Duanmu Jun heard the meaning of Duanmu Xian's words and asked, "Grandfather, ...... the Xu family's room"

"After Changfang Xu Shizhang and his wife moved back to their hometown that year, they heard that they were infected with the epidemic and died young." Duanmuxian was a little embarrassed when he said it.

The Xu family is also considered to be unlucky, first Queen Xu died, and then Xu Jingsi and Qin Puguo exchanged the whole family for retreat, and then Xu Shizhang died early, the most painful thing in the world is that the white-haired person sends the black-haired person, the Xu family has experienced so many changes, and it is no wonder that Xu Mingzhen looks several years older than his age.

Duanmu Xian then added: "The pair of orphans left behind by the Xu family's house should be sixteen or seventeen years old, and this trip was specially brought to the capital thousands of miles away, I don't know if it was to say that it was to say that ...... relatives."

Originally, Duanmuxian didn't like to meddle in things, and he didn't bother to care about other people's affairs, but it was because of the relationship between the Xu family and Mu Yan that he made a special inquiry.

He also knew that many courtiers in Beijing secretly inquired and paid attention to the Xu family, after all, the arrival of the Xu family was afraid that it would set off a lot of waves in the court.

Duanmu Fei nodded obediently and frequently on the side.

Looking at the little granddaughter who was as soft as glutinous rice dumplings, Duanmuxian was always a little uneasy, always afraid that she would be bullied outside, and admonished: "Four girls, you just treat the Xu family as ordinary relatives, just don't lose your manners." ”

Duanmufei's response was to nod like pounding garlic, and he was very well-behaved.

So, the next day, Duanmufei personally posted to the Xu family, and on the morning of the third day of the seventh month, he went to the house where the Xu family temporarily lived in Beijing.

Because he knew that Duanmu Fei was going to visit the Xu family, Mu Yan came to Duanmu Mansion early in the morning to pick her up and go with her.

The Xu family has a house in Beijing, which is in Liuye Lane in the west of the city.

It's just that this house has not been lived in for many years, and before they returned to Beijing, Mu Yan sent someone to clean it up a little.

The house has been deserted for so long, and I am afraid that there are many places that still need to be repaired, but the Xu family has just arrived, and it is too late to buy a new house, so they live in this old house now.

The Xu family knew that Duanmu Fei and Mu Yan were coming, so the housekeeper had been waiting at the Yimen for a long time, and the etiquette was thoughtful, "Young Master Yan, Duanmu Fourth Girl." ”

Mu Yan smiled and introduced the dark-skinned housekeeper: "This is my grandmother's grandmother Liu." ”

Mrs. Xu asked her cronies to come to greet her in person, which naturally attached great importance to Duanmufei.

Duanmu Fei understood the elders' intentions, smiled at Mama Liu, nodded and greeted: "Mama Liu." ”

"Young Master Yan, Fourth Girl Duanmu, please come inside. The old lady, the lady is looking forward to the two of them. ”

Mama Liu showed them the way in front and led them all the way to the main hall.

Duanmufei walked while looking around without a trace, from the environment to the subordinates serving in the mansion, it can be seen that the Xu family has not brought many subordinates from his hometown, and such a big mansion is afraid that it will not be able to take care of it for a while.

After entering the inner gate, bypassing a high wall, and walking through a spacious courtyard, the main hall appears in front of it.

Mama Liu led the two of them through the main hall to the east room.

Two gray-haired old men and old women were sitting on an Arhat bed, it was Xu Mingzhen and his wife, Mrs. Xu.

Xu Mingzhen was wearing a azure bamboo leaf pattern straight jacket, with an elegant appearance, when he raised his eyebrows, the corners of his eyes and forehead showed deep wrinkles, and he looked several years older than Duanmuxian, but he had a bit of a bright moon and breezy temperament, but his expression was a little serious, and he looked a little unsmiling.

No wonder my grandfather said that Lord Xu was a famous beautiful man when he was young. Duanmu Fei thought to himself, and respectfully saluted the second elder: "Old lady Xu, Mrs. Xu." ”

Xu Mingzhen looked at Duanmu Fei with a scrutinizing gaze, his eyes were deep.

After their family arrived in the capital, Xu Mingzhen deliberately went to find some old friends to inquire about the four girls of the Shoufu family, some of them deliberately hilarious, and they didn't seem to dare to say anything, but some people quietly revealed some to them, saying that the four girls of Duanmu were a little delicate and a little domineering.

Xu Mingzhen asked again, only to learn that Duanmufei's brother-in-law was the Dongchang factory governor, it is said that Cen Yin favored her like a sister, spoiled her lawlessly, and walked almost sideways in the capital, no one dared to provoke her, for example, a while ago she just imprisoned the fifth princess in the North Third Institute, which caused a lot of criticism, and I didn't see her have the slightest reflection.

Xu Mingzhen and Mrs. Xu were also a little worried in their hearts, and they were originally thinking about whether to take the initiative to go to Duanmu's house to see Duanmu's side, but they didn't expect that this little girl from Duanmu's family knew the etiquette and took the initiative to hand over the prayer post.

Mu Yan cleared his throat and said with a smile: "Zhen Zhen, you can call your grandfather and grandmother." ”

"That's right, my family still calls it more intimate." Mrs. Xu laughed loudly.

Mrs. Xu wore a rust-colored dark pattern gown, her gray hair was neatly combed into a round bun, and a bamboo jade hairpin was inserted, her figure was slightly plump, and the corners of her lips were smiling, looking much more friendly than Xu Mingzhen.

She looked at Mu Yan and Duanmu Fei back and forth, and knew in her heart: Today, this little girl was personally accompanied by Ah Yan, and Ah Yan must also attach great importance to this girl.

The more Mrs. Xu looked at it, the more she felt that these two children were very compatible, talented and beautiful.

Duanmu Fei obediently called "grandfather, grandmother" again, sweet and soft.

"Good boy!" Mrs. Xu's eyes narrowed with laughter, "Sister Scarlet, it's not a coincidence." Your second uncle and second aunt have already decided to go to your second aunt's mother's house today, and they are not at home today, so they can only see you next time. ”

Duanmu Fei has always been good at pleasing the elders, and said with a smile: "Grandmother, don't worry, there will be opportunities in the future." ”

Mrs. Xu affectionately took Duanmu Fei's little hand and asked lovingly, "Sister Fei, how old are you this year?" What do you like on weekdays? ”

Duanmu Fei answered all questions: "In more than three months, I will be fifteen years old, and I just play with some flowers and plants on weekdays." ”

Mu Yan, who was standing on the side, smiled brightly, smiling brighter than her, and his phoenix eyes were as bright as stars. yes, he's going to be on the verge of it!

Duanmu Fei was busy replying, but he didn't see it, but Mrs. Xu noticed it, and she was even happier in her heart: she was right, Ah Yan really liked this fiancée very much.

"Good!" Mrs. Xu praised again, pulled out a mutton fat white jade bracelet from her wrist and put it on Duanmu Fei's hand as a meeting gift.

Duanmufei also brought a gift, one was prepared at home, and another was prepared by herself.

"Grandfather, grandmother, I don't know your preferences, so I brought some flower tea and fruit wine made by me, which is not a tribute."

While Duanmu Fei spoke, the green pothos presented Duanmu Feibei's gift.

This girl is very thoughtful. The more Mrs. Xu looks at Duanmu Fei, the more she likes it, this little girl is playful and cute, just like a soft little milk cat, there is no rumored ruin appearance at all, it seems that this rumor is somewhat false.

Mrs. Xu was a little more satisfied with Duanmufei, and quickly exchanged a look with Xu Mingzhen beside her.

Xu Mingzhen could probably see what Mrs. Xu was thinking, and she still had some reservations in her heart: it may not be for no reason to come to the nest out of nowhere, and you have to take a look again.

The two have been married for many years, and Mrs. Xu can also guess what the old man is thinking, and the old man in her family is suspicious.

Mrs. Xu took Duanmu Fei's little hand and continued to greet her: "Sister Fei, I heard that you are proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting at a young age. ”

Duanmu curled his lips and smiled, and heard Xu Mingzhen suddenly speak: "Young people must know how to be modest, and they are proficient in everything, which is not something to be said casually. ”

Xu Mingzhen had a straight face, and he actually had a bit of temptation in his heart, wanting to see Duanmu Fei's heart.

"Humility is good." Duanmu Fei was still smiling, but he didn't say that he was not proficient.

Xu Mingzhen still had a straight face, and he couldn't see his joy or anger.

Mu Yan proudly showed off: "Grandfather, grandmother, Zhen Zhen is proficient in everything. ”

"Don't mention the piano, calligraphy and painting, and in terms of chess, my grandfather may not necessarily win Zhenzhen."

In this huge capital, except for Wen Wuchen, his Zhen Zhen has never met an opponent.

Duanmu just pursed his lips and smiled, smiling very cutely, and he didn't pretend to be modest.

Silence is also tantamount to acquiescence to some extent.

Xu Mingzhen raised his eyebrows, a flash of sharpness flashed in his shrewd eyes, and he was aroused to be competitive.

Mrs. Xu still didn't know about her old man, knowing that he was afraid that he was a chess addict, she deliberately asked, "Old man...... Master, it's still early anyway, why don't you play the next game with Sister Scarlet? ”

Mama Liu immediately gestured to the maid and asked her to get the chessboard.

Xu Mingzhen was also moved by Mrs. Xu's heart when Mrs. Xu said this. The style of watching chess is considerable, and this is not a good way to test this little girl.

Xu Mingzhen stroked his beard and nodded in response.

The elders all responded, and Duanmufei naturally had no opinion.

The maid quickly brought the chessboard and chess box and placed them on the table next to the bed.

Duanmu's eyes lit up, the chessboard was the number one quince chessboard, the chess pieces were the best clouds, the white pieces were as white as jade, the sunspots were jet black and translucent, and the chessboard and chess pieces were well maintained, and it could be seen that their owners were chess lovers.

The two guessed first, Duanmu held the white son, and Xu Mingzhen held the black child.

Mu Yan and Mrs. Xu watched the chess from the sidelines.

The one who holds the sunspot goes first.

Xu Mingzhen's sunspot was the first to land on the chessboard.

Then, Duanmu picked up a white child and fell decisively.

You are a son, I am a son, falling one after another, and the interval is only a flick of a finger.

Both of them are chess masters, and they are decisive, and after a while, the black and white pieces on the chessboard occupy half of the chessboard, and the black and white pieces are evenly matched.

The room was silent, except for the crisp sound of falling children, only the sound of the wind blowing bamboo leaves outside the window, which was clear and quiet and peaceful.

Mrs. Xu was fascinated, although her chess skills were average, but the old man loved chess like her life, she had seen a lot, and she had also developed a little keenness.

This little girl's chess style looks very different from her.

How so?

is like the heroine who fights the sword and fights the rivers and lakes, and there is a feeling that the woman does not let her eyebrows go, which is really different from the soft appearance of this girl.

Mrs. Xu looked at Duanmufei's focused side face, and for some reason, she suddenly had a feeling in her heart that this marriage might be "not the emperor's decision".

Could it be ......

Mrs. Xu raised her eyes to look at Mu Yan and wanted to ask him, so she opened her mouth and closed it again.

I saw Mu Yan staring at Duanmu Fei intently, his eyes were burning, and there was a silly smile on the corner of his mouth, and he could almost see a dog's tail flicking frantically behind him, wanting his master to see him.

Mrs. Xu couldn't help laughing.

No need to ask, the answer is obvious.

As for Duanmufei's character, there is no need to have any doubts.

Those rumors in Beijing must not be able to hide the ears and eyes of his grandson Muyan, since he agrees with Duanmufei's character, then this girl's character is no problem.

Mrs. Xu looked at Mu Yan lovingly. It's not easy for this kid to get to where he is today!

She only hopes that he will be smooth in the future, get what he wants, and his mother will have a spirit in heaven, and it is time to rest in peace......

Thinking of her eldest daughter who died early, Mrs. Xu's eyes were slightly sour, and her chest rose and fell twice.

She didn't want people to see anything unusual, so she quickly put aside her gaze and lowered her eyes slightly, trying to calm her mind.

When Mrs. Xu came back to her senses, she found that the sound of falling children had stopped.

She looked at the chessboard again, stunned.

At some point, the situation on the chessboard changed, and Kuroko fell behind......

This is really rare. Mrs. Xu raised her eyebrows and turned her head to look at Xu Mingzhen.

Xu Mingzhen still has a straight face, at first glance, his expression has not changed, but knowing that he is like Mrs. Xu, he can see that the wrinkles on his old man's forehead are deeper.

Xu Mingzhen's hand picked up a sunspot from the chess box, then put it down again, and picked it up again...... All eyes are on the board, thinking about what to do next.

Mrs. Xu glanced at the chess game on the chessboard again, and knew it in her heart.

The old man is underestimating the enemy, so one wrong step, one wrong step, and now it may not be so easy to turn the tide.

Little by little, time passed.

Duanmu smiled, not in a hurry, drinking tea slowly, the fragrance of Biluochun's tea lingered on the end of her nose, her lips and teeth were fragrant, and she squinted her eyes with satisfaction.

Xu Mingzhen stared at the chessboard intently, always motionless.

Mu Yan didn't talk much on the side, but he had been paying attention to the three of them, and hooked his lips slightly: Of course his Zhen Zhen is loved by everyone!

"The eldest son, the third girl."

Then, the curtain was lifted, and a boy and a girl walked in from outside, one after the other.

The young boy is about sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing a lake blue straight jacket, with a tall figure and a handsome appearance, looking four or five points similar to Xu Mingzhen between his eyebrows and eyes.

The girl who is in the middle of the flower has reached the end of the hair, wearing a lilac embroidered green calyx plum skirt, with beautiful facial features, a green silk hair pulled a morning cloud near the fragrant bun, only two plum hairpins in the sideburns, elegant and moving.

The brother and sister are both elegant and decent, and at first glance they are children raised by scholars.

Soon, the two came close and greeted Xu Mingzhen and Mrs. Xu first: "Grandfather, grandmother." ”

Xu Mingzhen was immersed in the chess game and was unaware of their arrival, the brother and sister had long been accustomed to their grandfather's appearance and didn't care.

Mrs. Xu smiled at the brother and sister, and asked with a smile: "Brother Lun, Sister Yu, Gongzi Liu and Miss Liu are gone?" ”

Xu Dagongzi nodded, "Grandmother, they knew that there were guests at home, so they didn't stay long." I asked the housekeeper to drop off the guests for me. ”

Saying that, Xu Dagongzi looked at Mu Yan and said apologetically: "Cousin Yan, I have a classmate from my hometown who is also in the capital now, and he suddenly came to visit with his sister this morning, so he delayed for a while and was rude." ”

Mu Yan was not a person who was rigid about red tape, so he smiled heartily, waved his hand and said, "Cousin Lun, it's okay." ”

The Xu family has just arrived in the capital, and during this time, there are naturally many relatives and friends who need to receive and visit.

Miss Xu San also gave Mu Yan a salute, and then she looked at Duanmu Fei, who was sitting in front of the chessboard, with a little scrutiny in her gentle eyes.

Duanmu Fei came to be a guest today, naturally he was carefully dressed, wearing a red embroidered begonia flower gown, with a water-red long skirt with a red line, the begonia beads on the lily bun, the begonia earrings on the earlobes, and the Yingluo on the neck are obviously a set of clothes, delicate and unassuming.

She sat there calmly, a few rays of sunlight shining through the bamboo leaves outside the window on her delicate skin, which seemed to be crystal clear.

Miss Xu San took a step closer to Duanmu Fei and blessed gracefully: "Fourth girl Duanmu." ”

The girl's voice was as gentle as water, gurgling and flowing.

Duanmu just pursed his lips and smiled lightly, smiling without saying a word.

"......" Miss Xu San's smile stiffened, and she rubbed the handkerchief in her hand with some embarrassment, and there were hazy ripples in her eyes.

She looked at Mrs. Xu again and said softly, "Grandmother, why does the fourth girl of Duanmu ignore me?" Isn't it my ...... "What's wrong?"

Miss Xu San didn't say any more, she pursed her lips, her expression was a little aggrieved and a little weak.

Mu Yan frowned, his eyes glazed over.

Before he opened his lips, he heard Xu Mingzhen reprimand unhappily: "Sister Yu, didn't you see us playing chess?" Didn't I teach you what chess is? ”

Xu Mingzhen frowned and looked at Miss Xu San, her eyes were stern, and she was not angry.

A game of Go is also called "hand talk", because when playing chess, both sides of the game are silent, relying only on their hands and chess pieces to fight wits and courage on the chessboard.

When playing chess, a chess player distracts himself from talking to other people, which means disrespecting his opponent and disrespecting the way of chess.

Xu Mingzhen has always been strict, but generally for the children and grandchildren of the family, for several girls' families have always been taught by Mrs. Xu and the mothers of the girls, this is the first time that Miss Xu Mingzhen has been reprimanded like this by Xu Mingzhen in front of outsiders.

"......" Miss Xu San's cheeks immediately turned red, her eyes were covered with a layer of water, and tears rolled in them, Chu Chu was pitiful......

Mrs. Xu sighed secretly in her heart, and played a round with a smile: "Brother Lun, Sister Yu, your grandfather and the fourth girl of Duanmu are playing chess, you can go and sit next to you for a while." ”

Xu Dagongzi felt sorry for his sister, and immediately went down the steps for his sister: "Yes, grandmother." ”

He glanced at Miss Xu San, and the brother and sister went to the east wall and sat down on the two sour branch wooden circle chairs.

The maid hurriedly served tea to the two sons and girls.

Xu Mingzhen didn't say anything more, his eyes fell on the dotted chessboard in front of him again.

was interrupted by Xu San's girl, Xu Mingzhen calmed down, knowing that this game of chess was irretrievable because he started lightly.

He picked up two sunspots from the chess box, and it was obvious what this action represented.

Sure enough—

Xu Mingzhen simply put the two sunspots in the lower right corner of the chessboard, representing that he had conceded defeat.

This game ended with Duanmu Scarlet winning.

Duanmu smiled lightly, not arrogant or impatient, and smiled generously: "Accept." ”

Xu Mingzhen stared sharply at the little girl who was only a chessboard away from him, his eyebrows furrowed even tighter, and he said sternly: "You are young, you have a strong chess style, and you are so competitive to win!" ”

Duanmu Fei still had the corners of his lips crooked, and asked seriously: "Grandfather, do you want me to let you?" ”

"......" Xu Mingzhen was choked and was dumbfounded.

Mrs. Xu rarely saw her old man like this, she couldn't hold back for a while, laughed, and teased: "Old lady, you are such an adult, do you want the younger generation to coax you?" ”

The atmosphere in the room was relaxed, and even the faces of Mama Liu and the maids who served next to her were dyed with a little smile.

Xu Mingzhen cleared his throat and said, "Okay, let's go down here today." ”

He still looked old-fashioned and solemn, but there was a smile in his eyes that could not be hidden, and he exchanged a tacit understanding with Mrs. Xu.

After several temptations, the second elder was very satisfied with Duanmufei, the future granddaughter-in-law.

Duanmu skillfully cleaned up the chess pieces on the chessboard and covered the chess box.

For her, this is the end of the game.

After that, Duanmu Fei got up and greeted Xu Dagongzi and Xu Sanyu: "Xu Dagongzi, Xu Sanjiao." ”

The brother and sister also got up and saluted back.

Miss Xu San had returned to normal at the moment, and smiled softly at Duanmu Fei, "Fourth Miss Duanmu, it's my rudeness." ”

"I heard that the fourth girl of Duanmu is a well-known talented girl in Beijing, and she really deserves her reputation when I see it today. The girl's chess skills are really brilliant, and it is the first time I have seen my grandfather lose chess, so the girl must guide me if I have the opportunity. ”

Duanmu Fei smiled slightly and said, "Grandfather just started the game lightly. Duanmu Fei laughed after speaking, and didn't answer the other party's other words.

Miss Xu San actually thought so in her heart, her grandfather was superb in chess, and he rarely met opponents, so how could he lose easily.

Miss Xu San didn't dwell on this topic anymore, raised her hand, took a begonia red purse from the big girl's hand, and said: "Duanmu Fourth Girl, this is my hand-embroidered purse, a little heart, let the girl smile." ”

Duanmu Fei returned the gift with a butterfly bead flower.

This pearl flower is a tribute to the south of the Yangtze River this year, at the end of last month, Cen Yin asked people to send it to Duanmu Mansion for the sisters to pick first, Duanmu Fei picked a few, thinking that he wanted to see the Xu family girl today, so he brought some over.

The beaded flowers that can be used as a tribute are of course the best of the best.

The butterfly wings on the butterfly bead flower are very exquisite, as thin as cicada wings, gold and emerald, and also embedded with seven-colored gemstones, Ambilight, holding the bead flower of the plain hand moved, the light butterfly wings will be trembling and fluttering, as if in the heart of the heart, people can't take their eyes off.

Miss Xu San looked at this butterfly bead flower, and couldn't hide her amazement.

This beaded flower is quite chic, it can be said that it is more delicate and gorgeous than all her jewelry, but Duanmufei can take it out casually and give it away......

Miss Xu San handed over the bead flower to the big girl to put it away, and thanked her: "Thank you Duanmu Fourth Girl, this bead flower is really exquisite." ”

She thought about it and asked with a smile, "Didn't your cousin send it?" ”

"......" Duanmu Fei looked inexplicable.

Mrs. Xu frowned. Mu Yan is Duanmufei's fiancé, what Mu Yan sent, but it is impossible for a girl who understands the rules to transfer it to others, how can Duanmufei do this! The granddaughter's words are inevitably too inappropriate.

But this is not a good time to train her granddaughter, Mrs. Xu directly changed the topic: "Sister Fei, how well did you play chess?" Who did you learn from? ”

Mu Yan was not worried, but he still gave Mrs. Xu some face, did not speak, and picked up the tea cup.

Miss Xu San bit her lower lip, and her eyes were watery again.

Seeing this, Xu Dagongzi sighed in his heart: Their Xu family has lived in their hometown for many years, and they are cautious and low-key, and their sister has not had much opportunity to interact with everyone over the years, and it is inevitable that she will lack a little calmness in her words and actions.

Duanmu smiled and said to Mrs. Xu: "It's my grandfather's enlightenment." ”

What she said was not a lie, but the grandfather in her mouth was referring to Old Lady Chu, not Duanmuxian.

Probably only Mu Yan understood here, and the corners of his lips curled.

Mrs. Xu said with a smile: "I have heard that Duanmu Shoufu is proficient in arithmetic, and it turns out that he is still a chess master. ”

Mu Yan directly dismantled Duanmu Xian's platform: "Zhen Zhen's chess is blue, and her grandfather is not as good as her." ”

His sentence was a pun, referring to the fact that Duanmu Fei's two grandfathers were now inferior to her chess skills.

------Off topic------

China Literature Annual Meeting, staying in the hotel today, there will be some activities to participate in next, and I have to rely on saving manuscripts in the next few days, so I will not add changes for the time being.

But the monthly pass still has to be da~~ love you.