Ten years later.

The famous Shen family in Pucheng, Fujian, is running a big thing. The house was lit up everywhere to celebrate the 80th birthday of Mrs. Shen.

Getting up early in the morning, the He people sacrificed their ancestors in the ancestral hall. After the ceremony, Mrs. Shen went back to the room surrounded by her daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Back in the room, the juniors took turns to give gifts and congratulatory speeches. It's not lively for a while.

The youngest great-grandson also finished the congratulatory message, and the girls sent fragrant tea in a timely manner. Old Madam Shen took a sip and was about to speak, but she saw a little girl walk in and whisper a few words in Mrs. Shen's ear. Mrs. Shen's face changed. He said: "Old lady, the Duke of Wen in the capital sent someone here, and let his daughter-in-law go and go back." ”

Old Madam Shen's eyes froze, and she said, "Go ahead." ”

Wen Guogong's people have been invited into Mrs. Shen's room to drink tea. When Mrs. Shen came in, the leading servant woman saw the salute, and then knelt down and presented a letter.

It turned out that Wen Guogong in the capital, surnamed Du. It's a subordinate of the old old Master Shen. Although he used to be a subordinate and a superior, he was very generous. Although Master Shen was injured in Yi and has been in a coma so far, the scenery of Shen Mansion is no longer there. Du Guogong never forgot the old friendship. Nai Xiu wrote a letter and asked to hire the daughter of the Shen family as the eldest daughter-in-law.

Mrs. Shen read the letter, but did not respond, only bowed her head and muttered for a long time, and said: "I know what the prince means." It's just one thing, these two days are the old lady's birthday, and I can talk about it in a few days. ”

When the servant woman heard this, a fierce color flashed in the corner of her eye, and she immediately hid it. Then he bowed and said, "It's time to discuss with Old Madam Shen." It's just one thing, before leaving, the prince repeatedly instructed that the body of the eldest prince is afraid that he can't afford to wait, so please prepare quickly. ”

Mrs. Shen looked cold and said, "I understand." After speaking, he served tea to the guests.

Although the servant woman was unwilling, she could not go any further, so she had to ask her to present the gift. took his own people, and left angrily with the Shen family.

Only then did Mrs. Shen beckon the servant beside her to come over, whispered a few words in her ear, handed over the letter of the Duke of Guo to her, and brought it to Mrs. Shen in the back house.

After a while, the maid came over and said, "The old lady said that the lady has arranged it very well." That's it. You don't have to go back. ”

When Mrs. Shen heard this, she smiled coldly. Fang Cai said: "Call Xiuniang." ”

At the well of the servant's house in the back house, a little girl of twelve years old was washing a large pile of clothes in the basin with sweat. The beads of sweat rolled down in front of him, and he straightened up his sore back to rest for a while, and he raised his hand to wipe it.

An old servant woman saw it and said loudly: "Fifth Miss, don't be lazy! The old lady has an order, if you can't finish washing these clothes, you two won't have anything to eat today! ”

The fifth lady, that is, Xiuniang, flashed in her eyes, and when she was about to reply, she sighed again: "Mother Liu, I know." ”

After speaking, he rubbed the coarse cloth clothes on his body, lowered his head and worked hard to scrub those gorgeous clothes.

After Liu's mother finished drinking, she was about to hide in the room to cool off, but she hurriedly put on a smile on her face and stepped forward: "Oh, what kind of wind blew the colorful magpie girl here." This day is poisonous, don't burn the girl, sit in the house quickly. ”

The colorful magpie dodged disdainfully, and said, "Mother Liu, you can wash it too, this smell can spoil me." ”

Mother Liu's face stiffened, and she smiled again: "We are just doing rough work, how can it be compared to the girl listening to the errand in front of the eldest lady, and it is fragrant every day?" ”

Caique sneered: "That's it." It's the life of doing rough work, even if it's a young lady. Fifth Miss, the eldest lady is gracious, and I will call you over. I'm going to have to be lazy for a while. ”