Shi'er was stunned and thought about it. He said: "We have to wait for the spring weather to be warm and the canal to reopen before we can go north." I heard Mu Chen say that the second old lady is old and sick, and I am afraid that she will not be able to stand the bumps on the land, besides, now that the north is cold and snowy, it is better to wait for the weather to warm up and start again. Manager Xu's side has already begun to pick servants. ”

The number of servants in the second room is naturally not much smaller than that in the home, and the number of slaves is much smaller. Originally, on the northern border, even the second old lady only had two girls, but when she arrived in the rich land south of the Yangtze River, it increased to four, but compared with the eight first-class girls, eight second-class girls and a large group of little girls in the old lady of the Hou Mansion, it was completely different, not to mention the second wife and the young master. However, since the second master has the opportunity to be promoted, and the whole family returns to Beijing to live for a long time, this standard of living will naturally be raised, even if it is not as good as the Hou Mansion. It can't be too bad.

After listening to Shi'er's introduction, Chunying pondered in her heart. The number of servants in the second room is not much, except for the children who are too young and have not been on the roster, all of them add up to more than a hundred, among which there should be dozens of people who are with the master, and some may be bought in Jiangnan, but the rest is far from enough to meet the needs of the second room after returning to Beijing for a long time. The number of girls alone would add at least two to four people to each master. The second old lady, the second wife, the fourth young master, the fourth miss, and I don't know if there are any aunts, so there are at least eight, and there are more than ten or twenty people, and the little girl and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are counted separately. There are dozens of children in Dongfu, how many school-age daughters can be born? In the end, Mr. Xu either wanted to find it from the Hou Mansion, or buy it from people. Considering that the second master served as an administrative official in a major border area, and the children of the Hou Mansion had a surplus of personnel, it should be more likely to be picked from the Hou Mansion. And whether it is newly picked or bought, skilled workers are extremely rare, and that is their own opportunity.

It's just that...... Even if she can be chosen, her father and mother are more troublesome. She didn't know if the second room would accept a former steward-level servant like her father who had a stain on his face. If she passed the second room, but her parents were still in the name of the Hou Mansion, she would still have some scruples about acting.

Chun Yingjing pondered there, Mother Lu had already gone out, Shi'er casually finished eating the melon seeds on her body next to her, and asked, "Do you really want to go to Dongfu?" ”

Chun Ying looked up at her and smiled bitterly: "Is there any other way?" When Sister Meixiang came that day, I pretended to be seriously ill and even made a last wish. It stands to reason. When ordinary people hear such words, if it doesn't matter, they should agree to it, right? The third young master treats me me, and I have only been waiting for him for less than a year, and I don't have any special skills, he has no reason to ignore my last wishes, and insists on keeping me?! I really didn't expect that he would suddenly show mercy and want to compensate my family! I'd rather he still be ruthless! Maybe she made that request on a whim that day, but don't ordinary people try their best to meet the requests of others before they die? Just like Mrs. Li's aunt asked her daughter to hand over the fleet before she died, although Miss Huo Jiabiao was unwilling, she still did it, how could it be different when it came to the third young master? What a bad luck!

Shi'er sighed and said, "Who made you not understand his temper?" He is a person who is sometimes really hated to the teeth, but he often does some soft-hearted things. Actually, he just wants others to think he's a good person. Therefore, we were wronged and thrown to the village, and he could bear not to save us. Just ask people to comfort us a few words, which is compassion; When I had the opportunity, I promoted my father to be the head of the bank, which was compensation; What he said and did made you angry, and then he asked someone to come and see you, and gave you something, or promised your father a good errand, and he could write off his previous wrongdoings. If we still complain, it means that we don't know how to lift up. It's always like this, as long as you give a little sweetness afterwards, even if someone dies, as long as you reward your family with a few taels of silver......" Shi'er smiled coldly, "How did he know that we are not rare for that sweetness, I would rather he say a few good words for us at that time and save us." It's a pity, we're just girls, where can we compare to his wife being his mother?! ”

Chunying silently handed her the clean handkerchief, she took it and wiped her face, and said with a reluctant smile: "Don't laugh, I've been thinking a lot about it these days, and I just thought it through." ”

Chunying nodded: "Although I don't understand as much as you think, but I also know that he is not a good master, I really don't want to continue to be entangled with him, who knows when he will go crazy, and he thinks it is a grace to me, so he will promise me to which cat and dog?" He is also the little master, the entire Hou Mansion. No matter where I am on an errand, I will inevitably be under his control. Now that I can't leave, I have to start anew. Dongfu is the most likely place for us to go, if we really become a person from Dongfu, whether it is the third young master or the wife, they can no longer dispose of us casually. Didn't you say that the second wife is a kind person? I think she's better off getting along than his wife. ”

Shi'er smiled slightly: "Although I heard that the second wife is a kind person, her wrist is not bad." She is the original partner and has a son, so she is naturally more confident than our wife. Do you know that the second master once had a concubine, a small birth, one corpse and two lives, and the other died of illness, and there were also people in the south who gave beauties to the second master, but no one gave birth to a son and a half daughter, and no one dared to be unkind to the second wife! Do you think such people are really easy to get along with? ”

Chunying waved her hand and said, "That's just her cruel way of dealing with the concubine, what does it have to do with me?" Just seeing that she has done these things, when talking about it in the Heclan, they only say that she is a kind person, and they know her scheming. It's better than my wife. I'd rather work under a smart man than be sent by a foolish man. ”

"In that case, I'll help you ask." Shi'er paused, a little hesitant, "It's just that you have thought about it?" If you really get to Dongfu, you won't be able to get out without a year or two of hard work. Didn't Mr. Hu want to marry you? He's not young, is he? Can you wait until then? ”

Chunying was silent, she didn't think about this problem, but she couldn't get rid of this identity for a day and wanted to marry Hu Fei. It's just a fantasy. Whether she is married to Hu Fei or not, her pursuit of freedom is always the same.

In the end, she smiled lightly: "Let's ask first, there are still many days before spring, ask clearly, whether you want to go is still in me, if you can't go, it's just another idea." ”

Shi'er thought to herself, so she answered and went home.

Chunying's side, but she pondered all night, and the next day she went to see her parents with a dark circle under her eyes, and explained her plan and plan, before she said: "That's it, I haven't asked Brother Xiaofei what he means, it's just that he must fight for his citizenship, I just don't know what my father and mother mean, if I go to Dongfu, what do you think in your hearts?" ”

Mother Lu snorted: "What Dongfu are you going to?" That's good now! I'm only worried about your life's events, and then your brother's future will come! As long as these two things are done, it's not bad for me and your father to stay here for retirement! ”

Lu Yougui glared at her before he said to his daughter: "If you can be a serious ordinary person, it is naturally the best." It's just that now that your second uncle has told us to be careful, we still have to think twice. It's not a big sin for us to get rid of the country, but it's too urgent, and in the eyes of others, it's disloyalty, so that the master knows, it's not as good as ours. Don't be too anxious. Now that your brother is still young, let's get yourself out first. ”

Chunying thought about it and nodded solemnly.

She asked her father to bring a letter to Hu Fei's house in Qingrundian Town, and asked the little girl to inform Hu Fei to come. The next day, the latter arrived in the dust, and looked like he had lost a lot of weight, but he was in good spirits, and for some reason, Chunying always felt that there was something different in his eyes.

She asked tentatively, "Are you okay?" How are these days? ”

"I'm fine. You can rest assured. Hu Fei smiled and handed over a small bag. Chunying opened it and looked at it, and found that there were several tonic medicines inside, and heard Hu Fei say: "I heard in Beijing that you were very sick and vomited blood, and I didn't know if it was true or not, but I was shocked. If you take it well and eat it slowly, it will always be good for your body. ”

Chunying was moved and amused: "I told you that day that you were going to pretend to be sick, why were you fooled?" And got these things? Is it easy to pay tribute? Don't let anyone find out! ”

Hu Fei smiled: "I haven't seen it with my own eyes, I have always felt unstable when I hear others say it so seriously, and now I am relieved to see that you are fine." Don't worry about me, medicinal herbs or something, the Tai Hospital only uses fixed imperial merchants to buy things, these things that come in from outside, the emperor has never eaten them, and they are cheaper than the people waiting in the palace. I traded a pair of palm-sized corals for nothing. Since you are not sick, take it, among which ginseng, bird's nest, white poria and so on, it is the best to replenish your body, you can eat it yourself, and honor your father and mother. ”

Chun Ying glanced at him, carefully put away the medicine, and then sat down again, and said, "I'm looking for you, I can't make up my mind about one thing." You know that I have asked the second uncle to help me talk to the eldest young grandmother and let our family out, but I didn't expect that the third young master had spoken to the housekeeper in advance, counting us among the people he had to use, and we were not allowed to be released. The young grandmother didn't want to go against his will, so it was impossible to agree. I pretended to be seriously ill, but also to coax him to soften his heart and let me go, but I didn't expect him to suddenly become merciful, not only did not agree, but also told me to take care of my health, and he would definitely arrange errands for our family in the future. I can't help it! ”

Hu Fei smiled coldly: "I have already guessed a few points about this." After I went back that day, I met your old master at the eldest prince's place, and said that a young boy with shallow qualifications like me can be valued by the emperor, but because he has no roots and no foundation in Beijing, he can be regarded as a usable person. If I really become an in-law with a wealthy family, even this little benefit is gone, how can the emperor use me? I have no future, which high-ranking family will take me seriously? Thinking about it, although I am not on good terms with my brother, I am also the son of the imperial merchant, and my two sisters-in-law are from a family of eunuchs, which one is worse than the young lady in Houfu? If I get ahead, I am not afraid that I will not be able to marry a famous lady, so why should I bury my future for a reluctant marriage? I want them not to mention any marriage, even if the eldest prince is kind to me, I have already paid it back, and now there is nothing more important than my own future, if they are entangled, I will turn my face. He smiled at Chunying, "Do you know what your old master said after I said this?" He asked me if I didn't even care about my old friend. I said, even if there is an old man, I have repaid the favor, so naturally I take care of myself. He was angry at that time, threw up his sleeves and left, and said that I was a ruthless and unrighteous person, and I was not worthy of his girl. When I heard him say that, it occurred to me that he might want to make it up to you. It's just that I didn't expect him to be such a compensation law. ”

Chun Ying only thought it was funny: "What kind of good person is he pretending to be at this time?!" It's obvious that he made it himself! It's really a thief shouting to catch a thief! ”

Hu Fei shook his head: "It's just a child, I just say that I am right, where do I know how to think about others?" Don't ignore him, you said that you can't make up your mind about something, but there is another way to get out of citizenship? ”

Chun Ying hesitated for a moment before whispering: "The second master of the Eastern Mansion is going back to Beijing, and I guess it is necessary to increase the manpower...... I know how to serve, and I know the rules, and I'm better than the little girls, and if I fight for it, I might be chosen. When I arrived in Dongfu, the master of the Hou Mansion couldn't be my master, but ...... I can't get out for a while......" Seeing Hu Fei's face showing a different color, he hurriedly added: "Don't worry, I won't be delayed for a long time, I'm not young anymore, at most a year or two, and I still have to release the ...... out of the house."

Hu Fei stretched out his hand to stop her words, opened his mouth, and felt that he didn't know how to say it. Chun Ying's heart went up and down, and she bowed her head and said, "If you don't approve, forget it, let's think of other ways......"

"Not really." Hu Fei hesitated, "Actually, it's me...... I have a hard time...... I can't make up my mind......"

Chunying was stunned: "What is it?" ”

"Nanyang Shipping...... I don't know if it's my crow's mouth, or if it's ......," he smiled sheepishly, "but I'm afraid it won't work." Hu Neijian asked me that day if I would like to go to the West. ”

Chun Ying stood up suddenly, panicking in her heart: "What?!" How does this work?! That's too dangerous! ”

"Don't worry, sit down first, and I'll tell you more carefully." Hu Fei pressed her shoulders and asked her to sit down, Chunying looked wrong, and hurriedly asked, "Are you willing?" Why?! "But because I'm too abrasive here, you're impatient?" ”

"What nonsense?!" Hu Fei scolded, "You listen to me first, this matter is not a bad thing!" ”

Chunying was very surprised, and was busy listening to what he had to say.

It turned out that the emperor was planning to send a fleet to the West to explore trade routes, but somehow there was a rumor. Some families in Beijing are ready to move, but because they don't understand the risks at sea, most of them take a wait-and-see attitude. However, there is a county prince, who has a very good status in the clan, is a good Buddha person, and often hears that the West is the ancient Tianzhu, which is the birthplace of Buddhism, and wants to make a pilgrimage, so he ran to the emperor to beg for a trip with the boat in person, no matter how the family dissuaded, he refused to change his words. He was the emperor's uncle, and the emperor could not bear his repeated requests, so he had to comply, but he repeatedly told him that he must act with the fleet and not go alone. ”

Chunying's eyes widened when she heard this: "That...... That's too messy, isn't it? What does this have to do with you? ”

Hu Fei blinked: "Didn't you hear it?" The emperor sent an internal supervisor to lead a fleet to explore trade routes in the Western Ocean, and a county prince led a fleet to the Western Ocean, but they are two different things! ”

Chunying's heart moved: "I understand!" If it is the clan leading the team, this matter can be completely elevated to a diplomatic incident! ”

Hu Fei blinked again, guessing Chunying's meaning: "Uh...... Yes, the prince will take someone there, and that is...... Overseas! Since the emperor ascended the throne, he has been mediocre in terms of culture and martial arts, and the Qing Kingdom in the north has changed from time to time. Therefore, the emperor specially ordered the Nanjing Bao Shipyard to rush to make a big ship, according to the notes of the predecessors, the end of January is a good time to travel, if you miss it, it will be until the end of next year, the South Seas are used to going to the United States, and there is no need for training, and it will set off in the early spring of next year, as long as a year's effort, you can reach the Western countries. Stay there for a few months, and all countries will go around, and you will be able to come back, and if everything goes well, you will be able to come back and forth in three years. ”

Three-year ......

Chunying took a deep breath: "Do you want to get involved?" But this thing ...... What's ...... for you Advantage? ”

Hu Fei stared at Chunying's eyes, and said: "Hu Neijian told me that because the emperor is not at ease, people who are familiar with HNA affairs should be transferred as many as possible, but most of these people are private individuals of major families, and they all find excuses to refuse, but if they can't find an excuse, they also say that they are not familiar with that area, and it is useless to go." Hu Neijian said that the emperor was very angry, and when he remembered me, he asked me if I would like to go. ”

Chunying smiled bitterly: "The emperor has asked so, can you still not go?" ”

"Just go, I have nothing to fear. Although I have never been to such a far place, my predecessors have left notes, and the risks encountered on the road are also clearly recorded, and they are ...... Follow the prince, he is fine, I will naturally be fine. He took Chunying's hand, "I'm only worried about your side...... What if I go and you stay here alone? ”

Chunying pursed her lips and asked, "If you go along, will it be good for you?" ”

"Of course, there are benefits. These days, maybe the news has really spread, and there are many people who come to look for me, which is really annoying. If I go, these people won't come and talk about it, and I can be regarded as climbing to the county king's mansion. He smiled, "This prince has never participated in court politics, and the emperor has his support this time, which is naturally very beneficial, and I have a lot of money with it." I have already visited that prince, and he has been good to me, and I will use my heart to make him treat me as his own. I think...... When I come back, with his support, no one dares to bully me anymore, whether it is in the capital or in the south. If you haven't been able to leave the Hou Mansion by then, then I will ask the prince to come out to ask for someone from the Hou Mansion, and then ask the princess to be the matchmaker for me! ”

He looked at Chunying deeply: "Chunying, you...... Would you like to wait for me for another three years? ”。.。