Cao Mansion, Bamboo Courtyard East Warm Pavilion.

Yongjia half leaned on the soft collapse and talked about the old things in Jiangning with Cao Yi and Amethyst. After coming to Cao's Mansion for two days, seeing that Amethyst was dressed differently from others, even Cao Yi and Cao Song called "sister", and arranged everything inside and out, Yongjia knew that her identity was unusual, and she was very polite to her.

It's just that Amethyst is a person who refuses to transgress, even if everyone respects her, they don't want to be rude. Although he accompanied the two young ladies, he was only willing to sit on a stool shallowly, laughing and listening to the two of them, and did not interject at will. Yongjia saw it and secretly praised it, this Cao Mansion is worthy of being a big family that has gone through several generations, and everyone has their own bearing.

When they were in Jiangning Jizhu Society, Yongjia and Cao Yi were still eleven or twelve years old little girls, who were innocent and romantic at that time, and they didn't know how to worry, but now they are already slim young girls, and they have their own troubles.

Talking about the Qunfang who attended the meeting in the past, Cao Yi's two sisters have been married, and Miss Ma was promoted to the Taoist platform because of her father, and went to Shanxi to take office; The young lady of the Cui Fu Cheng family was implicated in her father's corruption and was sold into official slavery; Miss Wei Jiaqi contracted the epidemic two years ago and died at a young age; Miss Jiang Er of Qianzhuang recruited a son-in-law, and when she heard that the man who didn't visit the church had an emergency attack, she became a widow and took care of the family's Qianzhuang; Miss Yang of Bihelou made a marriage contract with the cousin of her grandfather, the Bai family, and she will get married at the end of the year.

Life is impermanent, with its own joys and sorrows, although Miss Wei Jiaqi and Miss Jiang Er have their own misfortunes, but Miss Cui Jia, who does not know her whereabouts, is even more suspenseful, and Yongjia and Cao Yi will inevitably sigh again.

Amethyst listened to the words of the two, her face changed color slightly, and after a while, she spoke and comforted: "It's all everyone's fate, who can say for sure?" Maybe Miss Cui was bought by a good family and could be treated kindly! ”

Yongjia and Cao Yi only comforted her casually, although they nodded in response, they were still worried in their hearts, and the room fell silent for a while.

As the footsteps sounded, Bao Ya came in with Cao Yan and Cao Song. Although the sparrow has been wiped for Baoya, there is still a lot of white face in her hair and in the folds of her clothes.

Cao Yi and Amethyst both got up and beckoned the maid to bring water and take a handkerchief to serve Baoya to wipe her face. Cao Yi smiled and asked, "Gege, what's wrong?" Human-like. ”

Bao Ya laughed while "giggling", and beckoned Lingque to hand over the food box: "Third sister, sister Amethyst, this is the food I personally gave to Sister Yongjia Zhang Luo!" Speaking of this, he looked back at Cao Yan and Cao Song with some embarrassment: "Of course, there is also a little credit for Cao Yan and Cao Song!" ”

Yongjia saw that the Cao brothers were behind Baoya, and bowed their heads.

Cao Yan smiled and nodded in return, and Cao Song complained to Yongjia unconvinced: "Sister Wanyan, don't believe in Gege, if you don't know my credit, after all, I didn't help much." My brother's credit is indispensable, my brother not only ordered the menu, but also cut the plate himself! ”

Hearing these words, Yongjia, Cao Yi and Amethyst were full of surprises. Yongjia glanced at Cao Yan with the corners of his mouth crooked, but did not respond.

Cao Yi couldn't help but walk up to his brother and pull his sleeve: "Brother, brother, why haven't I heard that you can cook?" ”

Amethyst wiped the white noodles on Baoya's head and body with a wet handkerchief, and asked Cao Yan with a smile: "The third girl is right, the uncle went to the kitchen, this is the first time I have heard of it, it's strange and fresh!" Right now, even the slave maid is curious about what the uncle has ordered! ”

Bao Ya cleaned up a little, and was in a hurry to offer the treasure in front of everyone, so she asked the sparrow, hairpin, and Huan'er to set up a kang table, took out the four small dishes and put them away, and used a small bowl to serve Yongjia half a bowl of cat ear soup.

Although Yongjia rarely has no appetite and is not used to eating in front of everyone, but seeing Bao Ya watching with her eyes, there is the friendship of the Cao family brothers in this food, how could she say not to eat without interest? At that moment, he thanked the three of them first, and then took off the bracelet and washed his hands under the service of the hairpin, and then took the chopsticks and looked at the kang table.

The four side dishes are served in a palm-sized lotus leaf jade plate, which looks refreshing and delicious, without being greasy at all. After tasting two sips and drinking half a bowl of cat ear soup, Yongjia put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and said to everyone with a smile: "I really didn't expect that our Bao Gege still has such craftsmanship, these things look ordinary, but the taste is really good!" It's still early in the morning, and I'm not afraid of accumulating food, so let's try it! ”

Hai'er sent a few ebony inlaid silver chopsticks, and everyone held them and tasted a few bites.

Cao Yi and Amethyst both nodded and said yes, and Baoya listened to it, becoming more and more proud. Cao Song couldn't get used to her smug look, pursed his lips, and said, "What is this, compared to the delicious food of Jiangning Linxiazhai, these are home-cooked side dishes!" Speaking of this, he couldn't help frowning: "It's all to blame for the kid of the Gu family, my brother treats him so well, he is embarrassed to ask outsiders to come to Lin Xia Zhai!" Hmph, that is, he left Beijing early, otherwise I will teach him a good lesson! ”

When she was in the kitchen, Bao Ya had already heard of Lin Xia Zhai, and now that Cao Song mentioned it again, she couldn't help but ask curiously: "Is Lin Xia Zhai a restaurant?" I've heard you say it several times, what is really so delicious? ”

Cao Song nodded proudly: "Of course, who in Jiangning doesn't know, the delicacy of Linxia Zhai is unique!" Seeing Baoya's questioning look on his face, he hurriedly said: "If you don't believe it, just ask Sister Yan and the third sister, they have all eaten in Linxiazhai!" But after three or four years of hard work, I won't forget it! Even I remember that Sister Wanyan wore a red flag suit and rode in a car with Miss Yang! ”

Cao Yi thought for a moment and nodded: "Well, I remember, that year it was the second sister's birthday in advance, and she made an appointment with the ladies of the Jizhu Society to go to Linxia Zhai." It's just that how could the second brother know so clearly, I didn't see you go over there at that time! ”

Cao Yan knew that something was wrong when he heard Cao Song's previous words, and just as he was about to open his mouth to stop him, Cao Song had already said it: "It's Wei Xin's kid who wants to take his brother and me to see what Qunfang will be, I don't want to be on the teahouse diagonally opposite Lin Xiazhai, I can see that it is you!" ”

Cao Yan's face turned red, this stupid boy, doesn't he know that there are many things that are considered men's secrets, and it is not appropriate to open his mouth to women?

Bao Ya couldn't help laughing at first, rubbing her stomach, and pointed at Cao Yan with her finger: "Okay, good, I was deceived by your polite appearance, I didn't expect you to have this kind of groping and unruly time!" ”

Cao Yi also ate and smiled, looked at his brother, and scraped his face with his fingers.

Yongjia half-lowered her head, hiding the smile in her eyes, but her shoulders trembled slightly.

Amethyst saw Cao Yan's face flushed, and just thought about how to help him break the siege, when she heard a little maid outside: "Uncle, there is a visitor from the front yard!" ”

Cao Yan was pardoned, and after greeting everyone, he went out quickly.

*

Coming out of the bamboo courtyard, it is close to the beginning of the unitary period (five o'clock in the afternoon), and it is dark early in the winter, and it is said that the west will sink at this time, and the twilight is slightly obvious.

Cao Hao walked to the second door, and the little servant waited, saying that Uncle Ning was here, and then waited in the front hall.

When Cao Hao came out, Ning Chun was holding a bowl of cow drink, and when he saw him, he hurriedly put down the bowl, walked over quickly, and pulled him up and down.

Cao Hao saw that Ning Chun's forehead was full of sweat, his clothes were not even neat, the hem of his shirt and official boots were covered with dust, he looked anxious, and hurriedly said: "Brother Jingming, don't worry, brother is fine." ”

Ning Chun patted him on the shoulder and let out a sigh: "It's okay." It's okay. It scared me! - It's okay, it's okay. ”

He said a few "It's okay" in one after another, Cao Hao saw that he didn't have time to wipe the sweat on his head and the water on his mouth, his face was full of concern, and he couldn't help but be moved, brother should be like this! He shook his arm at the moment and nodded: "Brother Lian is worried." As he spoke, he dragged him over and sat down, and asked the little maid to change the tea.

Ning Chun was really thirsty, and drank half a cup before putting down the bowl and smoothing out: "What the hell is going on?" Yesterday I was in the outer city, and I didn't know anything, but as soon as I entered the city today, I heard passers-by mention that there was an accident in front of Tao Ranju, and how many people died. I sent a little servant to inquire, but I said that it was your Cao family's incident! - I lost most of my three souls and seven souls, so I hurried over to take a look. But who have you offended? ”

Cao Hao shook his head: "I really don't know who I offended." Then he told Ning Chun about yesterday's incident and the gangster's confession one by one.

Ning Chun listened and slapped the table: "His grandmother's!" It's not evil! If they hit me, they will be killed! He scolded two more sentences, because he asked, "What does Shuntianfu say now?" I heard that Yin Shilun of Nafu is a person with some ability, so he went back to find someone - or your brother-in-law, and urged him. ”

Cao Hao said: "Shuntianfu only said that it was investigating. This is also a big case, and they are also in a hurry to solve the case, but they don't need us to urge it. In this matter, there is something strange, and I plan to go to Tongzhou to investigate it by myself in the next few days. ”

Ning Chun nodded: "I'm also an idler, and there are a few people in my hands here." Xiao Cao, if you have a useful place, say hello and follow the message. - By the way, does Yongqing know about it? I'll go find him. Uncle isn't in the capital, but you still have our two brothers! ”

Cao Hao smiled and said: "They are all good brothers, Brother Shanyu came yesterday and said the same thing as Brother Jingming!" If the younger brother has a problem, he will definitely ask the two brothers for help! ”

Ning Chun was a little annoyed: "He came yesterday?" Alas, what did I say, but I was a little late! It's all Qiu Niang who misunderstood me......" Later, her voice became lower and lower, and in the end, she only laughed, touching her head, and looked a little embarrassed.

It turned out that Ning Chun fell in love with a Qing man called Qiu Niang in Haitang Courtyard, but the old bustard kept suppressing and not calling for ransom, until he said that he wanted someone to come out and place him in a private house outside the city. Ning Chun got what he wanted, and he played two tricks for two days, and he didn't return to the city until the next day. At this time, he heard that Yongqing came yesterday, and he was a little annoyed in his heart when he thought that he had mistaken his brother for the sake of a woman.

Cao Hao is not that ignorant of people, seeing the embarrassment of his smile, he mentioned the woman's name again, and when he was happy, he said something different and diverted the topic. Ning Chun also followed his words.

After a while, the outside came to report that the Ministry of Internal Affairs Guangchu Shiro Zhongma Liandao Ma had arrived. Cao Hao's brain hurt when he heard the word "Ma family", but at this moment he had to go to greet him in person, Ning Chun heard that it was Langzhong of the Internal Affairs Office, and he was busy with his clothes and went out with him.

Seeing Ma Liandao, Cao Hao said: "Cao Yan has seen Ma Shibo, Shi Bo'an!" ”

Ma Liandao grabbed him and asked urgently: "Is it okay to be a virtuous nephew?" ”

Cao Hao replied: "When it comes to the world's uncle's concern, Cao Hao is fine." Saying that, he invited in, and introduced Ning Chun to him.

Ma Liandao said a few words to Ning Chun, entered the hall and sat down, his eyes were glued to Cao Hao again, and he shushed and asked for warmth.

Cao Hao was most afraid of his gaze at the "quasi-son-in-law", so he only tilted his head, patiently told the surname briefly what happened, and omitted all the places that could cause questions, so as not to be verbose with him.

Ma Liandao sighed for a few words, and suddenly said: "Ming said that the old man's house set up a banquet to shock the virtuous nephew. - Clumsy Jing also said that he didn't see you, and he was still talking about it in the first two days, I heard that your brothers and sisters have come to Beijing, so you should move around more. ”

It's too late for Cao Hao to hide, how dare he go to his house to make do? Busy pushing said that although the young sister was not injured, she was frightened and needed to recuperate for a few days, so it was inconvenient to go over to the house to see her aunt.

Who knew that Ma Liandao seemed to be on it, and immediately said that he would let his wife Tian come to visit with his two daughters, and even said that there were no elders in the Cao family in Beijing, and the Cao and Ma families had no shy away from it, and they wanted to take Cao Yi to live in his house for a few days, and his wife would "take care of him".

It turned out that this Ma Liandao and his wife Tian had always wanted to marry their daughter to the Cao family, and the couple felt that with their personal relationship, there should be no problem with this marriage. In April, Cao Hao's mother Li went to Beijing, and Tian immediately took his daughter to visit when he got Xin'er, but he didn't see anyone in Cao's house, and he gritted his teeth and went straight to the county king's mansion.

Who knew that after meeting the Li family, the first conversation was quite warm, but after a few words, Tian didn't know what he said wrong, so he felt that the Li family gradually faded away, and then mentioned the marriage a little, and the Li family said that his son was still young and too weak to marry early, and prevaricated her. In addition, when the palace of the king of Ping County held a banquet, neither the Li family nor the county king Fujin left her to accompany the guests, and the Tian family was somewhat angry, and when he came back, he complained to Ma Liandao, only saying that he refused to marry the Cao family.

Ma Liandao has always been afraid of guilt, although he has the intention of clinging, but he does not dare to refute the meaning of his wife.

When Cao Hao came back from the grassland, it was rumored in Beijing that the Cao family was raising the flag and Cao Hao wanted to discuss his relatives, and the Tian family was a little loose. Then the news that Cao Yin was promoted to earl and Cao Hao got eighty acres of imperial gift to Zhuangzi came out, it was like adding fuel to the fire, and the small flame of the Ma family and his wife who wanted to marry burned brightly, and the two of them were only in a hurry, so they couldn't find the door.

Therefore, as soon as Ma Liandao heard that the Cao family was in trouble, he rushed over and put on this rather stubborn posture.

Cao Hao also guessed in his heart that he had become a salesman for his own daughter, and he had a headache, and he wore out his mouth, and he reluctantly rejected his enthusiastic suggestion after refusing it a few times.

At the end, Ning Chun got up to say goodbye, and it was dark outside, so Ma Liandao also said goodbye and left, and Cao Hao was sent out of the door.

Ma Liandao got on the horse, looked at the shiny plaque of the Earl's Palace, took a deep breath, and thought in his heart, that is, if he didn't call the Tian family over, he had to back up the pressure and send it over, and he would have to move around often in the future. The Cao family, a family, can't just give it to others.