other party is not good-looking, don't have embroidered pillows that don't have merit and fame, don't be grumpy, don't be too weak and flowery...... Now that the phoenix has fallen to Pingyang, even the primary school apprentices in a shop dare to find fault with her and dislike her?

But she was more afraid in her heart, if Zhao Yan hadn't raised the money for a long time and had no money to ransom Aunt Xiaoqian, would he agree to the landlord's proposal and ask for a bride price? If he didn't intend to redeem his grandmother, he wouldn't dare to do such a thing. He was her elder brother, and now that his father was dead and his own brother was still out of town, he, as a second brother, was qualified to decide on her marriage in his grandmother's absence. How could she take such a risk?

Gritting her teeth, she made up her mind. After a sleepless night, early the next morning, she changed into a set of clean silk cloth dresses left by an unknown girl, dressed up neatly, picked a few flowers in the yard, and forcibly filled the façade, so she excused herself to go to the street to buy vegetables, asked Zhao Yan for five coins of silver, and went out with a basket.

As soon as she went out, she threw the basket to the side of the road, hired a car, and went into the inner city. Her target today is a former best friend, Feng Xiuqin, the daughter of Master Feng's family, a scholar at the Hanlin Academy.

This Feng bachelor's official position is only from the five grades, the personality is low-key, dedicated to cultivating books, and there is no political tendency in the court, so no matter which nobleman is in power, it has nothing to do with him, but he has a great wife, born in a family, his mother's in-laws are all over the court and the opposition, and he also has a wide range of friends, is funny and eye-catching, and has a little talent, many noblewomen befriended her when they were in the boudoir, and now they are married, feasting and appreciating flowers, and they also love to give her a post.

Zhao Xiang happened to go out to a banquet with King Ying's concubine Tian when he met Feng Xiuqin, who came with his mother. This bachelor's daughter has a poor family background, although her mother is well-connected, but in fact, it is nothing. The reason why Zhao Xiang is willing to associate with her is entirely because her personality is relatively naïve and easy to coax.

Zhao Xiang knew it in his heart. Even if the other daughters are willing to look at Concubine Tian and befriend her, in their hearts. She has always been just the daughter of a six-rank military attaché, and her biological mother is still a criminal. But Feng Xiuqin is different, Zhao Xiang told her that her mother was wronged, but the emperor was misled and spoke before, even if he knew it was wrong. Because Jun didn't joke, he had to let his mother continue to be locked up in prison, but he didn't say that he wanted to put his mother to death. Zhao Xiang didn't say that there was Zhu Lifei's pillow wind at work here. only said that the emperor did something wrong, but everyone didn't dare to say it clearly, Feng Xiuqin actually believed it, and was very sympathetic to her experience. Every time I encounter someone who uses this incident to satirize Zhao Xiang. Feng Xiuqin is always the first to divert the topic. Although it is in the way of the emperor's face. She didn't dare to tell the "truth" in front of people to defend Zhao Xiang, but Zhao Xiang believed that when the Zhao family became a street rat, this friend must still believe in herself.

The Feng family is in the inner city, and they live in a small house with three entrances, and they are not a high-ranking family that is difficult to enter. But Zhao Xiang didn't go over to call the door immediately, but stood far away in the opposite alley, waiting to see a carriage leave the door of Feng's house. He stepped forward.

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, and Mrs. Feng has a habit. That is, on the first and fifteenth day of the new year, I have to go to the temple near my home to offer incense. It doesn't matter if Bachelor Feng is not at home, but if the smart Mrs. Feng is at home, Zhao Xiang is not sure that she will be able to persuade Feng Xiuqin to take the silver, so she has to wait until Mrs. Feng's carriage goes out before she comes to the door to find someone. After spending only a penny of silver to make a concierge, she sent a message to Feng Xiuqin very lightly, saying that she was going to return to her hometown with her family and wanted to say goodbye to her former friends before leaving.

Feng Xiuqin quickly ran out, and when she saw her at the door, her eyes suddenly turned red, and she held her hand tightly and said, "It's great that you're okay, I heard about your family's affairs and have been worrying about you." ”

Zhao Xiang also squeezed out a few tears, choked up: "My father did something bad, and he deserved such an end." It's just that we are girls, and we keep them at home all day, so how do we know what is going on outside? When the official messenger came to the door, he was really frightened, and he was scared every day in prison. Finally, the emperor has been gracious, and I am satisfied to let us out and see the light of day again, and to see the sisters who used to make poetry and jokes together. It's just that now people are warm and cold, and others don't want to pay attention to me when they see my house falling. I am really grateful that you didn't turn your face and disown people like them and drive me away. ”

Feng Xiuqin said with tears in her eyes: "What are you talking about? What are the adults going to do, and how can we girls know? You are also implicated, and the sisters who look down on you for this are too snobbish. I only recognize you as a person, and it has nothing to do with what your surname is or what your father is an official. He pulled Zhao Xiang into the house again.

Zhao Xiang counted the time, estimating how long Mrs. Feng would be able to go home, and after a few words of greeting Feng Xiuqin, he went straight to the point: "Although my family plans to return to their hometown, there is just one difficult thing, I want to think about it, and I can only ask you for help." ”

Feng Xiuqin was curious: "What is the matter?" But you want me to help you say nice things to other people? ”

Zhao Xiang said with a look of shame: "I'll tell you the truth, I and a few little brothers and sisters were all redeemed by the people in our family's small second room in the past. His family was hindered by material discussions, afraid that people would say that they were ruthless, and afraid that we would be exiled, and that people outside would know about it, and they would insult the prestige of our great-grandfather, so they ransomed our Zhao family's flesh and blood. But their family hated my grandmother, and refused to redeem her, and pity her old man, who was old, and still had to suffer in prison......" She whimpered a few times, bowed her head and wiped her tears, "His family has caused my mother to be still in prison, and I have a grudge in my heart, and I am not happy to associate with them, but I can't care much more to save my grandmother." I hate them for being ruthless and unwilling to promise to ransom people...... If I hadn't had a choice, I wouldn't have opened this mouth to you......"

Feng Xiuqin understood, she couldn't understand it very much: "I heard that the second room of the Zhao family has made a great contribution to saving the prince this time, and he will definitely be able to get back the title, and many families have given them gifts, even my grandfather's family." His family has gained so much benefit, why should he bother with you about a little grudge in the past? Didn't you say that the death of your second uncle and his wife was an accident, and they only settled the account on your mother in order to seize the family property? They know in their hearts that you are innocent, so why should they resent you? ”

Zhao Xiang naturally couldn't tell the real reason, so he could only bow his head and wipe his tears.

Feng Xiuqin asked, "How much silver do you need to redeem your grandmother?" ”

Zhao Xiang choked up and said, "I can't tell." It is estimated that four or five hundred taels should be about the same. ”

Feng Xiuqin's face was embarrassed: "So many? She thought for a moment and stood up: "You wait a while." And he left. After about a quarter of an hour, he returned with a small cloth bag. Zhao Xiang noticed that the pair of white jade bracelets on her wrists had disappeared, and she was very satisfied. Zhao Xiang recognized this pair of bracelets, and they could be sold for two hundred taels outside, not to mention, the small cloth bag looked definitely not only this pair of bracelets.

Feng Xiuqin handed the cloth bag to Zhao Xiang: "Here are a few pieces of jewelry." There are also some gold and silver bills, I don't know how much they are worth, but I always have one or two hundred taels if I want to. Take it. ”

"Good sister. I will remember your great kindness for the rest of my life! Zhao Xiang squatted down and was about to thank her, but she held him up: "Don't say such things, I am friends with you, how can I look at you in trouble." But you don't reach out? ”

Zhao Xiang's goal was achieved. Worried that Mrs. Feng would come back at any time, she said a basket of good things to Feng Xiuqin, and then got up to say goodbye. Feng Xiuqin also tearfully asked her to give herself a letter when she left the capital, so that she could practice it for her.

Zhao Xiang took a bag of jewelry out of the door of the Feng family, and the first thing he did was to find a pawnshop with a good reputation, and he took all the jewelry, and he actually had more than 300 taels of silver. All of them were exchanged for small silver tickets and hid on their bodies. When I went out, I hired a car to go to the Yamen of Dali Temple. Today, she must redeem her grandmother, with her grandmother here, those concubines will never dare to belittle her again!

And after Mrs. Feng returned home, she heard Feng Xiuqin talk about this matter, and she became angry: "I told you a long time ago, don't deal with Zhao Xiang anymore, why don't you listen?" That girl didn't tell the truth, and her mother did hurt other people's parents, why did she say a few good words to you, and you believed it? Don't you know that her father is a great rebel?! ”

Feng Xiuqin cried: "Her father is a great rebel, and she is not. What does this have to do with her as a girl? Besides, she was also worried about her grandmother, so she had the cheekiness to borrow money from me, who made the second room of the Zhao family ruthless and refused to redeem people? ”

Mrs. Feng sneered: "If the second room of the Zhao family is really ruthless, she will not be redeemed, and she is still blessed to sit in our house and cheat you out of money?" The Zhao family refused to redeem her grandmother, and she considered it for her own family, this is someone's housework, what do you care about so much? I think Zhao Xiang decided that you would definitely be fooled, so he came to you. She said that she was looking for other little sisters, and others were snobbish and kicked her out, so you just send someone to inquire and see if she has found someone else?! ”

Feng Xiuqin really sent her mother-in-law to the house of a few girls who were familiar with Zhao Xiang in the past to ask, but no one had ever seen Zhao Xiang, so she believed that she came directly to find her. Whether her other words are true or false, Feng Xiuqin doesn't know, but she knows that no one in the little sisters has chased her, so it is not the snobbery she said in her mouth, so why does she say this again?

Mrs. Feng sent someone out to inquire, redeemed her daughter's jewelry from a nearby pawnshop, and asked someone to go to Dali Temple to ask, and learned that Zhao Xiang had indeed ransomed his grandmother's cow, and only spent a hundred taels, but left his mother-in-law Qian in prison. She sneered and told her daughter about it: "Look, who is ruthless?" The second room of the Zhao family has a grudge against his family, and she can redeem a few of her sisters. Her younger sibling's biological mother has lived in the same home with her for more than ten years, she clearly has money, but she refuses to redeem people, which shows that her temperament is cold and vicious! You are not allowed to associate with her again! ”

Feng Xiuqin cried a lot, thinking about it carefully, she also felt that Zhao Xiang's actions had many reproaches, and her impression of her was very bad.

Mrs. Feng thought about it and felt that she had to say hello to the second room of the Zhao family in this matter. Her mother's family is in-law with the General Zhuguo Mansion, so she went to the General's Mansion to ask Mrs. Cao for a farewell, and briefly said the matter, saying: "I'm really worried in my heart, Sister Qin'er is too simple-hearted, but Sister Zhao Jiaxiang is a thoughtful and calculating person, and her grandmother is even more powerful." This time, my family was cheated of a few hundred taels of silver, and I don't know what they will do in the future. ”

Mrs. Cao kept this matter in mind, and when she sent someone to see Zhao Wei and Zhao Xiu's brothers and sisters, she mentioned this matter and asked them to be more vigilant.

Zhao Wei and Zhao Xiu never expected that Zhao Xiang still had this brain, and they could actually deceive the silver to redeem the Niu family. However, they are not very worried, because the letter from their hometown has arrived, and the Zhang family is about to go to Beijing. She is Niu's mother-in-law in name, and with her sitting at home, even if Niu's grandchildren come to the door to entangle, it is useless.

Moreover, Zhao Xiu had long been wary of this, and when he ransomed Zhao Xiang and them, he made a big announcement outside that it was kindness that he ransomed a few young children, but adults needed to atone for their crimes. A great rebel sinner is a great rebel sinner, the Zhao family will never admit such a descendant, nor will they help their lives, if they help them live a life of food and clothing, wouldn't it set a bad example for the world, making people think that they can live well if they commit an unforgivable felony? The Zhao family abides by the law and will never insult the dignity of the imperial court's laws!

The rumors came out, the government and the opposition said that the second room of the Zhao family was benevolent and law-abiding, and the Zhao Jiong family who hurt them back then had a bad reputation, and no one said that the ancestors of the Zhang family had Zhao Jue out of the clan in order to seize the property, and people would only say that the ancestors and grandsons of the Zhang family had eyes like torches, and they had discovered Zhao Jue's backbone early on, and then expelled his family from the clan.

The second room of the Zhao family has a good reputation, and the emperor who has been ill for a long time finally issued a decree with a smile, ordering Zhao Wei to take the titles of his grandfather and uncle, demote him to the first class, and build a southern marquis for the second class, and give back the mansion, grange, wealth and slaves that were confiscated at the beginning. Zhao Wei and Zhao Xiu were overjoyed, and after waiting for a few months, they finally waited for this will! When my grandmother learns about it, she will be very happy!

The emperor didn't know what he was thinking, and after rewarding the Zhao family, the Cao family and many other counterinsurgency heroes, he made another will, ordering the crown prince to be the sixth prince who succeeded him, that is, the current Marquis of Shanyin, to organize a marriage, even if the Marquis of Shanyin is still a child under the age of ten.

When the Marquis of Shanyin was still the sixth prince, there was a marriage, and there was a side concubine that had been agreed. The main concubine was selected from the public government, but the whole family was imprisoned for the crime of treason. Her grandfather, father, and uncles were all beheaded, and she was exiled along with her mother and brother, so it was naturally impossible for her to be the Marquis of San'in.

Then the only thing left is the candidate for the side concubine, the eldest lady of the Zhong family, Zhong Yachi. (To be continued......)