The meals served in Xifu are extremely simple and prepared in advance. The old lady only took a few bites of green vegetables with chopsticks, and saw that the leaves of the vegetables were a little green and yellow, and she knew that this dish had been ready for a while.

After a few sips, it was good to say a word, and then there were no words. The county lord was not too active to please people, Zhili should be on the side, waiting for the old lady to put down the chopsticks, she withdrew herself, and later, brought tea to rinse her mouth.

The old lady said, "What kind of water?" ”

The county lord said: "The first winter snow water received last year was boiled into fried wheat." ”

The old lady took it and looked at it, and the cup of Huang Youyou, not close to her nose, smelled a smell of wheat first. She didn't speak, only said, "Is there any boiling white water?" ”

The county lord was slightly stunned, slightly caught off guard, and took the old lady's teacup out in a panic to exchange for a glass of white water.

The old lady used it to pass the mouth.

After that, the county lord explained: "Last year, the old lady said that roasting wheat to make tea can live the taste. I speculated in vain, and I blamed me for not being meticulous enough. ”

The old lady waved her hand, but said that it was okay, so she did not sit for a long time, and told the county lord that she was going to Dongfu. Originally, Zhuang Jue was asked to follow, but after looking for a long time and not seeing anyone, the old lady left.

The county lord sent him out of the door, and when he got outside, the old lady thought for a while before she said, "Your daughter is in the mirror, you should also go and taste what she has done." Fang is a meaning. Why didn't you mean that I came to you? ”

The county lord bowed his back slightly, and the salute should be yes.

The old lady thought for a moment and then added, "You can go later!" Then I should go back there. In this way, you send someone to Nanfu to say something, let's all go together! In the first year of the girl's entry into the house, she made a lot of fun and increased her popularity. It's cold in winter, and the yard is too clear. ”

The county lord couldn't help but bow and watch the old lady go down the steps of the mansion.

I saw that the old lady, master and servant walked slowly, not in a hurry or slowly, and there was a thin layer of snow on the surface of the path, and three long footprints were printed. When the old lady walked away, the two girls, Baozhu and Jiangzhu, came with a velvet cloak and gently draped it over the county lord.

The county lord didn't want to put it on, so the jewel pressed on her shoulder and said, "Madam, the snow is heavy, and it's even colder this day." ”

The county lord's face was like a snowy day, his eyes were cold, and he said coldly: "Yes, the snow is big!" On such a cold day, the old lady didn't feel it? It's still so thin. You sent someone to the East Mansion and the North Mansion to talk to each other, so that you can be a little prepared. ”

Jiangzhu said: "Madam, you don't have to go. Earlier, someone from outside came to visit the sentry, but the old lady did not come out, and they went back separately. ”

The county lord said: "It's good that our intentions should be known to others, and no one knows if we have this heart, what's the use." ”

In this way, Jiangzhu pushed and said that there is no need to distinguish between people. She set off to Dongfu by herself, and later asked Yuping to go to Beifu. In short, according to the will of the county lord, he kindly reported to them, and asked them to prepare the fire and the clothes to be hung.

Jiangzhu entered the backyard of Dongfu from the path on the east side of Xifu, first passed the house where Zhuang Hu lived, and happened to see Zhuang Hu, his son Zha Yutong, and his daughter Zha Liangxiu collecting clothes hanging outside. Two children grabbed the snow on the ground and played with each other.

Zhuang Hu scolded the children in annoyance, and kept instructing the girls to be clever and hurry up to clean up the place. Jiangzhu heard Zhuang Hu ordering people to do things, but she didn't show up, and she didn't come out until Zhuang Hu was silent.

In the end, Jiang Zhu told Zhuang Huyan about the old lady's situation in Xifu, and then conveyed the county lord's kindness to her, because she didn't go to tell the eldest lady Qin in person, she still wanted to go there. Zhuang Hu stopped: "Isn't the old lady here?" You don't have to go, I'll go! Save you from having to run again, it's all one sentence, and passing it twice is not enough for you to run. ”

Jiangzhu bowed to Zhuang Hu gratefully, and retreated the same way in a good mood.

Zhuang Hu stuffed the clothes in his hand to the girl, turned around again, grabbed Zha Yutong with one hand, and Zha Liangxiu with the other, and rushed to Qin's residence.

When Zhuang Hu arrived there, the old lady had not yet arrived, so she first told the girl to go outside the door and keep an eye on it, and asked them to report at any time. Taking advantage of this moment, he hurriedly pulled the two children to the inside to greet the Qin family.

At that time, the Qin family was smoking on the kang, looking like a peasant woman, looking at her outfit, which was very incompatible with the surrounding environment, Zhuang Hu couldn't help but want to laugh in his heart.

Zhuang Hu said to the Qin family: "Madam, the old lady is almost here. ”

Qin was frightened and removed the cigarette holder: "Have you been to Beifu?" ”

Zhuang Hu shook his head: "No! said that the first to go to Nanfu came from Xifu. ”

Qin Shi was stunned for a moment, handed the cigarette gun to Zhuang Hu, and moved his body to the kang. Seeing this, Zhuang Hu motioned to the two children to help.

Zha Yutong and Zha Liangxiu knew each other, and they were quick to support the Qin family.

Qin got off the kang, Zhuang Hu put the cigarette gun aside, and squatted down to put on her shoes.

Qin said: "Wiped clean the outside?" Last year, it was said that there should be no weapon racks outside the hall door, but did you remove it? ”

Zhuang Hu said: "I have already ordered to withdraw." ”

Qin Shi was relieved, and said nervously: "How are you preparing?" ”

Zhuang Hu said: "It's snowing outside, and it's colder than before. I asked people to carry charcoal cages to warm the house. Just now, Mrs. sent Jiangzhu to report, saying that the old lady was thinly dressed, and it was up to us to prepare a dress cover. ”

Qin Shi had already stood up, sat down slowly, and said, "The old lady's heart is the most difficult to fathom, and the more you prepare, the more dissatisfied she is. I don't think there's any need to prepare. By the way, did someone call from the Rolling Garden? ”

Zhuang Hu woke up, patted his head and said, "I actually forgot." How can we be less grandma. ”

Qin Shi hurriedly said: "Call your eldest brother too." Throughout the year, the old lady takes this matter the most seriously. Don't make her angry again at this juncture. ”

Zhuang Hu nodded, and shouted at the girl Dao Feng who was waiting outside the door. Dao Feng came in, and Zhuang Hu told her to go to the rolling garden to invite the grandmother and uncle.

Dao Feng took the order and went.

Before Dao Feng arrived at the Rolling Garden, Zhuang Hu and Qin, Zha Yutong, and Zha Liangxiu hurried to the kitchen, and the girl who was inquiring outside came to report that the old lady was about to arrive outside the gate.

All the dishes that should be prepared in the kitchen are prepared, and they are all heated in the steamer, and when the old lady arrives, they can bring them out. Because he felt that it was inappropriate, the Qin family asked Zhuang Hu to relight the fire and cook it himself.

Zhuang Hu knew what the Qin family meant, and he had to get busy to show the old lady, so that the old lady didn't have to choose.

In the kitchen, the mother and daughter are busy. Qin Shi was a little uneasy, and said unintentionally: "It's the same daughter-in-law, I'm in a hurry, how do you say you're a sister-in-law?" It's also thanks to her that she is polite on weekdays. ”

The Qin family is a son and daughter of the rivers and lakes, originally generous, but immersed in the Zhuang Mansion for so many years, he has also learned these cautious feelings. How much do I feel that I have been wronged and served the old lady for so many years, and I have survived to this level, Huiyuan does not know how to serve her, and the gap between his mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is so big, so my heart is unbalanced.

The speaker nagged unintentionally, Zhuang Hu was a little angry when he heard it, but he still said: "She only takes care of her brother, and it is good to have a brother in her eyes." Why should Mrs. be so serious, we are not Beifu, if you look into it carefully, there is no head. ”

Qin was silent.

After a while, the girl came to report that the old lady had entered the door of the second courtyard.

Zhuang Hu said to the Qin family worriedly: "Madam, don't do it, let's take it!" ”

Qin sighed, a kitchen knife chopped on the cutting board, and there was a live carp jumping on the cutting board.

Because the old lady was about to arrive, the Qin family could only listen to Zhuang Hu, and then the mother-in-law and grandson worked together to carry two large steamers to the hall, but whenever there was a girl to help, Zhuang Hu blocked it and did not help. When the Qin family arrived outside the hall, the old lady, Zhu'er, and Lan'er also arrived at the same time.

Seeing the old lady, several people from the Qin family stood with a steamer.

Qin smiled and said, "Yo, the old lady is here." I'm getting ready to put my stuff down and go out to greet it! ”

The old lady looked around happily and replied, "When did the eyes of your house grow to the door?" I knew I was coming. ”

Qin let go of his hand and let Zhuang Hu and her children carry him in, and he came out to help the old lady.

Entering the hall, the old lady felt the warmth of the room for the first time, sat on the chair, loosened her legs and feet, and said, "On this day, it will snow when it is said to snow." Every year. It's just that you put weapons in the courtyard outside every year, and this year there are none. I deserved to feel so warm as soon as I walked through the door. It is said that weapons are like cold snow, and it is refreshing to look at them! Well done. The calligraphy and paintings hanging today, you are not like the Wufu family, but like the people of Wenmo Tongshi. It's good for the children to hear and see! I don't like to use knives and guns. ”

Zhuang Hu smiled: "If we can use knives and guns, the old lady doesn't like it?" ”

The old lady rolled her eyes a little and pretended to be bored with Zhuang Hu.

At this time, the fourth girl, Zhuang Yu, came, wearing the clothes of the girls in the house, dragging a long thick braid behind her head, and stepped into the door shyly, waiting to be saluted, the old lady pointed at her: "What did I say?" ”

Zhuang Yu hurriedly turned back to his body, and approached the old lady impatiently.

At that time, the Qin family took the initiative to open the steamer and brought out a few home-cooked dishes from it, and the next basket was steamed buns.

Zhuang Hu also went up to help, and said: "The noodles were made by my wife herself, and I rubbed them for a while!" Old lady, you have to try it, it is much more gentle than before. ”

The old lady squinted and said, "Presumably you ate it first?" ”

Zhuang Hu covered his mouth and just laughed.

Zhuang Hu's son Zha Yutong didn't care about anything, picked up the steamed bun with one hand and stuffed it into his mouth, chewed a few bites, and said with a smile: "My mother is right, it's delicious." Regardless of whether his hands were dirty or not, he took one and handed it to the old lady.

The old lady smiled and took it, Zhuang Hu scolded Cha Yutong for having no rules, the old lady didn't blame, just protected and said: "The peasant child is like this, like!" Like! ”

Just as he was about to get close to the table to see what kind of dish it was, Daofeng's voice came from behind him, saying that the big grandmother was here.

The old lady and the others turned around and saw Hui Yuan dressed up, holding a velvet robe and two sheaths in her hand. Zhuang didn't come.

Hui Yuan first saluted.

The old lady didn't stop it, and said to the outside: "Why didn't the uncle come?" ”

Huiyuan wanted to open her mouth to reply, but Dao Feng grabbed it and agreed: "Uncle took the scissors to repair plum blossoms, and said that he would bring a bottle to the old lady after a while." ”

The old lady was delighted and said, "Ouch! On such a cold day, it is difficult for him to have filial piety. Then, you go and urge, I don't want plum blossoms, as long as he comes here well, I will be content. ”

Dao Feng responded and went again.

Right now, Hui Yuantuo came in with the things in her hand and stood next to the Qin family first, wanting to give her a look before giving it to the old lady.

Qin Shi was puzzled: "Are you going out?" ”

Yes, Huiyuan occasionally has to go out to visit her parents' house, and when Qin saw her holding her clothes and sheaths, she thought that she was going back to her parents' house again, so she asked like this.

Hui Yuan swallowed a few times, looked at the clothes, and looked at the old lady.

Zhuang Hu stood aside, wanting to laugh but not laughing, holding half of his face tight.

The old lady had been helped by Zhuang Yu to sit down, and Zha Liangxiu helped bring the dishes and chopsticks, saying that she wanted to taste the dishes.

I heard Qin's dissatisfaction with Huiyuan again: "Where did this rule come from, don't say that the old lady is not here, I am fortunate that I am also your mother-in-law, I ask you you just go back to me." Even if you want to go back to your mother's house, how can I not let you go. ”

Huiyuan blushed, cast his gaze at Zhuang Hu, and then said in a low voice: "Say ...... I said that the old lady was coming, and it was snowing outside, so I was afraid that the old lady would be cold, so I brought the robe. I want to put it on for the old lady. ”

Actually, where did Huiyuan know that the old lady was coming. From Shouzhongju to please An back to Dongfu, when going out, everyone was talking about which house the old lady would go to first this year, and everyone took out the order of last year to discuss, saying that according to previous years, the first to go to Beifu, the old lady walked around and finally came to Dongfu, and went to Dongfu at night. Huiyuan didn't come over early, and stayed in the rolling garden to make shoes for Zhuang Xu. When Zhuang Ji saw that it was snowing, he ignored the persuasion of his subordinates, took a bottle to pick plum blossoms, and said that he wanted to write poems to plums; Later, Daofeng went to the rolling garden to invite him and his wife, and saw Zhuang Xuan cutting plum branches under the plum tree, so he made up Zhuang Xuan's lie about picking plum blossoms and serving the old lady. This is not the case.

At that time, Daofeng saw Huiyuan and reported: "Grandma, the old lady is here." Mrs. pass you over. ”

Huiyuan is already dressed plainly, just waiting for the past. Hearing the news, I was full of nervousness. Dao Feng said again: "When the eldest grandmother first came, she swept the dust for the first time, and it was so cold outside, so she should give her filial piety to send clothes and sheaths to the old lady, and do her best." ”

That's where robes and sheaths come in.

Now, the old lady almost broke the steamed bun into her mouth, and when she heard Huiyuan speak, she put down the steamed bun and said lightly: "In your eyes, am I so delicate?" What hardships did I not suffer when I was young? The meaning of sweeping the dust, if I live for a day, I can show you by example, it is your blessing. But you are such a wise person, you are really stupid. Fei Fei is clever and smart, and you have been with her for so long. ”

Hui Yuan was frightened, holding his robe and kneeling upright.

The old lady obviously had no appetite, looked at the table full of dishes and steaming steamed buns, and said angrily: "I have always disliked being a smart person the most. Your wife is the best, what to say directly, don't like to do what she doesn't do. I thought you should learn from her. ”

Hui Yuan hooked his head and said, "What the old lady taught. ”

In the end, Huiyuan understood in her heart that it was Zhuang Hu who motioned to Dao Feng to tell him like this, and he did this. I can't help but think about Zhuang Hu again, the eldest girl is also from Dongfu, but if she is at fault, can the people of Dongfu clean up the matter? In any case, now I am wrong, and I can only carry it myself.

The Qin clan mentioned the robe with some remorse, but not left and right. Zhuang Hu persuaded the old lady with a smile: "Why should the old lady be angry with her, you can taste it while it is hot to see if there is any difference with it in Beppu." ”

The old lady snorted, "How do you know that I used it in Beppu and not the first one to come to you?" ”

The Qin clan secretly glanced at Zhuang Hu.

The old lady said again: "Sweeping the dust and removing the old, what can be swept is the dust on the desktop, but after all, it can't sweep away the magic barrier." My intentions have been mistaken year after year. ”

After hearing this, the Qin family quickly knelt down, Zhuang Hu and Zhuang Yu also knelt down, and the brothers and sisters Zha Yutong and Zha Liangxiu did not react, only took the steamed buns and ate them, dumbfounded.

After speaking, the old lady picked up the chopsticks again, pinched a small piece of pickles, put it in her mouth and chewed, and before swallowing, she got up tremblingly, raised her hand to the kneeling people, and motioned for them to get up.

The old lady said, "I have used your food. It's not bad, this pickle is very delicious, you can bring some to me later. When he came later, he said that I would not wait for him, and I would go to his second aunt in Beifu. Later, you guys come to the mirror to thank you! I'll let the other people come. ”

Qin and the others got up and answered completely.

When the old lady left Dongfu, Zhuang Ji came, holding a bottle of plum blossoms. shouted in his mouth: "I didn't plan to send the plum blossoms I cut, and you said that I had to give it if I didn't send it." This was said to Dao Feng.

Zhuang Wei went to the corridor and saw Qin's, Zhuang Hu, Huiyuan, Zhuang Yu and others sending the old lady out and coming back.

Because he saw that Huiyuan's eyes were red, he held the bottle of plum blossoms in his left hand, held Huiyuan's hand with his right hand, and said with concern: "Scolded? Alas! It's all to blame for not believing Daofeng's words, come early, really give the flowers to the old lady, and she won't scold you. ”

The Qin clan was obviously displeased, and shook his sleeves and said, "Nonsense! "Gone.

Zhuang Hu didn't look good, pulled the corners of his mouth and squinted at Hui Yuan, tightened, and pulled up the two children to follow behind the Qin family.

For the rest, Huiyuan closed her lips, her jaw trembled slightly, her eyes were hot, and tears rolled down. Seeing this, Zhuang Ji was nervous, threw away the vase casually, and wiped it for her with his sleeve.

Zhuang Xu's gentleness has not been for a while, since getting married, hot and cold alternately, there is no fixed number, and Huiyuan is used to it. At this moment, Zhuang Ji loved him so much, she was slightly moved, forced a smile, endured it in every possible way, held back her tears, and smiled at Zhuang Ji: "Uncle don't worry, I'm fine." The old lady said that you should go to Miss Qi later, you have to be fine, don't say anything then, just be with me quietly. ”

Zhuang Ji smiled: "What's so difficult about this, I just don't go." ”

After speaking, Zhuang Wei changed again, brushed his sleeves and left, and he didn't know where he was going.

Huiyuan went out with him, wanting to call back, but he felt that he would be heard and laughed at when he called out, so he swallowed it in his throat raw. Later, she hugged her robe and went to say goodbye to the Qin family before returning to the Rolling Garden.

Qin Shi was angry and said to Hui Yuan: "You take this dress back and put it here, come over quickly, in my opinion, it will be over after a while." ”

On one side, Zhuang Hu and the girl went to prepare the pickles that the old lady wanted.

Hui Yuan pretended to be happy and bowed a few times before going out from this side.

When I got to the porch outside, I happened to hear a girl talking in the corner: "The second lady didn't come back, and when the old lady got there, she saw the second girl and the third girl pointing to the people below to do this and that, and the old lady got angry." The people at the back went to look for his wife, and when he was going out, his wife came back. ”

Later, the girls were still talking, and Huiyuan didn't want to continue listening, so she just walked back to the rolling garden and didn't mention it.

As they said, something did happen in Beifu.

Not only is the old lady angry, but there are also several cases behind Cao's back!

The first case was caused by Mr. Guan.