One

"Madam, I've been looking for you for a long time, so you're here." Gold stood behind him with a tray in her hand, smiling.

Shen Qingluo looked back and smelled the fragrance of rice porridge.

Jin Zi put the tray aside, and while blaming, he put on a soft satin brocade thin cloak for Shen Qingluo: "Although it is almost July, it just rained last night, and it is still quite cold in the garden. I don't know how to cherish myself, when I get sick when I turn around, Sister Xiaorong has to be verbose again. ”

Shen Qingluo put down the work in her hand, picked up the porridge bowl with a smile, lowered her head and smelled it: "It's so fragrant." ”

Picking up the spoon, he just took a bite when he suddenly looked up: "Are you gold or silver?" I couldn't tell the difference. ”

Kaneko smiled: "I am gold." You see, I have a mole on my left ear. My sister has no moles. ”

Shen Qingluo looked at it and smiled, "I wrote it down." ”

Jin Zi picked up the clothes on the table and spread them out, and it turned out to be a small padded jacket of a baby. The red brocade and the collar inlaid with rabbit fur are bright and eye-catching, and they are very good-looking.

Jin Zi praised it: "Madame's handiwork is really good. ”

Shen Qingluo said with a smile: "The child is about to be born, how can I prepare a few cotton clothes." ”

Jin Zi sat down opposite, looking at Shen Qingluo, who was drinking porridge with his head down, and his heart was sour.

As a maidservant, her duty is to serve her husband in peace, and the rest dare not ask more, but she knows that her wife has been closed for several months, and has completely cut off from the outside world, and even the lord has never stepped into the garden gate in the past few months.

But the lady doesn't seem to take it to heart, every day or calligraphy and painting, or needlework, idle in the garden to enjoy the flowers, teasing the goldfish in the pool, and never showing the slightest sadness and loneliness.

"And red dates? Xiao Rong's mind is getting more and more detailed. Shen Qingluo finished drinking the porridge and was very satisfied.

"Oh, originally, she planned to make lotus seed white fungus porridge, but the steward said that there are no lotus seeds in the house, and she will send them in a few days. For this, Brother Wu almost scolded the steward. "The gold is not satisfied.

Shen Qingluo gently put down the bowl and did not speak.

Even though she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she could have imagined it.

You don't have to think about it to know that the affairs of the house must be managed by the second lady Qingluan now, and with her temperament, she is not taking the opportunity to be powerful. The servants in the mansion are all people who tend to be inflammatory, and seeing that Shen Qingluo has lost power, there must be someone who sees the wind and makes the rudder.

"It's okay, this millet and red date porridge is the most supplementative, I like it very much." Shen Qingluo stood up: "Jinzi, you accompany me over there for a walk, the wood fragrance seems to be open, and you can smell the fragrance from afar." ”

Jin Zi hurriedly helped: "Be careful, go down the steps." ”

Shen Qingluo walked down the small pavilion, and a vine plant wrapped around the rockery attracted her footsteps.

It was a pothos, also known as pineapple, which is a tenacious plant that grows everywhere. Not afraid of wind and rain, not afraid of knives and axes, and the more twists and turns, the more lush and lush. Even if it is scorched with fire, it will grow new shoots in the same place the next year, and its seeds will be scattered in all directions by the wind, and it will continue for generations.

Just like weeds, wildfires burn inexhaustibly, and spring breezes blow and regenerate.

Shen Qingluo knew that this plant had another name that was the same as herself: Qingluo.

My father and mother chose this name for themselves, and they must have hoped that they would be like green roses, unforgiving, and tenacious.

When weeds die, they can regenerate, but what if the heart dies?

Mourning is greater than heart death, as soon as the Xuanmen is closed, it will be a long night without spring.

"Madam, don't you feel lonely on such a day?" Weakly, Kaneko finally said something that had been held back for a long time.

Shen Qingluo looked at her sideways and felt apologetic. It is really a sin to let such an innocent girl accompany herself to live such a lonely and boring life.

"I think it's good on a day like this." She leaned over and picked off a begonia next to her, and gently inserted it into her golden sideburns: "I promised your uncle that when I give birth to a child, I will send your sister back to the countryside." When the time comes, I will give you a large dowry, so that you can marry in style. ”

Jin Zi blushed: "Don't get married." A humble gentleman like the old man, and still so cold, in this world, what man is worth entrusting for life. I'd rather not marry. As soon as the words came out, I suddenly felt that something was wrong.

Shen Qingluo was silent for a long time: "There are still good men, look at Xiao Wu, how good it is to treat Xiao Rong." ”

Jin Zi didn't dare to say anything more, for fear of upsetting his wife's heart.

Shen Qingluo squinted her eyes and looked into the distance of flowers and trees.

The heart is like water, the years are quiet, and it seems that there is nothing wrong with growing old like this.

However, the tree wants to be quiet and the wind does not stop, Shen Qingluo is always worried in her heart, and she always feels that something is going to happen.

Her hunch was right, and with a cacophony of footsteps, the beautiful fantasy came to an abrupt end.

What should come is always hidden.

Shen Qingluo calmly looked at Qingluan who was hugging in front of her, and slowly spoke: "Second lady, don't come unharmed." ”

Two

In the Nanfu, it was not surprising at first that Shen Qingluo ignored the chores and raised the fetus with peace of mind, but with the passage of time and some subtle changes, everyone gradually sniffed out the signs of abnormality.

There is a detailed purchase plan in the house every month, including vegetables, vegetables, food, lamps, candles, oil, and necessary daily necessities, which are usually approved by Shen Qingluo in person, but now all this is in the hands of the second lady Qingluan. Moreover, after Shen Qingluo's retreat, the government also made some major personnel adjustments. First of all, Steward Li, who has always been valued by Shen Qingluo, was transferred to the countryside to collect rent, and his place was replaced by Chen Fu.

Steward Li's resignation is an important signal.

This means that the right to govern the family has been fully transferred from the wife to the master. Even, the lord no longer cares about his wife's face.

Therefore, at this time, Madame's recuperation was added to a lot of speculation for no reason.

As soon as Steward Chen took office, he immediately showed his capable side. Many old servants who had served for many years were discouraged from retirement by dignity after receiving a considerable pension under the pretext of old age and infirmity, and at the same time, many strange new faces were added to the house.

It can be so thought that Nanyun quietly carried out a major purge of the entire family house.

For this change, the most gratifying is undoubtedly Qingluan.

From the attendant to the housekeeper, Chen Fu can be said to have reached the sky in one step, but for management, he is still a novice, and many affairs are not familiar with it for the time being, so no matter how big or small, he asked Nanyun for instructions without exception, and gradually, Nanyun was overwhelmed, and in impatience, blurted out: "Let the second lady take the idea." ”

Qingluan didn't think so, on the contrary, she was very happy to worry about these trivial things, because this meant that as a concubine, she obviously had the qualifications and status to challenge the lady of the main room.

After a few things were properly handled, Nanyun gradually acquiesced to her proposition, after all, such a big business needs a hostess who presides over the feed.

In view of the fact that the main room is empty, this responsibility naturally falls on her head.

So, everyone in Nanfu understood one thing: it is the second lady Qingluan who is in charge now.

The second lady is very good at being a person, more virtuous and generous than the lady of the main room, under her guidance, every servant in the house, whether male or female, has made two new clothes for the season, and the salary has risen by five cents, and she is also rewarded with an extra day of vacation every month, and is allowed to visit home. Not only that, but it is also stipulated that the clothes of the four seasons in the future will be changed every quarter, and if there is something unwanted, it can be converted into silver money and distributed to individuals.

As soon as these graces came out, the whole house rejoiced, and praised the second lady for caring for her subordinates and being considerate.

Qingluan used these small favors to successfully win the hearts of the people and achieved the point of saying the same.

Steward Chen began to report to her in every detail, and gradually, he began to look at her face and do things, using her will as the benchmark. Even sometimes, when she was called "madam", she did not object.

The new servant only recognized the second lady in his eyes, and even some old servants gradually forgot the existence of the hostess Shen Qingluo, after all, people have the instinct to become inflammatory.

Qingluan has fully entered the role of lady. It's always been something she's dreamed of.

However, there was one thing she never understood, why it was suddenly like this, and what happened between Shen Qingluo and Nanyun.

Sometimes, she tried, trying to get something out of Nagumo's mouth, but Nagumo was tight-lipped, and as soon as she encountered a critical problem, she immediately diverted from the conversation.

What he doesn't want to say must be the truth of the matter.

The more she covered it up, the more it aroused her curiosity.

One thing is certain, that is, between the two of them, they are already like strangers.

Because, for more than three months, as a husband, he has not even visited his pregnant wife once.

It's so weird, so perverse.

In private, she had also asked Chen Fu sideways, and she believed that as a close attendant, nothing could hide from Chen Fu's eyes.

However, she really underestimated Chen Fu, no matter how she followed the temptation, Chen Fu was always cautious and avoided key questions.

As a new housekeeper, he understands what to say and what not to say.

Qingluan lowered his face and said coldly: "Steward Chen, I know you can do it, but believe it or not, just a word from me can let you find another high door." ”

Chen Fu looked up at the second lady, and he knew deeply that this woman was by no means alarmist.

So, he kowtowed: "The villain is just a slave, where dare to inquire about the master's affairs." The second lady refused to forgive, and the villain had to roll up and go back to the countryside. ”

Chen Fu, who has always been flattering, will also have a strong side, which Qingluan did not expect.

She had no choice but to wave her hand: "Go down." ”

It seems that this gap can only be opened from Nagumo.

In fact, what she really cares about is not the ins and outs of the matter, but how to use this suspicion to achieve her ulterior goals.

This opportunity, once in a lifetime, is a good opportunity given to me by God.

Kick out Shen Qingluo, and you will undoubtedly be able to straighten out and become bigger.

Her goal is not only the scenery in front of her, but also the glory of a lifetime. Being the main room is a grand ambition she made on the first day she stepped into Nanfu.

Only by knowing oneself and knowing one's opponent can one not be defeated.

She found that recently, Nagumo often stayed in the study all day and all night, and occasionally stayed there, and she didn't know what to do. At first, she thought that Yuan'er was seducing her there, or that she had a new girl, but later she found out that this was not the case.

In the study, there must be the answer she wants.

So, she took advantage of the time and quietly sneaked into the study.

Three

The study looks neglected and a little cluttered. The table was littered with books of all kinds, and a few greetings were piled up in bits and pieces.

On the shelves, there are mountains of classics, showing the owner's outstanding collection ability. The blue and white porcelain vase was filled with precious monuments and paintings, and she even took a few and opened them, but there was nothing suspicious inside.

Qingluan browsed all over the house, slightly disappointed.

Even the bed in the back room, she searched carefully, except for some bookkeeping books, there was nothing else.

Qingluan sat wearily in her chair, frowning, puzzled.

Is it true that he stays in the study all day and is just studying hard?

Autumn is approaching, and he may really want to seek fame.

Her eyes fell on the desk in front of her.

"Huainanzi", "Sou Shen Ji", "Shu Wei Ji" and so on, piled up on the desk.

It's all weird books, how could he read them? What was going on in his mind?

Qingluan was slightly surprised.

The scientific expedition is nothing more than four books and five classics, and it will never be selected from these sideways wild historical anecdotes.

She flipped through it with interest.

An open copy of the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" is displayed on the page of "The Southern Classic of the Sea". On that page, it is recorded that the ancient god Henggong is recorded.

What is Yokoko? Qingluan read it carefully.

"Henggong is a strange fish in the sea, born in the stone lake, this lake is constant ice, and it does not melt for many years. The horizontal fish is eight feet long, shaped like a carp and red, and it is in the water during the day and turns into a human at night. If you can't stab it, you can't cook it. Cook two black plums, die, and eat them to ward off illness and evil spirits. ”

Qingluan smiled slightly. There are still such beautiful books in the world, and it is no wonder that the Xiang Guild forgets to sleep and eat.

As she continued to flip through the pages, one of the pages caught her eye.

That page stays on the "Three Classics of the Northern Times". "Or a mermaid, that is, a salamander. It is four-legged like a catfish, and its voice is like a child's cry. The human face and the body of the fish, the beauty and the bewitching people. There is a certain clan, and there are resurrected people after they die and become mermaids. ”

What surprised her was not what was written in the book, but the page, with a glittering blue scale. The scales, as big as leaves, bright as pearls, and with a hint of fresh fishy.

Qingluan felt an inexplicable throbbing.

What did he do with this huge fish scale in a book? With this strange text, it makes people think a lot of associations for no reason.

Qingluan's mind spun rapidly, trying hard, trying to give himself a reasonable explanation.

But after thinking of a thousand reasons, I still can't explain the cause and effect of this fish scale.

Only he knows the reason for this. He devoted himself to studying these many books on the supernatural, and he must have had an ulterior motive in mind.

Could it be that this is the root cause of the search?

She suddenly remembered her mother's words when she left: "When your eldest sister was born, she was different from ordinary children, and when she washed the full moon, the grandmother-in-law who bathed her died in vain. ”

In a flash of inspiration, she was even shocked by the bold idea that came to her senses.

knocked Shen Qingluo down with a stick, in this life and this life, so that she will never have a chance to turn over again, nothing is to let this ugly woman have something to do with the demon. The idea is good, but the difficulty is how to make everyone believe it.

However, things are man-made, and people will win the day.

Carefully, she pinched the scales.

The door suddenly "clanged", startling her.

Nanyun didn't expect someone in the house, he was obviously taken aback, and when he saw the things in Qingluan's hand, he suddenly changed color, rushed forward, snatched the fish scales, and scolded: "How do you flip things!" ”

Qingluan was stunned. He has always pampered himself, gold and jade jewelry, as long as she can see it, everything will be followed. But today, I just moved this strange fish scale, and I was so angry.

"What is this?" A contemptuous smile rose at the corner of her mouth: "It was given to you by the fish demon in the book?" ”

Nan Yun's face returned to his usual calmness, and he casually put the fish scales into the book, and said lightly: "I saw a big fish in the fish market the day before yesterday, the scales were surprisingly big, and I felt curious for a while, so I just collected it and played with it. ”

Qingluan smiled slightly: "The concubine also feels fresh, how about giving it to the concubine?" ”

Nanyun refused: "No! When the words came out, he felt abrupt, so he changed his tone and said softly: "Catch Ming'er to find other rare things for you." ”

Qingluan laughed and trembled: "The concubine is just joking." It's not rare to see this fishy thing, only Xianggong is like a baby. He wiped his hand on the handkerchief: "The concubine is still afraid of staining her hands." ”

Nanyun sat down, cleaned up the table casually, and said with a smile: "I heard that the examiner who wrote this year's questions is a person from the East China Sea, and he is good at making some deviant and strange questions. Oh, by the way, what's the matter with me? ”

Qingluan made a coquettish look, sat on his lap with his butt, and climbed his neck: "What, don't you come if you're fine?" I remember that my sister used to come to the study to read with me. ”

Nanyun frowned slightly: "What are you doing with this dry vinegar." ”

Qingluan said tentatively: "The day after tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, what are you going to do?" ”

Nanyun Yixing: "You can just look at it." My mother is sick, and I'm really not in the mood. ”

Qingluan smiled: "It's a big day anyway, sister, don't you come forward to take care of it?" ”

In the past few months, there seems to be a tacit understanding, and each other will never mention Shen Qingluo's name.

However, no matter what, she still can't ignore her presence.

Nanyun hesitated: "Madame is recuperating, don't bother her with these mundane things." ”

Qingluan teased his eyebrows with one finger, and said softly: "Xianggong feels so sorry for his sister, and the concubine is so envious." It's just that the concubine doesn't understand, how can my sister be at peace if such a big thing happens? ”

Nanyun lowered her head: "She doesn't know the news yet." ”

Qingluan was stunned: "The whole city knows, she doesn't know?" ”

Nanyun's gaze fell on the distance: "She's pregnant, I don't want her to be sad." ”

A trace of jealousy flashed in Qingluan's heart: "How long are you going to hide it from her?" ”

"How long can you hide it?" "At least wait until she gives birth," he said. ”

I'm afraid it may not be.

A sneer flashed across Qingluan's lips.

All he cared about was the child in her womb. Without children, an ugly woman who has fallen out of favor, what climate can she become.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the day when a child's melons are ripe is coming.

Can't wait any longer.

But the woman lived in seclusion in the lily garden, and cooked her own food and vegetables, so that outsiders could not enter.