On the day of Laba, the second and third rooms of the Xie family jointly gave porridge, and the eight-treasure porridge boiled was a northern practice, and many dried fruits were put in, but it was not very sweet. Song ate very well, Xie Mulin also thought it was very good, Xie Jinzhi did not express an opinion, but the others unanimously felt that it would be nice if the taste could be sweeter.

People in the Jiangnan area have a sweeter taste.

Mrs. Xie is old, and she already likes soft and sweet food, and she is not used to eating Laba porridge cooked by the new recipe. Even if Wen didn't dare to tell her that it was boiled according to the recipe given by the Song family, she kept counting it one after another, and said to Wen: "In previous years, when you sent Laba porridge to me, I gave it all to the girl's mother-in-law to eat." Ah Pu also complained to me about this, saying that I was partial to the Cao family's cheap maid and didn't take you seriously. But now that I think about it, it's right that I don't eat it. What kind of porridge are you boiling? This was not your taste before! ”

Wen could only laugh dryly, and ordered someone to cook a small pot of Laba porridge with extra brown sugar, which was specially used for Mrs. Xie alone, so that she could be regarded as appeasing people.

After Xie Mulin found out, he went to persuade the old lady Xie: "How long has your old man's illness been cured?" It's the same old mistake again. I advise you to eat less things that are heavy in oil, salt, and sugar, and you have left them behind. Why did my mother specially boil this kind of laba porridge with more dried fruits and less brown sugar? Not for the sake of your old man's body? Eat more dried fruits, which is good for your body, eat less sugar, and you will not be afraid of old and sick again. You see, my mother is so thoughtful! Why don't you appreciate it? ”

Mrs. Xie was skeptical: "Really? Then why did she boil a pot that was sweet enough? ”

Xie Mulin snorted: "You are all angry, my mother has never had much courage in front of you, so she can only be obedient." Since the porridge has been boiled, you can eat it so as not to waste it. But next time I make some porridge and soup, it's better to eat less sugar. You are not young, pay attention to maintenance! ”

Mrs. Xie hesitated for a moment, looked at the sweet porridge that had already eaten half of it in her hand, thought about it, and still gave the pearl, but asked Mrs. He to scoop another half bowl of not so sweet, and reluctantly ate it.

Wen was dumbfounded.

When she returned to the main courtyard, she asked her daughter with some concern: "Don't you fool the old lady like this?" As long as she asks someone in the kitchen, she will naturally know that the porridge recipe was given by your grandmother, and she will definitely be even more angry when the time comes! If you don't lie to her, she will just scold me a few words at most. But now that you have deceived her, I am afraid that her anger will come at you! ”

Xie Mulin smiled and said, "It's okay, isn't it just a few scoldings?" I will remember to remind her that the old man Du said that even if she is cured, she must keep her calm as much as possible and not get angry at every turn. When the time comes, it will be seen if the old lady will really risk her life for a pot of laba porridge to teach me a lesson. Her old man has suffered a loss, and she is afraid of death. ”

Wen glared at her: "You are the only one who is so bold, always teasing the old lady, making her angry for three days, and not afraid of really making her popular!" ”

Xie Mulin said with a smile: "Don't worry, mother, I know how to measure, and I won't really make people feel bad." Now I'm just taking some trivial things to slap the old lady, for the sake of the grievances that our mother and son have suffered in the past ten years, a small revenge, it doesn't hurt. My father is far away in Beiping, and he has to be busy with so many official tasks every day, so where is he still free to worry about this little trouble with me. ”

Wen Shi said angrily: "You just mess around!" I mean, I can't help you, when I go to Peking next year, I'll let the master discipline you. I don't believe it, when you get in front of the master, you can still talk nonsense? ”

It was as if she hadn't talked nonsense in front of Xie Pu.

Xie Mulin smiled and didn't take it to heart.

When he went to the second room to ask for peace, Wen told Song a little about his daughter, and asked Song to help discipline Xie Mulin: "I don't know what's wrong with this child, there are a lot of things at home this year, I didn't take care of her, and I made her become so messy, as if she had changed into a different person." The old man is far away, I have to be busy with housework, and the old lady is not in good health, and the whole family can't find anyone to teach her, so I'm afraid that I will have to ask your old man to bother. ”

Song glanced at Xie Mulin lightly: "I see that this kid is not bad, he is clever and studious, he is not only respectful to us elders on weekdays, but also often shares your worries and does a lot of practical things. Although coaxing the elders is not what the younger generations should do, she is also afraid that the third brother and sister will be angry. Don't be too demanding. ”

Wen was dumbfounded, knowing that the Song family liked his granddaughter, and he was interested in favoring Xie Mulin, what could she say? could only say helplessly: "She's just in the clan, the elders all love her, and they won't care about her." But next year, she will go to Peking with me, and then she will not face a well-talkative clansman. When outsiders see her behaving like this, how can they not be picky? I'm afraid that when the time comes, she will gossip, which will not only affect the reputation of the Xie family, but also hinder her own future. ”

Song smiled slightly: "It's okay." It's okay in winter, let the children come to me more often. I told her some about the customs of Beiping, and taught her some sophistication by the way. When she arrives in Beiping, she won't make a fool of herself. ”

When Wen heard this, he could only thank Song as a big gift. Xie Mulin also hurriedly kowtowed, thanking the Song family for his discipline, but he was a little apprehensive in his heart, not knowing how the Song family would teach him. But the leisurely winter vacation seems to be destined to leave her.

Xie Meijun's family came to eat laba porridge, originally sitting on the side of the west ear room, Xie Meijun heard the words, came over and said with a smile: "Mother is willing to help teach the real girl, that is the blessing of the real girl." Good boy, rest assured, my mother's class was extremely interesting. As long as you study hard and don't be lazy, you will feel eye-opening after a winter. If you can study for two more years, it will be even more reborn. ”

Wen smiled: "She will go to Beiping with me next year, otherwise I really wish that my mother-in-law could teach my real sister a few more years." The real sister has been dull since she was a child, and if she can learn one-tenth of her mother-in-law's knowledge and insight, it will be a great creation. ”

Xie Meijun said: "You don't have to be too humble, I think Sister Zhen is very smart." ”

Yang Yiquan walked behind his wife at some point, and suddenly interjected: "Sister Su Min is going to Peking next year?" Why haven't I heard you mention it before? ”

Wen Shi hurriedly explained: "The old man is alone in Beiping, and there is no one to take care of the feed, so he can only rely on the housekeeper to take charge of housekeeping, there are many inconveniences, and he is too lonely. He had written to persuade me to go north, because I thought that my family had just returned to Huyin, and there were still many things to do...... Therefore, the matter of going north was postponed until next year. When I wrote last time, I had already agreed with my lord that when the weather warmed up after the beginning of spring and the canal was navigable, I would take my true sister north. It's just that the obvious and cautious ones have to take the exam, but I'm afraid that they won't be able to go together. They had to take care of them, the old lady, and the children. ”

Yang Yiquan frowned and said, "If it's just troubles and no one takes care of it, it's enough to have a manager." No matter how bad it is, you still have two aunts in your family. Didn't Yuhe take his aunt to work in previous years? Su Min's sister has been idle for many years, where can she cope with the contacts in the officialdom? In addition, Cao's reputation is too loud, I'm afraid that as soon as you go to Beiping, you will be targeted by others, just waiting to pick out your thorn and gossip. Where is it better to stay in Jiangnan, where you have relatives and friends to rely on, and elders to support, and live a more comfortable life? Don't even suffer from the separation of flesh and blood. Besides, you are not in good health, what should you do if you travel a long distance along the way and get sick from exhaustion? ”

Wen was stunned. Everyone looked at Yang Yiquan in surprise.

Xie Mulin frowned secretly.

()