This happened during the meal.

After enjoying the play, Cao and Zhuang Hu arranged to have a meal, and they set it up here in the theater. The people came out of the kitchen in bunches, carrying warm boxes for putting vegetables, or carrying trays, or carrying the hot stove, and went to the garden in an orderly manner. The housekeeper checks the number of dishes at the beginning of the guest table and releases people to set the table in batches. After a little effort, the people worked as if they were fighting, and all the dishes and soups were ordered. The housekeeper went to report to the Cao family again.

Cao Shi knew that he came out to take a look at the food table, and when he saw that it was almost over, he nodded and lifted his skirt robe, and moved to invite the old lady and others.

Seeing the Cao family come in, the old lady understood that it was already proper outside, so she took Lao Fujin with one hand and Bai Lao Niang with the other, and said, "Let the guests sit for a long time." At this time, it's time to reward your belly. I just rewarded the people on the stage, so we should come to us and reward us for ourselves. Let's go! ”

The three master old men asked for steps first, the housekeeper led in front, and the Qin family, the Cao family, and the county lord each took care of one or two guests, all of whom spoke politely and invited them to accompany them. The back was even more casual, the girls were loose and loose, this handful of couples followed behind the wives, and the young master and the guests followed the girls; Further on, there are aunts and some face-stooping mothers-in-law, as well as relatives and friends. Because of the majority of female dependents, the crowd of people is all splendid jade clothes, with a variety of pearls and hairpins, competing for glory.

The seats are arranged as if they were watching a play.

It's just that a table of birthday seats is added at the back, and it is empty at the forefront. This was done by the old lady on a temporary basis for the housekeeper.

Cao was a little puzzled, and asked Zhuang Hu and the housekeeper how to have an extra table. The butler replied, "This is a table that the old lady has to open in private, and the dishes are better than those on the main table." ”

Zhuang Hu wondered, looked at Cao Shi and asked, "Madam, did you invite people from the palace?" She had never seen this kind of kindness.

Cao shook his head and said that he hadn't heard the old lady say it. That's it, because the old lady is in charge, who dares to ask. When everyone was seated, the table was left alone, and it was particularly conspicuous from a distance.

Thinking that the eldest grandmother and Aunt Nazha of Lizhuyuan were still resting outside, Cao Shi went to kindly remind him and said, "Old lady, it seems that there are still people outside who have not entered." Isn't it time to come in? Here, Cao wants to show his meticulousness.

The old lady didn't expect it for a while, so she only stared at the empty table arranged by the old man in the distance, and said, "The old man has a lively game by himself, don't care." ”

Cao said with a smile: "It's not the old men, it's the two families who just watched the play and went out." ”

Cao said that the two families clearly don't want to be under the same roof as Aunt Nazha.

The old lady glanced at her and said with a smile: "The heart is so narrow." It's all a family, which two families are here? If there is anyone outside who has not arrived, you send someone to call him. Don't let us eat and let others dream. ”

Looking around again, the seats were full, and no one left empty seats for Grandma and Aunt Nazha. Seeing the empty table in front of him, Cao sarcastically said to the old lady: "What about the table in front?" ”

The old lady put away her smiling face and looked at Yu Qi with dignity, and Yu Qi and the other girls also looked at the old lady, waiting for her to say something.

I saw the old lady say, "That's the birthday table." ”

Cao said: "How can I not know this rule, I really damn it!" I haven't seen the girls on their birthdays before, so I thought they were for someone who didn't come in! ”

The old lady said, "It's not for the outside. This is called having more than enough every year, enjoying the joy of heaven together. The girls didn't have it before, and that's what you don't want to have left, and you can enjoy it again and again. Girl is a freshman, you don't think about her, I don't allow you to be careful? ”

Here, the old lady had good intentions, she wanted to comfort Yu Qi's heart, and the table vacated was reserved for her dead parents and family. When Yu Qi looked at the old lady's eyes, he felt a little conscious. After listening to the old lady's words, Lu Qi was even more sure that it was set up for the dead, so he was deeply moved, and his eyes were covered with tears.

Cao Shi was ashamed, hurriedly saluted a few times, punished himself with his palms and mouths, and opened his mouth to ask for chopsticks, and then retreated, and ordered the housekeeper and the girls: "Go to Shouzhongju and invite grandma to come." ”

didn't say that he wanted to invite Aunt Nazha from the fence bamboo garden.

Hearing this, the housekeeper nodded first, and then invited the Cao family to sit down. Later, according to the housekeeper's instructions, the girl went to Shouzhongju to call someone.

But the strange thing is that the girl returned to Shouzhongju and searched inside and out, but she didn't see the eldest grandmother and Aunt Nazha.

I was about to go back to the garden to report, when suddenly, a girl ran outside the gate of Zhongfu, looking panicked, the skirt, pants and shoes were soaked, and I saw her say: "Sister, hurry up and tell the old lady and Mrs. that the grandmother has fallen into the lake." The fence bamboo garden is making trouble, and the Italian girl has beaten someone. ”

When the girl in Zhongfu heard this, she was frightened and asked tremblingly, "Which lake did grandma go to?" What's wrong with the fence bamboo garden again? What the hell is going on? ”

The girl cried and said, "Sister, don't ask, go in and give a word!" The eldest grandmother sent her back to Dongfu, and Aunt Nazha was so frightened. We were afraid that the wives would know that they were to blame later, so we would give up all our lives to report it. Sister, isn't it amazing to see me go in like this? Therefore, my sister don't ask, give words to my wife, and when she goes, she will naturally know. ”

So the two parted ways, one went back to the opera garden to report, and the other hurried back to the fence bamboo garden to see the situation.

The girl returned to the guest seat, and saw that the host's family and the guests were eating happily, and she didn't dare to report it suddenly, so she looked for the housekeeper and said: "Butler, the eldest grandmother and the aunt of the fence bamboo garden are not living in Shouzhong, I was about to come back to report, I heard someone outside say that the eldest grandmother fell into the lake again, and the people outside were afraid of blame, so they sent it back to Dongfu privately." The Italian girl in the fence bamboo garden also beats people. ”

The housekeeper originally watched the Zhuangfu family respond to the guests, very harmonious, very festive, and happy himself, but suddenly received such a report, very shocked and very angry; He flicked his sleeves and let the girl go down, and whispered not to show off. After staring at the guest seat for a while, the housekeeper also quietly withdrew, and asked Si'er and a few other close relatives to follow, and hurriedly rushed to Dongfu to see the eldest grandmother.

When he arrived at the Rolling Garden, the housekeeper asked Si'er to wait outside and walk in quickly.

When I was admitted to the hospital, I saw the girl beeswax and ice pear ordering people to do things outside the door, and the girl carrying hot water in and out.

Because he saw the housekeeper, Beeswax asked Bingli to go inside to serve first, and he came down to greet the housekeeper.

Beeswax saluted the butler and said, "Grandma accidentally fell into the water." I'm afraid this won't go by. When I get dressed, I'll send my grandmother over. ”

The butler sighed, "Does it matter?" ”

Beeswax said: "Grandma said it doesn't matter, let the guests know don't make a noise." ”

The housekeeper said, "Isn't that the reason?" If it doesn't matter, hurry up and go into the garden and take your seat. ”

Beeswax bows deeply.

The housekeeper was very worried, looked into the house a few more times, then turned away, walked a few steps and then turned around and came back and asked, "Which lake did your grandmother fall into?" How did you fall into the lake? ”

Beeswax slurred, not quite wanting to answer.

The housekeeper stomped his feet and said, "If you don't tell me, how can I help you with it?" I'm afraid that later, the wives will know and ask, and the old lady will be angry when she knows. ”

Beeswax swung twice, obviously hesitating, she knelt down and said, "It's all the old nun in the fence bamboo garden." They were catching demons and sprinkled the water of the grandmother's body, and the grandmother thought something was wrong, so she ran away in fear, but she didn't expect to fall into the lake. Later, the nurse girl in the fence garden got angry and beat the old nun, and the two sisters in front of Mrs. Beifu came to persuade her, but they were also beaten. Saving our grandmother out of the water was still the hand sent by Aunt Nazha. Later, the grandmother said that it was okay and asked Aunt Nazha to persuade the girl to stop, and we went back to Dongfu. Grandma's meaning, wait for the change of clothes and then go back to Shouzhongju to celebrate the girl's birthday, because the birthday gift for Miss Qi has not been sent out yet! ”

After hearing this, the housekeeper was dumbfounded, and said angrily: "It's strange, what kind of gift do you give now!" Presumably someone has already reached the old lady's place. Okay, how can there be a nun to catch demons? Ah! ”

After the words stopped, the housekeeper picked up his robe and hurried out, calling out to Si'er and several house slaves to hurry up to the fence bamboo garden to see, while he himself went back to Shouzhongju to report.

Because it involved a nun casting a spell to catch demons, the housekeeper didn't dare to hide it, so he skipped Cao's secret report to the old lady first.

The housekeeper first called the old lady Zhu'er, the big girl in front of her, to come and tell Zhu'er the news that the rolling garden heard without saying a word. After hearing this, Zhu'er was so frightened that she couldn't figure out how to tell the old lady.

The two were in trouble.

After thinking for a while, the housekeeper whispered to Zhu'er: "I also know that it is not good to open my mouth to say it now, not to say that the old lady will blame the old lady later, it is not for us to bear." Otherwise, you can take advantage of the old lady's eating and drinking, help her to rest for a while, and let her wash her face. Tell her more. ”

At the moment, the old lady was rejoicing, and ate wine with the guests cup after glass. Zhuang Ying and the others were even more presumptuous at the table, and they opened a drinking order, and some of the girls even gathered around to watch.

Because the old lady loved Yu Qi, she called her to go over to the same table with her to accompany Lao Fujin and other distinguished guests.

I saw the old lady take Yu Li's hand and say to Lao Fujin: "This girl doesn't drink much on weekdays, and I feel sorry for her, so I don't allow her to touch more, but today is her good day, I allow her to eat a few glasses." It stands to reason that she should kowtow to her elders on her birthday, and her head is too kowtowed first, and this time it should be a wine. ”

Let's let Mei'er pour the wine.

Pouring a cup, Yu Qi raised it, blushed his head, first looked at Lao Fu Jin, and said, "Grandmother, please." ”

Lao Fujin was very easy-going, and the love he showed was inexhaustible from his eyes, he took Yu Qi's cup, took a sip, and said with a smile: "Good job!" The first time I gave you a birthday, I didn't have any courtesy, but I couldn't do without. Then he glanced at his maid behind him, who smiled and bowed, and withdrew.

Old Fujin said again: "It can be seen that your heart hurts, and your grandmother is very happy." Then he looked at Su Yuan.

At this moment, Su Yuan was making a drinking order with Zhuang Yu and them, and he didn't pay attention to Lao Fujin's eyes.

Old Fujin continued: "Those children in our house, he called my grandmother. He gave up many positions, but he was close. You just called it like that, and you are closer to my heart than he is. ”

How could the old lady not understand the meaning of Lao Fujin's words, especially when her eyes looked at Su Yuan, she was even more determined to want Yu Qi to make a match with Su Yuan.

So, the old lady was a little drunk, shook her head slowly, and said, "That's the blessing of the girl, carrying the grace of heaven to our house, and climbing up to your noble grandmother." I've been so close to her every day, but I don't have that name. ”

This is mostly helpless. Yes, it stands to reason that Yu Qi also has to call her grandmother, her grandmother. Nowadays, calling outsiders grandmothers alive is somewhat jealous and unwilling.

Yu Qi was shy, lowered his head and eyebrows, and pursed his lips with a smile, highlighting the virtuous and dignified, and becoming more and more pitiful.

The old lady motioned to Mei'er to renew the wine, and said, "I will also offer you the wine to the white lady, she ......."

The old lady didn't know how to introduce it for a while, her eyes flashed brightly, and she fell into her own memories. At that time, the old lady was still young, and when she gave birth to Zhuang Hui, she was delivered by the white lady. Now Zhuang Hui is married to someone else's house, and has his own daughter, who has taken refuge here after life and death, and sees the white lady who delivered her mother. This reincarnation of cause and effect made the old lady sad to recall.

The old lady Bai was cheerful, so she only patted the old lady's arm and said, "The older you get, the more confused you become, or you still eat too much wine, and you can't speak clearly." I'm nothing, I'm just here to drink. The girl doesn't have to offer me, just offer it to a few other nobles and old immortals. It makes sense to offer it to your wife again. ”

The old lady picked up the wine and poured it herself.

Yu Qi picked up the wine glass, smiled at the old lady, and said, "Thanks to the blessings of the old lady and the wives, I have such a good birthday on a good day." Therefore, the table is full of distinguished guests and guests, and I will offer them one by one. Now please eat my mother a cup of birthday wine, so that I can live a long and blessed life like my mother. ”

The white lady praised Lu Qi and took a cup. Hou'er stretched out his hand to ask for instructions, and asked Yu Qi to respect the others.

At this time, Lao Fujin's maid came, holding a box in her hand, wrapped in red paper, and she handed it to Lao Fujin. After Lao Fujin took it, he gave it to Yu Qi, and said: "I heard that your old lady gave you a bracelet, and I also have one, although it is not as good as your old lady, but it is also my heart." This bracelet is what we grind far away. It's been a while since I sent it, and I think it's not a shame to give it to you. The carved jade was also rewarded by the queen mother in the palace. Your old lady gave you one, after all, it was a little single, and now, I gave you this one, which is a good thing. You take it quickly. ”

Yu Qi was moved, got up and knelt down to thank him, and asked Zisu and Sanxi to pick it up. The Zhuang family naturally wanted to thank them again, and later, Bai Lao Niang and others also gave gifts one by one. The old lady was happy, didn't talk much, and had a smile on her face.

At that moment, the housekeeper saw the old lady's muffled voice, and ate two more glasses by himself, so he pushed the bamboo and said, "Go, the old lady eats a lot of wine." Just in time. ”

So, Zhu'er went, stood tremblingly behind Mei'er, and waited for Mei'er to pour wine and return to her position, Zhu'er went to help the old lady's arm and whispered to her: "The sweat beads on the old lady's face have come out." Otherwise, move inside and wipe it first? It's not too late to eat with the guests after you have cleaned your face. ”

The old lady shirked and said, "Someone dislikes me? You see, there is no one at the table, and you will come to me. Today I ate my own wine in Zhongfu, and I can't go to Beifu. ”

Zhu'er was frightened, thinking that the old lady knew something, so she quickly turned back to look at Cao's table.

Cao Shi also heard it, chewing something in his mouth, the chopsticks in his hand fell into the air, and his eyes looked at the old lady.