Shuning was a little stunned: "Seventh Elder Brother? I don't seem to have heard anything about this brother. Tong sighed: "His mother is not high, just a concubine, and he himself has been disabled since he was a child, and he has difficulty moving, so he has never received any serious errands, and he can be said to be the most inconspicuous of several princes." I didn't think of him. ”

Shu Ning's heart was in a mess, and said: "But my second sister and I are sisters, and the palace won't point out the two sisters to the two princes, right?" We don't have this dignity in our house. ”

Tong nodded and said: "That's a good thing, but it's not like this kind of situation before, it's just that most of it happened in a first-class public waiting house, and our family is not in that position." It's just that your grandmother said that the palace secretly sent people to the nobles' houses to see the show girls who should be selected before the draft, which usually meant to choose the prince Fujin. And according to the habits of this dynasty, I'm afraid that your second sister's temperament is not very suitable for being the main room of the prince, but her status is too high, and it is impossible to be a side room, so it is not certain that she will be able to be pointed out to the fifth elder brother at the moment, if not, this marriage may fall on you. ”

Shuning felt as if her throat was choked, and she spoke with some difficulty: "The fifth elder brother is thinking about the second sister, what am I doing to make a fuss?" Even if the mother in the palace thought that the second sister was not good in the past, now she is decent, not to mention that the fifth elder brother spent so much effort to let the second sister run for election, will he let go? ”

Tong said: "I also said so, but looking at your grandmother's meaning, it seems that she intends to let you marry into the royal family, either the fifth elder brother or the seventh elder brother, the biological mother of the seventh elder brother can't say anything in the palace, as long as Tong Niangniang speaks, this matter is more stable than your second sister." She saw that her daughter's eyes were red in a hurry, and she felt uncomfortable: "Good Shu'er." I knew that there was such a thing, I would rather you marry the fourth elder brother, at least he would have remembered our affection. Take care of you. If you are really pointed out to the Seventh Brother, he is a cripple. There is no prospect, and it is inevitable that you will have three wives and four concubines in the future, how can you stand it? Her voice choked, and she wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

Shuning has no interest in marrying the fourth elder brother, you know. This person became the emperor in the future, and he was also the master of the three palaces and six courts, at most, the number of people was smaller, and she was not interested in becoming the heroine of the palace fight. But the current situation is very worrying. The Tong family, which has always been regarded as a backer, has actually become a stone in the way. No, the Tong family must not be allowed to make a move!

She knows her personality and has always been peaceful and quiet, and wants her to learn from the ancient lady embroiderer. Learning piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and not going out for ten days and a half months, this is no problem. Because she's willing, and she's living her life to the fullest. But. It can adapt to the lifestyle of the ancients. It does not mean that she can accept the concept of marriage of the ancients, and she should let a few people who think they are honorable decide her fate at will. obediently marry a gentleman or a relative of the emperor who has never met, and then endure that man's three wives and four concubines, and watch the concubines intrigue and be jealous every day...... Don't kill her on this kind of day!

Originally, she had the idea of losing the election, but she planned to slowly choose a person for herself who was pleasing to the eye and would not easily marry a little wife, cultivate a relationship for another year or two, and it would not be too late to marry at the age of seventeen or eighteen. Most of my parents wouldn't object to doing it anyway. As long as that person is a disciple of the Eight Banners, the rest is not a problem. She must live her little life happily and happily like Xinran, so that she will not be a resentful woman!

However, how to make the Tong family stop? She racked her brains and finally came up with a reason.

"E-niang." She said, "My grandmother wants me to marry into the royal family, is it for the sake of decency, or does she want to get some real benefits? ”

Tong was arranging her daughter's hair, and when she heard her say this, he stopped: "Why do you ask that?" ”

"If it's decent, it's fine, but if you want to be beneficial, it's not the best thing to do." Shuning unconsciously clenched her fists, "Do you think, the fifth elder brother is bent on marrying the second sister, if it doesn't work, won't he spill his anger on the future Chang Fujin?" This is not a good thing, but I am afraid that if there is no benefit at all, the Tong family may still be complained by him. As for the seventh elder brother, he is not outstanding among the princes, and his mother's family is not prominent, what good is it for the Tong family? Marrying him is just to get the dignity of a prince Fujin. It's better to lose the election, and then find a good family, if the other party's family background is good, wouldn't it be more beneficial to his Tala family and the Tong family? ”

Tong Shi paused: "Shu'er, neither you Ama nor I have this idea, just ask your future husband to treat you well." ”

"Of course my daughter knows." Shuning smiled, "It's just that I told my grandmother so that she wouldn't interfere in the draft." As long as Tong Niangniang doesn't make a move, her daughter's appearance, family background, talent, and conduct are just mediocre, even if the queen mother in the palace wants to be promoted, she has to convince others, right? ”

Tong Shi understood what his daughter meant, and hurriedly straightened up: "That's right, I'm really confused, and I panicked when I heard your grandmother's words." Okay, I'll go back to my parents' house tomorrow. ”

Shuning hurriedly said: "Tomorrow Ama is going to take office, E-Niang should go with her." I'm just afraid I'm going to stay in Kyori for the time being. Write a letter now and send it to your grandmother as soon as possible. ”

Tong sighed: "Silly boy, how can I leave you alone at this time?" ”

"It's okay, Amma's business matters." Shuning said, "It's been nearly a month since the letter of appointment was issued, and it won't be possible to say if you don't set off." I think that after Ama arrives, he will be very busy when he wants to take over official affairs, even if the people below are capable, he will not be as good as taking care of his mother. I'm not alone at home, and I have my brother, besides, my uncles, aunts, uncles, and aunts won't leave me alone, right? ”

Tong hesitated, she also knew that what her daughter said was right, and it would not work if her husband was absent from her, but the situation here has not been clarified, so how can she rest assured?

Seeing this, Shuning said: "Eniang, you follow your father first, and then come back when you settle down." Now that it is almost the lunar month, and my brother's wedding is scheduled for the first month, you can only go to the first month at most. What could happen this month? What's more, the capital is so close to Baoding, I can often write to it. ”

Tong thought about it, and was about to agree, but he heard Su Yun's voice outside the door: "Madam, Luyun is here to invite you to go over the bamboo courtyard." It is said that the eldest lady has something important. Her face sank, she looked at the green cloud that had cautiously entered the door, and said angrily: "What's the matter?!" Now my daughter is sick. The husband is going to go far away, is there anything more important than this for the eldest sister-in-law?! ”

Green Cloud trembled and said, "Back to the third wife." Our wife said that it was last night, and that she had heard some important news to tell you. ”

Tong Shi looked at his daughter for a while. Shuning shouted softly, "Eniang", she nodded knowingly, and said, "I'll listen to what happened, you haven't eaten for a day today, it's still early for dinner, eat something first." ”

Shuning agreed, and after her mother left, she thought about it and simply got up. Change into homemade winter clothes, comb your hair and wash your face. Frangipani sent a bowl of softly boiled ginger minced pork porridge, and she ate it with the pickles from Liubiju and the local Guangdong tempeh sent by Da Liu. After a few more sips of hot tea, I felt that I had strength again.

She sent the little girl to inquire that her mother had returned. He put on a thick cloak with sleeves. Walk through the courtyard to the main house. As soon as I entered the door, I saw Tong writing a letter on the kang table. Zhang Bao and Duanning brothers are there.

As soon as Tong saw his daughter coming, he hurriedly put down the pen and pulled her on the kang, and checked whether her clothes were thick enough. Zhang Bao asked someone to burn the brazier more vigorously, and handed Zhang Bo over again. Duan Ning poured a cup of strong hot tea early and let her sister hold it with her hand. Xianning walked over to her sister's side, took out a bag of dim sum from her sleeve, and said, "Sister, this is the dim sum that my brother bought for me, but it's delicious, give it to my sister." ”

Shuning only felt warm in her heart, and after listening to her brother's words, she smiled and said, "My sister has just eaten, I'm not hungry, Brother Xian'er will keep it for herself." Xianning was overjoyed at first, but he felt that this was not good, and his face was very entangled for a while, and he didn't know whether to continue to give things to his sister, or take them back and enjoy them himself.

Duan Ning smiled sullenly, hugged his younger brother and said, "Brother still has it, I'll send it to your sister when I go back, you can keep these and eat them." Xianning smiled so much that his eyebrows were crooked, and he hurriedly put his sleeves back, Duan Ning patted his younger brother's forehead, and said, "Don't sit stupidly here, go back and practice calligraphy, you still have a hundred words to write today, don't want to be lazy!" ”

Hyuneong stuck out his tongue and ran out with a puff of smoke. Tong glanced at her husband and eldest son: "It's all you two who indulge him, and now that he eats snacks every day, where can he still eat?" Zhang Bao and Duan Ning knew that they were at a loss, and they both smiled embarrassedly and passed away.

When Shuning saw the letter on the kang table, she knew that it was written to her grandmother. She saw that her mother's expression between her eyebrows was relaxed, as if she had received some good news, and hurriedly asked what was wrong. Tong said: "Just now, your eldest aunt invited me to go and told me that Aunt Ming left our house last night and went to your second uncle's house to see your fourth sister. From this point of view, it is very likely that that aunt really came to see your second sister, and you and your fourth sister are just by the way. ”

Shuning was stunned, and a sense of joy gradually rose in her heart. If that is the case, the situation is back to square one. In the draft of three sisters in a family, it is impossible for everyone to get married, so the most likely one to lose is still himself.

She looked at her mother happily, and Tong nodded with a smile: "You also thought of it, right?" Speaking of which, your eldest aunt probably installed someone in your second uncle's house, so the situation last night was clear. It is said that the four girls behaved very well yesterday, she was already good-looking, and often went to the palace to ask for peace, and she was familiar with the rules and etiquette. I was relieved when I heard it, although your second uncle's official title is not high, but with the support of the prince and the money in the family, I want to come to the four girls who are more in line with the wishes of the ladies in the palace. Not to mention that there are only two elder brothers of the right age now, even if there are ten or eight, the emperor will not allow the three of you sisters to be appointed to marry the royal family at the same time, even if it is a royal family member! ”

And sure enough, it was! Shuning breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile appeared on her face. Zhang Bao twisted his beard and said: "I'll set off tomorrow, Madame will also go with me, Duan'er will take care of my sister and take care of the family, you know?" Duan Ning hurriedly got up and said, "Yes, my son knows what to do, please rest assured." ”

Shuning hurriedly said: "Since it's okay, can't I follow to Baoding?" Tong smiled: "Silly girl, even if you lose the election in the future, the palace will still send people to see you from time to time, how can you leave?" Shuning thought about it, so she said a little embarrassedly: "Then I'll send Ama Eniang to Fangshan." Zhang Bao and Tong agreed to this.

Tong quickly wrote a letter and handed it over to Huzi, who had the best riding skills among his subordinates, to ride a fast horse to his mother's house, so that he could come back and arrange a family dinner. After the meal, he instructed everyone to pack their luggage and prepare for tomorrow's trip.

Frangipani came to ask Shuning if she wanted to take out the clothes and miscellaneous items in the box, and Shuning was about to nod. Suddenly, his heart moved, and he said, "Ignore it for now." Just take out the things that are urgently needed. Su Xin didn't know why, so she glanced at Shuning several times before she went suspiciously.

Huzi came back after a watch, and brought a letter from Tong's mother. Shuning was busy urging her mother to read the letter, and Tong read it. frowned slightly, saw that her daughter looked anxious, and hurriedly said: "It's okay, although your grandmother didn't say it explicitly, but looking at what she meant between the lines, most of them agreed." She also said that when she entered the palace to meet her mother in the New Year, she would not mention it again for the time being. ”

Shuning's heart was relieved, but she had some questions: "Since there is nothing to do, why is E-Niang frowning?" Tong sighed: "Although your grandmother agrees, she will not interfere in the marriage and land affairs. But also said that the draft should not be sloppy, and it is necessary to do the best possible. She can't trust the grandma we are looking for in the house. Therefore, I will send a Cui Mama from the place where the Tong family is enshrined to teach you rules and etiquette. She looked up at her daughter. smiled bitterly: "This grandmother." I used to teach Eniang, and she was the most shrewd and severe. I'm just afraid you'll suffer. ”

Shuning grimaced. Could it be that he is going to follow Wanning's old path and endure the torture of another "Mama Rong"?

Seeing this, Tong Shi hurriedly comforted her and said: "Don't worry, although this Mama Cui is strict, she is a person who knows proportion, as long as you are obedient, she will not do anything to you." Just remember, don't be clever in front of her, otherwise you will suffer a lot. She'll be here in the next two days, and I'll arrange for her to live next to you, and you should be careful. ”

What else can Shu Ning say? I had to obediently respond.

Early the next morning, the servants of the third room were busy loading the car and luggage, and Zhang Bao and his wife were ready to set off with their children. Duan Ning couldn't send it to Fangshan because he had to go on a business trip, so he had to bid farewell to his family at the gate of the house, but he thought that he would see him again during the New Year, so he reduced his sorrow a little. Jin Bao Rongbao brought his family to the door to see him off, and several friends who were familiar with Zhang Bao also came.

Of the people on Chen Liangben's side, only Yu Heng came. According to him, now the two adults Chen and Huang are at odds, and the officials of the original Chen faction are facing splits. Yu Heng and Zhang Bao both sighed, but at the end of the former, he added: "The emperor has made a decree, I am about to be reappointed as the governor of Fujian, and I will set off in a few days." The disturbances in the capital are no longer relevant to us. Zhang Bao was silent, and only said "take care" to him.

Back in Fangshan, Changgui had already brought people to the door to greet him, and the house was cleaned. Zhang Bao discussed with Tong that he would only stay for one night and go on the road the next day, so the time was very tight.

The Tong family had already discussed with her husband and daughter the family to be brought to Baoding. Changfu also had to take care of the affairs of the house and the other courtyards, and Duanning was a boy and had to go to the yamen on an errand, so Tong was not worried that his daughter would stay at home alone, so he simply left his second sister-in-law behind. Wang Er and his wife are going to go out with him, and Changgui and his wife are going to take care of the other courtyard, so on Thursday Lin and his wife will follow him to Baoding. In the past two years, their family has also successively accepted several family members, and took this opportunity to choose a few more rooms to use, plus a few people who are waiting with them, a total of about 30 people have to follow.

The remaining male and female servants, except for a few who were sent back to Beijing, had to continue to stay in the other courtyard. Xiao Liu and Xiao Bao still live here, and the Changgui couple takes care of internal and external affairs. Considering that his son was going to marry a wife, the Tong family wanted someone to call in the new courtyard, so they sent Ma San'er and his wife back to Beijing together. As for the fourth elder brother who might come back to the land, she explained Changgui in detail, and selected a reliable Niu Xiaosi from the small house to take over Ma San'er's class, and ordered Qiaoyun to personally take charge of the cleaning work of the Pillow Xia Pavilion.

Speaking of the newcomer Gu Quansheng, he has been arranged in Fangshan for two or three months, and at first he followed Changgui to take care of the chores in the outer courtyard, because he was capable and humble, he was very well received by the stewards, and the daughters-in-law of Yahuan took care of him everywhere, which caused several small servants to be dissatisfied in their hearts. Fortunately, they know how to be measured, at most they can only say a few ugly words, and they will not bully him, so Gu Quan's birthday is not bad.

Zhang Bao specially called him to see him, asked him about his recent situation, and saw that his complexion was much better, and his spirit was good, and he was much less depressed when he spoke and acted. He listened to Changgui's return, and knew that Gu Quansheng had made a lot of efforts to cook various industries in the autumn and winter, and even asked the Li family of Lin Hou to match up and find a businessman who specialized in vegetable and fruit business and aquatic production to deal with the production of other courtyards, and he didn't have to spend time looking for buyers every year, so he knew that he had inadvertently gained a talent. While he was happy, he also specially explained that his wife had increased Gu Quansheng's monthly money and benefits, and promoted him to deputy manager, who was responsible for taking care of various industries.

Gu Quansheng was a little surprised, but he also knew that this was a good opportunity for him, so he solemnly gave a big gift and thanked Zhang Bao for his trust.

In this way, even if the servants of the other courtyard are arranged, there are other people to consider.

Mr. Cai learned that the owner had given him a foreign appointment and was about to set off, and the young lady wanted to stay in Beijing Middle School for the sake of the draft, so he submitted his resignation to Zhang Bao and Tong after thinking about it in his heart.

In fact, Zhang Bao and the Tong family also have this idea, although it is nothing to raise more people, but the daughter may not have the opportunity to study her homework with peace of mind for the time being, and there is no need to delay Mr. Cai, so she readily agreed to him. It's just that Tong privately asked him not to mention his daughter's talent after he left, and if anyone asked, just say that his qualifications were mediocre.

Mr. Cai didn't understand what they meant, but the proprietor sealed Xie Shiyin with 100 taels, and promised to give him a few good pianos and chess sets and the four treasures of the study room that he had used, and allowed him to take away one of his favorite ancient paintings. With these things, plus the silver taels he usually accumulates, he can buy dozens of acres of land, and from now on he can go home to retire with peace of mind, and he doesn't have to go around asking for museums. In the past two years, he has lived happily in Fangshan, and the owner has treated him very politely, and he is grateful in his heart, although he does not understand their intentions, he still agrees to that strange request.

Tong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and turned to arrange Mr. Yang's affairs. I don't know why, he suddenly proposed to move outside to live, saying that none of the members of the main family were there, only Aunt Liu and Xiaobao lived, he was young and single, and it was not good to continue to live in the house. Tong felt that his idea was a little strange, because there was still a family of Master Cheng living in the other courtyard, and although the number of servants had decreased, the inner courtyard was still very strict, and he had never been to the back. However, after hearing a story from the little girl in the room, she couldn't help but smile and agreed to his request, and asked someone to rent a small courtyard in a nearby village, lend it to him to live, and assign a small maid and a mother-in-law to take care of him. Mr. Yang went happily.

Things at home are almost arranged, and the whole family is relieved. Shuning told the maids to pack the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting and other utensils that were originally placed in the courtyard and the clothes for the winter and spring seasons, but they didn't say that they would take them back to the Earl's Palace.

The next day, it was early in the morning, Shuning stood in the front yard, endured the reluctance in her heart, said goodbye to her parents and younger brother, and sent them on the way to Baoding.

She didn't walk in until she couldn't see the shadow of the carriage, and looked at the somewhat deserted courtyard, and couldn't help but feel a little dazed. Suddenly, I heard Frangipani exclaim, "It's snowing." She looked up, and sure enough, a few snowflakes fell from the sky, landed in the palm of her hand, and quickly disappeared.

She clenched her fists and secretly cheered herself up, now that her parents are no longer by her side, she must come on!

After all, you have to rely on yourself to walk this road.