In the early morning of September 30, Zhao Xiu got up as soon as he arrived at the fourth watch. The three of them are about to set off today, and she has so many things to do that she can't sleep soundly.

The Jiannan Hou Mansion has already been arranged. When the time came, the subordinates who needed to accompany each other brought their luggage to gather, and their own special personnel carried the luggage onto the ship for placement, but they themselves had to complete their own tasks. Feed the horses, set the car, and check the honor guard of the county duchess and the little marquis. Others seized the last time to say goodbye to relatives and friends. The whole house is busy, but it is also orderly.

The large luggage had already been transported to the Tongzhou wharf in advance, and Zhao Xiu ordered Liu Lu to watch the people load the luggage and fine soft goods of their master and servant, and prepare to leave at any time. She finally confirmed her dress in the mirror, which was not rude and easy to move, and then raised her feet and walked towards her brother Zhao Wei's yard.

Zhao Wei had just gotten up at this time. He had to go up to the court to say goodbye to the emperor today, and then he naturally had some cumbersome etiquette. In order not to disturb his grandmother Zhang's sleep, he had a simple breakfast in his yard. Seeing his sister coming, he hurriedly said, "Why did my sister get up so early?" Let's take a break. There is Wang Fulai at the bottom, and I don't think I will go on a business trip. If my sister gets up too early and is not in good spirits, I am afraid that I will get dizzy when I get on the boat. ”

Zhao Xiu said: "I went to bed early last night, and I have slept for three hours, so it doesn't hurt to come." Even if you get sleepy for a while, it's a big deal to take a nap on the boat. But my brother is here, but the luggage is all right? Nothing is missing, right? ”

Zhao Wei smiled and nodded: "Naturally, everything is ready." She has always been meticulous and accustomed to accompanying her. ”

It's really the big girl next to Zhao Wei. It was indeed safe, and Zhao Xiu was also relieved of her, so she turned to the Shen speed of staying behind. Instructed again: "You must take care of the door at home and take care of the girls and mothers-in-law below." Don't ask someone to enter my brother's house casually, there are my brother's things in the outer study, and I want someone to take them in, so I don't have to lose one and a half pieces, and my brother will come back after half a year, and I won't find it until I want to. ”

Shen Su hurriedly agreed. Immediately, he called his mother-in-law to the outer study to spread the word.

Zhao Xiu carefully inspected Zhao Wei's yard and made sure that there was no problem before turning around and leaving. Zhao Wei was also dressed at this time. After eating and drinking, he and his sister went to the courtyard of his grandmother Zhang.

At this time, the fourth watch was already halfway through, and Zhang had not yet gotten up, but he could hear the movement. I've woken up. Because Zhao Wei was going to go to the court in a hurry. She didn't spend time on grooming, she directly called Zhao Wei and Zhao Xiu into the house, and told a lot of words through Duobao, and let Zhao Wei come to the emperor, be cautious in your words and deeds. Although he is a deputy envoy, the chief envoy above is the king of Guangping, and Zeng Shilang, who is also a deputy envoy, is also a capable official who has accumulated years, and he must not forget the etiquette by relying on his identity. Even if it is the officials, small officials, guards, etc. who accompany them below. Be courteous, too. Zhao Wei respectfully agreed, and the Zhang family had to ask for something else. Zhao Xiu saw that the sky was already clear, and urged a few words, and the Zhang family gave up and let Zhao Wei go out.

Zhao Xiu sent Zhao Wei out of the gate, Zhao Wei turned over on the horse, and said to his sister seriously: "I will go, I don't know when I will leave." My sister doesn't have to wait, just wait for my grandmother to get up, and when it's convenient, I'll leave for Tongzhou. The prince has already taken care of it, and when you get to the dock, you don't have to wait, just get on the boat and settle down, and someone will lead you. I follow the prince and Zeng Shilang, and I will go directly after I am done, you don't have to worry. ”

Zhao Xiu agreed, and said: "Brother, be careful on the road, it's dark and windy, don't run too fast on horseback." The chief brought tea and snacks to satisfy his hunger, as well as a cloak to protect him from the wind. When my brother needs it, remember to call someone. ”

Zhao Wei smiled, his heart was very warm, and when he said "I know", he raised his whip to urge the horses, and ran straight to the palace with two entourage.

Zhao Xiu watched him walk away, only then did he return to the door and go to the front yard to inspect again. Wang Fulai has escorted his luggage to Tongzhou one step in advance, and Wu Laixing is now in charge of affairs at home. Zhao Xiu called Wu Laixing and his wife over, asked about the progress of the work of the people everywhere, and heard the mother-in-law in Zhang's courtyard say: "The old lady has passed the meal, call the girl over." "Just turned back to the back house.

Zhang had already finished grooming at this time, dressed up in a homely manner, and sat at the kang table. Zhao Xiu sat down opposite her and persuaded, "It's not dawn yet, why does grandmother get up so early?" It's also good to get a little more sleep. There are so many things to do during the day that you may not be in good spirits. ”

Zhang smiled faintly: "I'm already awake, I'm sleepy, why do I have to lie in bed anymore?" It's better to eat earlier, and then see if there is anything else that needs to be dealt with at home, so deal with it quickly. lest you have to go out to remember, and you have to call someone back to pass the word. ”

Zhao Xiu smiled and said: "Everything at home has been arranged, I have checked with my brother several times inside and out, Wang Fulai and Wu Laixing are also capable people, the four of us are checked, are you still afraid that something will go wrong?" ”

Zhang was a little embarrassed to say this: "Grandmother actually handed over such a big thing to your two children, but she didn't know how to do anything, I am really ashamed." ”

Zhao Xiu said: "Grandmother, don't say that, my brother and I should have honored you." My brother and I can take care of these trivial things, so why bother my grandmother with her purity? "To be honest, although there are many and complicated things, if she has to choose, she would rather deal with it herself, lest when the Zhang family is in charge, she will have a momentary compassionate attack, cause any trouble, and be a grandchild, so she can only think of another way to clean up the mess, and I don't know how much more effort it takes. She'd rather work hard and finish things by herself, anyway, after today, she will be able to relax.

The kitchen brought breakfast up, which was all things that could satisfy hunger and fight hunger without too much soup and water, so as not to find a convenient place on the road. Zhao Xiu accompanied Zhang's to finish breakfast, and took the big girls in Zhang's house, Xia Lu and Dongshuang, to check Zhang's luggage for the last time. Summer dew and winter frost have to accompany this time, leaving the spring breeze and autumn rain to watch the house. There are two big girls here, and Zhao Xiu doesn't have to worry about problems on Zhang's side.

It didn't take long for Lu's mother to come over. She brought her youngest son today, asked Lu Mingzhang to go to the front yard to help, and entered Zhang's yard by herself. When Zhang learned about it, he said angrily: "Mingzhang Mingchun is about to end, don't you say let him rest for a while." After dawn, he is good at studying, but he is called to do these rough work, where is there a mother like you? ”

Lu's mother smiled: "Don't say he's still a white body." Even if he is already a scholar, he can't forget the roots. The benefactor's family traveled, and he couldn't help with anything else, so it was no problem to make some effort and run errands back and forth. ”

Zhang shook his head when he heard this: "Your identity is different now, and you don't have to act like before." ”

Between words. Lu Yunpeng also brought his wife Akiba and son into the house. He took turns off today, so he didn't have to go to duty early, so he simply brought his wife and children over to send the ancestors and grandchildren of the Zhao family on a ride.

Zhang met Akiba's mother and son. Hurriedly said: "You just come over, why do you still bring the child here?" Now the weather is getting colder, the wind is cold outside, and the sky is not yet light. You just toss the child. What if the wind blows? He complained about Lu Yunpeng again.

Akiba smiled: "You haven't seen your child for a few days, and it will take a few months to go." If I don't bring him here today, he will miss his grandmother when he looks back, and he doesn't know what will happen. ”

A few words made Zhang's anger turn into joy, and the child holding Autumn Leaves was full of pity. Lu's mother was also playing on the side, looking at the child with a little hot eyes. It has been a few years since her eldest son was married, and now that her life has settled down, her daughter is about to get married. The youngest son is also going to take the imperial examination, shouldn't she tell the eldest son about a family matter? It's good to hold your grandson as soon as possible.

Zhao Xiu didn't know that Mother Lu was already out of the world when she was sitting next to Zhang. Talk to Akiba wholeheartedly. The three of their ancestors and grandchildren left Beijing and took away the chief housekeeper, and there was no one in charge of the Jiannanhou Mansion. Although there is Wu Laixing as the agent, I am afraid that he is a newcomer, he can't hold down the scene, and there is something to do. Lu's mother has enough qualifications and prestige, but she has already left the house for good, and she has no title as a steward. If there is really any trouble, Akiba can deter one or two with the identity of half an aunt and grandmother. Zhao Xiu, just in case, specially explained the personnel relationship in the house to Qiu Ye.

Qiu Ye smiled and said, "Sister Xiu doesn't have to worry, I know it in my heart." You just have to go and play without worrying about the affairs of the house. I also have a few gifts that I would like to give to my sisters from the old house. My sister handed it over for me, right? Zhao Xiu naturally agreed happily.

Someone chatted with you, someone helped prepare your bags, and time flew by. When the sun rose and the sky was bright, Wu Laixing's daughter-in-law came to report that the carriage had been prepared and the luggage had been loaded, so please ask the old lady and the girl when they would travel. When Zhang heard this, he went into the room to change his clothes, comb his hair, and when he was done, it was already the beginning of the morning (nine o'clock in the morning).

Zhang and Zhao Xiu finally boarded the car. Qiu Ye stood at the second gate with the child to see him off, and Lu's mother sent him straight out of the gate. Lu Yunpeng and Lu Mingzhang each rode horses, preparing to send Zhang's ancestors all the way to Tongzhou Wharf. Zhang's entourage set off in a majestic manner, and the long convoy attracted countless passers-by to watch.

Zhao Xiu took Liu Lu in a carriage by himself. At first, the master and servant peeked at the street scene with great interest, but after leaving the city gate, their heads kept pointing downward. They all got up too early, and when the excitement passed, they inevitably became sleepy. Zhao Xiu thought that the horizontal pier was still far away, so he simply leaned on the big pillow to make up for sleep.

I don't know how long it took, Zhao Xiu heard the noise of people outside the carriage, so he woke up and found that he had arrived at Tongzhou Wharf.

The wharf was extremely lively, and there were many large and small ships parked on the water, the largest of which was seventy or eighty meters long, more than ten meters wide, and had three floors. The flag fluttering on the ship indicates that this is the ship of the king of Quang Binh on his way south.

Liu Lu couldn't help but exclaim: "What a big ship!" I've never seen a ship this big! Zhao Xiu was not very surprised. Modern ships are bigger than this one. Her attention was drawn to a figure galloping on horseback on the docks.

The man was wearing a dark blue robe, wearing a half-sleeved black velvet armor, with a tall posture and a handsome face, who was it if he wasn't Gao Zhen?

Gao Zhen came to the front of the Hou Mansion convoy, turned over and dismounted, and in a few gestures, a group of palace servants quickly opened a fence around the carriage of Zhang and Zhao Xiu, blocking the sight of outsiders. Gao Zhen came to Zhang's car and saluted: "The old lady is here?" Can the road be bumpy? The father had already left a message, and asked the old lady and Sister Zhao to get on the boat first to settle after they arrived at the dock. Wait for me to lead the way for the old lady and Sister Zhao, right? ”

Zhao Xiu got out of the carriage and walked over, and asked with a smile, "Why is the prince here?" I thought you would be by your side. ”

Gao Zhen smiled and said: "The eldest son of the emperor will send my father all the way over, and Brother Wei is here, I don't need to worry about my father, so I will come over to do some things first, and I must make sure that my father lives comfortably all the way." He paused, "I also personally watched the cabin of Sister Zhao's house clean it up." My sister wants to go up and take a look and see if she is satisfied? ”

Zhao Xiu raised his eyebrows. (To be continued......)