Wen Yi followed her aunt to the front yard, avoided the guests at the table, and came to a small side hall facing the garden.

This side hall is small and small, there are two rows of eight sour branch circle chairs and a few small, next to the north wall root row of the high Bogu shelf, there are a few ordinary antiques on the shelf, there are several calligraphy and paintings hanging on the east and west walls, there are two carved windows on the south wall, the window is facing the garden, covering an area of no more than half an acre in size, the gardenia is blooming vigorously at the moment, the rich fragrance wafts through the flower window, and fills the whole side hall.

As soon as Wen Yi entered the side hall, he saw his eldest cousin Nie Heng standing by the window talking to someone, and the man opposite him had his back to him, wearing a dark blue robe, his hair was neatly tied, he looked a little rich, and he looked fat and thin, but he couldn't tell which of Liu Luo's two sons it was. But thinking of Luo Mingmin's outfit that day, she guessed that this was probably Liu Dongxing, and there was a smile on her face.

The man heard the sound of footsteps, turned around, smiled brightly, and bowed to salute, but it was Luo Mingmin.

A trace of disappointment flashed in Wen Yi's heart, but she still did not forget the etiquette, followed the instructions of her uncle and aunt, and thanked Luo Mingmin again.

Luo Mingmin is a lively character, not very impatient with these vulgar rites, seeing that the Qin family is thanking and preparing a thank you gift, he hurriedly waved his hand and said: "Aunt Nie, this is too outward, I have been a classmate with Yuanhu for more than a year, speaking of which is a senior brother, his sister-in-law, not like my sister-in-law?" Since you have encountered it, there is no reason not to save people. Thank you or something, Aunt Nie doesn't need to mention it, there is a banquet in the house today, and Aunt Nie will reward me with more good wine! ”

The Qin family felt that it was insufficient, Nie Heng smiled, and said to his mother: "This person has always been impatient with vulgar manners, his mother treats him too politely, and he still feels that he is restrained, so it is better to be lax, and leave it to his son." ”

Qin Shi thought for a while, nodded and smiled: "Then you are so good to persuade Luo Gongzi to drink two more glasses, you are drunk, there is no shortage of vacant rooms at home, it is good to stay with Luo Gongzi for a day or two." He asked again: "I heard that there is another Liu Gongzi who saved people, I don't know ...... him now" Wen Yi hurriedly pricked up his ears and listened carefully.

Luo Mingmin quickly glanced at her, laughed dryly, and said, "Xiaoliu has a relative who lives on the outskirts of the city, and he went to ask for peace yesterday, but he was left behind by the elders and must not get out." Originally, he heard that Uncle Nie was celebrating his birthday today, and he wanted to come over to ask for peace, but now he had to ask me to bring the birthday gift. ”

Wen Yi didn't know why, and gave birth to an idea: Luo Mingmin didn't tell the truth! But she didn't understand why she thought so, but she had some faint thoughts, feeling that "Liu Guanhai" was avoiding herself. She couldn't understand why the other party was doing this?

Qin didn't know what his niece's daughter was thinking, and he was still sighing: "This is also a helpless thing." You two young people, you are away from home, what kind of gifts do you bother to prepare? We husband and wife are trying to thank you for our lives. Today, there is wine at home, I neglect you, come over again when you have time to catch up with tomorrow, our husband and wife set up a table of wine seriously, thank you for your high righteousness, and save my niece and daughter. ”

Luo Mingmin smiled dryly: "It's easy to say, it's easy to say." Nie Heng glanced at him, frowned slightly, he noticed Nie Heng's gaze, and felt sweat on his forehead more and more, and secretly scolded Liu Dongxing in his heart for not being righteous, there are very few things in the world that can be hidden from Nie Heng, if it is exposed on the spot, wouldn't it be embarrassing? He couldn't help but glance at Wen Yi again, and noticed that Wen Yi was looking at him thoughtfully, and his heart became more and more empty: This cousin of Nie Heng shouldn't be the same as Nie Heng, right?

Nie Heng suddenly smiled and said to the Qin family: "Mother, my father has a guest there and can't leave, I'll accompany Brother Luo here, you can take your cousin back to the back." There are a lot of visitors here today, but my sister is the only one here, where can she greet her? ”

Qin Shi woke up and said with a smile: "In this case, please ask Master Luo to forgive me for being rude." Luo Mingmin hurriedly saluted respectfully: "Aunt Nie, please, don't worry about the boy." Qin nodded, called Wen Yi, and left the small hall.

Wen Yi walked two steps slower, glanced at Luo Mingmin suspiciously, and then followed. After a while, she heard her eldest cousin calling herself from behind, she quickly stopped, turned around and asked, "Does the eldest cousin have something to order?" ”

Nie Heng gasped for a while before asking: "Fang Cai ......" paused, and felt that he was a little reckless, his cousin was a weak girl, although he was rescued by Luo Mingmin, but how could he know anything about the men outside? He temporarily changed his words and said: "There are many guests in the backyard today, and my mother still has to take care of the things on the table. ”

Wen Yi smiled: "Don't worry, eldest cousin, although my cousin loves to play on weekdays, she is never rude when she encounters trouble, you are too worried." After a moment's hesitation, he asked: "Big cousin, there are two people who saved me the night before, in addition to this Luo Gongzi who came today, and there is also a Liu Gongzi, who is the benefactor who saved me from the runaway carriage, but he didn't come today." That Liu Gongzi is said to be a disciple of the Liu family of Heng'an, and his name is Shangguan and Xiahai. But when I look at Liu Gongzi's words and deeds, there seems to be some hidden feelings. Isn't it...... What's the inconvenience? If I am rude, please ask my eldest cousin to speak on my behalf and make amends to the two sons on my behalf. ”

Nie Heng's face became a little strange: "You mean...... Another surnamed Liu, whose full name is Liu Guanhai? Wen Yi nodded, his face became even more strange, Wen Yi knew something was wrong, and asked carefully: "But...... What's wrong? Nie Heng was silent for a while before smiling and said, "It's nothing, they won't blame you, you go back." ”

Wen Yi wanted to speak and stopped, but she still nodded obediently and went back. Nie Heng frowned, looked back at the small side hall at the end of the corridor, thoughtful.

When Wen Yi returned to the backyard, she suppressed the doubts in her heart, and followed her cousin Feng Shu and Qin Siya to eat. Everyone laughed and laughed, you made fun of me, I made fun of you, which made everyone laugh, and the guests and hosts were happy. Near the end of the banquet, some people talked about the children and relatives of the Nie and Qin families, and joked to Qin Siya: "When will you have tea?" Qin Siyafei blushed and bowed her head silently. Feng Shu pulled La Wenyi's sleeve, winked at her, and snickered.

But there are people with good deeds, because their daughter lost the limelight, they were a little angry, so they paid attention to Wen Yi: "Who eats whose tea, maybe it's not true, according to me, the girls here are all good." No matter who becomes Nie's sister-in-law's daughter-in-law, it's a good marriage, isn't it? ”

When the wife of the Qin family heard this, she glanced at Wen Yi, and her face was a little ugly. Qin frowned, wanting to support his younger siblings and niece, but remembering what her husband and son said last night, she hesitated again, and could only smile dryly: "Mrs. Zhang said that she was joking." Our Heng'er is still young, and he has no fame, so it's too early to say that he is married. ”

Wen Yi knew that his uncle had mentioned that he wanted to give himself to his cousin in the early years, and he was also a little nervous. She regarded her eldest cousin as her elder brother and never thought of marrying him, and she felt that Qin Siya was amiable, so she bit her lip, remembering that she was only ten years old now, so she asked Feng Shu with a bit of innocence: "Cousin, is the eldest cousin going to marry his cousin?" When you set the wine, don't forget me. Is it okay for me to embroider a pair of purses for my eldest cousin and eldest cousin as a thank you gift? ”

Feng Shu didn't hear the strangeness of Fang Cai's banquet, and just smiled and said, "What are you asking me to do?" Okay, you should ask the master. He said to Qin Siyanunu again. Wen Yi pursed her lips and smiled, saying in her heart that she couldn't help it, so she smiled and asked, "Sister Qin, do you say it's good?" ”

Qin Siya's face was already red and almost smoking, but Mrs. Qin breathed a sigh of relief and sneered: "You little children, what are you talking about this?!" Didn't you just send your favorite flower cake? Eat it while it's hot! ”

Feng Shu turned his head to look at the flower cake and cheered: "Ah! There's preserved cherries on top, and I love this one the most! Cousin Gu, do you want to try it too? Wen Yi took it with a smile and took a small bite. Laughter and laughter had resumed on the table, and the Qin clan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

On this day, the Nie family had a lively day. The next day, Wen Yi packed her luggage and went to say goodbye to her uncle and aunt.

Nie Jiachang drank too much wine yesterday and had a headache, so he hurriedly said, "What's the hurry?" It's rare to come back and stay two more days. The Qin family also smiled more kindly because her nephew's daughter indirectly helped her niece yesterday: "Isn't it?" In two days, it will be the Chinese Valentine's Day, and there is only one cousin in the family, who is lonely, and you stay and be more lively. ”

Wen Yi was very hesitant: "Uncle and aunt should not resign, but Wen Yi is worried that her grandmother at home is ...... lonely."

Nie Jiachang waved his hand and said, "What is there to worry about?" Presumably, there will be a festival in your clan, and your grandmother will not be lonely at home. When you go back, in order to arrange for the begging affairs, and you want her to bother and labor, it is better to do it together in our house. Uncle will send someone to deliver the message, so that your grandmother will not be worried. ”

Wen Yi hesitated for a moment, then agreed.

Gu Zhuang has always had the custom of begging for Qixi Festival, and it was led by the long house, and the whole clan participated together. But those who have daughters in each room have to buy Tanabata clothes for their daughters, and they are particular about dressing, and they also want girls to show their female red skills in front of everyone. Wen Yi participated in a few years in her previous life, and she was just a guest. The leader of the year, most of them are the daughters of the long house, when Wen Hui is there, it is Wen Hui, Wen Hui is not there, it is Wen Xian, occasionally the daughters of other rooms take the lead, and the second year will definitely fall first. The Liufang family has been defeated year by year, and after Wen Yi is twelve years old, she is no longer able to prepare new clothes for her for the holidays, and Mrs. Lu doesn't want her granddaughter to be laughed at, so she simply doesn't let Wen Yi participate. Later, Wen Yi was raised in the second room, and he also avoided it because of filial piety. Gu Zhuang's Qixi begging coincidence, for Wen Yi, is not a pleasant memory.

She remembered that on the day of departure, she saw the carriage of the long house outside the village, and heard that Wen Hui was traveling, but she didn't know whether to stay outside or go back to the capital. But in any case, there is still Wen Xian in the long house, so why should I be a foil at home? What's more, there are still some days before the autumn harvest, the field rent has not yet arrived, and it has already cost a lot of money to see the doctor take medicine before, Wen Yi doesn't want to spend more money on the family for a Chinese Valentine's Day.

If she has spare money, she would rather save it for future purchases.

Seeing that his nephew's daughter agreed, Qin was busy sending someone to deliver the letter, and instructed the housekeepers to make another holiday supply according to the example of his daughter Fengshu. Feng Shu was so happy when he heard that his cousin was going to celebrate the festival with him, so he hurriedly pulled Wen Yi to his room and discussed what pastries he was going to eat that day. Wen Yi pursed her lips and listened to her with a smile, and carefully proposed to make some handkerchiefs and purses for the festival, Feng Shu agreed, and pestered her cousin to ask for needlework, and the cousins talked and laughed, and became closer and closer.

On the second day, the person sent to Guzhuang to deliver the letter came back, bringing back a small half car, which was the clothes and jewelry that Mrs. Lu prepared for her granddaughter to wear during the festival, and there was also a gift for Nie Fengshu. Nie Jiachang was depressed in his heart, this old lady finally understood the reason? But when he saw the ten taels of silver presented by the family, saying that it was sent by Mrs. Lu for her granddaughter's holiday, she sank her face again, waved her hand to send the family to retreat, and complained to her wife: "Why is this old lady so verbose?!" I don't want to be cheap at all, I want to do everything for my nephew and daughter, but she doesn't allow it! ”

Qin sighed: "She is also afraid of wronging the child." In this case, let's do what we discussed yesterday. The master is an uncle, and he wants to add some dowry to his niece and daughter, and it is not easy for her to be a grandmother. ”

Nie Jiachang thought about it and nodded solemnly.

Wen Yi didn't know what her uncle and aunt were thinking, but when she saw the things sent by her grandmother, she felt a little guilty, she didn't go back for the festival in order to save a cost, but she didn't expect the family to spend this money in the end, and it made her grandmother worried. She was in a heavy mood, but in front of her uncle, aunt and cousin, it was not easy to show it, so she had to bury her sorrow in the bottom of her heart, squeezing out a cheerful smile on her face, as if she was fine, following Feng Shu and busy with the festival.

Qixi passed in a hurry, and on the eighth day of the first lunar month, Wen Yi resigned again.

Nie Jiachang sighed and said, "You want to go home, and your uncle won't keep you." It's just that I remember that my uncle and aunt are always worried about you, and I often send letters to me, and my uncle will send someone to pick you up to stay here, so don't push it back. ”

Wen Yi had already wanted to be closer to her uncle's family, so she hurriedly responded, and said: "Uncle and aunt take care of themselves on weekdays, and the eldest cousin should also take care of his body." I often hear the old man say that if you think about it too much, please think about it and take care of yourself. ”

Nie Heng was listening, a little surprised, but also a little moved, and said with a smile: "Cousin still said about me, aren't you also a thoughtful character?" At a young age, if you really have any difficulties, just tell us. is a close relative of flesh and blood, can't my cousin still be a foreigner? ”

Wen Yi blushed in response.

Nie Jiachang sighed again, looked at his wife, Qin's understanding, and called his daughter: "Let's prepare some dry food and pastries for your cousin, as well as a car to take home." Didn't you say you had something to give her? Can you pick it out? Nie Fengshu was sad that his cousin was leaving, and when he heard this, he hurriedly said, "I'll go and prepare!" Mother and daughter left the room.

Wen Yi knew that her uncle and cousin must have something to say to her, so she waited for each other solemnly. Nie Jiachang glanced at his son, and Nie Heng took out two pieces of paper from his sleeve and put them on the table: "Cousin, this is a gift from your uncle and eldest cousin, and it is for you to add makeup in the future." You don't have a mother, and your grandmother is not with you, so take it yourself. ”

Wen Yi was stunned, looked at the paper on the table, it turned out to be two land deeds, one was a ten-hectare grange and the other was a small mansion, and suddenly blushed: "Uncle, eldest cousin, I can't accept it!" ”

Nie Jiachang's face sank: "Why can't you?!" I am your own uncle, and it is normal for me to buy some property for my niece and daughter. You won't accept it, but someone is stopping you?! ”

Nie Heng also said: "Cousin, this is a kindness from my father and me. You are in Guzhuang, too far away from us, we can't take care of it for a while, for fear that you will be wronged. This house is in Pingyang City, and it is rented on weekdays, so it can add some chewing, and the production of the grange is also a lot. We know the situation of your family, and with these two properties, if nothing else, your grandmother sees a doctor and takes medicine all year round, so you don't have to ask for help! Mother is also going to give you a girl, the salary will be paid by us, and we will take care of your food and clothing on weekdays, as well as errands at home, and your grandparents can also save a little. ”

Wen Yi's eyes were red, she was going to refuse, but when she heard her cousin talk about her grandmother, she felt uncomfortable. My uncle's family thought about this for themselves, so how could she repay? She lowered her head and cried for a while, then choked up, "Uncle, eldest cousin...... You treat me so well, call me ......" She bit her lip, wiped away her tears, and her face changed to a resolute color: "I can't accept this gift, but Wen Yi has something to ask her uncle and eldest cousin, in fact, ...... Before coming here, Wen Yi had the heart to buy some property for her family! It's just that Wen Yi is young and has limited knowledge, so I have to ask my uncle and eldest cousin to teach me! ”