Miss Xu San looked at Duanmu Fei with a scrutinizing gaze.

Duanmu Fei elegantly brushed the floating leaves on the tea soup with the tea lid, every movement was indescribably beautiful, with a calm and relaxed bearing, as if elegance had been engraved in her bones.

For a moment, Miss Xu San almost thought that this was a noble girl from a family, not a girl raised by a poor family like Duanmu Mansion.

Miss Xu's long and thick eyelashes trembled, and she grabbed a handful of fish food from the box and scattered it to the pond outside the window, and immediately dozens of golden carp were attracted to it......

Miss Xu said softly: "Fourth Miss Duanmu, in fact, in the past few years, my grandfather and grandmother have always been very worried about Cousin Yan, afraid that he would be wronged in the capital alone. There are some things they don't want to ask, so I have the audacity to say a few more words. ”

She looked at Duanmu Fei seriously, her eyes were clear, and the implication was that she knew that she had made a shallow relationship, but it was all because of filial piety.

Duanmu Fei smiled slightly, "Fortunately, it's all over." ”

She also grabbed a handful of fish food and threw it into the pond, and the carp in the pond became even more excited, and they all surrounded the fish food, and some even leaped up from the water......

Seeing that Duanmu Fei didn't answer her words, Miss Xu San stopped talking about this topic.

She raised her hand and made a gesture, and the big maid handed over a moon-white handkerchief.

Miss Xu San put this square handkerchief on the small square table between the two, and said: "Fourth girl Duanmu, the bead flowers you gave me last time are exquisite and beautiful, and at first glance they are a tribute from the south of the Yangtze River, but it was given by the concubine?" Compared to the purse I gave to the girl, it was so precious that I really deserved it. ”

"I bought this handkerchief in Sixifang in my hometown, little care."

Miss Xu San also went to the palace to visit her cousin Concubine Zhong, and even Concubine Zhong's gift to her was not as good as the butterfly beads sent by Duanmu Fei that day.

With comparison, Miss Xu San was convinced that this Duanmu Fourth Girl was indeed very favored, not only the things she used were the best, for example, the incense on her body was Jiangnan Pinxiang Ji Li Lanxiang, and even the things she gave away were also the best.

Since Miss Xu San took the veil as a return gift, Duanmu Fei also accepted it, and praised: "The double-sided embroidery of this veil is really exquisite." ”

This square veil is elegant and elegant, with a circle of lake blue moire embroidered on the edge, one corner of which is embroidered with a pink lotus and the other side is a lively magpie, both of which are vivid.

Duanmu Fei played with the square handkerchief, and handed it to the green pothos for her to put away.

"......" Miss Xu San's smile stiffened again, and her veil clenched tighter. Duanmu Fei didn't answer his question about Zhuhua directly.

One omission may be unintentional, two or three times is obviously perfunctory, and the other party is perfunctory.

Miss Xu San's eyes were slightly red, there was grievance and displeasure, and she pursed her lips.

Miss Xu San is just a fifteen-year-old girl, far from the point where she is unhappy or angry, Duanmu Fei naturally sensed the other party's displeasure, but she didn't care whether Miss Xu San was happy or not.

Duanmufei continued to sprinkle fish food into the pond and enjoyed himself. In her opinion, the carp in this pond is much more interesting than some people who have too many eyes.

This pool of carp is well raised, and luck is good, if this is in the Chu family, those carp will fall into the clutches of the white cat Xueyu from time to time.

Miss Xu San lowered her head and took a few sips of tea, and when she put down the teacup, a smile appeared on her face again, and she continued to chat with Duanmu Fei gently and gently:

"The fourth girl of Duanmu likes the carp in this pond?"

"I heard from my grandfather and grandmother that these carp were here more than 20 years ago, and my aunt used to come here to feed the fish."

"Grandmother didn't expect that these carp were still alive, and the people in this house took good care of them."

“……”

Miss Xu San kept talking, Duanmu Fei responded without a word, basically saying words like "oh" and "um", a little absent-minded, her attention was basically on the lotus, dragonfly and carp in the pond, just a cup of tea, but she sketched several embroidery patterns in her heart, thinking that she could draw them after returning home.

Miss Xu San also saw Duanmufei's carelessness, but her face did not change, and she was full of laughter, if she didn't listen to what the two were saying, she just watched from a distance, which made people feel that they were talking happily.

Soon, the fish food box was empty, and the maid of the Xu Mansion originally wanted to go and get another box of fish food, but was stopped by Duanmufei: "No need." The fish are fed too much, and they are too much. ”

"It's still the fourth girl Duanmu who is careful, Cousin Yan is really a blessing." Miss Xu San smiled and praised softly, "I have an old friend in Beijing who also likes this pond carp like the girl, a few days ago, she came to the house to catch up with me, and I also heard her mention the fourth girl of Duanmu and Cousin Yan, she said, Cousin Yan refused the beauty sent by the king of Taijun for the sake of the girl. ”

"I wish to have one heart, and my head will not be separated. It's really enviable! ”

Miss Xu San looked at Duanmu Fei with envy, and her apricot eyes were extraordinarily bright and clear.

"yes." Duanmu Fei smiled slightly, his eyebrows and eyes were crooked, and he smiled very proudly.

Duanmufei's reaction once again exceeded Miss Xu San's expectations, making her stammered again and unable to answer.

Miss Xu's eyes began to redden, and she opened her lips and said, "Duanmu Fourth Girl......"

She still wanted to say something, but Duanmu Fei didn't want to hear it anymore.

It's too tiring to talk to this Xu San girl, the other party says three sentences, and nine out of ten sentences are exploring something, which is annoying to hear.

Duanmu stood up scarletly, and didn't bother to force himself to continue to deal with this overthinking Miss Xu San, and said lightly: "Miss Xu San, I'll go around casually by myself." ”

After speaking, she didn't wait for Miss Xu San's reaction, and left on her own.

Duanmufei's words were equivalent to directly slapping Miss Xu San's face in front of the people of Xu's house, and the maids and women in the flower hall were dumbfounded.

Duanmu Fei left, and the pothos naturally did not stay, and followed his own girl to leave, looking light and accustomed to it, which formed a sharp contrast with the people of the Xu Mansion around him.

Luluo sighed silently in her heart, feeling that her girl had really been spoiled by the old lady, the eldest girl, Lord Cen and the future aunt over the years, and she was very casual in everything she did.

However, the girl didn't need to force herself, anyway, she was spoiled by so many people, so why should she be wronged by herself!

Green Pothos followed behind Duanmu Fei with his head held high, keeping a distance of three or four steps.

"......" Miss Xu San's eyes widened slightly, and she also stood up, her lips opened slightly, wanting to call Duanmu Fei, but she didn't call out after all.

In the small flower hall, there was silence.

When the wind blew, the sycamore leaves outside the window swayed slightly, and the sunlight cast mottled light and shadow on her face through the gaps in the branches and leaves.

The big girl serving on the side lowered her eyes silently, not daring to look directly at Miss Xu San's face.

Duanmu Fei didn't care what Miss Xu San thought, and walked straight out of the small flower hall, taking the pothos to wander around the garden of Xu's mansion casually.

The maids of the Xu Mansion did not dare to walk around the house by the guests, and followed behind not far away.

Duanmu Fei walked along the pond all the way to the east in the garden, admired the flowers, and took a walk.

The flowers and trees in the garden should have been pruned recently, but after all, the garden has been abandoned for more than ten years, the pavilion is slightly old, and the flowers and trees are a little thin, but the layout is elegant.

rockery, rugged; gazebo, high and low; Stone bridge, winding path leading to secluded.

With the water as the mirror, the scene in the water is present, and there is a scene in the scene, which has a bit of the charm of the water town in the south of the Yangtze River.

I don't know who designed the pattern for this garden. Duanmufei walked while drawing the layout of the garden in his heart, full of interest.

Why don't you just ask if there are any other gardens in this house? Duanmu Fei was hesitating, and an old woman in a rust-colored gown walked towards her, and said with a smile: "Fourth girl Duanmu, Her Royal Highness the eldest princess, please come over." ”

While speaking, the old lady looked around quietly, seemed a little surprised, and glanced at a little girl in Tsing Yi.

"Tired mama leads the way." Duanmu sneered.

Under the guidance of the old lady, Duanmu Fei returned to the main hall from the garden.

Duanmufei returned to the main hall alone, and there were only Xu Mingzhen and Anping in the hall, and it was obvious that Xu Dagongzi should have been sent away by the second elder with an excuse at will.

Duanmu Fei was not surprised, she had already guessed that the second elder should have something to say to Anping, so she sent herself and Miss Xu San.

Xu Mingzhen and his wife saw that Miss Xu San did not come back with her, and they were a little surprised and surprised.

The two elders exchanged glances with each other.

Mrs. Xu was about to ask, but An Ping had already beckoned Duanmu Fei to sit down beside her.

At this time, Miss Xu San also came back with a little maid in Tsing Yi, and with her was the eldest son of Xu.

"Sister Yu," Mrs. Xu asked suspiciously, "why didn't you go shopping with Sister Scarlet properly?" ”

Miss Xu San glanced at Duanmu Fei, her eyes were shining with water, and she said in a low voice: "Grandmother, it's because I can't speak, so I ...... will ......"

She bit her lower lip slightly, looking like she wanted to speak and stopped, and then glanced at Duanmu Fei aggrievedly, like a frightened white rabbit, which made people think about it.

An Ping hooked his red lips. What kind of person Duanmu Fei is, Anping couldn't be clearer, besides, Anping, as a princess, has never seen any intrigue in the harem, so she can naturally understand what tricks this Xu San girl is playing.

The little girl's family has a lot of eyes.

An Ping was noncommittal, casually picked up the pastel teacup on the side, and drank the tea elegantly.

Mrs. Xu couldn't understand it, and shook her head secretly in her heart.

If there was no conversation between Fang Cai and An Ping, Mrs. Xu would probably be a little suspicious of Duanmufei, but now the second elder already knows how this grandson's daughter-in-law came from, and also knows the relationship between this girl and her grandson Muyan, and there is no doubt about her character.

Anping raised Mu Yan so big and taught him so well, Mu Yan can now build this immortal feat that is enough to last for a hundred generations, and his vision will not be wrong.

The back waves of the Yangtze River push the front waves!

Thinking of Fang Cai's conversation, Mrs. Xu's heart was as soft as water.

As for Sister Yu'er......

Mrs. Xu looked at Miss Xu San's eyes a little tangled, her granddaughter's temperament was like her mother, she was always thoughtful, and she acted a little childishly.

After the daughter-in-law passed away due to the epidemic, the daughter-in-law's mother-in-law came and proposed to take her third granddaughter over to live for a few days, which meant that she would be taken over to raise her.

In fact, they refused, their granddaughter's surname was Xu, how could there be a reason to send it to her grandfather's house to raise, but the situation of the Xu family was very bad at that time, and the other party was in full swing, and the granddaughter was still young, and they were clamoring to go to their grandfather's house, saying that they couldn't stand the hardships of their hometown, and that they missed their grandfather and grandmother.

The second elder of the Xu family had no choice but to take the third granddaughter away by the other party, this time it was more than eight years, and it was not until three years ago that the granddaughter returned to the Xu family.

At that time, Mrs. Xu noticed that the third granddaughter was raised by her grandfather's family a little crooked, on the surface, her rules and etiquette, as well as piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, etc., are in place, anyone has to praise her grandfather's family for raising her very carefully and conscientiously, the problem is that everything she learns and does is superficial, and she likes to twist and turn when she speaks and acts.

Originally, when she was in her hometown, the third granddaughter did not have many opportunities to socialize with others, and it was okay, but since she arrived in the capital, Mrs. Xu has seen it these days and feels that this granddaughter is not open-minded enough and is not suitable for marrying into a wealthy family.

Fortunately, I didn't plan to use this girl to marry.

Mrs. Xu sighed secretly in her heart.

"......" Miss Xu San stared at the tip of her shoes, she originally expected her grandmother to make decisions for her, but she didn't expect her grandmother to answer at all.

The silence in the hall spread, and this silence made the time seem to be stretched out, and it also made her a little uneasy.

Miss Xu San blinked, her eyes filled with tears, and she was pitiful.

Mrs. Xu frowned, there are guests today, and it is not suitable for teaching her granddaughter.

She was about to send her grandchildren away, when there was movement outside the hall, and seven or eight feet away, a man of medium stature and a straight azure coat hurriedly walked towards this direction.

Xu Dagongzi hurriedly got up and saluted: "Second uncle." ”

The person who came was Xu Shicheng, the second master of the Xu family.

Xu Shicheng was also born as a Jinshi back then, and after returning to Beijing this time, he was arranged to be in the Ministry of Rites, and he just went to the Ministry of Rites to report this morning.

Seeing that the second son suddenly came back in a hurry at this time, Xu Mingzhen and Mrs. Xu both chuckled in their hearts, and vaguely felt that something was wrong.

Xu Shicheng soon came to the main hall, he was about in his early thirties, his appearance was elegant, between his eyebrows and eyes he looked a little like Mrs. Xu, his posture was straight, and his description revealed a calm temperament.

It's just that at this moment, because he was just walking fast, his breath was a little disordered, and a thin layer of sweat oozed from his forehead.

Xu Shicheng first saluted Anping and Xu Mingzhen, and then his eyes fell on Duanmu Fei's body accurately, as if he was relieved, and then comforted: "You are the fourth girl of Duanmu, right?" Don't panic. ”

His opening remarks made everyone in the hall confused, especially Duanmufei.

"......" Duanmu Fei looked at the other party's elegant face, blinked suspiciously, and his little face was a little confused.

An Ping glanced at Xu Shicheng casually, she was more concerned about Duanmufei, and felt that the little girl's confused appearance was really cute.

Duanmu Fei suppressed the doubts in his heart, immediately stood up, obediently saluted the other party, and called with Mu Yan without recognition: "Second uncle." ”

This is the first time she has seen Xu Shicheng.

In the puzzled eyes of everyone, Xu Shicheng said apologetically: "Originally, I should have given you a backup meeting gift for the first meeting, but today I was in a hurry, and I will make up for it another day." ”

Xu Mingzhen couldn't help but ask, "Second brother, what's going on?" ”

"Just now, Her Royal Highness the Fifth Princess hanged herself in the North Three Institutes." Xu Shicheng immediately got to the point.

Xu Shicheng served in the Ministry of Rites, and compared with the other five ministries, the Ministry of Rites has always been much more well-informed about the news of the imperial family, and the Ministry of Rites is in charge of the clan roster of the emperor's nine clans, compiling jade on time, and recording related matters such as descendants, names, birth and death times, and so on.

Therefore, the Ministry of Rites and the people in the inner court also got close, and the news of the five princesses hanging themselves almost immediately reached the Ministry of Rites.

There was silence in the hall.

Everyone had different expressions, most of them were shocked, and even Miss Xu San, who was standing aside with lowered eyes, raised her head and opened her eyes slightly.

Xu Dagongzi looked between Xu Shicheng and Duanmufei with a strange expression, wondering what the fifth princess had to do with Duanmufei.

In contrast, Xu Mingzhen and his wife know a little more, and they once specially inquired about Duanmufei in Beijing.

The previous excerpt of the imperial history's impeachment of Duanmuxian also caused some ripples in Beijing, ordinary people may not know, but most of the prefectures in Beijing have heard that the fifth princess was sent to the North Third Institute by Duanmufei, and Xu Mingzhen and his wife have also heard about it.

Now that the fifth princess hanged herself in the North Third Institute, it is inevitable that she will also have something to do with Duanmu.

The two elders both frowned, and their eyes were dark.

"......" Duanmu blinked his big black and white eyes, still a little confused.

Before Duanmu Fei could say anything, Anping took the lead and asked Xu Shicheng, "Is the person dead?" ”

An Ping's expression was faint, and after a short period of surprise, there was no trace of emotion on his face, as if whether the fifth princess was alive or dead, to her, it was insignificant at all.

Xu Shicheng wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and shook his head, "I'm not dead." Fortunately, he was saved in time by the palace maid who was waiting beside him. ”

Xu Shicheng sighed secretly in his heart, worried.

He also knew that it was Duanmu Fei who sent the fifth princess to the North Third Institute, and now that the fifth princess hanged herself, the matter will be a big trouble, and I am afraid that the Zongren Mansion will not continue to pretend to be deaf and dumb. Even if Duanmu Scarlet has a backer, this matter is difficult to be good, maybe someone from the Zongren Mansion will come to call Duanmu Scarlet in a while.

Fortunately, the fifth princess did not die, otherwise speaking out would be tantamount to Duanmufei forcing the fifth princess to death.

The more Xu Shicheng thought about it, the more worried he became, so he found an excuse to ask for leave, and hurried back home to inform him, so that Duanmufei could be mentally prepared and arrange countermeasures as soon as possible.

Duanmu stood aside obediently and skillfully, like a little milk cat that could be rubbed by others, simple and harmless.

Xu Shicheng looked at the little girl a few steps away, and couldn't help but think of the rumors he had heard in the Ministry of Rites, and he still couldn't match the arrogant and domineering "little demon king of the mixed world" with this innocent and harmless little girl.

Is this little girl really so delicate and unreasonable?!

The thought was just a flash, and Xu Shicheng didn't get too entangled, after all, the matter had come to this, and it was useless to think about it now.

It is imperative that we find a solution to this matter.

Xu Shicheng settled down and said to Xu Mingzhen: "Ah Yan is not in the capital now, father, why don't you come forward in this matter?" Do you still have to send someone to talk to Duanmu Shousuke? ”

With the status of Duanmu Shoufu, those princes who want to come to the Zongren Mansion will also give some face. Moreover, the five princesses didn't have an accident after all, so it shouldn't be difficult for them to keep Duanmufei.

Xu Mingzhen stroked his beard thoughtfully, and looked at An Ping with an inquiring gaze, "Your Highness, what do you think?" ”

Anping is still light and light, which is in stark contrast to Xu Shicheng's worries.

An Ping elegantly stroked his sleeves and said lightly: "I can't die if I hang myself, it seems that the white silk in the palace is too unstrong." ”

“……”

“……”

“……”

When the Xu family heard this, their expressions became a little subtle, especially the second elder of the Xu family, who had a little bit of the meaning in Anping's words.

Miss Xu San frowned, looking at An Ping with complicated eyes.

An Ping smiled, his bright face became more and more dazzling, especially the phoenix eyes similar to Mu Yan were as bright as fire.

She smiled and said: "Xu Shicheng, the palace vaguely remembers that the Ministry of Rites wants to record the birth and death time, name, and burial matters of the children of the clan in the jade, but how many times did the princess hang herself in her life?" ”

"......" Xu Shicheng was stunned, then shook his head, "I don't need to." He was actually confused in his heart, and he always felt that An Ping's words had deep meanings, and he was confused.

Hearing this, Xu Dagongzi at least understood that there was a great relationship between the fifth princess and Duanmufei.

When Xu Mingzhen and his wife first heard the news of the fifth princess's hanging, they were also a little worried, and at this moment, they saw that An Ping and Duanmu Fei were both calm and relaxed, and their minds were slightly settled, and they were more suspicious than worried at the moment.

Anping seemed to know what the second elder was thinking, and the corners of his lips were raised higher.

"Sister Scarlet." She beckoned to Duanmufei.

Duanmu was summoned immediately, and immediately took two steps closer to Anping, and stood next to the Taishi chair where Anping was sitting.

An Ping straightened the ring on Duanmu's waist, and said in an intimate tone: "This little girl's 'backer' is hard!" ”

An Ping looked at the Xu family calmly, revealing a bit of pride, "Don't say that Chaolu is not dead, even if she is really dead, who can take Sister Scarlet!" Who dares to take Sister Scarlet! ”

An Ping's eyes were so bright that it was almost impossible to look at them directly.

Xu Mingzhen and Mrs. Xu also have a little understanding of Anping's temperament.

Since Jinshang ascended the throne, Anping has been reining in his edge for Mu Yan for the past nineteen years, but the real Anping is like this, wanton and radiant, even when Jinshang did not ascend the throne, he was afraid of him, the imperial sister.

Duanmu Fei just pursed his lips and smiled, so well-behaved.

At this time, her silence was undoubtedly tantamount to acquiescing in An Ping's words.

"......" Xu Shicheng stopped talking, still a little hesitant in his heart.

Xu Mingzhen and Mrs. Xu glanced at each other again.

Of course, they knew that the "backer" of Duanmu Fei in Anping's mouth was referring to the prestigious Lord Cen Duan.

In fact, just now Mrs. Xu wanted to ask Anping about Cen Yin, and it was said in the capital that Duanmu Fei recognized Cen Yin as his righteous brother, and he had been powerful in the capital all these years, and Mu Yan relied on Duanmu Fei to form an alliance with Cen Yin to fight against Jinshang.

No matter how you look at the alliance between Mu Yan and Cen Yin, Cen Yin is strong and Mu Yan is weak, and the two elders are somewhat worried that Cen Yin will use Mu Yan as a puppet to control the government.

Mrs. Xu also asked tentatively, but An Ping avoided answering.

An Ping naturally didn't miss the complicated expressions of the second elder, and he also knew what they were thinking and what they wanted to ask, but it was really difficult to answer Cen Yin's question.

Cen Yin didn't want more people to know that he was the Xue family, he would rather let the world think that the Xue family had long since perished, and no one was alive.

The pain and entanglement in Cen Yin's heart, knowing that he is like An Ping and Mu Yan can naturally understand, who can bear to go against Cen Yin's intentions.

An Ping sighed silently in his heart, picked up the teacup again, and covered up the strangeness on his face by drinking tea.

Cen Yin's life experience can explain all the doubts of the second elder of the Xu family, but she can't say that apart from this, no matter how she guarantees that there is no problem between Cen Yin and Mu Yan, others will not fully believe it, there will always be a little doubt in her heart, and this kind of doubt only needs to add a little fuel and firewood, and it can be raging like wildfire.

Since it was said in vain, Anping simply didn't answer.

Anyway, the years will answer their questions after all.

Good morning.

(End of chapter)