Xie Jiajiao was lively and celebrating, but Xie Jiawan was quite deserted.

Although there are a few tenants near the old house, there is a whole village in the back mountain, which is also going to be lively and lively. But how can this compare to the densely populated area of Xie Jia Kok?

The people in the old house were also busy early, and the kitchen had not been resting all day, people came and went, and they were in full swing, regardless of men, women, and children, all with smiles on their faces. However, the backyard is still quiet, except for the pearl, Mrs. He and the rough servant who were already waiting in the backyard, only the Lu Yao family will come in, and other than that, no one dares to step into the courtyard door easily.

Mrs. Xie was in a bad mood, and the people waiting in the courtyard didn't dare to laugh and laugh, and they spoke to her softly. Originally, Xie Mulin had already instructed the people to worship their ancestors, but Mrs. Xie didn't plan to carry out this ceremony, who would dare to burn incense and pray with great fanfare? Everyone had to go to the river near the old house to burn incense and make offerings to their ancestors under the command of Ma Lu Yao, and no one dared to burn half a piece of paper when they entered the gate of the old house, for fear of being smelled by Mrs. Xie in the backyard.

As night fell, the outer courtyard of the old house was already lit with one or two red lanterns, and two long tables were set up, which were made of various old and new tabletops or planks. Tonight, the people of the old mansion are going to have dinner here, except for those who are still on duty, everyone can open their bellies to eat, and drink some wine by the way. This is the main mother Wen and the second girl of the old house, Xie Mulin, have spoken, and they are gracious, and Mrs. Xie didn't say no, everyone is waiting to enjoy this meal.

Although they didn't dare to make a loud noise, for fear that they would disturb the back building, who didn't have a smile on their faces among the male and female servants? Although there is no way to sit with Xie Jiajiao or relatives in the county town for a reunion banquet, everyone has had family leave before the holiday, and there is no big regret.

When the hour came, a group of male servants hugged the steward Ma Lu Yao, carried a small string of firecrackers, went out of the gate, and came to the open space by the river to light it. This is a local custom in Huyin, everyone has not experienced it for many years, and now I only feel friendly and interesting, as if I remember the days of my youth.

A few young servants and children gathered around not far away to cover their ears and watch the firecrackers, so happy that they couldn't help laughing, only complaining that the firecrackers were too short, why didn't they buy longer ones?

Ma Lu Yao lowered his voice and counted the children, telling them to be quieter, and smiled bitterly at the people around him. Just order a firecracker, just have that meaning, who would dare to really buy a large string of firecrackers to set off? Who knows if the ancestor in the back building will suddenly go berserk? When the time comes, don't think about eating at ease for tonight's big meal. For everyone's benefit, don't complain, right?

The adult male and female servants all expressed their understanding and understanding, and actively asked Ma Lu Yao if he wanted to try the dishes he made at home? Some people also say that they got a good wine from a certain winery, and they haven't drunk it for many years, so let's try it together tonight?

The front yard was a lively scene, and the old lady Xie in the back building listened to the sound of firecrackers from the mountain behind the front house, but her mood became more and more depressed.

Pearl and Mrs. He kept putting fresh and hot delicacies on the big round table in the room, and also put a small pot of osmanthus wine that Xie Mulin had brought before. Mrs. He opened all the windows again, so that the people sitting at the round table could see the moon in the sky as soon as they looked up. When everything was ready, the two of them came over and asked Mrs. Xie to move to the table.

But Mrs. Xie didn't want to move: "What's the point?" I was the only one who ate and admired the moon, and I had no appetite at all. ”

Pearl and Mrs. He glanced at each other, and said in their hearts that everyone came to invite the old lady back to Xie Jiajiao for the holiday, but the old lady just refused to agree.

However, the two of them were also accustomed to Mrs. Xie's hypocrisy, and Pearl stepped forward and persuaded softly: "Old lady, how can you do it without eating?" Tonight, the kitchen also made a few dishes that the old lady likes to eat, and the osmanthus wine is also the old lady's favorite one, how many can you taste? It's a festival after all. ”

Mrs. He also comforted her and said, "Yes, if the old lady thinks it's boring to eat alone, how about I and Pearl also accompany the old lady to drink two cups?" ”

Old Mrs. Xie was still sighing: "How is this the same? I am a person with children and grandchildren, and my son is an official thousands of miles away, so it doesn't matter if he can't accompany me. There are so many children and grandchildren, but none of them can accompany me for the holidays, and I feel pitiful when I think about it...... I'm so old, how many years have I had a good life? But this year it's so deserted, and there's no one around ......"

Mrs. He and Pearl stood silently on the side, expressionless. In fact, they are also human beings, and they are really not ghosts.

Mrs. Xie was still sighing, Mrs. He and Pearl stood quietly and listened, the former heard the faint laughter from the front yard, and it was clear that the table had already started, but she didn't seem to have any hope of getting together, and she was very sorry.

However, the sound in the front yard seemed to be getting louder and louder, as if it was going to reach the backyard directly. Mrs. He was surprised when she heard this, and was about to raise her feet to go out to see what was going on, but Old Lady Xie had already lowered her face: "What's going on ahead?" The grace of the lord's family, it is enough to be merciful and compassionate to the people who are allowed to eat and drink, and those people still don't know the proportions and are noisy, is it possible to rebel?! ”

He Pozi hurriedly said: "The old slave will go out and scold them." The old lady sat down. Then he lifted the curtain and walked out, and after a while he ran back with surprise on his face, and shouted, "Old lady! ”

The old lady was startled, and opened her mouth to scold: "What are you yelling about?!" How old are you? Why are you still as unstable as those little ones?! ”

Mrs. He didn't care about talking to Mrs. Xie at all, and bowed to her with a smile on her face: "Old lady! It's the wife who brought the young master and the girls over! They're here to spend the holidays with you! ”

"What did you say?" Old Lady Xie's eyes widened, and she couldn't believe it. She stood up on the ground and ran directly to the door, Mrs. He opened the curtain widely, and she saw Wen taking Xie Xianzhi, Xie Jinzhi, Xie Mulin and a group of other children into the backyard door with a smile. They were followed by many people, clearly bringing all the children over.

Mrs. Xie couldn't help but be stunned.

Wen smiled and walked to the bottom of the steps and saluted Mrs. Xie: "How is the old lady?" My daughter-in-law came with a few children to greet you. On the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion night tonight, the lord is not at home, so let the daughter-in-law and children come to accompany you for the holiday? ”

How is it bad? Old Mrs. Xie opened her mouth, but found that her throat was choked, her nose was sour, her eyes were blurred, and she couldn't say anything.

Or Pearl asked the doubts in her heart for her: "How did the wife, the young master, and the girls come?" I hadn't heard of it before. The kitchen didn't have any food for the wife, the young master, and the girls! ”

"It's okay, we brought food and drinks, just ask the kitchen to heat up." Xie Mulin looked at Mrs. Xie and smiled with crooked eyes, "It was ordered by the elders of the sect and the second grandmother, saying that the Mid-Autumn Festival is not as good as other days, the old lady is old and loves to play petty, but we can't forget the etiquette because of this, so we asked us to come over to accompany the old lady for the festival." We're all going to sleep here tonight. Is the old lady happy? ”

The old lady was not at all happy.

As soon as she heard that it was ordered by the Song family of the sect and the second room, the idea in Mrs. Xie's heart immediately flew away, only to feel as if she had eaten a fly, and she felt uncomfortable all over.