A torrential rain in the evening finally relieved the dreary heat for several days, the rain like a waterfall, the hustle and bustle on the green tiles, the wind swept the black clouds, and the thick gloom swallowed the heaven and earth, causing the night to fall early, annihilating the scenery outside the window, only the turbulent rain and the sound of the wind were endless.

Due to the wind and rain, Yijing and Banniang could not go to Yuanying Hall to say hello, so they had to stay in Luqing Garden for dinner, Banniang's appetite was always not good, and she reluctantly swallowed a small half bowl of rice, and then persuaded by Qiaohui, with a bowl of stewed goose paws with camelina, she resolutely put the bowl of chopsticks, Yijing saw that she frowned, and talked for a while, but at the beginning of the year, Banniang was so tired that her eyelids fought, and the maid served her to bathe and rest.

Yijing asked Chun Dusk to light up all the lights and candles in the house, making the room brilliant, gossiping with the Qiushuang sisters, while diligently embroidering the birthday gift for her grandmother, for a full hour, finally the pair of phoenixes spread their wings.

Facing the light of the Qinglian nine-branch lamp, looking over and over, the beautiful scenery is quite colorful.

Qiu Yue stood aside, and she couldn't stop admiring: "Just outline with beads, even if it's done, it won't take a few more days, Wu Niang can be regarded as persevering this time, and the slave can hardly believe that you can really complete this wipe in two months." ”

At a glance, I saw the fan on the case, and the yellow warbler opera was embroidered in the spring twilight, and Yijing picked up the two and compared, and couldn't help but be a little discouraged: "Look at this, such a difficult double-sided embroidery, the begonia looks vivid, and the yellow warbler is even more vivid, I remember that the spring twilight was embroidered in January, which is like me, such a simple pattern, and it took a month before and after." ”

Chun Du hurriedly comforted the master: "The slave is used to it, it's nothing, although the lines of this phoenix are simple, but it is better than being smart and smooth, and Wu Niang embroiders evenly, Mrs. Tai will definitely like it." ”

Qiushuang echoed again and again: "I'm afraid that Mrs. Tai doesn't believe that it was embroidered by Wu Niang, compared with this sachet, it is simply a sky and an earth." ”

Yijing looked at Qiushuang's hand, it was the sachet he had embroidered a few years ago, half a butterfly wing, embroidered unevenly, and he looked listless, as if he was going to die under the flowers.

Well, in such a comparison, wiping the forehead is indeed exquisite and gorgeous.

At this time, it seems that the wind and rain have stopped, and outside the window, the sound of "ticking" gradually came, and it was the rain that resounded through the empty steps.

Chun Du glanced at the leak, and immediately began to pack up the needle and thread, and persuaded Yijing: "It's late, Wu Niang should rest early, and I have to go to the horse farm early tomorrow morning to practice riding and shooting. ”

Qiu Shuang also hurriedly loosened the hair for Yijing, and Qiu Yue came out of the house and asked the maid on call in the porch to bring hot water.

The three maids waited for Yijing to wash, scented the lily incense in the fragrant lion, closed the window, laid out the brocade on the couch, extinguished the lights in the room, and left only one on the side of the bed, covered with a windproof glass cover, and carefully put down the gauze tent for Yijing, and the spring twilight and autumn frost retreated, leaving only the autumn moon on duty today.

Seeing Qiu Yue laying a reed mat on the beautiful couch under the window, Yi Jing slightly opened the tent: "I can't sleep for a while, you come up and talk to me." ”

Qiuyue's crisp voice responded, except for the outer skirt, she lay down on the outside of the bed, and said with a smile: "How long has it been since I talked to you like this, when I was young, Wu Niang was most afraid of sleeping alone, and she had to pull the slave maid and Sister Qiushuang to accompany her every night. ”

At that time, I still lived in the blue yarn cupboard of Yuaneitang, and it was a good time to be carefree.

"The result didn't scare us, but scared Xia Yun half to death when he got up at night." Yijing also remembered that incident, Xia Yun was also sick because of this, and he didn't dare to walk at night for half a year.

"Wu Niang, I plan to act according to your instructions tomorrow, but there are some words that have been in the hearts of the slaves and maids, and if I don't say them, I just feel bored and panicked, say them, and I'm afraid that you will blame the slaves and maids for having a lot of things." The halo of the glass lamp is hazy and beautiful, and then through the layer of the silk gauze tent, it is getting darker and darker, the autumn moon is backlit and lying on the side, and the little face is a shadow, only a pair of smart eyes, only a trace of light, can be set off brightly.

"The love between the two of us growing up together, when didn't you let you speak your heart? Don't pretend to be there. Yijing also turned over, face to face with Qiu Yue, with a look of listening carefully.

"Xia Yun has few words, and her temperament is also dull, don't say that she doesn't like you, even the slave maid doesn't want to be close to her, and these days, it is not difficult to see that she has moved her mind that she shouldn't have, and she inquired about Mama Song's nephew, and was courteous in front of Dongyu, no wonder Wu Niang annoyed her, and let the slave and maid find her...... However, Xia Yun is somewhat pitiful, she is lonely and helpless, and now that she is getting older, she has such an idea, but she doesn't know that Song Er is such a virtuous person, even if she can please Mama Song, she will marry and go into the wolf's den. ”

Although Qiu Yue's words were all about Xia Yun's confusion, it was not difficult to hear that she still had some sympathy.

In fact, in Yijing's heart, it's not that she doesn't understand Xia Yun, and she also thinks that her life experience is quite pitiful, but when she thinks of those people who obey Dongyu's orders...... Still unwilling to leave this hidden danger around.

"If Wu Niang annoys Xia Yun, it's better to transfer her to another place, out of sight and out of mind, but if she is sent down...... "There is no other way to rely on, if she is driven out of the house again, Xia Yun will really lose her way to live, and Qiu Yue is very unbearable."

"I didn't think about it, and Xia Yun just dropped it." In fact, this has already been said once, but Yijing also knows that a few maids in the spring twilight are afraid that they will not believe it: "You said that she has pity, and I think so, but when I turn my head and think about it, can't I rely on her?" She has been waiting for me for a few years, just like you, and although I haven't treated her so affectionately, how can I ever speak so harshly? If she has any suffering, you can tell me, and I will plan for her, but how can she say a word? Even if I have a difference between master and servant with her, and with you, has she not had a heart-to-heart? ”

Qiu Yue was stunned, and when she thought about it carefully, she couldn't help but nodded.

"What thoughts are in her heart that makes it difficult for her to speak, I think about her thoughts, but I am afraid that I don't want to be in charge in the future." Yijing said again.

Qiu Yue was shocked: "Wu Niang thinks ...... Summer clouds are the same as warblers? "Looking at it in the past, Xia Yun is also an honest person, could it be that he is all pretending to be and wants to choose a high branch? Qiu Yue didn't want to believe it, but when she thought of Xia Yun's performance these days, she felt that her master's analysis was very reasonable.

"I asked you to pick her, the purpose is not to send her, but her heart is no longer in the Green Garden, but she waits for me, and it is also fate...... You tell Qiu Shuang and ask her to pick a suitable time to reveal Song Er's virtue to Xia Yun, which can be regarded as a wake-up call for us. Yi Jing said, as for Xia Yun knowing that there was a fire pit in front of her, and whether she was willing to go inside, it was all up to her.

If Xia Yun reined in those thoughts, Yijing may not be reluctant to give her a chance, although she is unwilling to stay by her side, but Banniang happens to be short of people, so she can ask her grandmother to transfer Xia Yun to wait next to Banniang, and wait for two years, if she wants, her grandmother will be the master, find a steward for her, eliminate the slavery, and get a free and stable.

The reason why Qiuyue is not looking for summer clouds is completely to test the cherry.

According to Yijing's observation, Cherry does have a bit of a desire to fight for promotion, although it is not a bad thing to be ambitious, but the character must be correct, after all, what to do in the future, can not count on the three of them, so they have to find another henchman, and this person, ability and loyalty are indispensable.

These days, Yijing has observed the maids of Luqing Garden, either they are not clever enough, or they are not calm enough, and a few years old are people who are greedy for small profits, and they are overwhelmed.

There is only one cherry, diligent in her hands and feet, cautious and silent, and she doesn't seem to have the fancy mind to be inflammatory, if she is really the same as she looks, it is appropriate.

But even if Cherry can pass the test, I still don't know if her brother is reliable, and she still needs to be carefully examined and tested.

All the plans have not yet been implemented, but it is not easy to choose a helper.

Yijing pondered for a while, and then looked at the autumn moon-

But the girl was already asleep, and she didn't know what she had dreamed of, and the corners of her lips were raised, and she was very happy.

On a summer night after the rain, it is cool and pleasant, and the carefree girl deserves a good night's sleep.

It's really enviable.

Yijing turned over and closed her eyes, but the thoughts in her head were so mixed and so many that it was difficult for her to sleep.

The date of Mr. Wei's departure has been set, just five days later, the thank-you banquet led by Erniang is also set for the day after tomorrow, and the post is sent to the Chu Palace, and there has been an echo, the three sisters of An Hui will inevitably attend, and Yu Zhou will not miss it.

In this life, the prince of Chu is a confidant of Mr. Wei, and it is said that he will also attend.

Thinking of meeting him again, Yijing only felt mixed feelings in his heart, on the one hand, if he wanted to atone for his sins and make him safe and happy in this life, he naturally couldn't avoid meeting him, after all, to prevent those with malicious intentions from harming the world, it seemed that the only way to stay by his side was the safest; But on the other hand, guilt still torments her from time to time, making her afraid to face the world.

Suddenly, Yu Zhou thought of Yu Zhou, and the fierce gods and evil spirits behind him.

Suddenly, it was Mama Song's cruel and vicious face.

Sleepiness is gone.

But suddenly I heard a scream -

Frightened, he sat up straight and listened carefully.

The night is quiet, and the sound of the wind sweeps through the bamboo tops, dripping a piece of rain, dripping and dripping.

Just when Yijing thought it was a hallucination, she heard a muffled sound, as if something had hit the ground, and faintly, there was a woman's intermittent crying.

It's not an illusion!

Yijing pushed two handfuls of Qiuyue, turned over and stayed, put on a coat, and pushed open the window to look back/court.

There were no stars and no moons, and the rich night came with the opening of the windows, and the crying became clearer and clearer.

Immediately after, Yijing heard Qiaohui's reassuring voice, the volume was slightly high, and her worry and nervousness could be heard.

The east chamber where Banniang lived was lit up.

At this time, Qiu Yue had already woken up, put on her clothes, yawned behind Yijing, and also looked out, and asked in a daze, "What's wrong?" Could it be that someone is pretending to be a ghost again? ”

Yi Jing didn't speak, pushed open the corner door on the side of the bedroom, and walked to Banniang's wing, the two places were connected to the hand-copying verandah, only ten steps apart, Yi Jing stood in front of the door and called out before pushing the door open.

At a glance, I saw Qiao Hui standing in the middle of the room, wearing only a moon-white shirt, shoeing on, with a little panic on her face, and turning her head helplessly.

There was a bamboo pillow thrown on the ground, and Banniang shrank in the corner of the couch, pulling a thin quilt to cover most of her body, revealing only a tear-stained little face, full of dazedness and fear, but not the appearance of being frightened by ghosts.

"Banniang had a nightmare, but she didn't let the slave and maid get close...... Qiaohui explained in a panic, for fear that Yijing would misunderstand, and tried to approach the front of the bed, but she didn't want Banniang to cry: "It's not me...... Don't come to me...... There is a debtor who is wronged...... It's not my fault......"

Yijing's heart sank, grabbed Qiaohui, stepped forward lightly, and comforted Banniang: "Eighth sister take a closer look, can you recognize me?" Don't be afraid, no one wants to harm you, you're just having a nightmare. ”

"Fifth Sister ......" After a few breaths, Banniang returned to her soul, choked and shouted, and slightly relaxed her hand holding the quilt.

Yijing breathed a sigh of relief and ordered: "Qiaohui go and fetch a basin of hot water, and Qiuyue go to make a bowl of hot tea, so as to frighten the eighth sister." When there was no one else in the wing, Yijing went to the couch and gently hugged Banniang's shoulder: "Don't be afraid, what you dreamed of, just say it." ”

Banniang bit her lip tightly, her body trembled like a branch in the north wind in winter, and she refused to speak.

"Some things are hidden in my heart, but I just suffocated myself, these days, Eighth Sister, you don't think about tea and dinner, the whole person is as thin as skin and bones, and in the long run, you can have a bad body." Yi Jing sighed: "What happened to Jin Guiyuan that day, how did Yinchai die, you can tell it, I promise you that I won't tell others." ”

I had too many doubts, so I made a tentative speech, but when I saw Banniang's pale face in an instant, Yijing's heart was full of joy.

"Fifth sister...... It's not that I don't want to say it, but if someone else knows...... Aunt she...... After all, my aunt gave birth to me, and I can't watch her pay for her life......" lowered her voice and cried, Banniang's fear that had been suppressed for many days finally vented.

Yinchai's death is really not as simple as it seems.

Yijing also felt her heart pounding, her palm was slightly forced, and she stroked Banniang's back: "Say it, you will feel better if you say it, I swear, what you say today, you will never tell others, including grandmother." ”

What is it like to feel guilty, Yijing understands that Banniang is just a child and should not suffer like this.

Listening to her sister's firm tone and feeling the kind reassurance, Banniang felt a little courage, endured the fear in her heart, and talked about the killing she witnessed that day: "The second aunt and the aunt had a dispute, and there was a lot of trouble, I was scared in my heart and hid in the backyard...... Yinchai was crying by the well, and Mama was comforting her...... I didn't want them to see me, so I hid myself in a side room...... Later, I heard the screams of the silver hairpin...... It was Mama who hit her on the back of the head with a brick and pushed her into the well......"

"Fifth sister, it must be my aunt who told my grandmother to hurt Yinchai, and it was my aunt who was annoyed that Yinchai did such an ugly thing...... Yinchai is pitiful, but my aunt is my biological mother in the end, I can't hurt her, fifth sister, you promise me that you must not let others know. ”

The murderer is really Mama Jiang!

Finally calmed Banniang's mood, and watched her fall asleep, Yijing took Qiu Yue back to her room, and slept quietly on the couch to clean up her thoughts.

This matter should have nothing to do with Aunt Zhang, she obviously didn't know Yinchai's careful thoughts, and she didn't foresee that the second aunt would go to Jinguiyuan.

But why did Mama Jiang kill Yinchai?

Not only do the two have no grudges or grudges, but they are still very close on the surface.

Could it be that Mama Jiang has always had a purpose in approaching Yinchai, but a helpless orphan girl, no matter how you look at it, she is no threat to Mama Jiang.

The turmoil in Jin Guiyuan must have been premeditated.

Someone deliberately let the second aunt know what Yinchai did, according to the temperament of the second aunt, under the anger, she will definitely go to Jinguiyuan to make a big fuss, while everyone is in the front yard, no one is paying attention, Jiang Mama deliberately led Yinchai to the well, while she was unprepared...... Even if she later found out that Yinchai had a wound on her head, she only thought that she had knocked it herself when she threw herself into the well...... There was a lot of noise in the front yard, and no one would hear Yinchai's screams.

Mama Jiang must have had murderous intent, so she will take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a move on Yinchai, causing the scandal of Yinchai to be exposed and the illusion of suicide in shame.

Aunt Zhang has a domineering temperament, even if she senses Yinchai's bad intentions, she doesn't have to waste such a twist and turn if she wants to send a maid, and she can directly hand it over to her mother for treatment.

Yinchai died like this, as if he had been killed.

But the maid next to an aunt knew something terrible that led to the murder.

That day, I talked about Mama Jiang's strangeness in front of my grandmother, and Mama Song was so nervous, was it just her own illusion?

No, it's not easy.

Mama Jiang called the silver hairpin fell into the well at that time, showing traces, and she didn't look like a cautious person, but her explanation in front of her grandmother was calm and thoughtful, and her performance was very contradictory.

On that day, Mama Song went to Jinguiyuan to bring Mama Jiang over......

It is very likely that she explained how Mama Jiang should explain on the road.

Yi Jing thought about it repeatedly, and intuitively felt that behind this murder, there was a dark shadow of Mama Song.

But what is Mama Song's motive for killing? She would never just drive away the sound of the warbler and let the winter rain be lacking, so she would waste so much trouble and do dangerous things that harm people's lives, so ...... Could it be that Yinchai has mastered what handle she has?

If all this is as he expected, Mama Song is far more dangerous than she thought.

She does not hesitate to kill people, she must be brewing a big conspiracy, and the point of this conspiracy is not just herself.

To find out all this, we have to start with Mama Jiang, and we can't implicate Banniang and Aunt Zhang, let alone make Mama Song suspicious.

What to do?

The beautiful scenery turned over and over, and all night, I still didn't think of a perfect solution.

When the morning came, she had to get up on time like a nobody, freshen up and change clothes, and go to the horse farm to practice riding and shooting.

After a month of hard training, Yijing's equestrian skills have made great progress, at least now it's like playing two laps, and the black eagle bow is no longer motionless under her hard pulling, but—

"Seeing that your little arms have grown a lot, why can't you still pull the bow?" Su Lian was very dissatisfied, pinched Yijing's arm, and hated that iron could not become steel.

Yijing was a little panicked by the word Zhuangshi, looked at his arm, and felt that it was still a lady's arm, so he was relieved, and threw down his bold words in high spirits: "Little aunt wait and see, but in a short time, I will definitely be able to shoot this arrow to the target!" Don't forget your promise. She lifted her target up a step again, ignoring the listless cluster of arrows that she had just shot but had landed three paces away.

"Yes, it looks like you're really eager to go to Fireworks Alley with me!" Su Lian patted Yijing's shoulder approvingly.

Stunning ......

Do people want to walk the rivers and lakes with you?