Xiaotangshan, Caojia Garden.

The place where Cao Yin and his wife are located is the middle of the garden, and it is a courtyard with two entrances. There are five halls in front, three pavilions in the west of the hall, and the east of the hall is connected to the verandah, and a pavilion in the southeast corner of the garden.

There are five rooms in the main hall at the back, which is the living place of Cao Yin and his wife. There are three hugging houses in the west of the hall, which are used for the maid and mother-in-law on duty to rest and sleep; There are three rooms in the east of the hall, which are empty and unoccupied.

took the children around the greenhouse, and Cao Hao and Chu Yu took everyone back to this courtyard.

Because today is the first time to come to Tangquan Zhuangzi, Li's meaning is to ask the big guy to have a reunion dinner. Wait until tomorrow, and eat from each house in each house.

The Li family took their daughters to the West House, and Cao Yin's father and son took a few boys to eat in the East House.

Today's dinner was sumptuous, full of dazzling, and the little ones didn't blink. Cao Yin saw that a table was set up, and he wanted to put on a straight face and talk to his son about "thrift"; When he saw that there was a hole in the plate, he still closed his mouth.

Eight side dishes on the table, sesame oil dried purslane, pickled mixed vegetables, pickled devil ginger, mixed suede leaves, tiger skin jelly, fried small fish, red oil belly shreds, white water sheep's trotters.

Eight dishes, scorched meatballs, vegetarian boiled eggplant, braised garlic sprouts, diced pork and green beans, fried blood tofu, stir-fried mutton, roasted turtledove in sauce, braised red hairtail, and fried shredded pork with pheasant neck.

Four bowls of vegetables, stewed loach, mutton balls, stewed pheasant with mountain delicacies, stewed pork ribs and radish with dried beans. Two pots, one sauerkraut and white meat, and one lamb scorpion.

Cao Hao looked at it, but was slightly stunned, a little stunned. Not to mention anything else, it is two small dishes, pickled vegetables and pickled devil ginger, which are common in his previous life. When I was a child, there were these two kinds of pickles pickled by my mother.

The hot dishes are okay, and a few little guys recognize them, but the side dishes are all raw.

Although there is a rule of not saying anything when eating and not saying a word when sleeping, Tianyou looked at the dishes in his eyes, and then at the rice in the bowl, and couldn't help but ask Cao Yin in a low voice: "Grandfather, this rice has the smell of chestnuts......"

Cao Yin looked at the rice in the bowl, it was reddish and indeed fragrant.

Cao Hao was beside him and said, "Father, this is chestnut rice, raw chestnuts are crushed and cooked with millet." When my son came to Zhuangzi a few years ago, he had eaten it once, and it was very delicious. ”

The room was full of vegetables, and a few little guys were looking at Cao Yin in unison.

Seeing Cao Yin move his chopsticks, the others picked up the chopsticks and began to eat...... Maybe it's a novelty, maybe it's because I'm tired of playing in the vegetable shed at night, and a few little guys are eating very sweetly with chopsticks...... When they encountered a dish they didn't know, they put down their chopsticks and whispered questions, and when they knew the name, they were also full of curiosity to know if there was anything in the conservatory.

Cao Yin saw that a few little guys were getting more and more noisy, and he wanted to "cough" and let them be quiet. However, seeing that Cao Yin would explain this for a while, and answer that for a while, the father and son were happy, Cao Yin smiled lightly and did not speak...... * Westinghouse, the female dependents are here.

Li's and Chu Yu's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law all grew up in the house, and most of them met for the first time in these mountains and villages. Tian and Sister Lianqiu lived outside in their early years, and they knew each other.

When they met their mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Tian and others also explained them one by one. Qi Niang and Niu Niu were also sitting, Niu Niu listened with relish, and Qi Niang did not know Sister Lian Qiu in the Tian family, so she made a supplement.

Amethyst was originally standing at the head of the next and distributing vegetables for everyone.

Li asked her to sit, but she said "I don't dare", still standing and waiting. Li really couldn't do anything, so he ordered her to go down for her own use.

Now, looking at these foods, they are very well prepared, and the taste is also extremely delicious, and the meat and vegetables are suitable, and there are two dishes that Li and Cao Yin like to eat.

Li couldn't help but praise Chu Yu: "Amethyst is really good. No matter what she takes care of, it can make people worry-free. In the end, it was trained by the old lady, who was both capable and caring. ”

Chu Yu nodded and said, "Yes, madam." Except for the old lady, the only one who hurts her forehead and daughter-in-law so much is the Amethyst girl. ”

The admiration for Amethyst in these words is not one or two, it is already regarded as an elder, although Li knows that Amethyst is good, but he still can't help but feel a little surprised.

No matter how capable and loyal she is, she can't just be confined to the mansion as an old girl.

Before the old lady died, she gave this girl to Cao Hao. For the sake of the old lady, Cao Hao also has to settle Amethyst.

Amethyst looks young, but when it counts his age, he is also in his thirties.

Now if you want to say goodbye, it is not difficult to find a widower to continue the strings. After all, Amethyst is decent, and she is amiable, and the Cao family can buy a dowry, and she can also go out and be a grandmother in style.

Thinking of this, Li couldn't help but have the idea of being a matchmaker.

It's just that at the dinner table, there are two children, Qi Niang and Niu Niu, and it is not appropriate to say this, so she lowered her head and drank two mouthfuls of soup, and she has already begun to think in her heart, and she will be free later, so she can discuss with her daughter-in-law...... At this moment, Amethyst did not go back to the house, but was invited to the front yard.

"Girl, this year's rent of the four hectares of land has collected a total of one hundred and eighty-three stone of grain. Although we have a well here, the drought is severe, and the harvest is not as good as in previous years, only 70% of the harvest is in good condition, so it is less than in previous years. He had already honored the girl's command, and gave up one hundred and twenty stones. It just so happened that there were several monasteries in the north of the city that were preparing Laba to start giving porridge, and they gave 30 stones to each place. There are still sixty-three stones, whether to continue to the temple or stay in the warehouse, and ask the girl to make an idea. He Maocai said.

Amethyst has long since lost her desire to get married, so she rarely pays attention to money. Cao Hao gave her these four hectares of land, and the annual harvest was about 200 taels of silver. Her monthly silver is a share of the public middle school, and Chu Yu takes a copy of her private post, four taels of silver per month. In addition, the rewards of the Orchid Courtyard and the Wutong Garden during the New Year's Festival, there are also a small one hundred taels of silver all year round.

These silvers, amethyst, are either subsidized on the two bodies of Tianyou and Hengsheng, or they are donated to various temples, and they are not saved.

"I heard that some temples are not like that, and they deduct the rice donated from outside, and some sell it privately. I only hope that these temples can be better, as long as half of the rice enters the mouths of the poor people, it will not be in vain for me. Amethyst touched a string of Bodhi beads in the left bowl and said.

"Yes, Xiao Lao'er is also worried about this, so he made a special trip to inquire, and he picked a few that have a good reputation. If there are any more drawbacks, there is no other way. He Maocai sighed and said: "The rest of the grain, if the girl is unwilling to sell it for silver money, and wants to continue to give up her words, the little old man has a foolish opinion." ”

Although Amethyst has not changed her clothes and shaved her hair, she has long been a vegetarian and has returned to Buddhism in her heart. It's just that I miss the kindness of the Cao family, and now I need to take care of Tianyou and Hengsheng's daily life, so I didn't escape into the empty door. She has a compassionate heart and wants to do something good in her part.

Hearing He Maocai say that he had an idea, Amethyst hurriedly said: "Since the old steward has an idea, please say it." I have been in the inner house all day, even if I have a heart, in the end, my vision is narrow, my heart is more than enough but my strength is insufficient, where can I catch up with the old housekeeper who is well-informed? ”

People love to listen to good words, even if He Maocai has lived most of his life, it is still the case.

Listening to Amethyst's words, he felt very comfortable in his heart, and said with a smile: "I don't dare to be a girl's praise, but I don't dare to spoil the girl's kindness, so people inquire carefully." There was a severe drought in the spring and summer of this year, and since the beginning of winter, there have been several snowfalls. Gyeonggi prefectures and counties are afraid that the people will freeze to death, so since the beginning of this month, they have set up porridge sheds in various prefectures and counties, and there are also donations from the people in various townships. According to the humble opinion of the little old man, instead of giving this grain to the temple, it is better to give it to the porridge shacks in various places. Send two people to follow, but they don't have the courage to swallow up the grain. ”

Hearing this, Amethyst nodded and said, "It's really a good idea to bother the old housekeeper, so let's do it." Speaking of this, she thought for a while and said, "It's just that it's my private matter in the end, and there is no reason to make people errand in vain." I always have to give some hardship money, and the twenty taels of silver that were deposited with the old steward before, the old steward looked at it. ”

"Hehe, I don't need that. The uncle had already explained that the girl wanted to use food and manpower at will. Just because the girl said to give up the grain, the uncle instructed that the grain of Changping Zhuangzi would not be sold this year, and it was all put into the warehouse. If the girl is willing to give up, if she wants to give up again, she will use the rice in the warehouse. He Maocai thought of Cao Hao's explanation, and felt more and more that Cao Hao, the little master, had an appetite.

He is the old servant of the Sun family who married him, and he is different from the servant of the Cao family. He originally only recognized Sun Taijun in his heart, but now he only recognizes Cao Hao.

After all, they have been father and son for two generations, and Zhuangzi, who has been in charge of it for more than 60 years, is not the Cao family's property, but Sun Taijun's dowry. The rest of the Cao family, according to the rules, can't control them.

As Sun Taijun transferred this field to Cao Hao, He Maocai's loyal object was replaced by Cao Hao.

In addition, Cao Hao has relied on him wholeheartedly over the years, and he has even lifted him, even if the old man works hard, he feels useful.

Among the Cao family, Amethyst, like He Maocai, is the old servant of the old lady, so He Maocai is also close to Amethyst in his heart. Seeing Cao Hao's courtesy to Amethyst, he was also pleased.

This is the style of everyone's son, abiding by the rules and etiquette.

Amethyst is not very old, but in addition to serving the old lady, she can also be regarded as Cao Hao's nanny. knows how to respect the elderly, and it is not in vain that Amethyst has been presiding over housework and working hard inside and out over the years.

Amethyst, on her part, didn't dare to accept Cao Hao's kindness as a matter of course.

Her expression froze, she was grateful and ashamed, and she only felt as if she had turned over a five-flavor bottle in her heart, and she had all the tastes...... * Before she knew it, it was time to hold the lamp.

Tian and Lianqiu and the others had dinner, and then took the children back to rest. Tianyou and Hengsheng followed Amethyst to live in the east wing of Cao Hao's courtyard, and they have already followed Amethyst back to settle down.

The house quieted down, and only the Cao family remained.

Cao Hao sat cross-legged on the kang and played chess with Cao Yin. Chu Yu's side is discussing with her mother-in-law about the incense. It is November 17, and Amitabha Buddha is born, and there are rituals in nearby temples.

Ping[***] and his family are confined in the inner house, and it is difficult to get out of the house, and the Li family naturally takes them out to breathe. It's just that the outside of the city is not as good as the city, and the pilgrims are mixed, so you have to arrange it in advance to save the collision.

Chu Yu's side has already entrusted Amethyst and arranged it properly.

In addition to the Cao family, Ming'er went to the incense with him, and there was also a family member of Beizi Mansion. That Mrs. Beizi is Chu Yu's cousin, and she also has dealings with the Cao family, and the Li family also recognizes her. Therefore, in addition to the Cao Mansion family, Ming'er also has the Beizi Mansion Guardian to follow the guards, and there will be no mistakes.

Li listened to it, and then he was relieved.

Because of the mention of Amethyst, she led her daughter-in-law to the east house and sat down, and said what she thought in her heart.

When Chu Yu heard this, she couldn't help but be stunned, and said for a while: "Mrs. is merciful, it is a blessing for the Amethyst girl to ask about this matter." Regarding her life's events, the uncle and daughter-in-law also took it to heart in their early years. Just look at what she meant, this thought has long been extinguished. A few years ago, she started to be a vegetarian, and her uncle was afraid that her body would not be able to stand it, so he said a few times before she changed her mind. The first and fifteenth years of the first year are vegan, and they are usually half vegetarian. ”

When Li heard this, he couldn't help but shake his head and said, "As a woman, when it's time to get married, you should get married; When it is time to give birth, you should have children. It is a blessing to find an honest man and live a life in peace. looks at her as if she is sensible, why can't she see it so much? ”

Chu Yu was afraid that the Li family would be unhappy, and had a prejudice against Amethyst, and said: "I heard from the uncle, Sister Amethyst suffered a big change when she was young, and it was probably because of this that she was afraid of the outside, and would rather stay in the house for the rest of her life." ”

Amethyst's life experience, the Li family also knows.

Among the maids of the Cao family, Sun Taijun has special love for Amethyst, and he also has something to do with this. When Amethyst suffered a family change, she was just a teenage girl.

From the eldest lady of the official eunuch's family, to the humble slave maid, if you change to someone else, you can't say that you have to be sad and sad, complain about the world, and your surname will change greatly.

Amethyst is different, always with a smile. Although the behavior is still so decent, and the treatment of people is also gentle, but between the gestures, she is already like a real maid, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and she has never shown the eldest lady's shelf.

Because of this forbearance and understanding, the old lady treated him differently and kept him by his side.

Li wanted to be a matchmaker, but it was just a whim, and after hearing Chu Yu's words, he had no intention of forcing it. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law said a few more gossips, and then returned to the Westinghouse.

Westinghouse, father and son, are fighting on the chessboard.

is only a holy hand who is proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and the other is a half-tone that has learned a shape and has not learned God. Among them, the high and low stand down.

Baizi has fallen, and there is no possibility of turning defeat into victory. But Cao Hao was still struggling and did not abandon his son to admit defeat.

It's not that he cares about winning or losing a game, but this chess game is just to spend time with his father and make him happy.

Now, Bai Zi is defeated, Cao Yin strokes his beard, and it is difficult to hide his smugness, and it seems that he is in a good mood. Cao Hao's side couldn't wait to let his father rejoice for a while, so he fought hard.

Finally reached a desperate situation, Cao Yin raised his eyebrows, put the sunspot in his hand on the plate, and killed his son a big dragon.

Cao Hao put down the chess pieces in his hand and said, "My son lost." ”

Cao Yin picked up the teacup, took a sip and said, "Do you know where you lost?" ”

Cao Hao said with a smile: "Father and son are not the same weight. The son's side is naturally not as good as his father's chess skills, and it is not uncommon for him to lose. ”

Cao Yin shook his head, with a smile on his face, looked at Cao Hao and said, "You lost because you don't have the heart to win." This chessboard hand talks, between square inches, like a battlefield where the battlefield is killed. If you don't have a competitive spirit, even if you are skilled in chess, you may not be able to guarantee a long-term victory; On the contrary, if the chess skills are mediocre, as long as you have a competitive heart, you can also fight. ”

This teaching has another profound meaning.

Cao Hao was already enlightened, stood up, bowed his head and said, "My son knows, thank you for your father's teachings." ”

Li came in with his daughter-in-law, and just happened to hear her husband training his son. She was confused, but in the end, she felt sorry for her son, and she was afraid that her husband would rise up and continue to train.

In the end, in front of the daughter-in-law, it is better to leave some dignity for the son.

She was thinking about how to divert this conversation, and when she saw Cao Yin, she waved her hand and said, "After a busy day, you and your daughter-in-law are also tired, go back and rest early." ”

Cao Hao responded, and the two of them said good night to their parents with Chu Yu, and went back to the East Courtyard together.

Cao Yin sat on the edge of the kang, silent, with a solemn expression, not knowing what he was thinking.

When Li saw it, he thought that he was worried about playing chess, sat on the side of the kang, and persuaded softly: "The master has played chess all his life, and Hao'er has only studied for a few years?" Besides, he did his primary school homework, and when he was older, he went to Beijing on an errand, and he didn't have a leisurely time. If the master thinks that he is bad, it is good to be idle this time, and teach him well. ”

Where is this, Cao Yin heard this, forgot about Li's glance, saw her worried, thought of her motherly heart, and couldn't help sighing.

Seeing her husband like this, Li Shi became more and more worried, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Master, is this chess game so heavy?" I look at our son, it's good in all aspects. Even if this chess skill is poor, it's not a good thing, right? ”

Cao Yin shook his head, why shouldn't it be serious?

This "playing chess" is also a big deal, if you don't know how to plan, don't have a long-term vision, don't know how to layout, and only care about immediate gains and losses, then you have to be passive everywhere.

When it comes time to decide the life-and-death situation, it is too late to regret it.

Life is like a chess game, you can't just blindly avoid and forbear, you can have a tie. Too often, it is necessary to stand high and low and witness life and death.

It seems that he should really teach his son how to "play chess", Cao Yin said to himself in his heart...... Seeing her husband's solemn expression, Li muttered, "Master......"

I heard Cao Yin say: "Why don't you do something?" It is said that the back waves of the Yangtze River push the front waves, and the blue is better than the blue. As my son, if it's too bad, I, who is a father, will not have ...... face."

*East Courtyard, Upper Room.

Cao Hao thought about his father's words, and he was a little distracted. Could it be that my father can't see it? Want to whip yourself?

Chu Yu went to the East House to see Tianhui, and when she saw her husband like this, she thought of her father-in-law's words, not as chaotic as her mother-in-law.

She thought about it for a while, and said with a smile: "Forehead, looking at the old man's meaning, is to point out the forehead." In this way, if you play against the master in the future, you will win one or two games. ”

Cao Hao glanced at his wife and said, "How come?" Isn't that something that can be learned in a few days? ”

"Master loves to play chess so much, when Master Zhiran is here, he will play for a long time. Now only the forehead is accompanied, if the forehead is always losing, presumably the master's side will not be interesting to win. Chu Yu said: "Xu is because of this, the old man is looking forward to the forehead winning, the forehead said is this reason?" ”

Cao Hao's heart was open, his father's words were chess, not chess.

It's just that when he saw his wife explaining himself with her heart, his heart warmed, and he nodded with a smile and said, "Yes." You have a point. It seems that I should be competitive, let my father not be so proud, and fight a few rounds well......"

(To be continued)