Xie Mulin felt that Xiao Rui's invitation was a little sudden, she originally thought that the two of them were just going out of the city to enjoy the spring scenery, and they could go back and forth on the same day.

It's curious to go to this strange place now, but if you spend the night outside, you have to bring some luggage. Since Xiao Rui had this intention, why didn't he come over a day in advance to say hello? The people of their family should also prepare the accompanying items and carriages, and then report clearly to the elders, so they will not be so hesitant and entangled now.

Xiao Rui could only smile bitterly at his fiancée's doubts. It was originally a temporary itinerary, how could he say hello in advance? When Princess Yan said that she was going to Zizhu Courtyard, it was almost the second watch, and she didn't say that she wanted to invite her in-laws to accompany her, how could he open her mouth to the Xie family?

At that time, he thought that if he wanted to accompany his mother and sister out of the city today, he would have to compensate his fiancée and ask her to forgive him for not being able to go to the appointment, but he didn't expect that when Princess Yan set off with the lord of Yongping this morning, she suddenly asked him to come over and invite someone. He was surprised and delighted in his heart, and felt that now this newly recognized mother-in-law could not be more loving! Then he sent his mother and sister off first, ordered Xiaohong to wait with him, and rode over alone to invite the Xie family. will be dragged by the Zhou family and delayed for half an hour, it will be purely an accident.

However, this matter is a long story, in front of so many people, for a while, Xiao Rui really couldn't explain it clearly to Xie Mulin, and there was an embarrassed expression on his face.

Seeing this, Xie Mulin knew that there must be something inconvenient inside, so he didn't ask much, only cared about one thing: "Did the princess and the county lord go over in advance?" We're going to the dock now to take a boat, is there a boat at all times? ”

Xiao Rui hurriedly said: "The boat is ready-made, there are two or three, how can it be enough for so many people." You can also bring your own attendants with you. There is a temple on the side of Zizhuyuan, and the garden of the palace is next door, but there are few times a year to live in, and the manpower is limited, so it is convenient to bring people by themselves. ”

Xie Mulin turned to the Wen family: "Mother, since the princess and the county lord are warmly invited, let's not live up to the kindness of the two." The family will send someone to the yamen to talk to Daddy, right? By the way, ask him if he wants to go? If he wants to go, he will go to the palace early today, and take a boat out of the city before closing the city gate, and he will surely be able to arrive before dark. She didn't know where Zizhuyuan was, but since Xiao Rui said that it was outside Xizhimen, she recalled the layout of modern Beijing and felt that it should be far away.

Wen was originally quite moved, and seeing that his daughter said this, and no one else objected, he sent someone to the Yamen of the political envoy to find Xie Pu according to his words. But after two quarters of an hour, the family turned around and brought back Xie Pu's response. Xie Pu is very much in favor of his wife and children going out of the city to play, anyway, it is in the courtyard of Yanwang's Mansion, and it doesn't matter if they stay for one night. With him at home, Wen doesn't have to worry. But he didn't go himself, although he said that he would rest tomorrow, but he has been very busy lately, and he didn't plan to take this day off.

Wen sighed when he heard this, but he knew in his heart that her husband was a good official who was diligent and loved the people, and it was useless to persuade him to rest more. She instructed the children to go back to their rooms to pack some simple luggage, while she instructed her henchmen to pack up and personally go to the backyard to report the trip to Song and Mrs. Xie.

Song didn't care, only smiled and said, "When I was a child, I heard about the construction of Zizhu Courtyard in the Yanwang Mansion, but unfortunately I have never had the privilege of seeing it. You can go and have a good time for two days, and when you come back, tell me how the scenery is there. Wen responded softly, and told her to take care of her body more before retiring.

Old Lady Xie was not so polite: "Princess Yan and the county lord invited you to go?" Why didn't you invite me? I'm the old lady of this family! Mrs. Commandment! Why do the nobles completely ignore me?! ”

Wen could only stubbornly answer: "I think the princess and the county lord know that your old man is unwell and don't want to work on your relationship?" Besides, there are no elders in the palace, so if you go, who will you call to speak with you? ”

Mrs. Xie didn't say much at this time, muttered a few vague words in a low voice, and then said: "Then you go, remember to be careful of flattery, please the nobles a lot, don't make the nobles unhappy!" When you come home, you have to remember to tell me carefully what the princess and the princess have said to you? ”

Wen smiled dryly and replied, and when he exited the house, he only felt sweat on his forehead.

A quarter of an hour later, Wen took his seven children—Xie Yingrong said that he had embroidery work to do today, and he was not interested in going out of the city to play—and a group of male and female servants, respectively, boarded several of their own large carriages, and under the leadership of Xiao Rui on horseback, they set off in the direction of Jishuitan Wharf.

By the time they arrived at the dock, it was almost noon. There are already a few painting boats docked by the dock, and they are quite spacious. The crowd boarded one of the largest boats, sailed leisurely from the shore, and out of the city along the waterway, then made a detour to the northwest, and sailed along the canal that had just been dredged last year in the direction of the destination Zizhuyuan.

Xie Mulin sat in the cabin, enjoying the scenery of willows and pedestrians on the water's edge outside the window, and felt that the spring breeze blowing in his face was still a little chilly.

Xiao Rui walked over from the table, handed her a cup of warm tea so that she could warm her hands, and sat down next to her by the way, enjoying the spring scenery outside the window with her.

Everyone else sat around the window on the other side, pointing to the vendors on the shore and talking with the teahouses and restaurants in the distance. Xie Huizhi took the opportunity to show his brothers and sisters at home a few well-known time-honored brands and their productions near the genealogy. They were very eye-catching, and they didn't come to Xie Mulin and Xiao Rui's side, obviously creating a semi-private space for them, so that they could have a few private words.

Xie Mulin turned his head to look at his brothers and sisters, pursed his lips and smiled slightly.

Xiao Rui cleared his throat and lowered his voice, telling her about Princess Yan's temporary decision to go to Zizhu Courtyard to offer incense, and why she had invited the Xie family without saying hello in advance.

Xie Mulin didn't care either, and said with a smile: "It's nothing, although it's a little sudden, but the people in our family are quite surprised." It is much more comfortable to take the water route to enjoy the spring than to take the carriage by land. I felt a little like I was back in Gangnam. The weather is fine again today. However, why did Princess Yan suddenly remember to go to this Zizhu Courtyard? I hadn't heard much of this temple before. ”

Xiao Rui said: "This temple is not big, it was originally a royal temple planned by Emperor Taizong when he planned the layout of Beiping City, and it seems that it was intended to be used as a place to take a break when he went out of the city in summer. But when Emperor Taizong died, even the Forbidden City had not been officially completed, let alone such a small line? Therefore, it has been dragged out and not built, but the drawings and everything are readily available, not only the site of the garden has been determined early, but even where to plant flowers and trees in the garden, Emperor Taizong has arranged, and the construction can be started directly. Wait until the Chengde years......"