Chapter XVIII

The life of the concubine

Thinking of staying and flying with Mengxi, there were only the two of them, Xiao Jun's hand holding the tea couldn't help but tremble slightly, took a sip of tea, and forcibly held down the pounding heart.

Will Xi'er go south with him, looking at the screen with a hint of worry in her eyes.

Just thinking about it, I saw Zhichun holding Mengxi and turning the screen, and slowly walked in, seeing that the second master was drinking tea, Mengxi stepped forward and lightly blessed:

"Second Master An, the concubine doesn't know that the second master is back, there is a loss of welcome, please forgive the second master"

There is a long way to go! I've never seen you meet you these days.

Of course, these second masters can only have broken thoughts in their hearts, and they won't say it, as if these rules are all cultivated by him, and now he wants to see her, he has to invite her first. Putting down the teacup and saying:

"Xi'er sits."

"Second Master Xie"

Mengxi helped Zhichun, sat down next to the second master, a fragrance that seemed to be nothing, refreshing people's hearts, the second master who had a soft spot for the fragrance unconsciously sniffed his nose, this fragrance was something he had never smelled, thinking of the Tangram Festival, the incense in the purse she gave to a few girls was something he had never seen, it was so difficult that she would mix spices, why didn't he even mention it? He frowned, and thought deeply.

"Second Master"

Hongzhu saw that the second master was silent, the second grandmother was like a Buddha, and the two of them spoke first as if they were vomiting, thinking that the second master passed the second grandmother over, there must be something, so she screamed softly and broke the silence.

Hearing the sound of Hongzhu, the second master came back to his senses, and when he saw that everyone in the hall was looking at him, he coughed lightly and said:

"I'll go to the south early tomorrow morning, Xi'er will prepare"

"Leave early tomorrow morning! In such a hurry, how long will it take? ”

"It depends, as little as one year, as much as two years"

"So long!"

Damn, she hasn't gotten her letter of resignation yet?

As soon as he is gone for a year, what should she do with her resignation, her Yichun Hall can make her worry about food and clothing, and she can be a rice worm with peace of mind, but she can't resist the power of the Xiao family.

Without a letter of resignation, even if she sneaks out of the house, she will be arrested in two and a half days, and her evil mother-in-law, who has nothing to do, must not use her as a slut who eloped with someone to soak in the pig cage! The TV series in her previous life were all played like this, and she didn't want to run a reality show in ancient times.

"Oh, I've been sick for nearly half a year, and the business in the south has been abandoned, so it will take a little longer to go this time."

Xiao Jun listened to Mengxi's surprised tone, his heart was sweet, and his tone was much softer.

Mengxi thought for a moment and said:

"The second master has been gone for so long, so I really have to prepare well, I will be in a bit of a hurry to leave tomorrow, can the second master delay it for two days, and the concubine will arrange it well"

If it can be delayed for a few days, a few days will be enough, and she will definitely make trouble for him to write a letter of resignation in the next few days. The big lady's birdishness, she's had enough.

"The eldest lord and the old lady are all set, they will leave tomorrow, Xi'er doesn't have to be too troublesome, there is silver left and right, and you can buy it on the road if you are missing."

"The concubine knows, let the eldest aunt arrange it, does the second master have anything else?"

Seeing that there was no negotiation, Mengxi suddenly withered, not this time, and then slowly think of a way.

This Xiao Mansion, she must come out!

Retracted his mind, and then remembered that the second master had to go out for more than a year, saying that he didn't need to be too prepared, after all, he was a young master of the family, and he couldn't be too hasty, he had to do too much, so urgent, but he really had to hurry up and make a point, and he didn't feel anxious.

Xiao Jun listened to Mengxi's words, and actually picked up the teacup and drank the tea, Mengxi was in such a hurry, going out in this car, horses, there are many things to eat and use, you don't need to be in a hurry, you are not in a hurry, you are not in a hurry, and you drink tea, at least let me hurry up and prepare.

After a long time, Xiao Juncai put down the teacup, raised his head and said:

"Xi'er, that, that I went to the south to inspect the business, and the old lady asked me to bring a wife and concubine over, you see..."

"Whoever the second master wants to take over, the concubine will arrange it"

After Mengxi asked, seeing that the second master was silent for a long time, he asked tentatively:

"If you want to go out, there are four people in the backyard, and it is convenient to bring only Hongyu and Cuiping, these two people are very smart, and their hearts are relatively fine, Hongyu has been serving the second master for a longer time, knowing the temper and temperament of the second master, according to the concubine's opinion, it is better to bring Hongyu, and the concubine told her to prepare."

When Xiao Jun heard this, his face turned cold, he put down the teacup suddenly, got up and walked out.

Damn, I guessed wrong, he wants to take Aunt Zhang? But Aunt Zhang's Ping'er is only four years old, is she willing to leave her daughter alone in the house?

Could it be that the second master wants to drag his family to work in the south, dizzy!

The second master has always been moody, and now he can't care so much, so he hurriedly ordered people to go to the courtyards to call the aunts over, and Mengxi began to get busy with the second master's outing.

It is worthy of being a family, someone has silver is easy to do, it was originally a very hasty thing, Mengxi only took one afternoon, when it was dark, everything was ready to stop, let Hongzhu go back to the second master, and Zhiqiu and others returned to the East Chamber to rest.

The second master leaned on the bed extremely depressed, he mustered up great courage today, and proposed to Xi'er that he wanted to take a wife and concubine out, anyone who thought about it with his knees could guess that he clearly wanted to take her to the south, only take her one, and the two of them lived a day of double accommodation and double flight.

But whether she is really stupid or pretending to be stupid, knowing that Hongyu and Cui Ping are two people he doesn't want to see, one is taboo for him, and the other is disgusted by him.

But he didn't open his eyes and let him choose one of the two, he didn't choke him to death in a word, and he hated that he lost Su Ri's calm when he faced her, and he was defeated in one round, and he really went out with such a shake of his hand, and now he has the face to turn around and beg her to go to the south with him!

In desperation, Hongzhu came in and said:

"Second master, Xiao Xia is back, saying that I have something urgent to see you"

"What's the urgency, can't you wait for tomorrow? It's so late to come to the inner house? ”

"The slave doesn't know, the slave asked, he didn't say, the slave also wanted to travel with you tomorrow, what is the road to say, but he said that it is a big thing, I must see you now"

"What a big deal! Where is he? ”

"Waiting outside the door"

"Let him go to the study and wait, clothes"

After the second master finished speaking, he got up and got out of bed, and when Hongzhu saw it, he hurriedly said:

"Second master, it's so late, you have to get up early tomorrow and hurry."

After listening to Hongzhu's words, the second master thought about it and said:

"Let him come here!"

Hongzhu answered, walked out, and after a while, walked in with Xiao Xia, Xiao Xia came to the inner room, and saw the second master sitting on a chair in his clothes, drinking tea, and saw him come in and asked:

"What's the matter? In such a hurry? ”

"Second Master"

Xiao Xia called the second master, stopped his mouth, looked at the red bead standing on the side, Xiao Jun saw this, and said to the red bead:

"Hongzhu, you go out first, guard the door, don't let people in"

Hongzhu answered, turned around and walked out, turned around and closed the door, Xiao Xia saw that the door was closed, so he took a step forward, approached the second master, and whispered:

"Second master, the person who was sent to the Li family a few days ago came back, but it was just ......"

Just what? What did you find? ”

"Second master, in order to be safe, the slave feels that it is not easy to send too many people out of this matter, so as not to find out the details of the second grandmother behind the second master's back, so it is not good to say, so he only sent Xiao Yuan, just came back, this Xiao Yuan told the slave that he rented a house near Li's house, under the pseudonym Li Heng, and lived for nearly a month before he found out clearly"

Listening to Xiao Xia's words, a trace of displeasure flashed on the second master's face, and he said coldly:

"Clearly! The second grandmother's life experience is still very complicated, right? ”

"What the second master said is true, the second grandmother is not the daughter of the Li family, she is born to Aunt Zhao, the concubine of the fifth room of the old man Li, she is a concubine, the old man Li has only one daughter, the girl's name is Li Mengfei, 15 years old this year, the older second grandmother is two years old, and the appearance is less than one-tenth of the second grandmother, this person is arrogant and indulgent, and does not abide by women's morals, I heard that he has been engaged to Qian Junhao, the little son of Qian Mei, the counselor of the General Political Department, and will marry in February next year, but he still has frequent contacts with several rich sons, and he is not clear. It is said that with the shrewdness of the old lady and the eldest master, this kind of mistake should not be made, just because the second master was seriously ill at that time, the old lady and the eldest master were dizzy, and the Li family was able to send the girl to Chongxi is a great joy, but I haven't checked it carefully, the second master, the second master, what's wrong with you? ”

Xiao Xia was talking, looking up at the second master's face was pale, the teacup in his hand was crushed raw, the tea was sprinkled, and blood flowed down the palm of his hand.

Xiao Xia is the only person in Xiao Mansion who knows the second master's heart, just listened to Xiao Yuan's words, didn't say a word and reported to the second master overnight, although he was also mentally prepared, but he didn't expect the second master to be so shocked, and he was stupid, he stepped forward to see the second master's hand, and was pushed away by the second master:

"Go on, what else?"

"Second Master"

"Go on!"

Facing the second master's knife-like gaze, Xiao Xia shivered, seeing that the second master's hand was bleeding, but he didn't dare to step forward again, and Li Na continued:

"Listen to Xiao Yuan, these two grandmothers are more beautiful than their sisters, and their mothers are often bullied by their sisters, although they are also young women, it is said that they are called by Mrs. Li and Li Mengfei to be inferior to even a subordinate, or how can the second grandmother make a good dish, I think that my mother's family was forced to cook every day, and the slave also heard Xiao Yuan say that before the second grandmother entered the door, I heard that she wanted her to marry on behalf of her sister, and she was hanged to death, and was later rescued and put under house arrest. I think that the second grandmother's weak health is the root of the disease when she fished out her mother's family."

"Such a big thing, such a long time, how come no one in the Xiao Mansion knows?"

"Second master, it's not that no one knows about Xiao Mansion, but that the people who know have sealed their mouths!"

"What, keep your mouth shut, who else in the Xiao Mansion knows about this?"

"The slave doesn't know, Xiao Yuan said, occasionally I heard a son who had an affair with Mengfei get drunk and said that someone in the Xiao Mansion had a silver tael, and threatened that if they dared to say this, be careful of their family's lives, so it took Xiao Heng so long and energy to find out."

"Such a big thing, it was actually sealed by the people of Xiao Mansion, who is so bold? And what is the purpose? Those people didn't show any tone at all? ”

The second master heard Xiao Xia say that the life experience of the concubine of Mengxi was actually sealed by the people of the Xiao Mansion, and he was shocked with a trace of unease, and gave birth to a feeling of being controlled like a chess piece.

asked to himself, who in Xiao Mansion has such courage?

I only heard Xiao Xia say:

"The matter is very important, Xiao Heng repeatedly inquired about the appearance and characteristics of the person who sealed the mouth, and wanted to judge who it was, those people only said that the person who sealed the mouth was holding the unique jade pendant of Xiao Mansion, under the banner of Xiao Mansion, and refused to say anything else."

When Xiao Xia said this, he glanced at the second master, saw him bow his head and ponder, and then said:

"The slave dared to guess that there were only three people in the Xiao Mansion who dared to do this, the old lady, the eldest lady, the eldest master, these three people all love the second master very much, and will never do anything unfavorable to the second master, so the slave can't figure it out if he wants to break his head, that person knew about it at the beginning, why didn't he expose it earlier, but sealed it, is it really just for the decency of the Xiao Mansion, but after all, this matter is against it, and it is really concealed, and one day the second master will take over as the head of the family, that is a big sin to deceive the ancestors, the ancestors are watching it from heaven!"

After listening to Xiaoxia's words, the second master's body trembled violently, and he muttered for a long time, and said to Xiao Xia:

"Sent someone to seal his mouth overnight and told Xiao Yuan that this matter should not be mentioned again, especially the old lady, the eldest lord and the eldest wife, and they must not let them know that I already know the identity of the second grandmother."

"The slave knew that this matter was important, as soon as he heard this, he immediately let Xiao Heng shut his mouth, and listened to Xiao Heng say, this Li family is in the power of Xiao Mansion, and he does not dare to publicize it, Mengfei is a concubine and the Qian family in exchange for Geng Ti, Mengfei because of this matter, once made a big fuss about Li Mansion, saying that she is obviously a concubine, but married as a concubine, and in the future, her mother-in-law will definitely be angry, and she wants to come to Xiao Mansion to clarify, correct the identity of her concubine, Master Li was so angry that he used the family law, and even Mrs. Li was punished together, so he didn't make trouble."

When Xiao Xia said this, he coughed, and continued:

"The slave has been wondering, the second grandmother has been in the house for almost half a year, why didn't her mother's family come to pick her up, and the second grandmother never mentioned the matter of returning to her parents' house, now I think about it, I'm afraid that the Li family is worried that the second grandmother will return to the door, and the people who call and hug each other are all the slaves of the Xiao Mansion, and the slaves of the two families have more contact, and there are many people, and it is inevitable that they will be exposed."

After Xiao Xia finished speaking, he saw the second master sitting there like a wood carving, silent, and felt sorry for him, but there were some things that always had to be said, so he weighed it and said cautiously:

"The second grandmother's background is violated, and she can't hide it for a while, and when the time comes, there will be an old lady and a big master, I'm afraid that you can't make the decision, and the second master should make plans early."

"I can't imagine that Xi'er's mother's family is so bitter, no wonder she has been careful in everything since she married into Xiao Mansion, and she has been careful everywhere, and I have failed her in the past few months."

As if he hadn't heard what Xia had just said, the second master said to himself, and after a long time, he saw Xiao Xia, who was still standing on the side, and said to him:

"Go and find Xiao Quan and Xiao Gui, wait for them in my study, and then go to the account room to bring over the deed of sale of the two of them, and say I want it, by the way, if the account office wants to ask, just say that I want these minions, and follow me to do things in the future."

"Second master, you forgot, Xiao Gui and Xiao Quan were beaten by you to manage business outside the house a few days ago, not in the house, it's so late, the second door is locked in the morning, what's the matter, the second master might as well say it to the slave, and the slave will let people pass the word to them early tomorrow morning."

"Take my jade pendant out and call them into the study overnight."

"Second master, this is a big matter, you must think twice, you must not come nonsense, your hands are still bleeding, and the slave is ......"

Xiao Jun waved his hand impatiently.

Glancing at the second master's still bleeding hands, Xiao Xia sighed, turned around and walked out.

If the pain in his body can replace the pain of his heart like an ant worm, he would rather harm himself, and Xiao Jun at this time has an urge to hit his head against the wall.

Oh, my God! Xi'er was abused before she got married, and she was forced to marry Chong Xi on her behalf, just because he was blinded by the rumors in the market, what has he done to her for most of the past six months! But what makes him desperate is not these, the identity of Xi'er's concubine is destined not to be his wife!

thought that he could hold the hand of his son and grow old with his son, but when he identified her, someone told him that she was a concubine and was destined not to be his wife, which made him embarrassed!

Late at night, Xiao Jun finished handling the affairs and walked out of the study, the cold courtyard was empty, only the gentle night breeze blew, the second master jumped on the roof of the East Wing, passed through the roof, and went straight to the backyard of the East Wing.

The cold moonlight reflected the tall and thin figure, the more lonely and unruly it looked, the night breeze was mixed with bursts of light incense, Xi'er really liked to make incense, but unfortunately she didn't make incense for him.

He only learned today that she had preferred to die rather than marry him!

Xi'er doesn't love him, which makes Xiao Jun's heart ache with a hint of relief, two people who are destined not to be together, if they don't love, there will be no pain. If there is pain, let him bear it alone, this is what he owes her.

The half-hearted minions in the courtyard were all cleaned up by him under high pressure, and the minions he bought in were a blank sheet of paper, she would train them well, and he could leave with confidence.

The scene of Mengxi wearing a wedding dress and marrying someone else with a smile flashed in front of him, and Xiao Jun's heart actually had a benevolent numbness, just like the numbness after drunkenness, and only after waking up will he be conscious.

Tomorrow, there will be no pain.

This night was destined to be a sleepless night, Mengxi didn't know that the night before he went to the south, she kept a hard watch outside her window all night.

The next day, Mengxi got up early, Zhiqiu and Zhichun waited for the freshening up, and hurried to the main room, just arrived at the door of the hall, and saw that the three aunts and Hongyu were already waiting there, and several people saw the second grandmother coming over, and they came forward to greet them one by one.

The eldest aunt stepped forward to help the second grandmother, hugged them into the main hall, turned the screen, the second master did not, Hongzhu was leading the little maid to clean up the house, seeing the second grandmother come in, she was busy stepping forward to greet the courtesy, Mengxi slowly stepped forward and sat down, and Hongxing had already served tea.

"What's the matter, the second master is going out today, and he hasn't gotten up yet?"

"Back to the second grandmother, the second grandfather went out before dawn"

"What? Why did you go so early, didn't you say that you were going to take a concubine! ”

Aunt Cui listened, forgot about the second grandmother, and screamed, the second master was originally talking about bringing a "wife and concubine", but she automatically omitted the word "wife".

I heard that the second master was going to take a wife and concubine out, and the second grandmother recommended her and Hongyu, but Cui Ping thought that since Hongyu moved to Yuyuan, the second master had never stepped in, and the person to take must be her.

It's a pity that she didn't sleep well, she woke up too early from the dream, and the second master didn't say goodbye, and no one brought her, which made her unacceptable for a while, and she was in a state of confusion.

Aunt Cui called out, and when she saw that no one answered, she remembered that the second grandmother was still sitting on it, so she hurriedly shrank back and covered her mouth.

Aunt Zhang saw that the second master did not bring Cuiping or red jade, and her face showed a hint of joy. The hall was silent instantly, everyone look at me, I look at you, they all shook their heads secretly, they didn't understand why the second master didn't use them to send it, but at least he should say goodbye to the old lady.

After a few pairs of eyes looked at the second grandmother in unison, Mengxi was sitting there, looking at Aunt Cui, seeing that she didn't say anything, she stood up in a proper manner, and then said:

"A few aunts got up early today and worked hard, now that the second master is gone, everyone is gone"

After the second grandmother finished speaking, she remembered something again, and said:

"The second master went out this time, and it was about a year, the second master didn't go home, they were all sisters and sisters, and there were not so many rules, in the future, if there was no big event, there would be no need to see the sky to come and say goodbye, only every Monday and Friday every month."

"What does it mean to be every Monday and Friday, the concubine doesn't understand"

The eldest aunt asked. The other aunts also looked at the second grandmother suspiciously.

"Every day and every five means that the days are followed by one and five, for example, the first day, fifth day of the first month, eleventh and fifteenth of each month"

Only then did the aunts understand what the second grandmother meant, and secretly said that this grandmother is really outstanding, can she come up with this? Could Ann please bring this too?

But no matter what, you don't have to come on time every day to make rules, of course, you can't ask for it, and happily respond, one by one and the second grandmother say goodbye, and come out.

Seeing that the aunts were gone, Hongzhu came out with a box, presented it to the second grandmother with both hands, and said:

"Second grandmother, this is what the second master instructed the slave to hand over to the second grandmother before leaving."

"What's that?"

"The slave doesn't know, but he just said that he asked the slave and the maid to hand it over to you"

Mengxi listened and nodded, Zhiqiu had already stepped forward to take it. Back in the east chamber, let Zhiqiu open the box given by the second master, there are two small ornament boxes inside, as well as some books and a scroll painting.

Zhiqiu stretched out his hand to take out an ornament box, opened it and presented it to the second grandmother, and at a glance, the master and servant were shocked, and the fate was the Liuyun Fu jade pendant.

Zhichun screamed excitedly, reached out and took out another jewelry box and opened it, and as expected, it was the pair of topaz bracelets.

"It turns out that the second master bought it back, the second grandmother, the second master has affection for you."

Zhiqiu, who has a deep prejudice against the second master, did not reject Zhichun's words for the first time, seeing that the second grandmother took the jade pendant in her hand, Zhiqiu reached out and took out the book in the box and read it, and said with a trembling voice while reading:

"Second master, second master really took down the jade shop, and actually used the name of the second grandmother, second grandmother, you are a woman! This, this ......"

Listening to Zhiqiu's words, Zhichun was also shocked, put down the box in his hand, came to Zhiqiu's side and looked at it, and said in surprise:

"I really used the name of the second grandmother! Second master, some are too deviant, how can you use the name of the second grandmother, the second grandmother is a woman!"

After listening to the words of the two maids, Mengxi asked puzzledly:

"Is it difficult for the law of Daqi to stipulate that women cannot hold property? Why didn't I see it? ”

Hearing this, the two girls looked at the second grandmother with wide eyes, and for a long time, Zhiqiu said:

"The Great Qi Law doesn't stipulate it, but it's ......"

The master and servant were talking, only to see Zhixia walk in and say back:

"Second grandma, Hongzhu led two people to ask to see you, saying that the second master asked her to introduce you when he left, you see ......"

Hearing this, the three of Mengxi's master and servant glanced at each other, all of them were a little puzzled, and when they saw the book in Zhiqiu's hand, Mengxi suddenly realized that he had a voice, let them come in, and wait in the hall.

Mengxi helped Zhiqiu to the east chamber hall, only to see Hongzhu standing on one side, two servants about 30 years old standing behind him, seeing the second grandmother sitting, Hongzhu hurriedly stepped forward and said lightly:

"Second grandmother, this is Li Quan, this is Li Gui, before leaving, the second master instructed the slave maid to introduce them to you, saying that there is something to return to you"

After Hongzhu finished introducing it, I saw Li Quan and Li Gui both kneeling, kowtowed to Mengxi and said:

"Slave Li Quan knocks to see the second grandmother"

"Slave Li Gui knocks to see the second grandmother"

"All Up"

Li Gui and Li Quan listened to it, thanked the second grandmother again, and then got up and stood aside. Seeing them get up, Mengxi asked:

"The second master asked you to come, what's the matter?"

After listening to the words of the second grandmother, the two hesitated for a moment, looked at the room, and did not speak, Hongzhu saw it and said:

"Second grandmother, the slave maid still has some things, so she will retire first"

Mengxi nodded in response, and when she saw Hongzhu go out, Mengxi said to the two:

"Say, 'What's the matter?'

I saw Li Gui step forward and say:

"Second grandmother, slave and Li Quan, originally a slave on the Xiao Mansion, named Xiao Gui Xiao Quan, two days ago was sent to the Xiangrui jade shop by the second master to take care of business, the second master called the slave overnight last night, and the deed of sale of the two slaves and the whole family was passed to the name of the second grandmother, and renamed the slave and Xiao Quan Li Gui and Li Quan, since then, the two slaves only listen to the second grandmother one send, the second grandmother has any instructions just tell the slave, and the slave will be done for you."

"Xiangruiyu shop?"

"Back to the second grandmother, near the Jingyun Temple of Xiangrui Yudian, the second master sent a slave to collect it in the name of the second grandmother a few days ago, and the second master also wanted the slave to tell you, the old lady and the eldest master don't know about this, the jade shop and the slave have nothing to do with the Xiao Mansion, only belong to the second grandmother alone, the second grandmother just rest assured to use the slave, not to mention that the deed of sale of the slave's whole family is in your hands, yesterday the second master also had a slave to swear a poisonous oath, only loyal to you......"

Beat away Li Gui and Li Quan, Mengxi was still sitting there stunned, all this arranged by the second master made her unable to recover for a while, for the first time there was an impulse, I wanted to catch the second master and ask for an understanding, I stood up suddenly, only to remember that the second master had left Pingyang.

Gently opened the scroll in the box, but it was the picture of a lady, and his fingers gently stroked the words "My Wife Dream Creek".

She thought, she really understood the eyes of the second master at that time, and why he wrote these four words without hesitation, and the trace of emotion that she couldn't understand in the eyes of the second master flashed in front of her these days, Mengxi's body trembled like an electric shock, and she retracted her fingers violently, and said to Zhiqiu:

"Seal it all up and put it away."

"Second grandma, you like this painting, and it is the second master's handwriting, it is hanging in the house, the slave maid thinks, the second master, the second master is a cold and warm person, and there is you in my heart!"

Zhichun listened to the second grandmother's instructions, and said Nuo Nuo, Zhiqiu didn't object, just looked at the second grandmother.

"Put it away!"

"Second grandma, that jade pendant!"

Mengxi waved her hand weakly, turned her back to Zhiqiu and Zhichun, came to the window, through the window, staring at the room where she and the second master had been, she didn't want them to see the paleness on her face!

The affection of the second master is not something that she can accept as a concubine! She had no choice but to freeze.