Ning Xia Qing stabilized his mind, got up and went to the old lady's house.

The old lady's room was lit with a lamp, and there were a few teacups on the table that had not yet been cleaned up, apparently as if she had just sent off the guests.

Ning Xia Qing walked over and asked, "Grandma, have you had dinner?" ”

The old lady replied, "Not yet, but I had something to eat in the afternoon." Where's your mother? ”

"I was afraid that my mother wouldn't be able to stand it, so I helped her into her room to rest."

"Hmm." The old lady nodded, and asked again, "What about Zi'er?" ”

"Zi'er went to play with Double Happiness, grandma doesn't have to worry about her."

"Hmm." The old lady nodded again and continued to ask, "What about Aunt Du?" Still sick? ”

"Since my father's accident, Aunt Du has been ill, and she has been lying in bed, and she has not been able to go to her father's wake."

The old lady sighed and said, "Leave her alone." It's you, you've been busy these days, and the funerals are almost all done by you alone, so you should go and take a good rest. ”

"I'm not tired. In the past few days, Uncle Gu Feng, Ah Zheng, and Chen Po have helped me a lot, I am not very tired, besides, I am still young, it is okay to be tired. It's you, grandma, you are old, you should take a good rest, don't bother anymore. ”

"How can I not bother......" the old lady frowned.

Ningxia Qing knew that the old lady was worried about the clan's coming to urge the mulberry garden.

Since the accident, although the old lady has always been cold, Ningxia Qing has never seen the old lady shed a tear, the old lady is so strong that she is a little stubborn, just plainly pointed out a few words of what to do about the funeral, there are rules are essential, how to deal with the details everywhere, how to entertain the guests who come to mourn and so on.

Seeing that the old lady was so calm, Ning Ningqing suddenly had a lot of confidence in her heart, she must stand with her family to protect this stormy home and not let any bad people take it away!

After having dinner with the old lady, Ning Xia Qing came out of the old lady's house, thinking about confirming the funeral tomorrow, and then walked to the mourning hall, now it is almost the Mid-Autumn Festival, the autumn wind blows the broken hair on her forehead, she realized that she has been busy all day, and she doesn't even know that her hair is messy, so she wiped it with her hand.

The bleak moonlight in the eastern sky illuminated the courtyard of the Ning family, and the white filial piety cloth hanging in the courtyard was blown up by the wind, and her heart suddenly became desolate.

At this moment, a man's figure appeared on the opposite side.

It was dark, and the other party was standing in the dark, and she couldn't see the other party's face.

In the past few days and nights, her eyes were a little flowery, and the shadow of the person became even more blurry, so that she could not see the figure of the person clearly.

She was stunned, her heart was not in decline, and she subconsciously felt that that person was Ning Yongda, and it was Ning Yongda who came back. At that moment, there were thousands of thoughts in her heart, some surprise, some excitement, some faint sadness, and the aroused attachment to her father.

She opened her mouth, but before she could scream, the man spoke first: "What's wrong with you?" ”

It's Ah Zheng's voice.

She suddenly laughed self-deprecatingly in her heart, yes, Ning Yongda is dead, how can there be anything in this world to say about resurrection?

Ah Zheng walked over to her, walked up to her, and said in a hidden voice, "The matter you asked me to inquire about is already eyebrows." ”

When she heard this, her heart instantly tightened.

Ah Zheng looked around and saw that this place was not the place to speak, so he said, "Ah Cai has gone to guard the spirit, you come to my house with me, and I will tell you slowly." ”

Ning Xia Qing followed Ah Zheng to the man's room, Ah Zheng alertly observed the surroundings and made sure that no one was nearby, so he closed the door and said in a low voice: "I went to inquire for a long time, and I asked many people, but no one took the events of that day very seriously, and several passers-by only saw a rough idea, but they all said that the shopkeeper's fall should be an accident." ”

Ning Xia Qing frowned slightly when she heard this.

Ah Zheng continued: "Also, when the shopkeeper fell, Miao Laosan was not there at all, as if he hadn't arrived on the road yet. The Tan Wenshi you brought to my attention, I also asked someone to inquire about his whereabouts that day, and he was not around that day. ”

Ning Ningqing still didn't want to believe it: "My father is not an impatient person, he has never had such a thing as falling while walking, I don't think he will fall by himself." ”

"Indeed, the shopkeeper has always been steady, maybe someone wants to harm the shopkeeper, but it is not impossible to cleverly make an accident." Ah Zheng said thoughtfully: "Actually, there is one thing I don't understand, the shopkeeper seemed to be going out at that time, but since Miao Laosan has not yet arrived, why did the shopkeeper go out?" Shouldn't you be waiting for Miao Laosan there? ”

"I thought so too!" Ning Xia Qing immediately looked at Ah Zheng's eyes and said seriously.

Ning Xia Qing retracted his gaze and continued: "Even if it weren't for Miao Laosan and Tan Wenshi, others might have attacked my father. Because of the contract signed by my grandfather, many people in the clan are worried about our mulberry garden, and they wish my father would die soon. Now that my father has not yet come out of the funeral, they have already come to urge, what a wolf ambition! ”

Ah Zheng immediately asked worriedly, "Has anyone come to embarrass you?" ”

Ning Xia Qing said lightly: "Someone has already gone to say this kind of thing to the old lady, but it hasn't been said too bluntly, but it is estimated that it is about to be open and honest." Tomorrow at the funeral, many people in the clan took the initiative to say that they would come over to see my father, and they probably came to Sangyuan, and they all fought to eat this piece of meat, and it is likely that they will quarrel and make a big fuss. ”

Ah Zheng was immediately very angry, but glanced at Ning Ningqing, who was already skinny, and endured the conversation again.

Ning Xia Qing stood up and said, "I'll go and call Ah Cai back, and I'll keep the spirit tonight." ”

Ah Zheng immediately stood up and blocked her face: "You have been guarding for six days, and if you continue to survive, you will fall!" Let me and Ah Cai guard it tonight, you go to rest, tomorrow the funeral, you have to cheer up and deal with the people in the clan. ”

"I'm fine, I can handle it." Ning Xia Qing said firmly, then lowered his voice and said sadly: "This is the last night, I want to accompany my father, and I will ...... in the future."

Ah Zheng sighed, got out of the way, followed her to the mourning hall, let Ah Cai go back, and stayed in the mourning hall to guard her.

She knelt in front of the spirit, burning paper money, and said, "Ah Zheng, you are tired these days, you don't have to accompany me, I don't have to worry about myself." ”

Ah Zheng didn't answer, still standing not far behind her with his waist straight, and stood quietly all night.

At dawn, she got up tremblingly, let Ah Zheng stand by, and then went to the old lady's house alone.

The old lady's room was actually lit up, and it seemed that the old lady hadn't slept all night.

When she came in, the old lady whispered, "I knew you would come." ”

She poured a cup of tea for the old lady, brought it over, sat down beside the old lady, and asked in a low voice, "Grandma has thought about it all night, has she come up with any countermeasures?" ”

The old lady asked rhetorically, "What countermeasures have you come up with?" ”

The grandfather and grandson glanced at each other.

Half an hour later.

People from the clan arrived one after another.

According to custom, on the day of the burial, the Cao family needed to stay in the house, and Ning Xia Qing found a red rope and tied one of Cao's feet to the foot of the bed, intending to tie the Cao family and not let Ning Yongda take the Cao family away. Originally, Zi'er should have been outside, but she was arranged by the old lady and Ning Xia Qing to accompany the Cao family.

The old lady was alone in the courtyard to entertain guests, Ningxia Qing and Gu Feng were guarding in front of the spirit, Ah Zheng always stood next to Gu Feng without saying a word, but his eyes were on all the people who talked to Ningxia Qing.

Although Ah Zheng's gaze was not aggressive, it was as sharp as electricity, very strong, and could not be ignored, which made the Ning clan's relatives all respectful and serious in front of Ning Xia Qing, and they were all obviously thieves, but they didn't dare to mention half a word about Sang Yuan in front of Ning Xia Qing, and they all cried a few times pretendedly.

However, when the relatives entered the seats in the courtyard and saw the old lady, they instantly changed their faces, especially the people of Lord Ning's faction, Lord Ning has always regarded Ning Yongda's mulberry garden as a bag, and he was not willing to wait for a day, so the people of his faction all turned around and asked the old lady about the contract.

The old lady said nothing, but only responded to the condolences of the people, and did not answer the question of the contract at all, as if it did not exist.

Someone was forced to be anxious, and Yin Yang said angrily: "Old lady, don't pretend to be stupid, we all know that there is a contract." I can tell you, pretending to be stupid can only cope with it for a while, but you can't deal with it for a lifetime, you should still die, don't delay time. Don't be afraid, we don't want to do anything, we just want to ask you to take out the title deed of the mulberry garden and let us see it......"

The seventh uncle was immediately furious, and rebuked loudly: "Yongda's bones are not cold, you are forcing other orphans and widows to ask for land deeds, don't you even have a little shame?" Do you still want to be embarrassed? ”

At this moment, the courtyard suddenly became quiet, and the unwilling people exchanged a few glances, still a little impatient, but they were forced back by the angry gaze of the seventh uncle, and they didn't dare to ask too much.

The old lady sat upright from beginning to end, motionless like a mountain, responding to all kinds of "goodwill" condolences from her relatives, and refused to say anything else.

Everyone looked at each other, not understanding what kind of medicine the old lady was selling in this gourd, did they think that they could be fooled by pretending to be stupid?

After the funeral, the clan took out the contract of the year, didn't they have to obediently hand over the title deed of the mulberry garden?

It's not like you can survive by pretending to be stupid!

When the auspicious time comes, the coffin will be carried to the ancestral grave for burial.

Before leaving home, Ning Xia Qing took a deep look at the coffin, took the bowl from Gu Feng's hand, smashed the bowl on the ground according to custom, knelt in front of the coffin, kowtowed three times, and then, with all his strength, said the last sentence to Ning Yongda, who was about to leave home-

"Dad, you can go well. Don't worry, from now on, I will support this family, and I will take good care of my grandmother, mother and sister. After the filial piety period is over, I will recruit my son-in-law and never let our family's incense be cut off like this! Since I made this oath in front of all my relatives, I naturally have all my relatives as my witness, and if I fail to fulfill this promise, all my relatives will not agree! ”

The fact that Ning Xia Qing openly swore in front of the mourning hall was like a thunderbolt, which spread quickly in Liu'an County.

It was unheard of for a girl who had not yet left the cabinet to say such a thing in public at the funeral of her father, and all those who had anything to do with it were shocked.

"Old lady, this ...... How could this happen? I didn't even know it before......" Cao was shocked and couldn't believe it.

"Don't worry, this is also what I agreed with Qing'er in a hurry, so I didn't tell you in advance. Now there are only a few people in our family, even if Qing'er doesn't recruit trouble, I am reluctant to marry her. Qing'er has released such words now, and our mulberry garden can hope to be saved, and it is not a bad thing to be able to continue the incense for the family. ”

"But I'm afraid ......" Cao sighed and said worriedly: "In the whole world, how can the son of a serious family be rich?" Who doesn't work hard and tired, but also to continue the incense for their home? Anyone who is rich is either greedy for the woman's property, or he has no ambition himself. If you recruit such a son-in-law, wouldn't you have wronged Qing'er......"

"You don't have to be in such a hurry, there are still three years of filial piety, let's look slowly, we can always find the right one."

Cao Shi covered his mouth and cried: "In this way, Qing'er will be in charge of the family in the future, she is a young girl who has not yet left the cabinet, how much hardship she has to suffer, I ...... I feel sorry for her......"

The old lady glanced at Cao Shi with hatred, and when she saw Cao's tearful eyes, she really couldn't bear to say anything serious, so she said patiently: "Since this family is still there, someone must come out to take charge of the house." I'm old, and you can't bear things like this, who will stand up if Qing'er doesn't stand up? If you really feel sorry for Qing'er, you can cry less and help Qing'er support this family together. ”

"Yes." Cao Shi said, still sobbing non-stop.

The old lady sighed and said, "That's it, there are still a lot of things for Qing'er to worry about right now." Take care of your own body, don't make trouble for Qing'er, don't let her be distracted to take care of you, even if you help her. ”

"Yes." Cao Shi tried very hard to hold back the tears and asked, "What is Qing'er worried about right now?" ”

The old lady sighed and said worriedly, "It's not about Mulberry Garden!" Didn't you see it on the day of the funeral, the people in the clan had already forced me to hand over the title deed of the mulberry garden in person, and Yongda's coffin hadn't been carried out yet, so they couldn't wait! If Qing'er hadn't said something like that, it is estimated that the clan would have forced our family to death a long time ago. But this is just a delaying tactic, it won't drag on for a few days, and the clan will definitely come to the door. ”

After the old lady finished speaking, she was already worried.

After listening to Second Grandma Gu's story about Ningxia Qingzhao, Mrs. Gu thought that she had heard it wrong, and sighed again and again: "That kid is actually ...... Alas...... It's also pitiful. ”

Gu Er's grandmother said: "I heard that even the sister-in-law of the Ning family didn't know about this before, and I was shocked when I heard about it." Alas, yes, how can a girl say such a thing. ”

Old Lady Gu glanced at Second Grandma Gu and said, "What do you know!" That child has an extraordinary heart, and since she said such surprising words in public, she must have her own reasons. ”

Second Grandma Gu hurriedly changed her words, lowered her eyebrows and agreed: "I heard that the relationship between the Ning family's relatives is quite chaotic, and that child said this kind of thing in front of his relatives, it is estimated that he said it to those people with his heart." ”

Grandma Gu San on the side hurriedly spoke, and said according to the old lady's meaning: "Shopkeeper Ning suffered this accident, and now there are only a few women left in the Ning family, the old, the young, and the sick, and the eldest girl Ning stood up to take charge of the house at this time, but she is indeed a child with temperament." After speaking, he deliberately glanced at Second Grandma Gu provocatively.

Old Lady Gu sighed: "I've also heard about the internal affairs of the Ning clan, and it seems that they are not very peaceful. Now that the shopkeeper Ning is gone, their lives will definitely be difficult, but they are really embarrassed for that child. ”

As she spoke, Old Lady Gu couldn't help but feel sad, and sighed leisurely: "Since ancient times, if the men in the family can hold on, how can the women stand up and take charge of the family?" What's more, it's still a girl who hasn't come out of the cabinet? In fact, in the early years, the Gu family also had a woman in charge of the family, alas, it was a long time ago. ”

Grandma Gu San continued to smile and echoed: "The Xiao family has also had such a woman." Even now, there are still a few women in the outer courtyard of the Xiao family who are in charge. ”

Grandma Gu Er looked at Grandma Gu San dissatisfiedly, and said in a weird manner: "It's just the daughter of a merchant who has not been out of the cabinet, and she comes from a small family, how can she compare with our Gu family, let alone the Xiao family!" You're too flattering! ”

"What do you mean by this, second sister-in-law?" Gu San's grandmother deliberately misinterpreted: "Then Miss Ning was once the future daughter-in-law of the second sister-in-law, am I flattering the second sister-in-law when I praise the second sister-in-law's former future daughter-in-law?" ”

"You...... Thou hast distorted my will, and hast thou flattered me? ”

Grandma Gu San snorted proudly, and said a little unwillingly: "Second sister-in-law, in fact, you should be happy, when Brother Teng and Miss Ning proposed marriage, the Ning family has always been reserved and self-controlled, and did not rush to tie up because of the great cause of the second sister-in-law's family, otherwise, how could Brother Teng make up with Miss Xiang?" Not to mention that the concubine herself is still the media! The second sister-in-law should really be happy. ”

"You...... Are you so sarcastic because the concubine gave Brother Teng a matchmaker, and your eyes are red, so you are sarcastic like this......

"Stop arguing." Old Lady Gu just said softly, but Second Grandma Gu and Third Grandma Gu were silent in an instant, and Old Lady Gu then ordered: "It's none of your business, you can go back." ”

Second Grandma Gu and Third Grandma Gu got up, bowed respectfully, and then prepared to retreat, Old Lady Gu suddenly remembered something and asked, "You talked about Brother Teng just now...... The second family, how is Brother Teng'er's marriage prepared? ”

Second Grandma Gu replied: "The old lady asked me to prepare things before, ready to marry the Ning family, those things can be used directly, so the preparation is almost complete." ”

"Well, Concubine Xiao is going back to Beijing, you can pick an auspicious day as soon as possible." Old Lady Gu nodded, and then asked Grandma Gu San, "By the way, what did Brother Lang do?" I haven't seen him in days. ”

Gu San's grandmother said with a smile: "Don't mention it, that kid likes to stick to his sixth uncle since he was a child, since his sixth uncle lived in the county for a long time, that kid ran to his sixth uncle every day, I told him, let him not disturb his sixth uncle's purity, but that kid just didn't listen, I really can't do anything about him." ”

"Yes, that kid does like to stick to the cedars." Mrs. Gu nodded, and then said: "Speaking of cedar, it really makes me embarrassed, we have cleaned up the yard for him here, he just refuses to come and live, he has to live outside, and there are a few small servants and family members around him, how can this make people feel at ease." ”

Gu Xuesong was half-leaning on the chair, with a graceful appearance, a white dress sprinkled on the back of the chair, his eyes closed, as if he was asleep.

After watching the chess, Gu Xuesong opened his eyes leisurely, frowned, and said, "It's worthy of her." ”