Seeing Lu Zhengan coming out of the house, Mama Zhang hurriedly got up from the stove, pointed to the chicken pen and said to Lu Zhengan: "This group of small things in the circle is probably hungry, and they screamed when they saw me get up." We searched around but couldn't find the bran, so we grabbed the weeds from the side and threw them in first. ”

Hearing Mama Zhang say this, Lu Zhengan realized that the group of cubs in the circle were too quiet. Sticking out his head to see them pecking at the grass one by one, Zhenghuan couldn't help but smile.

"In the past, I woke up at dawn, and I said how come I am so peaceful today." After that, Lu Zhengan continued to Mama Zhang: "It's hard Mama Zhang, I'll go and give them food." ”

"When the young master said this, he really tormented the old slave."

Hearing this, Lu Zhengan thought about Mrs. Ji and hurriedly asked, "Did Mama Zhang and Mrs. Zhang sleep well last night?" The old lady hasn't gotten up yet? ”

"Okay, okay. The old lady had woken up, and was now in her room to worship the Buddha, and it was estimated that it would be a little while before she came out. ”

Mama Zhang's voice fell, and she heard the door creak, and the old lady walked out of the room dressed in a bright blue muslin dress. Although there is only one hairpin on his head, the style of his whole body is far from being comparable to ordinary people.

After seeing Lu Zheng'an, Mrs. Ji smiled lovingly and walked slowly towards this side on crutches. "I've been so tired for the past two days, why don't you sleep for a while?"

"Ma Laoban didn't want to come over to pick up the goods today, so he got up a little early. The air in the mountains is cold, why don't you wear more clothes? ”

In the face of Lu Zheng'an's concern, Mrs. Ji was very happy and replied with a smile: "It's only been the beginning of autumn for a long time, and it's so cold. However, I have to say that the mountain is comfortable, and I can lie down for a while listening to the birdsong in the forest. ”

As she spoke, Mrs. Ji looked at Lu Zheng'an and Mama Zhang, who were standing in front of her, waved her hand, and said, "Okay, you all have to go and get busy, I'll go around the door." ”

Hearing that Mrs. Ji was going out, Lu Zhengan was a little uneasy. I wanted to accompany Mrs. Ji for a walk, but I was stopped by Mama Zhang on the side. "Breakfast is almost done, the old lady has an old slave with her, so the young master will go and do the rest first."

Seeing Mama Zhang say this, Lu Zhengan no longer insisted. After watching Mrs. Ji and Mama Zhang leave the courtyard, they went to the barn to find wheat bran and feed the family's livestock.

When Lu Changgen took Lu Tieniu and Lu Tiezhuan up the mountain, Lu Zhengan's family of three, Mrs. Ji and Mama Zhang were having breakfast. Lu Changgen took a few juniors and said hello to Mrs. Ji, and then led a few people into the warehouse and began to get busy.

Because Lu Changgen and the brothers of the Lu family are all stable people, Lu Zhengan has nothing to worry about. After finishing breakfast with everyone, he helped Mama Zhang put away the dishes and chopsticks into the kitchen, and then wiped her hands and walked to the warehouse.

Eight hundred pounds of dried peaches is not much, but it is not too little. By the time Lu Changgen had finished weighing and packing, twenty cloth bags had already been piled up at the door.

Lu Tieniu wiped the sweat from his head, looked at the door, and saw that the mountain road was empty, and he couldn't help but feel a little worried. "It's almost hour, and the old man surnamed Ma won't let us pigeons go, right?"

As soon as Lu Tieniu's words fell, he was elbowed by his brother Lu Tiezhuo. "If you kid can't speak and keep your mouth shut, then Zheng'an and Uncle Nagan have talked to others, how can they not come? What are you kid doing, add to the first place. ”

Knowing that his words were indeed a little unpleasant, Lu Tieniu didn't dare to say anything when he slapped his brother's elbow, scratched the back of his head and smiled awkwardly.

When Lu Changgen, who was on the side, heard Lu Tieniu's words, he couldn't help but reprimand: "Don't talk nonsense, both Zheng'an and Ma Laoban have already set up the notes yesterday. If he dares to release our pigeons, he will have to pay us money. ”

As they were talking, they saw Ma Yuntao's carriage stop at the door, followed by two mule carts, apparently ready to come.

Ma Yuntao came out of the carriage, looked at the people of the Lu family standing at the door and the dried peaches that had been prepared at the door, and couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and then stepped on the stool and walked down from the car.

"I thought it was too early, but I didn't expect that Mr. Lu was ready."

Ma Yuntao said, lifted the hem of his clothes and stepped into the courtyard, looked at Mrs. Ji, who was sitting on a small stool under the eaves to tie pigtails for Lu Xingyi, and bowed down to her to make a junior salute.

"The things have already been moved out, just waiting for Mr. Ma to weigh them." As he spoke, Lu Zhengan opened the cloth bag and motioned to Ma Laoban to check the quality. "That's all there was to pick up before, and I just looked at about 800 catties."

Ma Yuntao originally thought that it would be good for Lu Zhengan to give him 500 catties of goods, but he didn't expect that the other party would give him 800 catties in one go, and he was suddenly surprised and happy in his heart.

"It's done, it's eight hundred pounds." As he spoke, Ma Yuntao beckoned the people he had brought to load the car, but was stopped by Lu Zhengan.

"Ma Laoban, let's go through the name again, so that everyone has a score in their hearts."

Before Ma Yuntao came, he saw that everyone in the Lu family had already prepared their things, and he couldn't help but muttered a little in his heart. Hearing Lu Zhengan say this now, I feel that Lu Zhengan knows each other well. He hesitated for a long time before he nodded reluctantly.

"Okay, since Lu Gongzi said so, then let someone take a look at it."

As he spoke, Ma Yuntao waved his hand to the butler who followed behind him. The butler bowed, then turned around and took a weighing he had brought from the car, and asked his men to begin to weigh it.

Lu Tieniu was a straight man, and when he saw Ma Yuntao and his subordinates behaving like this, he couldn't help but sneer, and wanted to stab him twice, but Lu Changgen glanced at him sideways. Helpless, Lu Tieniu could only swallow his words.

After Ma Yuntao finished weighing, he nodded with satisfaction. beckoned the housekeeper to carry the things into the car, and then took a silver ticket from his sleeve pocket and handed it to Lu Zhengan.

"This is a hundred taels of silver, a few taels of silver, and it will be deducted when you pick up the goods next time."

Hearing Ma Yuntao say this, Lu Zhengan did not object. After taking the silver ticket, he handed it to Song Huaishu on the side.

"Okay, it's still early, Ma Laoban will go into the house to have a cup of tea and rest before leaving?"

Hearing this, Ma Yuntao hurriedly waved his hand and refused. "No, no. It has been more than two months since he came out of the house, and the relatives at home should be in a hurry. Later, when we have time, let's talk about it again. ”

"In that case, then I won't keep the old horse."

Lu Zhengan said and sent the people to the gate of the courtyard, and saw that the two mule carts brought by Ma Laoban had been loaded, and then they were sent to the mountain road.

However, at this moment, I saw Lu Yingchun walking towards this side with a young man. Lu Zheng'an looked at it steadily, and saw that the young man was Lu Zhengting, who had not returned for a long time.

"There are quite a few people in the courtyard, so I didn't say it explicitly. At present, the principal will be given to Lu Gongzi first, and as for the bonus part, after this batch of goods is sold, a certain person will personally send it to Lu Gongzi. ”

Lu Zhengan withdrew his gaze from the two people on the mountain road, smiled at Ma Yuntao and bowed his head. "This is all a small matter, and if it is not convenient to stay for the New Year, it is okay to give it again."

While speaking, Lu Yingchun had already taken Lu Zhengting to the door of the Lu family's small courtyard, and the lively Lu Yingchun waved his hand to Lu Zheng'an, and immediately ran towards Lu Zheng'an.

Lu Zhengting followed behind Lu Yingchun, and after his gaze shifted to Ma Yuntao, who was on Lu Zhengan's side, the expression on his face couldn't help but be stunned.

Ma Yuntao saw that Lu Zhengan had a guest coming, and he no longer greeted him. After arching his hand to Lu Zheng'an, he put on his clothes and got into the carriage.

"Brother Zheng'an, are you done?"

Lu Yingchun ran to Lu Zhengan, took his sleeve, pointed to Lu Zhengting, who was following her, and said happily: "Brother Zhengan, look, my brother is back. ”

Lu Zhengan raised his eyes to look at Lu Zhengting, and after greeting him, he replied: "I'm done, Uncle Changgen and Brother Tie Niu are packing up their things in the yard." When you're packed, you'll be able to go back. ”

Hearing this, Lu Yingchun happily responded, hugged Lu Zhengan's arm, and boasted: "My sister-in-law and my little nephew are also back, my little nephew seems to be a little younger than Xingyi, and now he is a little unstable. ”

"It's only been a little more than seven months, how can I stand." As he spoke, Lu Zhengting walked up to Lu Zhengan and Lu Yingchun, bent his finger and tapped lightly on Lu Yingchun's forehead.

Seeing Lu Yingchun covering his forehead and looking at him with a dissatisfied expression, Lu Zhengting chuckled, reached out and stroked the top of her hair, and said to Lu Zhengan: "Zheng'an, I just looked at that person and seemed a little familiar?" But from Linzhou? ”

Hearing Lu Zhengting's question, Lu Zhengan did not deny it. "Brother Zheng Ting's right, he is from Linzhou."

"I heard from my father and mother that Brother Zheng'an's business is doing well, and dried peaches can be sold for dozens or hundreds of taels of silver at a time."

Lu Yingchun's words made the smile on Lu Zhengting's face stiffen, and he reached out and pinched Lu Yingchun's nose, and said with a smile: "Don't talk nonsense, you girl, let's go and call my father out, we should go home." Father hasn't seen your little nephew yet. ”

Seeing that his brother did not believe what he said, Lu Yingchun was suddenly a little unhappy in his heart, but thinking of his mother's instructions when he came, Lu Yingchun pouted and walked towards the courtyard with a displeased expression.

"Yingchun, this girl likes to exaggerate when she speaks, just listen to Zheng'an, she is not sensible, don't be like her."

Lu Zhengan wanted to say that Lu Yingchun was not exaggerating, but he did not want to explain too much to him about this matter. Hearing Lu Zhengting say this, he immediately smiled and nodded without saying anything.

After a while, Lu Yingchun pulled Lu Changgen's arm and came out of the courtyard. After Lu Changgen saw Lu Zhengting standing outside the door, he was stunned for a moment, and then asked in surprise: "Xiaobao really came back with him?" ”

"When I came back, the sun was too big at this time, so I didn't carry him out."

Hearing Lu Zhengting's explanation, Lu Changgen nodded excitedly. "Well, the sun is a little big this morning, so it's better to stay at home." After that, Lu Changgen hurriedly said to Lu Zheng'an on the side: "The iron oxen and iron bolts in the yard are being cleaned up, so I will go back first." ”

Lu Zhengan knew that Lu Changgen was anxious when he saw his grandson, so he naturally would not stop him. "Okay, then Uncle Changgen will go back first, and Huaishu and I will take Xingyi to see my little nephew early tomorrow morning."

"Cheng, when Ming'er takes the old lady to our house as a guest, then let your aunt make dumplings for you to eat." Lu Changgen said, waved his hand excitedly to Lu Zhengan, and hurried down the mountain.

When Lu Zheng'an returned to the courtyard, Song Huaishu brought the washed apples to Lu Tieniu and the others to eat. Seeing Lu Zhengan come back alone, he couldn't help but feel a little strange.

"Yingchun and Uncle Changgen, I washed the apples and was about to ask them to eat them together." Song Huaishu took one from the plate, wiped the water droplets off it, and then handed it to Lu Zheng'an.

Lu Zhengan took the apple from Song Huaishu's hand and took a bite, and said inarticulately: "I was in a hurry to go home to see my grandson, so I hurriedly went down the mountain and left." ”

As soon as Lu Tieniu and the others heard that Lu Zhengting had returned, they became excited one by one. Holding the uneaten apple in his hand, he said hello to Lu Zhengan and Mrs. Ji, and followed him home.

Thinking of the wages that had not been paid a few days ago, Lu Zhengan wanted to shout out to a few people. But when he chased out the door, he found that several people had already walked away.

Looking at the backs of Lu Tieniu and the others, Lu Zhengan couldn't help but muttered to Song Huaishu who came out with him: "These people, when they heard that Lu Zhengting had returned, ran so fast that they didn't even want their wages. ”

Hearing this, Song Huaishu couldn't help but smile and said: "After all, it is a friendship from childhood to adulthood, and I haven't seen each other for so long, so I naturally want to reminisce about the old together." Besides, you are at home every day, and you are not the kind of person who pays off your debts, so what can you do with the wages you owe? ”

Lu Zhengan was also a little embarrassed when Song Huaishu said this. Raised his hand and handed the apple to Song Huaishu's mouth, watching him take a bite before stopping.

"Brother Zhengting's children are coming back for the first time, let's prepare some things tomorrow and go over to take a look, right?"

"Okay, Uncle Changgen and Aunt Shuyi have also taken care of us, and it is also appropriate to go over and take a look." After speaking, Song Huaishu seemed to think of something again, pulled Lu Zhengan's arm and said, "By the way, you have to prepare a meeting gift for the first meeting, right?" How much silver should we pack? ”

Lu Zhengan really didn't think about the meeting gift, but after thinking about it for a while, Lu Zhengan said: "Uncle Changgen and Aunt Shuyi treat us well on weekdays, so this meeting gift should not be too little." Pack two taels of silver, and even numbers are better. ”

……

Early the next morning, Song Huaishu found two new sets of small clothes and quilts from the cabinet, and also wrapped two taels of silver ingots in red as a welcome gift.

Lu Zhengan carried Lu Xingyi into the door, looked at the two sets of small clothes on the bed, and immediately recognized that it was specially prepared by his mother-in-law for his daughter. But then Lu Xingyi grew up faster, and these sets of small clothes were already small before they had time to wear.

"What are you doing with this outfit turned out?"

"Xingyi can't wear it anymore, and the color is darker, and the male doll wears it just right. Pack it up and bring it to them, it's a waste for us to keep it. ”

Lu Zhengan looked at the delicate embroidery on the clothes, but he was a little reluctant, and from the words of Lu Yingchun and Yang Shuyi, he knew that Lu Zhengting's family was not easy to get along with. Song Huaishu kindly gave her clothes and quilts, I am afraid that she will be misunderstood.

Simply, Lu Zhengan put Lu Xingyi on the side of the bed and stood up, bent down to pack up the clothes spread out on the bed, wrapped them in a quilt and put them in the cabinet.

"It's just that my mother made it for Xingyi, whether Xingyi wears it or not, it's all my mother's heart, so it's naturally not good to pass these things on to others. When Xingyi grows up in the future, it will be a good memory to take it out again. ”

was said by Lu Zhengan, and Song Huaishu was not easy to refute him. Seeing that his daughter moved to his side by the bed, he raised his hand and handed the snack he was holding to Song Huaishu. "Da Da, eat."

Seeing this, Song Huaishu couldn't help but feel soft in his heart. Leaned over and kissed Lu Xingyi on the cheek, and said softly: "Daddy doesn't eat it, Xingyi eats it." ”

After coaxing Lu Xingyi, Song Huaishu raised his eyes to look at Lu Zhengan and asked, "If you don't bring that clothes, is it too little to send only a red envelope?" Why don't you bring some snacks and fruit that the old lady brought with her? ”

"It's okay, just bring snacks and fruit. There's nothing to do at home, right? I'll go to the back room to pack two treats and fruits, and let's go down the mountain, shall we? ”

After Lu Zheng'an packed up his things, Song Huaishu was leading Lu Xingyi to talk to Mrs. Ji.

The little girl and Mrs. Ji were very close, and she came to the old lady with her little feet around Song Huaishu, hugging the old lady's legs and looking up and smiling.

"This little sycophant!"

Hearing Lu Zheng'an's laughter and scolding, Mrs. Ji glanced back at him and poked, "Isn't the little pony still raised by you?" Besides, what's so bad about ponyass? I just like our little faux. ”

As she spoke, Mrs. Ji bent down and pulled Lu Xingyi's little nose.

"The youngest grandson of Uncle Changgen's family under the mountain has returned from Linzhou, and Huaishu and I will go down the mountain to have a look, and we will be back in a while."

Hearing this, Mrs. Ji hurriedly stopped Lu Zheng'an, asked Mama Zhang to go back to her room, took a silver ticket of five taels of silver, and handed it to Lu Zheng'an. "Your uncle and aunt are good people, and they take great care of you. These five taels of silver can be regarded as some of my thoughts, so you can help me bring them. ”

Lu Zhengan wanted to excuse himself, but he heard Mama Zhang next to him say slowly: "Although the young master just sold a hundred and ten taels of silver yesterday, if you calculate it carefully, can you compare to our old lady's waist?" ”

The old lady poked Mama Zhang and couldn't help laughing: "You are a person who eats inside and out, and in the future, I will let Zheng'an provide for you in the future, I don't care about you." ”

"If Mama Zhang doesn't dislike it, Huaishu and I have no opinion. Not to mention Mama Zhang, even if the old lady can stay forever, we are also willing. ”

When the old lady heard Lu Zhengan's words, her heart was even happier, but her face was extremely disgusted, and she waved her hand to Lu Zhengan's family of three and said, "Go and go, you should leave quickly." Come back early in the afternoon, let's make sour soup gnocchi and eat. ”

After that, Mrs. Ji touched Xingyi's fleshy little face, and took Mama Zhang's arm and walked into the house.

Seeing this, Lu Zhengan handed over the things in his hand to Song Huaishu, and he carried his daughter and the family of three came to the village.

However, when the three of them had just reached the entrance of the village, they saw many people in the village gossiping together under the big locust tree.