Song took his daughter and several grandchildren, had tea and chatted at Tao's house, and returned to the ship when the sun was setting in the west.

She looked a little tired, but was in a good mood. My best friend Mrs. Tao is still the same personality as when she was young, and she hasn't changed much, she has a good life, and she also has the leisure to fiddle with poetry and songs. The two old ladies mentioned the pastime of their girls' generation, and they were very interested in picking it up again. Although the Song family will continue to go north soon, and it is likely that they will live in Beiping for a year and a half, this does not prevent the two from exchanging letters. When the Song family returns to Huyin, the contact between the two sides can be more intimate.

Song was happy, and Xie Meijun was also happy. She likes the old lady Tao very much, and she can talk to the other party's daughter-in-law very well. Although the two are of the same generation, they are quite far apart in age. Mrs. Tao seems to have given birth to a son many years after getting married, so her son and daughter-in-law are now in their twenties, much younger than Xie Meijun. However, Tao Lian, Tao Tuiguan's wife, is a very gentle and stable character, and she has many common preferences with Xie Meijun, and they get along very happily. This made Xie Meijun also have the idea of keeping in touch with Tao Lian in the future and coming and going often.

Xie Meijun also told her daughter Yang Yuan: "It's a pity that you didn't go, there is also a little girl in the Tao family, who is only one year older than you, and she has just been married for a short time, and she is very quiet and intelligent." We didn't know that the Tao family had her before, otherwise we would have brought you sisters with us. ”

Yang Yuan was curious when he heard this: "Who is this young lady Mrs. Tao?" Didn't my grandmother say that Mrs. Tao only had one son? ”

Xie Meijun told her: "This little girl is also a girl from the Tao family, so she should call Mrs. Tao an uncle and grandmother." Her grandfather and Mrs. Tao's deceased husband were brothers, but they had already passed away, and her parents died in the field a few years ago, leaving her a lonely and miserable, and Mrs. Tao took her over to support her, and she was no different from her own granddaughter. Her single name is a 'Sakura', the cherry of Sakura, you see her, just call her Sister Sakura. ”

Yang Yuan was a little itchy, and pounced on his grandmother Song's side and asked, "Grandmother, when will our family go to Tao's house again?" I want to meet this Sakura-san. ”

Song smiled: "If you want to go to see Tao Ying, you don't have to be a guest at the Tao family." I have already made an appointment with your Grandma Tao, and Ming'er will be the east of the largest restaurant in Zhenjiang City to entertain the Tao family. You'll just have to go with you. It's just that the Tao family is a scholarly heirloom, and the children are all tight, so you can't help but mess around in front of your acquaintances. If you are rude and scared the little girl to befriend you, don't complain that your grandmother didn't warn you in advance. ”

Yang Yuan said angrily: "Grandmother's words are really excessive! When have I ever messed around in front of people? I'm also a very well-behaved little girl! ”

When the people around heard this, they couldn't help laughing, which made Yang Yuan glare at him angrily.

Xie Mulin couldn't help but smile and stepped forward to ask Xie Meijun: "Can you agree on the time of the banquet?" I'm going to ask someone to go to the restaurant and book a private room, right? ”

Xie Meijun said: "On the way back, we have already booked a large elegant room, enough for four seats, men and women are divided, just enough to sit down." The place is also quiet, I heard that the dishes are also excellent, and there are a few signature dishes, which is a must in Zhenjiang. My mother and I were very interested in trying it. Because it was in an unfamiliar city, Xie Meijun and the Song family traveled with a subordinate who was familiar with the roads of Zhenjiang, and the latter was also clear about the affairs of the restaurant, and he could tell which restaurant was the most decent and affordable.

Xie Mulin was also very happy to see that Xie Meijun had saved his own trouble: "Then we will also have a good taste at that time." What are the famous dishes in Zhenjiang? I didn't know much about it before. ”

"We'll find out then." Song smiled and turned to Xie Meijun and said, "You go and prepare all the gifts that Ming'er is going to give." Although I have already given a meeting gift today, but tomorrow when their sisters meet the Tao family for the first time, your aunt Yu will definitely give them a meeting gift again. ”

Xie Meijun responded, and beckoned Yang Yuan to pick a gift with her, and exercised her housekeeper skills by the way. Xie Yingfen quickly followed Yang Yuan.

Xie Yinghui sat with her for a while, and when she saw that there was nothing wrong, she was about to return to her boat. She called Xie Xianzhi to accompany her, and also wanted to talk to her brother by the way. Xie Xianzhi followed, Xie Hanzhi was also called away by his aunt, Xie Jinzhi and Xie Huizhi stayed and continued to talk with Xie Mulin with the Song family.

But Song looked a little tired, so Xie Mulin persuaded her: "You might as well rest first, right?" If there is any commandment, it is the same in the evening. ”

Song shook his head: "Ming'er, let's stay for one more day, it's okay, but staying here any longer, not only will it slow down the trip, delay the business of going north later, but it will not be good for the Tao family." Therefore, I have something to ask you to do at this time, and if you can find out the relevant news before the banquet of the Tao family the day before yesterday, things will be much easier. ”

Xie Mulin was confused: "What's wrong with the Tao family?" ”

Song looked at Xie Jinzhi. Xie Jinzhi paused: "Grandmother is saying...... Are the strange words and deeds of those people that you noticed in the prefect's back office today? ”

Song nodded slightly: "Although your grandfather has never been a magistrate, my father was also a county parent when he first came out. I know what life is like for the government officials. There are any conflicts between the neighbors, occasionally quarrels, quarrels, and even Sven sweeping the floor and fighting. Can it be like the potter...... It is not normal to be watched day and night, and anyone who enters and leaves the door of his house is carefully checked. I have been separated from my sister for decades, and I don't know her current situation, but I know her personality, and when I was a guest at the Tao family, I also tried to find out that her nature has not changed, and her son, daughter-in-law and niece and granddaughter are all good children with upright character. Since it is not the Tao family that has a problem, the one who has a problem is naturally those people in the prefect's back office. ”

Xie Mulin understood, and hurriedly asked, "Does that grandmother know who those people are?" Did Mrs. Tao tell you what's going on? ”

Xie Meijun shook her head: "The younger sister of the Yu family is obviously worried, and she doesn't seem to want to involve us. She hoped that we would simply pass by Zhenjiang, gather again tomorrow, leave early the day after tomorrow, and continue our journey without asking about the future. All she said was ...... Those people didn't dare to do anything to their mother and son. ”

Shermulin frowned. Is Mrs. Tao too naïve, or does she really know what to expect? Why would she decide that others would only watch their family, but never be unfavorable to them?

Xie Jinzhi cautiously interjected: "After I found out that those people's deeds were missing, I privately inquired about the pottery family's small servants. It is said that most of those who keep an eye on the Tao family day and night are officials sent by the prefect, and some ...... He is a servant of other officials in Zhenjiang Prefecture. It sounds like there is no one in the entire prefect's back office who is in the company of Tao Tuiguan, which is really frightening. ”