Shen Xuanzhen discussed with Mama Yan, "Xiao Gongzi has helped a lot this time, I want to thank you back." ”

"What does the master mean......" Mama Yan must have a plan in her heart when she heard her master say this.

"Hou'er is a young year, and Xiao Gongzi is a northerner, so it's better to buy a table of wine and food and send it over." Shen Wanzhen said her intentions, she thought about it for two days, Xiao Gongzi must have been born rich and noble, looking at the scene that day, there was a little bit of origin, there was so frightened that he didn't dare to be embarrassed, and never appeared again, since the rich and noble, gold and silver vulgar things, must not be put in the eyes, the mountains and rivers in the south of the Yangtze River are beautiful, but the eating habits are very different from those in the north, Xiao Gongzi has been away from Beijing for a long time, and he can't eat authentic hometown dishes, so it is better to rectify the banquet, which not only seems sincere, but also does not give birth.

"The idea makes." Mama Yan agreed.

Shen Xuanzhen instructed Xiuju to find Mrs. Qian, who had worked in the big kitchen of the Shen Mansion, and the dishes in the north and south were unbearable, and she heard Xiuju say that she was a banquet guest, and patted her chest as soon as she entered the door, "Master, don't dare to say anything else, the wine and rice are wrapped in the old slave, and the storage will not be embarrassing to the master." ”

Since you have a treat, you have to inform Wu Yulian, Shen Wanzhen is a guest after all, Shen Wanzhen walked to the main courtyard, as soon as she entered the door, Wu Yulian was in the hall, lying on the table to settle accounts, she was literate, she was in charge of the accounts of the shop, the woman's family was fine, since Wu Yulian entered the door, the business of the dim sum shop was much better, Zhang Shao's shopkeeper was very satisfied with the newly married wife, everyone was born, and it was decent to say that she was decent.

Wu Yulian heard the footsteps, looked up, saw her come in, put down the account book in her hand, stood up, and greeted affectionately: "Sister is here" and hurriedly gave up her seat.

Calling the little maid to pour tea again, Wu Yulian married into the Zhang family, and the shopkeeper Zhang specially bought a little maid to wait for her, there is a mother-in-law who cooks at home, and a male servant, the population is clean, and there is not much work.

The little girl brought the tea, Shen Wanzhen took it, lowered her head and took a sip, and looked up, "My sister has an idea, I want to tell my sister." ”

Wu Yulian pushed the account book on the table inside, and moved the white jade Pisces pen, "If my sister has something to say, just say it directly, don't be polite to my sister." ”

"Cheng Xiao Gongzi helped, the identity is perfunctory, I owe Xiao Gongzi a favor, he may not be rare in precious objects, my sister wants to buy her own wine and food, please invite him, it is a little heart, I don't know if it is appropriate?" Shen Wanzhen lives in Wu Yulian's house, usually eats with Wu Yulian, and does not need to make a fire to cook, Xiao Gongzi also follows the main family to eat, but the meal is ready, and he sends someone to send him to the East Cross Courtyard to eat alone, there is a separate stove and firewood room in the East and West Courtyard, Shen Wanzhen is afraid of causing her trouble and begins to prepare for her own fire, but Wu Yulian does not agree, saying that her sister can't afford to eat at her sister's house, which makes people laugh, Shen Wanzhen twisted her, so she had to reluctantly agree, Wu Yulian did not accept the meal money, Shen Wanzhen did not want to go, I often take money to buy vegetables for Mrs. Qian.

"My sister is very thoughtful." Wu Yulian thought about it, she was not familiar with Xiao Gongzi, and she couldn't take advantage of others in vain, which was also a little thoughtful.

Early the next morning, Shen Wanzhen and Mrs. Qian, Mrs. Yan, and Qiao Shan went to buy meat and fresh vegetables, and left embroidered chrysanthemums to look after the house, the small street was not far away, and when she turned a corner, it was a butcher shop, and when she entered the door, she saw a stout middle-aged woman standing next to the meat case, cutting meat, seeing that there were many of them, her eyes were raw, and she looked at it for a while, and said: "The girl is a relative of Mrs. Zhang." ”

Shen Wanzhen smiled and nodded, "Yes." ”

"Cutting meat? It just so happens that the meat has just been deboned and fresh, so I'll cut you a good piece of meat. The sister-in-law pointed with a knife, Mrs. Qian stepped forward, pointed to the loin and cut a piece, and asked for another rib, the sister-in-law chatted while cleaning up the ribs, "Listen to the accent, the girl's house is from Shandong Mansion?" ”

Shen Wanzhen instantly remembered that her identity was Wu Yulian's sister, Wu Yulian's hometown is from Kyoto, did Wu Yulian come here to say her true identity, or did she hide something, she was negligent, she forgot to ask about such a big thing, so she said vaguely: "From the north." ”

Mama Yan hurriedly interrupted, saying that the bones were more meaty, and it was a treat. The sister-in-law's attention shifted to meat, so she didn't continue the topic, Shen Wanzhen thought, the accent could still be heard, and suddenly wondered if Xiao Gongzi also doubted her identity, Xiao Gongzi is from the capital, and Wu Yulian is a fellow countryman, Wu Yulian can't fool him.

This is really a major mistake, Xiao Gongzi volunteered to help her, and he didn't get to the bottom of it, it seems that he knows it in his heart, the ridicule on his face when he met him for the first time, as if he had already seen it, her identity can't stand scrutiny, but fortunately, the people here are simple and don't think about it.

A few people came out of the butcher shop, the meat was tied with a straw rope and carried, and then went to the small town vegetable market, the vegetable farmer carried the burden to just pick off, and hung the dewdrops and greens to put it away, let people choose, Qian Pozi picked a few fresh vegetables and vegetables, and bargained with the vegetable farmer, in the end the vegetable farmer let a few profits, Qian Pozi was not satisfied, when weighing two catties, repeatedly asked to weigh the high, several dishes called high, happy to Qian Pozi went out, and said continuously: "The price is fair, next time I will buy this vegetable farmer's vegetables." ”

Shen Wanzhen only smiled, didn't say anything, and suddenly returned to her previous life, the days were simple and unpretentious, calm and tranquil, and the days passed like this, and suddenly remembered a sentence in a poem, "If you don't come, how can I be willing to grow old?" ”

A gust of cold wind blew, and it was biting cold, Shen Wanzhen wrapped her feather yarn silver satin cloak tightly, and held the hollow plum blossom gilt delicate small charcoal stove in her arms.

A few people went to the fish market again and bought fresh live fish from the lake.

Passing by Li's winery, osmanthus wine, ten miles of fragrance, standing in front of the counter of the winery, Mrs. Qian raised her voice and shouted: "Shopkeeper, play wine." ”

The shopkeeper saw that there was a buyer, and came out of the room, this is a young man in his early twenties, medium stature, small eyes, and good facial features, he was a little surprised to see Shen Wanzhen, probably didn't expect her to come to buy wine, hundreds of families in this town, villagers and villagers, all related to the family, a foreigner, very eye-catching, the young shopkeeper ordered a young man inside to drink, and asked to eat more.

The young man was drinking, the young shopkeeper looked at her, Shen Wanzhen inadvertently met his eyes, the young shopkeeper quickly looked away, his face was slightly red, and he looked away, as if he was a little embarrassed, Shen Wanzhen thought that he must be unmarried in this future life, and he didn't dare to look at the woman when he saw it.

Leaving the Li family's wine shop and walking out of the road, Qiao Shan said with a smile: "The young shopkeeper's face turned red when he saw the master, and twice the master passed by the door of his wine shop, he stared at the master directly, probably having a heart for the master. ”

Shen Wanzhen glanced at her with disgust, Qiao Shan lowered her head and didn't dare to speak, Yan Pozi glared at her, "Little girl, what do you know, you are talking nonsense." ”

As soon as she went back, Qiao Shan made it clear what Xiao Gongzi's taste and favorite dishes were in the East Cross Courtyard, and told Shen Wanzhen one by one, Shen Wanzhen glanced at her, and thought, this maid and Xiao Gongzi's little maid Xiao Shunzi have nothing to do with each other for a while, don't move any thoughts, these two maids have already passed through people, and that Xiao Shunzi looks at people well, if it is really interesting, you might as well fulfill her.

didn't inquire in advance, Qiao Shan told the situation, and caused Mrs. Qian to go to the vegetable market again, prepared the dishes that Xiao Gongzi loved to eat, and was busy all day.

Shen Wanzhen was a little apprehensive in her heart, that Xiao Gongzi had an arrogant temperament, he didn't look good at getting along, and he didn't know the food and the taste of discord.

It didn't take much effort, and the two of them came back and said that Xiao Gongzi was pouring himself a drink, and the two of them sent the dishes to them, just to serve the wine.

Qiao Shan said with a smile: "Xiao Gongzi said that he thanked his master for his hospitality, and he was not punished, and Sister Xiuju said, Gongzi helped my master a lot, a little thought, not respect, don't dislike it." ”

Xiuju said with a smile: "Xiao Gongzi accepted it, immediately let the next person put it on the table, and ate a few bites of dishes in front of the two of us, and the slaves and maids ate it with relish." ”

"In this way, it is the credit of Qian's mother." Shen Wanzhen put her heart down and looked at Mrs. Qian with a smile, Mrs. Qian was cramped, and wiped her hand on her apron, "Xiao Gongzi is good to eat, he is not blind in vain, and Xiao Gongzi seems to be from a wealthy family, and it is not difficult to wait." ”

In the evening, Shen Wanzhen had eaten, watched Xiuju and others pick up the table, someone at the door was talking, like a man's voice, Qiao Shan shouted at the door of the main room, "Xiao Gongzi sent someone to send a basket of fruits to the girl." ”

The little maid named Xiao Shunzi entered the house, put a basket of flowers on the table, and said, "My master said that the girl broke the bill, and let the girl taste this fruit." ”

Shen Wanzhen looked at the flower basket, the red, red and green were fresh, and said with a smile: "Thank you son-in-law, just a few dishes, and in exchange for a basket of fruits, I got a bargain." ”

Xiao Shunzi smiled and said: "The son asked the slave to give up his face and tell the girl that he still wants to eat this hometown dish in the next year, I don't know if the girl can make it again, if it is convenient for the slave to thank my son first." ”

"What's so hard about that? Your son-in-law doesn't dislike it, and you can make it and eat it at any time. ”

"The slave is here to thank the girl for my son-in-law." Xiao Shunzi gave up his hand again, and he was so happy that he looked directly at Qiao Shan.

Shen Wanzhen saw that the two of them were careful, and pondered in her heart, this little guy has a sweet mouth, and the polite words also make people listen comfortably, and they don't seem to be empty-headed, flamboyant, obedient Xiao Gongzi still has to live until the New Year, and if he doesn't go home for the New Year, if the parents of the high hall are alive, the ancients said that filial piety comes first, does he have no family, and the parents of the high hall are alone, or there is no hidden secret, she is more and more confused about the identity of Xiao Gongzi.

So he asked tentatively: "Your son-in-law Lingzun and Lingtang are in good health?" After going out for a long time, the old people remember it. Shen Wanzhen thought secretly, the ancients' parents were not far away in their son, and Xiao Gongzi had no ties and no stumbling blocks, and both parents died.

"My son-in-law, Gao Tang's parents, have passed away." Xiao Shunzi said casually, not like a lie.

"How many brothers do you have?" Shen Wanzhen pretended to chat, Xiao Shunzi said that his parents died, and she was even more suspicious of Xiao Gongzi, his origin is unknown, it seems that his roots are very deep, his parents died, who do he rely on?

"Two brothers, my son-in-law is the elder." Xiao Shunzi has become familiar with Qiao Shan these days, and has a sense of closeness to the West Cross Courtyard, speaking casually and without restraint.

This can't help but make Shen Wanzhen more suspicious, Xiao Gongzi is ten years old, then his brother must be younger than him, he goes out to travel, leaving his brother at home alone, he is lonely and miserable in his old age, he doesn't remember, either he is unkind, or he has another hidden secret.

Shen Wanzhen is not good at asking, Xiao Gongzi is cautious, rarely talking, like a suspicious person, asking too many questions, making him suspicious.

Shen Wanzhen generously rewarded her, and Xiuju took the money and stuffed it to Xiao Shunzi.

Xiao Shunzi went back to the East Cross Courtyard and told Shen Wanzhen well, 1510 learned from his master, and even said about the reward.

Xiao Gongzi's expression was as usual, holding a painting scroll in his hand, and he raised his head, "Miss Wu specially made Beijing-style dishes, which shows that she is careful, and she puts ordinary people aside, at most she will call a table of dishes in the restaurant." ”

"But no, the slave saw that the girl in the West Cross Courtyard spoke and acted generously, and she was a sister to the lady of the master's family, but the slave didn't look very similar."

"You slave can also see the way out, if you just don't look like you, a big family, the same father and different mother, don't look like you don't look like you."

Xiao Gongzi has a good impression of the woman in the West Cross Courtyard. I heard Xiao Shunzi say that he asked him to make the Zun Lingtang well, and praised this Wu girl for knowing the etiquette, but she didn't think deeply.

Qian Pozi made a lot of dishes, Xiuju and Qiaoshan gave Xiao Gongzi's subordinates some use, and the two were neighbors, and as the master walked around, the subordinates also got closer.

After a small age

Shen Wanzhen was having dinner with Wu Yulian, Xiao Shunzi was holding fresh live fish in both hands, and shouted through the curtain, "Grandma of the main family, quickly find a basin to put it, the fresh fish newly caught from the lake is still breathing!" ”

The masters were eating, and the embroidered chrysanthemums were waiting aside, and then the bamboo curtain was lifted and came out, "I will take it to the stove and raise it in the jar, and let Mother Qian clean it up when Ming'er eats." ”

"Let your son-in-law break the bank." Wu Yulian didn't put down the dishes and chopsticks, and said outside through the curtain.

"As soon as the fishing boat came ashore, the lively fish jumped a few feet high, and the fish in the lake became fat." The fish in Xiao Shunzi's hand jumped straight up, he took two in one hand, shook off the water, and his clothes were wet.

Xiuju took the fish in his right hand, Qiao Shan took the fish he was holding in his left hand, and took out the embroidered handkerchief to wipe the water on his body, Xiao Shunzi dodged to the side, "Don't dirty the girl's snow-white handkerchief." ”

Qiao Shan pretended to be disgusted and said: "The veil is worth money, and people are still worth it." ”

Xiao Shunzi smiled, stood still and let Qiao Shan try.

Wu Yulian and Shen Wanzhen continued to eat, Wu Yulian took a bite to eat, chewed and swallowed slowly, "When this Xiao Gongzi first came, people looked cold, and they were quite humane when they came into contact. ”

Shen Wanzhen had always been suspicious in her heart and asked, "Does Xiao Gongzi's family sister understand?" ”

Wu Yulian was eating with her head down, raised her head, and glanced at her, "Xiao Gongzi was born, it seems that he is a child of the old family, I heard that his parents died, and the family is in the middle of the road. ”

Shen Wanzhen shook her head secretly, Xiao Gongzi was magnificent, it seemed to be a broken house, and he was clearly a high-powered upstart.

After eating, Shen Wanzhen went back to the West Cross Courtyard, sat on the table in her hand and pondered, came to Niangen, disturbed Wu Yulian for so long, what should be given as a New Year's gift, at this time, I heard Xiuju and Qiaoshan say outside, "The embroidery handkerchief I bought in the embroidery workshop at the opposite door is finer than the capital, and the embroidery is more beautiful than the capital, look at how bright this pair of lotus flowers is." ”

A sentence reminded her, why not buy embroidery, make a New Year's gift, and give Wu Yulian, the silk embroidery in the south of the Yangtze River is exquisite and gorgeous.

The next day, at breakfast, Shen Wanzhen said to Wu Yulian, "I'll go out and shop for some embroidery in a while." ”

"There are embroidery workshops everywhere here, the craftsmanship is first-class, the embroidery is fine, it takes a lot of effort, but the price is expensive."

"It's worth the money, no matter how much money you have." Shen Wanzhen wants to always pick a good one, and she can handle it.

After breakfast, I estimated the opening of the embroidery workshop, and took the embroidered chrysanthemum and Qiaoshan along the small street, looking for a large storefront, complete varieties, and the words on the plaque: Gu's embroidery workshop.

The three people are standing outside the counter and looking at the shopkeeper to take out a few pieces of embroidery, which is a fine and thin silk fan surface of the embroidery, the embroidery is brightly colored, flowers, birds, fish and insects, vivid.

Shen Wanzhen was taking a closer look, and she heard a familiar voice behind her, always cold, "Shopkeeper, is the embroidery done?" ”

"It's embroidered, it's embroidered, guest officer." The shopkeeper smiled behind them, and busily took out the satin-wrapped things from the counter and handed them to the visitor.

Shen Juan turned around, Xiao Gongzi had already seen her when he entered the door, nodded and said hello, "Miss Wu is also here to buy something." ”

Shen Wanzhen smiled slightly, "Just go around and buy a few embroideries." ”

Xiao Gongzi took the silk bag handed over by the shopkeeper, opened it carefully, Shen Wanzhen stood beside him, glanced casually, and saw that it was a small portrait of a person who had finished embroidering the table, and the good silk embroidered on the moon white background was a woman, who looked very young, gentle temperament, delicate and beautiful, and exquisite embroidery.

The woman on the embroidered cloth was only twenty years old, Shen Wanzhen saw Xiao Gongzi rubbing it gently with his hands, his facial lines were soft, and he was completely indifferent to the past, as if he cherished it, wondering who the woman in this embroidered photo was? What does it have to do with him?

Xiao Gongzi stared at it for a while, wrapped it carefully, paid the money, nodded to Shen Wanzhen, and left first.

In the next year, one day, Shen Wanzhen went to the main courtyard to find Wu Yulian, just turned the wall door, and listened to the gate, Xiao Gongzi and a man talked, Shen Wanzhen looked over, the strange man at the door just turned around, Shen Wanzhen saw his side face, and deliberately glanced at his ear, the man had a small sarcoma in his right ear, viviparous.

The man strode away, Shen Wanzhen looked at him straight, like a soldier, or a person who led soldiers to fight, Shen Wanzhen glanced at Xiao Gongzi standing at the door, Xiao Gongzi seemed to be a weak scholar, how could he know such a person, and then he thought that he was too careful, maybe the two families were friends or other close relations.

Xiao Gongzi turned around and saw her, the corners of his lips hooked, "Miss Xie Wu sent the wine and food yesterday." ”

After coming and going, the two of them are familiar with each other, and there is no need to be polite when they meet, Shen Wanzhen stopped her feet and pursed her lips and smiled, "My mother-in-law, rough hands and feet, I don't know if the dishes are suitable for the child's appetite." ”

"Very good, it suits my appetite, it's been a long time since I came out, I didn't expect to be able to eat authentic hometown food, the girl bothered, I'll invite the girl back another day." Xiao Gongzi is familiar with himself, unlike the original difficult to approach, people seem to be a lot more easy-going, Shen Wanzhen put her mind at ease, "I don't like to eat, I've been worried for a while." ”

Shen Wanzhen was instinctively wary of him, he easily dismissed the little official that day, and no one bothered him anymore, and the more he looked at him, the more familiar he became, but he couldn't remember seeing it there.

The two said a few kind words and parted.

Wu Yulian saw it through the window and whispered to herself, "These two seem to get along well." ”

The next day, early in the morning, Xiuju was combing Shen Wanzhen's hair, Qiao Shan was under the eaves, and said to Mrs. Qian, "As soon as Xiao Gongzi leaves, this courtyard is really quiet." ”

Shen Wanzhen heard it, waved her hand to beckon her in, and Qiao Shan entered the door listlessly.

"Xiao Gongzi is gone?"

"Gone?"

"When did you leave?"

"I don't know what to do, and the servants have followed, and I don't know if I will come back."

During lunch, Wu Yulian chattered: "Xiao Gongzi didn't say that he wanted to leave, but he suddenly got up early and left for some reason, and he didn't say that the house would not be kept for him, and the rent money was calculated, so he probably won't come back." ”