From a few steps away, Shen Li could feel the urgency of this Zhong family's grandmother. I saw that her steps were fast, and the back hem of a red dress was almost flying, and the maid behind her had to trot to keep up.

"The young lady must forgive me for my rudeness, hurry up and hurry up or be a step too late. The tired third lady and sister Lou greeted the young lady for me first. ”

Before anyone heard the sound, this Grandma Zhong was a lovely person, and she said everything she wanted, if Shen Li really had a bad heart, she would have nothing to refute.

Shen Li looked at it, and saw that Grandma Zhong had a long round face, and her eyebrows and eyes were very plump and delicate. , wearing a white gauze shirt with a big red collar, with a one-color red embroidered gauze skirt. There is a big red line incense string of ingots and tassels hanging on the chest, and the fragrance is gusting when you walk. She walked a few steps forward and bowed respectfully to Shen Li, and greeted Mrs. Yun San and Mrs. Lou Shao.

"Grandma Zhong is polite, I just got out of the carriage before I said a few words to my third aunt and sister Lou." The corners of Shen Li's mouth raised slightly, and he owed a debt. Although her identity is not enough in Yanjing, it is still more than enough to put it on the side of the Southern Regions.

Grandma Zhong heard Shen Li call Mrs. Yun San as the third aunt very closely, and her eyes flashed. "The young lady's status is noble, how can we be allowed to slip away." As she spoke, she came up again and helped Shen Li's hand, looking quite enthusiastic, "The people inside are almost all together, I'll wait for the young lady to go in together." ”

"Then there's Grandma Lao." Shen Li leaned sideways and gave way, "I have to have my grandmother lead the way in front, and I will follow with my third aunt and sister Lou behind." ”

Grandma Zhong was originally close to her cousin, so she deliberately stepped forward to help Shen Li's hand. Seeing that the other party retreated and avoided it, he and Mrs. Lou stood on both sides of Mrs. Yun San on the left and right, and couldn't help but darken their eyes. But in an instant, she smiled again and said, "Okay, I'll hold up in front of the young lady and take a step forward." ”

This garden covers an extremely large area, and although it is called the Plum Garden, there are countless exotic flowers and trees planted throughout it. All the way through the curved sill corridor, pine pavilion bamboo pavilion, leaning on the mountain across the water, emerge endlessly; The pool flowing below is sparkling, fragrant and fragrant, and then the high willows are weeping yin, walking in it is like a fairyland.

Shen Li followed Grandma Zhong for a long time before he finally heard bursts of music in his ears, presumably the big flower hall that was already close to the banquet.

Along the way, there was Grandma Zhong funny, and there was Li Yue's whispered introduction next to her, although it was not boring, but it was very tired in the end. Shen Li sneered in his heart, and there was some coldness on his face. Lady Yun San patted her hand lightly and shook her head.

Shen Li responded silently, but this Liang Zi remembered it in his heart. The Zhong family pondered about giving herself a horse, and she just happened to be saving up to have a seizure in the future.

When I entered the courtyard, my previously obscured vision suddenly widened. In the distance, the wooden gallery houses surround the water pavilion in the center of the pool, and eight tables, tables and chairs are arranged in an arc. The thin veil hangs down layer by layer, which can block the view cast by the water pavilion. There were already people sitting at the table in the porch, as well as at the table in the middle of the courtyard.

It can be seen that the Zhong family has invited a lot of guests today, and there are no less than dozens of relatives alone. Seeing Grandma Zhong leading people in, the crowd everywhere was silent.

Some people greeted her with a smile, some looked at her with scrutinizing eyes, and some people thought they were hiding it well, but in fact, the disdain was still clearly on their faces.

However, no matter what, no matter how old or young everyone in the venue, they still need to salute the lord of Luoyang County, who is a cong Yipin.

Shen Li went out today and specially brought Aunt Xu who was sent from the palace. Although she has been snubbed by Shen Li in the other courtyard these days, she is a very smart person. Not arrogant, not impatient, not slanderous, and living very freely. Shen Li brought her here today, and she immediately knew what her mission was.

Seeing the situation in the arena at this moment, he couldn't help but snort coldly, and he looked like a female official in the palace. She didn't attack the person either, but took a step forward and said to the middle-aged woman who was the leader with a cold face: "This lady is the host of this banquet?" ”

As soon as Grandma Zhong saw the faces of Shen Li and this aunt, she knew that it was not good. While gritting her teeth and secretly hating those people for not even wanting to do a scene, she felt that this Young Lady Shen was too dignified, and she was deliberately trying to save face for their Zhong family. Seeing that Shen Li was silent, he only asked the female official next to him to speak, and had to squeeze out a smile and replied: "This is my mother-in-law, Mrs. Xun from the Zhong family's room." ”

Aunt Xu nodded, and then bowed to the lady Xun and said, "Before the slave maid served the young lady, she was a first-class palace maid beside Concubine Hui. His Majesty valued it and was worried that the county lord would be bullied when he was young, so he specially pointed out to take care of the county lord's daily life and travel. Today, when the slave and maid saw some of the guests present, they were really worried about etiquette. However, it was also a guest invited by Mrs. Xun, and it was confusing. ”

Shen Li's eyes were shining, and she found that maybe she had made some mistakes in her previous thoughts. She and this Aunt Xu from the palace should not be a relationship of mutual defense or pure use. Is there anyone in this world who knows more about the twists and turns between women than those who have been sharpened by the harem? What's more, what she lacks is the experience of the inner house confrontation.

Mrs. Xun is in her forties, Gu embroiders a dark green makeup sleeved top with eight tuanhuas, and a brocade eight-sided wide satin skirt. People are kind and kind-eyed, but their eyes are full of determination. Seeing that Aunt Xu asked about the crime, she didn't defend anything, but apologized as soon as possible: "Is it a concubine, I didn't introduce the identity of the young lady to everyone in time." The big guy had no reason to be disrespectful to his wife, but he was clumsy for a while and didn't recognize the identity of the young lady. Please allow me to make amends to my wife and aunt on their behalf, and this time I hope for young lady and aunt Haihan. ”

The expression on Aunt Xu's face did not change, but she calmly gathered herself. "Inherit Mrs. Cheng's face, then this time our county lord will not care, and I hope that next time you will abide by your duties."

"That's what my aunt said." Mrs. Xun bowed in response, and turned to the side with a smile and said, "The stage team has been set up, please let the young lady go here." Once you're seated, we're ready to go. ”

Shen Li smiled slightly: "Mrs. Xun is polite. She said and looked sideways at Mrs. Yun San. The third aunt and I will come with me, Sister Yue will go and sit for a while, and I will find you to watch the play with you later. I heard the eldest prince say that the stage drama belonging to the Yutang class in Qingzhou is the most interesting, and my sister will have to explain one or two things for me when the time comes. ”

Li Yue glanced at Mrs. Zhong, whose face was faintly dark, and couldn't laugh in her heart. "Okay, I'm here, you can send someone to call me at any time if you have anything."

Although the porch is spacious, there are many people in the end. Shen Li only brought Aunt Xu and Qingxing, and the rest were left outside the courtyard for his subordinates to rest.

A picture screen of hundreds of yarns and flowers hangs down from the partition beam in the middle of the porch. There is a basket of flowers hanging on each side, and there are all kinds of lanterns on all sides. Outside, the light was already shining on the water pavilion platform, and the gongs and drums were noisy.

Shen Li followed Mrs. Yun to sit down, and the rest of the ladies led by Mrs. Xun gave in to each other and sat down with them.

The people in the seat have Shen Li the highest grade, Mrs. Xun is the second grade, and the rest are all fourth-grade and fifth-grade pleasant.

They are all noble ladies from the Southern Regions, and everyone has never held a noble person as young as Shen Li. added the one just now, and the atmosphere was a little weird for a while.

Shen Li was not in a hurry, and took a sip of his teacup.

A soft-looking lady next to her smiled and said, "How do you feel when the young lady drinks?" This tea is unique to the plum garden and is called 'Umei'. There are hundreds of harvests a year, and it has to be a distinguished guest among the distinguished guests, otherwise Sister Xun is reluctant to take it out to entertain it. ”

Listening to the soft and weak voice, Shen Li's heart moved.

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the audience laughed. One of the women, in a honey-colored floral trimmed blouse, smiled and pointed at the lady who had spoken. "That's why you talk about it like this, so that Mrs. Xun is not angry. You don't even drink it and just smell it, you know what kind of tea it is, isn't it because you drank too much? It's so valuable, it can be seen that it's just to elevate your identity. You just rely on Mrs. Xun to love you, and talk nonsense in front of the young lady. ”

"What Mrs. Liu said, does our sister Hu's identity still need to be raised? I've heard that this time Yanjing's will to come down is not only to canonize the eldest prince as the prince, but also to seal the will of Sister Hu's decree. ”

As soon as these words came out, everyone congratulated Mrs. Hu.

The Madame Hu hurriedly waved her hand, "The holy decree has not been done for a day, and it will not be counted." Today is Sister Xun's banquet, the young lady is the guest of honor, don't make fun of me. Otherwise, I won't dare to appear in front of Sister Xun and the young lady next time. ”

Mrs. Xun wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, comforted Mrs. Hu and said, "Why should Sister Hu be so polite, neither the young lady nor I are such stingy people." It just so happens that everyone is taking turns to be the east these days, and my sister is now a valuable person, so it is better to invite us to be lively and lively another day. It just so happens that you and the young lady are from Yanjing together, so there must be countless things to say. ”

Seeing that everyone's topic was only going elsewhere, Mrs. Yun San pointed to the plate in front of Shen Li, "You can taste this dim sum, it is fried with the current Linlang fruit crisp." This fruit is not easy to preserve, so it can only be seen here in Qingzhou, can you try it to see how it tastes? ”

The people at the table had their own thoughts, laughed and joked, and seemed to have Shen Li's face in all aspects, but she couldn't interject a word.

Shen Li was not a sharp-mouthed person, so he smiled a little and watched the cappella singing on the stage over there.

Mrs. Yun San also looked silent, and in order not to make her feel bored, it was estimated that she had thought about it for a long time before she came up with the current idea.

"Okay." Shen Li responded with a smile, and took the initiative to clip another one to Mrs. Yunsan. "My aunt will try it too."

"The young lady is really filial, and Sister Yun San is blessed." The soft and weak Madame Hu stopped what she had said before and looked at it as well. "I saw that the eldest prince had a cold temperament, but he had little contact with Master Yunsan. Now that the young lady has entered the door and is on a blind date with Mrs. Yun San, Yunfu will be lively in the future. ”

"Mrs. Hu laughed, as a niece and daughter-in-law, it is right for me to honor my aunt. is the eldest son, but his temperament is a little colder, and he still misses his third uncle and third aunt very much. Shen Li didn't seem to see the expressions of the people at the table, and replied calmly.

Aunt Xu, who was waiting at the back, looked at the faces of the people at this table, and then lowered her head.

That Mrs. Hu was also stunned, and then smiled: "So that's it, that's how it is." ”

Mrs. Xun looked at Shen Li with a complicated expression, and quietly exchanged expressions with a few people in the seat.

The lady who interrupted in front came out again and smiled: "It's not, that's why it's different to say that it's a parent." Now the eldest prince has a young lady who knows cold and hot, but he has to envy a group of young men. ”

"Come on, we've got to celebrate this." A table of people raised their glasses and drank a glass, and began to chat about some topics while watching the play on stage.

On the seat in the center of the courtyard, a woman wearing a crimson flower silver silk embroidered dress pouted as she looked at the movement over there, "This style, I don't know, I think our eldest prince is marrying the princess of Yanjing." ”

The behavior of this Luoyang county lord today, everyone naturally has unlimited opinions, but sensible people will not talk more at this season. Not to mention anything else, Mrs. Xun is already the highest status and grade among their group, and she was reprimanded just now.

Seeing that no one echoed her, the woman who spoke couldn't help but snort coldly: "Why, just now, they were all scared into a gourd with a sawy mouth?" Then where is this going, and there will be more to boil in the future! ”

How to say it here, Shen Li naturally can't hear it. The maids waited for the two rounds of singing to pass, and bowed down to ask Mrs. Xun. "The sweet soup has been prepared, may I ask the eldest lady to come up first?"

Mrs. Xun nodded with a smile, and said to Shen Li again: "The characteristics of Qingzhou here, the host must prepare sweet soup in advance. For the guests to moisten their throats before the banquet, the craftsmanship of the kitchen lady in the house does not dare to say that it is first-class, but fortunately, the ingredients are served by the people below. Madame will taste it later, and if she thinks it is good, I will ask someone to bring her a box back. ”

"Okay, thank you for your attention." Shen Li smiled at Mrs. Xun and nodded in response.

The maids of the plum garden standing behind began to step forward one by one, removing the tea cups in front of them, and preparing to put on new plates.

What replaced Shen Li was a little girl with a round face, who looked fleshy and had a small dimple when she laughed. Although he looks very young, his movements are very steady. Shen Li smiled at her, and the little maid blushed but immediately smiled back.

The sweet soup was presented in an orderly manner, and when it was Shen Li's turn, it was the round-faced little girl. Mrs. Yun San was about to introduce her, but she heard an exclamation from behind. Aunt Xu suddenly stepped forward two steps to help Shen Li, who hadn't reacted yet, and a bowl of sweet soup almost splashed on her head.

It's a pity that although Aunt Xu moves quickly, it only takes a moment for the sweet soup to pour down.

Fortunately, the little maid who served the soup reacted very quickly at the moment when the sweet soup was about to be spilled. More than half of the bowl of soup was spilled on herself, and only a small part was soaked out onto Shen Li's skirt and sleeves.

The people at the surrounding tables suddenly fell silent, and Shen Li saw that behind the round-faced little girl, there was a little girl wearing a silver armor, and a trace of annoyance flashed on her face, but she quickly covered it up again.

The servant knelt on the ground, Qingxing carefully wiped the stains on Shen Li's clothes with a handkerchief, and then whispered: "I have already leaked in, I have to marry a change of clothes." ”

Mrs. Yun San also took a closer look on the side, and saw that Shen Li was not injured before she let go of the heart she was carrying. "I went to the backyard to change my clothes first, so as not to stick to my body and feel uncomfortable."

Mrs. Xun got up early and walked over to the side, and apologized to Shen Li: "The subordinate was rude, and he almost injured Madame, he really deserves to die." Please go and change your clothes first, I will definitely give an explanation to the young lady here. As she spoke, she pointed to one of the young daughters-in-law who came over, "Autumn girl, you come and ask the young lady to go to the guest room to change her clothes." ”

Shen Li's face was condensed, and he pointed at the round-faced little girl. "Find a doctor to show this child first, the sweet soup just fell on her. I see that she is a very good person, not like a person who would make such a mistake, and I ask Mrs. Xun to check it out. ”

"Yes, young lady rest assured." Mrs. Xun responded, and hurriedly ordered the people on the side. "Help this girl go down to the doctor first."

The little girl choked back tears, but she was still stubborn. just kowtowed to Shen Li and Mrs. Xun, and let people help them down.

Li Yue walked over quickly from a few tables away, pulled Shen Li to take a closer look and breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good that I didn't get burned, but I made a promise to the eldest prince that I would take good care of the young lady."

When everyone heard her mention the eldest son, their faces changed again.

Grandma Qiusan next to her enthusiastically walked up to support Shen Li, and said softly: "It's not the people, the young lady must not be angry with her body for this." I'll take you to the inner courtyard to change your clothes first, and we'll talk about it when we come back if there's anything bad. ”

Over there, Mrs. Hu also got up and said, "It's okay that the young lady is fine, but I have to disturb the third grandmother." ”

Everyone turned around and saw that there was also a large mark on her sleeve.

Seeing that everyone was looking at her, she smiled a little embarrassedly: "I was too eager to dodge just now, and I didn't notice it for a while." It's just that I have to bother the third grandmother with the young lady for a new dress. ”

Grandma Qiusan hurriedly smiled: "This is nothing, it is my honor to be valued by Mrs. Hu." ”

This sweet soup was so bothered that Shen Li had to accompany them to finish the scene. She wanted to see what the people behind the scenes wanted to do. Therefore, seeing that Grandma Qiu San warmly invited, she instructed Qingxing to pick up the clothes in the car, and then stood up together.

The maids followed behind, and she talked with Grandma Qiusan, Mrs. Hu, and Li Yue, who had to come over, as they walked.

After passing through the courtyard in the middle and passing through a few secluded pavilions, we arrived at a moon cave door. Grandma Qiusan was about to take them to the verandah on the left, but Mrs. Hu suddenly smiled and said, "I heard that the Bright Moon Flower Room in the plum garden is very famous, and I happened to get this opportunity today, why don't the third grandmothers lead us to have a look." ”

Grandma Qiusan groaned, thinking that there were also rooms for rest near the Mingyue Flower Room, but it was closer to the Bright Moon Flower Room from here. Therefore, he also smiled and responded: "That's okay, let's go to the guest room next to us to change our clothes first, and then I'll lead you to the Mingyue Flower Room to have a look." ”

After a few more people left, Li Yue was worried that Shen Li would be annoyed, so she pretended to joke: "I finally understand now why the good name of Plum Garden is so popular." Next time, I don't dare to go with you at will, so I have to carry a soft sedan chair for me, otherwise I will be tired to death just walking. ”

Grandma Zhong San smiled and slapped her with a handkerchief, "I'm too lazy for you, the one in your family is going to take the road of a military general in the future, and you can't hold up just a few steps as a family member, so go downstairs to save face." ”

The two of them spoke close and casual, and Shen Li realized that the person Li Yue said before was the third grandmother in front of him.

A few more people laughed and laughed, and were about to go forward, when they heard the sound of people talking from behind the fence.

"Why is the second sister in such a hurry, you let the third sister say it herself. We talk too much, and there is nothing other than adding more pain to the third sister. ”

"When the second sister-in-law says this, is she saying that I deliberately add to the third sister? Could it be that we are sisters of the same mother, and we can still harm her. ”

"Second sister, don't talk nonsense, I don't mean that. It's just that you just asked the third sister to fight with the young lady, let me ask you, what is the third sister going to fight? The holy decree was at the head, and there were no three media and six hires before, and there was not even a verbal agreement between the two families. It's just that the prince is an old man, thinking that the eldest son is a good one, so he wants Zhong Niangniang to help fulfill the third sister's heart. Now that the eldest son is married, the second sister is not good at persuading the third sister to let go, but instead the third sister is approaching the eldest son. I want to ask, what does the second sister want to do? ”

"Hmph, the second sister-in-law interrogated me over and over again. I'm a sister with the heart of Akagi, so there's nothing to be afraid of. On the contrary, it is the second sister-in-law......"

Grandma Qiusan glanced at the few people following behind her in embarrassment, and she didn't know for a while whether it was better to go out and interrupt, or quietly take Shen Li and them to change their paths.

The two people talking in the garden were probably not gentle, and the smell of gunpowder became stronger and stronger. Shen Li sighed secretly, thinking of Li Yue's words, he couldn't help but start to feel some sympathy for the third young lady in the middle of the words. If she said that she still had some mustard in her heart before, it has disappeared now.

Listening to other people's descriptions, in terms of appearance and talent, Miss Zhong Qi was put in Yanjing, which is also outstanding. On weekdays, he must also be loved by his elders, and he is loved by thousands of people to grow up. It's just a huge family, even if it's only its own family, presumably there will be no fewer children. The energy of the elders is limited, and if you pet this point more, it is inevitable that you will ignore the other points.

This is still the case at home, let alone outside the house. Taking her as an analogy, even though she boasts that she is no worse than others, but with Miss Shen in front, who still knows that she is the unknown Miss Shen?

Li Yue gently pulled her sleeve on the side, the two glanced at each other, and then at Mrs. Hu, who was also surprised next to her.

She shook her head at Li Yue, pointed to the way she came, and planned to return the same way quietly as she came. not only saved some face for that Miss Zhong Qi, but also saved the face of this Qiu San grandmother.

It's just that just as they were about to turn around and leave, there was an exclamation from the bright moon flower room.

Whether it was Zhong Qi and the three in the courtyard, or Shen Li behind the fence, they couldn't help but be surprised, there were no other people present.

The second grandmother inside frowned, and raised her voice: "Who is sneaking around over there?" As soon as her voice fell, a maid followed the voice and walked out and opened the lotus door of the fence over there.

Shen Li couldn't help but sigh secretly, this second grandmother Zhen really made a mistake. At this time, Zhong Qi and her second sister should leave first, and then someone should interrogate who is over there. In this way, go directly to find out the person in front of the Lord. If it is difficult, what other benefits does it have besides embarrassing Zhong Qi and ruining the reputation of the Zhong family's girls?

As soon as the lotus door opened, the faces of the people in the courtyard turned pale instantly. The four ladies over there were standing awkwardly behind the door, and one of them was supported by the maid with a panicked face. There was a pebble the size of an egg not far from her feet, presumably just now these four ladies also had the same idea as Shen Li and them, and planned to leave quietly, but one of them stepped on the pebble, causing the maid to exclaim and help.

The ladies were still looking at each other, but there was an exclamation behind Shen Li and them: "Young lady, why are you still here, but the third brother and sister can't remember the way to the guest room." ”

A series of anxious and high-pitched voices came from far and near, and Shen Li glanced at Mrs. Hu next to him, not knowing what kind of mood this person should be in next.