Late at night, in Xie Lang Lane in the east of Pingyin County, in the backyard of Nie's house, Nie Jiachang was discussing business with his wife Qin.

He said, "I've seen the two servants brought by my niece's daughter. That Lao Zhang has been in our family a few times in the past, and he is the son of the Gu family, but his wife's family is a person from the Gu family's house, which is not very reliable. The nephew's daughter once mentioned that there are only three servants in her family, Lao Zhang is in charge of driving cars and doing rough work, his wife is a cook, and in addition, there is only one Mama Zhao, who is the old lady's companion, and she is a lot of age and can't do any work. My niece's daughter is at home, and she doesn't even have a waiter, so this time she came out with two people, and she has to borrow someone from another clansman to wait on her grandmother, how can this work?! Our family is far inferior to the Gu family, and it has not been as wealthy as before in recent years, but Xiaoshu still has two big girls and four little girls waiting, and there are a few mothers-in-law who do rough work, and there are at least four or five people in the car when they go out. My nephew's daughter is so pitiful, and I can't bear to see it as an uncle. ”

Qin sighed: "What's the way to do this? I quietly inquired about the situation at her family during the day, and learned that her family's ancestral property had been taken back by the clan, and even a small half of the house was given to other clansmen. Although the clan will send money and food, and the yamen will also send the edict to come over, but the two of them are helpless, what can that little money do? Whether it can be delivered on time is still two words. When my niece and daughter came back this time, the lord probably didn't notice it, but I found out that her skirt was the one that was fashionable last year, but the clothes were changed from my sister-in-law's clothes to a smaller size. Fortunately, the material is good, and it is eighty percent new, but it is not conspicuous. It's just that I see it in my eyes, and my heart is really uncomfortable. Her family has reached this point, we should have sent someone to see our niece's daughter! ”

Nie Jiachang snorted coldly: "It's all the old lady of the Gu family who is stubborn!" If she hadn't stopped me, I would have seen the child a long time ago! She also said that she would raise her children well, and she didn't have to worry about it, that's how she raised her children! "He's got a fire in his belly.

Qin had no choice but to persuade softly: "Just tell me, in front of my nephew and daughter, don't show a word, otherwise the child will be sad when he hears it." In fact, Mrs. Gu is also helpless, her family has no man, and it is also a rule for the clan to take back the ancestral property, but she is afraid that if the child marries in the future, the ancestral property will be cheaper than outsiders. I just don't understand, why didn't the old lady choose an heir in the clan? In the future, someone will send them to the end, the incense will be inherited, and the niece's daughter will get married, and there will be someone to rely on. ”

Nie Jiachang shook his head: "Don't mention this matter, I also mentioned it back then, and I was scolded back by the old lady, saying that if it weren't for my sister, his family would not be extinct." I'm angry, but now that I think about it, I think it's a pity......"

The couple sighed, and Nie Jiachang said: "I told you this because I wanted to discuss with you and send a capable girl to my nephew's daughter." First, the niece's daughter can add a helper at home, and someone can take care of food and clothing; Second, the girl we gave is naturally to the niece's daughter, if the child is wronged, the girl brings the letter back, we will know, and we can make decisions for the child in time, what do you think? ”

Qin Shi thought for a while, nodded and said, "The master is reasonable, since this is the case, just pick from my girl, right?" ”

"I'm looking at Ah Ying." Nie Jiachang said, "Your girls are all carefully trained by you, and the housekeeper has to be used on weekdays, and the big girl next to Xiaoshu is not young anymore, and she can't be a dowry, and you have already picked the family members who accompany the room." These two Ah Ying and Ah Tao will not go out with Xiaoshu in the future, so it is better to give one to their nephew's daughter. Among them, Ah Ying is the son of our family, and Ah Tao was bought from outside, which is not as reliable as Ah Ying. ”

Qin hesitated a little: "What about the little book?" Ah Ying is in charge of Xiaoshu's diet and clothes for the four seasons, which has always been used, how did Ah Tao do so many things alone? Or...... Pick one from Heng'er? There are four big ones in his house, and I look at the begonias well, careful and steady, and older than Ah Ying. ”

Nie Jiachang shook his head: "Our son still wants her to take care of it, it's rare that this begonia is honest, fair, and able to suppress the people below, I still want to let her be the housekeeper for my son in the future, without her, I really don't know what will become of my son's house!" ”

Qin hesitated again and again, and nodded: "Then Ah Ying, among the little girls next to Xiaoshu, Jiaman and Ming'er are also thirteen years old, I see that they are quite clever, so I will choose one and bring it up." ”

"You can just watch these things and do them." Nie Jiachang achieved his goal and poured himself a cup of tea comfortably, "Xiaoshu is not too young, in two or three years, it will be time to say goodbye, and he should also learn some housekeeping things, so as not to be like a child, he knows how to eat, drink and play every day." Wen Yi is a few months younger than her, but she is more stable than her. ”

Hearing this, the Qin family pursed his lips and smiled: "The master still said me? I have to discipline my children on weekdays, who is in the way? And who said that children are still young and don't have to be too tight? ”

Nie Jiachang coughed twice and lowered his head to drink tea. Qin secretly laughed for a while before saying, "Although my nephew's daughter has a stable temperament, she is too quiet, and she rarely sees people at home on weekdays. Ming'er's relatives came over, and I asked Xiaoshu to take her to meet the other sisters and play together. ”

Nie Jiachang nodded, hesitated for a while, and said embarrassedly: "I mentioned it that year...... Heng'er and Wen Yi's family affair...... What do you think? ”

Qin Shi slowly retracted his smile, lowered his head and was silent for a long time before he said, "Didn't the master say it before...... Is Siya good? ”

Nie Jiachang coughed: "Your niece and nephew are naturally good, but Wen Yi's child...... I'm really not at ease, if it can be left in our house, it will be more reassuring to watch it closely. ”

Qin was silent. Qin Siya is the eldest daughter of her younger brother, she is thirteen years old this year, she matches her son regardless of her talent and appearance, and the two children get along well, she has long had the heart to kiss and kiss, but she also knows that her husband values her nephew's daughter, she is also aware of it, she is no longer willing, and it is difficult to say it.

"Father, mother." Nie Heng's voice came from outside the door, the couple were taken aback, Qin Shi hurriedly got up and opened the door, pulled his son in, carefully checked the clothes he was wearing, and reproached: "The night is heavy, didn't you tell you not to go out of the house at night in the morning?!" What is there that can't be said tomorrow?! Then he turned and looked for a garment to put on him.

Nie Heng smiled and comforted his mother, helped her to sit down at the table, and then said with a straight face: "Father, mother, and son are willing to take care of Cousin Gu as if they were his own sister, and ask the second elder to be perfect." ”

As soon as Nie Jiachang heard this, he knew that his son had heard what the couple had just said, and he was a little unhappy in his heart: "What's wrong with your cousin Gu?!" Call you to hate her?! ”

Nie Heng hurriedly said: "Cousin Gu is good everywhere, it's just ...... She was still young and thin, and when her son saw her, he only felt pity in his heart, hoping that she could be safe and happy, but he never remembered the matter of marriage. ”

Nie Jiachang also knew that the age difference between the two cousins was too big, but he thought that his son was very good, and his nephew and daughter were also very good, so what did it matter how old the age difference was? disagreed: "Your cousin Gu is younger now, but because you were born weak, the doctor said that you should not marry early." By the time you reach the crown, she will also reach the age of marriage, where is she still young?! Now it's just a matter of deciding! Could it be that you are actually thinking of your Cousin Qin in your heart, so you are unwilling to marry Cousin Gu?! ”

Qin Shi hurriedly persuaded him: "Master's words are inappropriate, children are all polite, how can they have such thoughts?!" Nie Jiachang also knew that he was speechless, so he kept a calm face and didn't speak.

Nie Heng lowered his head and said, "Whether it is Cousin Qin or Cousin Gu, in his son's heart, he is like a younger sister...... The son has not been raised for a day, and he does not dare to say anything about marrying a wife, for fear of ...... In the future, it will affect my cousins......"

Qin's eyes turned red and he cried, "What are you talking about?!" How can you have such a thought at such a young age?! Nie Jiachang blushed even more, and wanted to scold his son, but seeing that he was pale and thin, his heart ached, and finally he only scolded: "What are you talking nonsense?!" ”

Nie Heng smiled reluctantly, knelt down and said, "It's the son who lost his words, please don't blame my father and mother." In fact...... No matter which cousin it is, they are all good girls, but it's too early to say this, maybe the cousins will have a better marriage? This kind of thing...... It's not up to our family to decide. ”

Nie Jiachang's face softened slightly, pulled his son up, and said in a deep voice: "Don't say such things again!" Have you eaten the recipe you found for your father a few days ago? ”

Nie Heng nodded obediently: "Fang Cai Haitang waited for his son to eat, and when his son ate it, he felt that it was more stable at night, but the medicinal juice tasted strange, and his son was not used to it." ”

Qin Shi hurriedly said: "Why didn't you say it earlier?" I bought some preserved fruits from outside, sweet, originally for Ming'er to entertain guests, I asked someone to send some to you, just remember to rinse your mouth before going to bed. ”

Nie Heng nodded obediently, and said with a smile: "I just heard my father and mother talk about sending a girl to Cousin Gu, and it's a bit less to give Ah Ying alone, I have a lot of people there, and there are few things, why don't you add another one?" It's just that I gave my cousin's girl, and the monthly salary is still from our family, otherwise, with the situation of my cousin's family, this extra cost will cause trouble to the Gu family. When I sent someone to send my salary, I also asked about my cousin's situation by the way. If the Gu family is short of clothes and food, etc., and the mother sends some to her cousin in the name of the elders, the old lady of the Gu family is not easy to say. ”

Qin nodded hurriedly: "This is reasonable, just do it!" There are also tonic medicines, which should also be sent. Look what that kid has become! ”

Nie Jiachang still had a calm face: "I will do these things with your mother, you worry less, read less books, have free time, accompany your mother and sister to gossip, or go for a walk in the garden." Your illness is not getting better, because you have thought too much! ”

Nie Heng lowered his head and smiled, Qin was afraid that her husband would scold her son again, so she hurriedly pulled her son to the side and sat down, and asked him carefully how his condition was in the past few days...... Bit by bit, Nie Jiachang listened, shook his head helplessly, picked up a medical book and flipped through it, but there was a faint shadow in his heart.

Although what the son said was sad, it was also true......

The next day, the fourth day of the seventh month, it was Nie Jiachang's forty-third birthday, because it was not a whole birthday, the Nie family did not do a big deal, but just put four tables of wine in the front yard, and two tables in the inner courtyard, and invited a few relatives and friends who came and went more to eat.

Nie Jiachang personally took his son to greet guests at the front door. I don't know if it's because the medicine he took works, or because he slept soundly the night before, Nie Heng is in excellent spirits today, and his face is also a little rosy, which makes the whole person more and more handsome. When the visitors saw it, they couldn't help but praise a few words, and laughed that Nie Jiachang had a handsome son.

Wen Yi stayed in the backyard with her cousin Feng Shu. Because she was a guest, she had never taken on any duties to welcome guests, and although she was a little uneasy when she saw her aunt and cousin busy greeting guests, she didn't dare to say more.

The luggage she brought to Pingyin had already arrived at Nie's house with the broken carriage, but most of her clothes were stained with dust and had no time to dry after washing, so what she was wearing now was a new set of clothes that her cousin Feng Shu had not worn. The bright red shirt and pale yellow pleated skirt lined her fine white complexion, which was more and more lovely. The guests who came to visit all inquired about which girl she was, and learned that it was the niece and daughter of the Nie family, from the Gu family of the century-old family, and they all sighed: "It turned out to be his family?" Strange Dao's all-round style, at a glance, you know that you must be from an extraordinary background. ”

Wen Yi blushed and saluted them one by one, and received some praise, and the salute was even more full of Ah Ying's arms - early this morning, her aunt Qin pointed Ah Ying over to wait for her to live, and replaced the original little girl. Wen Yi was worried in her heart, and whispered to Ah Ying to take the purse and other things she brought, and give them to a few girls who had not left the pavilion among the guests as a meeting gift.

Qin was afraid that others would underestimate Wen Yi, so he specially pointed out the birthday gift she made overnight to everyone. It was originally a pillow made of jade beads prepared by Mrs. Lu, and there were a few good materials, all of which were things that Wen Yi's family had collected for many years, in order not to be rude, Mrs. Lu gave up the pain, but because of the bandit on the way, the silk thread of the beads on the jade pillow was broken, and the jade beads were scattered. Wen Yi planted a piece of material, embroidered the pattern of longevity on it, nailed the jade beads one by one, and then embroidered flowers and auspicious clouds around it, just as an embroidered screen. When she gave it to her uncle in the morning, the Nie family and her husband praised her, but they reproached her for not bothering to work hard. She only felt relieved in her heart, but she didn't expect her aunt to mention this matter in front of the visitor, which attracted everyone's attention, and she couldn't help blushing.

Among the guests was a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl, who was the niece of the Qin family, named Si Ya, and when she saw Wen Yi's appearance, she smiled and said, "Sister Gu, what's so embarrassing?" At your age, such a female celebrity kung fu is really much stronger than us! I'm embarrassed, but after more than half a year this year, I haven't finished embroidering a purse. ”

Feng Shu pursed his lips and smiled: "Cousin Qin, are you embarrassed to say this kind of thing?" On weekdays, everyone says I'm not as smart as you, but last month, I made two purses! ”

Everyone else laughed and said: "This is called fifty steps and a hundred steps, and two purses a month, is it still capable of being a capable person?!" ”

Everyone laughed, admired Wen Yi's embroidered screen, and admired. The wives and grandmothers gossiped, and Feng Shu quietly pulled Wen Yi and Qin Siya to the inner room to sit down and eat tea. Wen Yi heard that Qin Siya's father was a famous historian in the city, and he wrote the local chronicles of Pingyin and Pingyang, so she admired her and asked her about the customs, humanities, and customs of the two places, and the production of each township. Qin Siya has all the questions to answer, at a young age, she is very knowledgeable, Wen Yi is impressed, and she can't help but feel close.

Just as he was talking, someone in the front yard came to report to the Qin family: "Madam, the master said that there was a guest in front of him, who was a classmate of the young master, and said that he saved Miss Biao yesterday." The lord asked his wife to take Miss Biao to the front to thank him! ”

Wen Yi heard it inside, was stunned, and stood up suddenly.