31. Dandy (6)

Father Duan has three great things in his life.

Good poetry, good paintings, good books, it can be said that he has collected all the hobbies that a pure literati should have.

And just like that, Duan's father, who had been stepped on, was holding a ruined painting in his hand and passionately insulted the kneeling girl: "I really don't know what to say, my brothers at home have made it clear that I won't let anyone Excuse me, you still have to go into the house to talk to me, have you learned all the rules? Why, you are considering that my brother is not married and has no wife to look after him, but you can become a brother with just a girl. Lord?"

Father Duan is prestigious in the eyes of the servants, just because he is busy with court affairs and only eats and sleeps when he comes back. Naturally, he has no time to discipline the servants. Compared with the master who is the head of the family and ignores them, the servants certainly feel that It is even more important for Miao to be able to take care of himself directly.

But now, Father Duan was angered by such a painting. He was very sharp-tongued, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to argue with other ministers in the court all day long. Now it's not enough to scold the maid.

The girl argued aggrievedly: "It is the madam who wants me to pay attention to my brother at all times. I just obey the madam's words..."

The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she became. She couldn't help wiping her tears, "My brother is young, and I'm worried that something will happen to him if he doesn't have anyone to watch."

"Young? How old is my brother? You are still young? Master gave an order, but you don't listen and you still think you did nothing wrong? My wife sent you to my brother's room because she wanted you to take good care of her. It would be better for you. , relying on the fact that you are the one sent here by the madam, and relying on the power of others, it is clear that you have done something wrong, and you deserve to be punished, but you are still crying and acting coquettishly. "

The girl was already dumbfounded by the scolding, with tears falling down her face. She raised her head pitifully, "Big brother always gets into trouble, and I'm worried about you too. Master, I really don't dare..."

If she honestly admitted her mistake, Duan's father would be wrong to scold him, but he was in a bad mood, and this girl kept saying the same thing, and even talked about Engeer's The bad words made him feel uncomfortable.

Even a father like me hasn't said that my son got into trouble, but you, a girl, have said it for sure.

My son was rewarded by the Queen Mother, and the whole Shengjing praised him for his filial piety and being a good boy. Even a servant dared to discredit him.

"Don't you dare? You all know that I will come to the courtyard after my shift. Madam punishes me by kneeling down. You kneel in the middle of the courtyard without saying anything and still cry like this. You don't dare to follow me? You are still worried about brother, he has your wife and me. This father is here, and we haven’t said anything yet, but you girl is worried first? Is it true that my wife’s kindness is too indulgent to you girls, so that you all have grown up, and you actually dare to confront me, and you still cry? What, I said you are not convinced, okay? Our Duan family can't afford a girl like you. Come on, send her to Zhuangzi and never come back."

The girl who was still thinking about being pitiful and taking the opportunity to put eye drops on Duan Qingen's eyes widened in shock, "Master!! Master, you can't, Master!!"

The Duan family's village is a farm, and the masters don't go there even once in eight hundred years. They all rely on the shopkeeper to collect the bills. If she was sent to the farm, she would probably have a hard life in her life.

Seeing this girl coming to attack his thigh, Duan's father frowned and kicked the girl away with a look of disgust, "It's time to send those of you who don't take the master's words to heart to Zhuangzi, huh?" Even though I’m young, I can’t be bullied by a girl like you.”

It was time for a lifetime of hardship. If the girl didn't save her, it would be too late. She gritted her teeth, a trace of determination flashed in her eyes, and she raised her head suddenly, "Master, I did this for a reason, it's..."

"Hurry up and pull her away from the master!"

Miao's sharp and anxious voice suddenly interrupted the girl's unfinished words, "If she hurts the master, even the lives of her whole family will not be able to afford the compensation!!"

The light in the girl's eyes suddenly dimmed.

She understood that Mrs. Miao was using people in her family to threaten her not to reveal who ordered her to do this.

Several of the waiting servants got the order and dragged the girl out with all their might. She didn't struggle, she just stared at Miao with a gray face, and didn't say anything until she was dragged out.

Seeing that she was finally worried about her family not confessing her, Miao breathed a sigh of relief and quickly went to Duan's father to help him tidy up his clothes, "Did your husband get scared? This girl was fine when she was in my room. Maybe when I got to my brother's side, I saw that he was easy to talk to, so I became arrogant."

"What is this? A girl actually dares to be the boss of her brother in the family, and she still looks dissatisfied when he reprimands her."

Duan's father was heartbroken when he thought of the ruined painting in his arms. Although Miao had been trying to invite him to stay for dinner, he had no appetite after witnessing the "tragedy" with his own eyes.

So in the end, Mrs. Miao could only watch as Duan's father, who had almost never lost his temper with her, left her yard with a bad expression and hugged the painting.

As soon as Father Duan left, the expression on her face darkened.

Mother Wang carefully held her arm and comforted her: "Madam, don't worry. The master has always respected you. Today, I was just hit by that girl. It will be fine tomorrow when the master calms down."

Mrs. Miao clenched her fists tightly under her sleeves, turned around and entered the house with the support of Mrs. Wang. She gritted her teeth and spoke in a voice so low that only the two of them could hear it.

"This girl is really disloyal in trying to get hold of me. Mom, let's find an opportunity to make her sick."

Mother Wang's expression remained unchanged, "Madam, don't worry. The manor is such a messy place. It's normal for her to get sick as she grew up in the mansion and has never suffered."

"Yes."

Miao's face softened a little, "It's not like the boy in the mansion. He has been living a luxurious life since he was a child. He has at least a dozen people to take care of him. He rarely catches a cold."

Letting a maid die of illness is just a matter of raising her hand, but if it was Duan Qingen, she would not even dare to let him catch a cold.

There is no way. She can't do this kind of thing herself. She can only instruct others. If there is any mistake, she will be buried with Duan Qingen.

Miao would not do such a stupid thing. She finally married into the Duan family and became an official wife with an imperial decree. Duan's father trusted her, and his biological son was obedient and motivated. People in Shengjing said that she was gentle and kind. Now she just needs to continue to be so gentle and kind.

Even if the situation has changed now and she has made mistakes in her several plots, there is still a long time to come, and she will always find an opportunity.

When the time comes, she will get rid of Duan Qingen, and all the wealth in the mansion will belong to her son.

Song Ge'er is also a child who loves to study. Without the obstruction of his elder brother, he will definitely pass the imperial examination and become an official in the future. According to Song Ge'er's intelligence, it is not a problem for him to become a high-ranking official.

Thinking of the good days in the future, Miao showed a gentle smile on her face.

There is a long way to go, and the most important thing now is to marry Duan Qingen a wife with a bright appearance.

In her opinion, the eldest daughter of the Loyalty Marquis Mansion is very good, timid and afraid of things, without the slightest demeanor of a family. Such a person who can't support the position of the mistress of the house is just right for her dissolute and unmotivated stepson.

****

Duan Qingen woke up in the morning, asked for water to wash, and when he asked people to leave, a group of servants went out of the door one by one without hesitation.

Yesterday, the master was furious because the maid broke into his room against the eldest brother's order. Not only did he scold her, but he also drove her to the farm. Even the always kind-hearted lady couldn't save her.

That was the person sent by the lady's yard. Now that she has ended up like this, shouldn't the rest of the people be very alert and trembling?

Duan Qingen was very satisfied with this situation. Although he was not interested in showing off, as the eldest brother of the family, it was quite boring if someone always disobeyed his orders under the banner of doing good for him.

Just after he had packed up, there was a noise outside. After a few seconds, the servant who served him personally came in with a box, "Brother, the master sent someone to deliver this, saying that the brother was wronged yesterday."

"Well, bring it."

Duan Qingen took the box, weighed it, and roughly guessed what was inside. When he opened it, he saw a piece of good ink inside.

My father is really unwilling to give up and let him make progress.

"Put it away."

Duan Qingen put the box on the table and continued to put on his coat.

What a pity, I am afraid that he will let down his love for his son. In this world, just knowing how to study is useless.

The servant put the box in the cabinet and asked, "Brother, are you going out to play with the He family brothers today?"

"Yes, I heard that the princess held a banquet, I went to take a look."

Spring is a good time for the dignitaries in Shengjing to hold various banquets. The nobles in the palace hold banquets, and the nobles outside also hold banquets. Even He Lisheng and his friends hold banquets from time to time to communicate with each other.

As for the victims who were driven out of the city?

It is good enough for the kind-hearted people to give some porridge. It is too unrealistic to expect them to find out where these victims came from and why they came to the capital.

Anyway, if these people were driven out, Shengjing would still be peaceful and prosperous without the disaster victims. The nobles would not think about whether the disaster victims who were driven out ate Guanyin soil or tree bark.

Not long after Duan Qingen went out, someone from the main courtyard came to ask. When he heard that his eldest brother went to the banquet hosted by the eldest princess, he hurried back to tell Miao.

Miao thought for a long time and finally called Mother Wang, "Go and tell the wife of the Marquis's Mansion that my eldest brother went to the banquet hosted by the eldest princess."

Mother Wang was stunned, "What does the lady mean?"

Miao sneered, "The Marquis's wife is a smart person. Just tell her so, she will naturally know what to do."

Although the illegitimate eldest girl of the Marquis's Mansion was dull and looked unpleasant, she also had a good face. Although Duan Qingen was naughty, he had never been intimate with a woman before. When he saw the illegitimate eldest girl, it was inevitable that he would have some thoughts in his heart.

After all, she was born out of wedlock. Although she had thought that there was no problem, she didn't want some people to find any handle to complain.

If Duan Qingen fell into the trap and took the initiative to talk to her, she could save a lot of effort.

Miao shook her handkerchief, thinking about the last conversation with the Marquis's wife, and her eyes showed malice.

It would be best if these two people fell in love with each other and had an affair before marriage. Then she wouldn't need to spend any effort, and she could directly nail Duan Qingen to the pillar of shame for life.

****

"The Huai River is green in front of the gate, and the master's heart is left..."

The courtyard where Aunt Xi Yuzhen lived was a little small for the three of them, but no one had any resentment. On weekdays, the three of them always sat in the main hall.

It was usually Xi Yuzhen's younger brother who was studying, while she worked with her mother on needlework. Her aunt despised them as concubines. She didn't have a son and a half, so she didn't need to treat them as her biological daughters for the sake of reputation. , I usually don’t take them out to socialize, and I never teach them what they should learn at this age. Originally, a family like theirs should have a nanny to teach them, but the Marquis’s thoughts are all in the backyard. As mentioned before Once, Mrs. Hou was retorted by saying that it would cost a lot of money to hire a nanny.

Therefore, how these concubines look like depends on what kind of person their aunt is.

Xi Yuzhen's biological aunt was originally the daughter of a steward of a village in the Hou Mansion. She had been a servant of the Hou Mansion since she was born. Logically speaking, if her parents wanted to be rich, they should have sent her to the manor to serve the master when she was a child.

But Aunt Xi Yuzhen was extremely lucky. The family did not treat her as an outsider just because she was a daughter. Instead, they raised her well and only waited for her to find a husband when she grew up.

Although she was a slave, she must have been looking for a slave, but she was still a decent lady. It was just unfortunate that when Xi Yuzhen's family was looking for a husband for her, the Marquis went to the village to play and saw her aunt, because she was well-off. Not bad, I took it back.

She was pampered in the beginning, but there were too many pampered people in the yard at that time, including various aunts and children.

Aunt Xi Yuzhen was born with an honest nature. She did not dare to stand out, and she did not know how to please the Marquis. She just lived in a muddle-headed way. Although she lost the favor of the Marquis because of this, she was lucky enough not to be on Mrs. Hou's liquidation list.

When Xi Yuzhen was born, there were two sisters and one brother in the Hou family. By the time she was five years old, she had become the oldest child in the family. Is this because Mr. Hou had no father or because of Mrs. Hou? No one knows.

In short, from then on, Xi Yuzhen's aunt was frightened out of her courage. She showed a hundred respects to Mrs. Hou. She never dressed up like the newly admitted concubines on weekdays. She only stayed in her room doing needlework. Not going out.

Even though she was so docile, she was still resented by Madam Hou for giving birth to the only living brother in the family. She was warned by the Marquis and did not dare to attack brother Xi Yuzhen. Knowing that she knew how to sew, she would always call him over. , one moment I wanted an embroidered dress, and the next I wanted a screen, so I directly used Xi Yuzhen's aunt as my embroiderer.

They were in a hurry and were given very little time. Aunt Xi Yuzhen didn't even have time to eat, so she could only embroider day and night. If she hadn't finished the embroidery by the appointed time, Mrs. Hou would laugh in front of her. He said it was okay, but as soon as he turned around, brother Xi Yuzhen would make some mistake and be slapped by his husband.

How old a child is when his palms are so red that he dares not even cry after being beaten. How can a mother not feel distressed? She could only embroider desperately every time Mrs. Hou asked her to embroider something, for fear that she would waste time on Mrs. Hou's children.

Even a real embroiderer can't embroider things like this without taking a break. After a long time, her eyes are a little damaged.

Xi Yu really felt sorry for her, but couldn't think of a way for her, so she deliberately learned her mother's embroidery skills. Every time her aunt gave her mother a job, she helped with the embroidery.

The two of them were doing embroidery today while listening to Brother Xi reciting poetry next to them. This was a rare warm time for the three of them. Every time this time came, the servants would leave so that the three of them could have a good conversation. .

Xi Yuzhen was talking to her mother about what she discovered last time, "The second sister's aunt is favored. Maybe she heard something from her father and then she started thinking about it. But I always feel that my mother will not give me anything." Found a great home.”

After a pause, she added: "At least it won't be as good as the second sister thought."

Xi Yuzhen's aunt's surname is Xie, and she also has a given name, but since she entered the Hou Mansion, no one calls her by her name anymore, and they all call her Aunt Xie.

After listening to her daughter's words, her embroidery hand stopped, and she raised her head to look at Xi Yuzhen with some worry, "But if your second sister really takes away the marriage, Madam will still have to find a new marriage for you."

Large families are more particular about it. The eldest son and eldest daughter all get married first, and then the younger brothers and sisters start planning marriages.

Xi Yuzhen smiled nonchalantly, "Actually, it doesn't make any difference. No matter which family my mother finds for me, it's just not a good family. Our family is also a prince's family after all, a high-ranking and powerful family. No matter how bad it is, it won't be a good family." How bad."

Aunt Xie's heart was in her throat, and she asked in a panic: "Will Madam let you be my concubine?"

"If I really want you to be my concubine, I might as well not get married and find some excuse to go to the mountains and be my aunt."

Knowing that her mother was suffering from being a concubine, Xi Yuzhen didn't think she didn't feel sorry for him, but comforted her gently: "Auntie, don't worry, we sisters are all from the Hou family. No matter how much our mother dislikes us, she will never Anyone who wants us to be concubines must be decent ladies. Otherwise, if the father is a prince and his daughter becomes a concubine, where will his face go? "

"Yes, yes, that's good. Even if life is difficult, as long as you are the main wife, it will always be good."

Aunt Xie murmured a few words, felt relieved, and continued to concentrate on her needlework.

Xi Yuzhen looked at her and smiled, lowered his eyes and continued to do needlework seriously.

My aunt was pampered by her grandparents and grew up. She had never seen any fighting within the family. Later, she was carried into the Marquis's mansion and refused to leave the yard because of fear and cowardice. She accidentally escaped Mrs. Hou's purge and became even more courageous. She is a little smaller again. She usually hides in the house and does embroidery work. She has a somewhat naive temperament.

Just like when she coaxed her just now, my aunt took it seriously and felt relieved.

But in fact, if the aunt is determined not to make things easier for her, even if she can only marry a real wife, there are many ways, such as becoming a stepmother, or marrying someone older, or else, let her marry She married a dandy.

At that time, she was sitting in the position of a lady, and she still had troubles that she couldn't express.

After threading the last thread on the embroidered flower in her hand, Xi Yuzhen pursed her lips.

Take your time, life is how people live it. If the future husband is a womanizer, she will give him a concubine and give him a virtuous and generous wife.

If he still wants to be with her as husband and wife, she will treat him sincerely. Even if her husband doesn't like her, she will still live her life well. Her aunt is still in this house and her brother has not grown up. If her life is bad, , they were the first ones to feel sad and uncomfortable.

Just as he was thinking about it, Brother Xi got up and walked over, "Auntie, sister, I've finished carrying it."

"You're so good, let's go have a snack and take a break."

Xi Yuzhen took his younger brother into his arms and hugged him. Seeing his face showing happiness at being praised, his eyes were full of tenderness.

Aunt Xie was just taking the needle away. When she looked up and saw her children so close, her eyes showed happiness.

Unfortunately, happy times are always short-lived. The three of them were enjoying themselves when a knock on the door suddenly sounded outside: "Auntie, someone is coming to Madam's yard."

The relaxation on Aunt Xie's face suddenly turned into tension, and she subconsciously looked at her daughter, "Really..."

"Don't be afraid, Auntie." Xi Yuzhen comforted her, neatly collected her needlework, and placed a book of women's rings on the table in front of her. The overall action took no more than two seconds, and everything was fine. Then he raised his voice and shouted outside: "Let her come in."

The door was pushed open, and a servant dressed as a second-class girl walked in with her head lowered. She said to the three of them, "Sister, Madam wants you to come over."

Xi Yuzhen stood up, "Did mother tell me what happened?"

"It is said that the eldest princess is holding a banquet, and my wife will take her three sisters to attend."

"Okay, please wait a moment while I change into something to wear outside."

Seeing that Aunt Xie was already fidgeting, Xi Yuzhen walked to her side and took her hand: "Auntie, do you still remember where I put the blue cloud-patterned brocade dress last time? That was given to me by my mother."

Aunt Xie quickly stood up and entered the inner room with her daughter.

As soon as she entered and confirmed that they could no longer be heard talking outside, she no longer concealed the anxiety on her face. She grabbed her daughter's hand and said worriedly: "Madam, I always refuse to take you out. Why is it so unusual today? I, I I feel really panicked.”

"Auntie An Xin, maybe she saw that my sisters and I were getting older, so she took us out to socialize. You see, the fourth sister didn't go, it must be because she is too young."

"But Madam, you haven't always pretended not to know about this. Suddenly this happened..."

Seeing that Aunt Xie looked as hurried as a little rabbit that had been driven out of the rabbit nest, and her eye circles were even red, Xi Yuzhen felt bitter in her heart, knowing that she was feeling guilty again that she couldn't be of any help.

Holding Auntie Xie's hand distressedly, she lowered her voice and said slowly: "Auntie, mother is willing to take us concubines out to meet guests. That is a favor. You must put a smile on your face. Otherwise, my mother might get angry and punish me."

As soon as she heard that her daughter would be punished if she didn't laugh, Aunt Xie quickly reached out and wiped the corners of her eyes, "Don't worry, my dear sister, I will definitely smile and won't hurt you."

After comforting Aunt Xie, Xi Yuzhen turned around and opened a box, found the blue cloud pattern brocade dress from inside and put it on her body before going out.

The girl was impatient to wait, so she took some out on her face. When she saw Xi Yuzhen coming out, she coldly urged: "Since the eldest sister has changed, let's go to the madam's yard with the slave."

Xi Yuzhen seemed to have not seen the look on her face. They were concubines who were not liked by the madam, so they should not expect the girls around Madam Hou to have any good feelings towards them, so she could only smile grumpily and said, "Sorry to trouble you. "

Aunt Xie had also adjusted the expression on her face, and said with a smile full of gratitude: "When the troublesome girl saw Madam, she helped me to say thank you, and said that I was grateful for Madam's kindness. When the painting was embroidered, she would do it with her own hands. Send her to the main courtyard and give Madam a good discount to thank Madam for her kindness."

They had a good attitude, and the girl's face became even more arrogant. She snorted coldly, "Not everyone can come and kowtow to our wife. Okay, don't waste time. Now that my sister has been changed, we will hurry up." Let’s go quickly, don’t keep Madam waiting any longer.”

Brother Xi had been standing by silently watching. When he saw his sister leaving with the girl with her eyes raised to the sky, he gritted his teeth and dropped the book in his hand.

"Brother, don't be angry, don't be angry..."

Aunt Xie quickly held him in her arms and comforted him, "Don't be angry, and don't be dissatisfied with your mother because of this matter, you know?"

Brother Xi has heard this many times, but every time he hears it, he feels depressed in his heart. Finally, looking at the panicked aunt, he still nodded, "Don't worry, aunt, I know, for mother , I should be grateful.”

But when he sat down again and picked up the book to read, Xi Xiaodi felt like a wave was rolling in his heart, which disturbed him and made him restless.

He must study hard and get a good name. He only hopes that his wife will have a legitimate son as soon as possible. At that time, he, the bastard, can be separated and live in a separate house with his aunt. He does not need to be shackles by others, and he can be an upright wife for his sister. support.

Xi Yu here really didn't know what her younger brother, who was less than ten years old, was thinking about. He followed the girl into the main courtyard and saw the other two younger sisters.

Mrs. Hou didn't talk nonsense to them. She only said that she brought them here today because they were in flowering season. She took them to meet the ladies outside so that they could find a marriage.

Xi Yuzhen looked at the second sister and the third sister whose faces were full of joy, and she also brought joy to her own face.

She seemed to be sincerely grateful to her aunt for being willing to take them out, without any doubt in her heart.

Seeing that the three people's faces were indeed grateful, Mrs. Hou felt satisfied, "Since we are all daughters of the Hou family, even though they are concubines, they can't wear too shabby clothes to lose my face. Go to the side room and choose a few things for yourself. Wearing jewelry.”

Unexpectedly, not only would they be able to go out today, but they would also be able to buy jewelry. Miss Xi Er and Miss Xi San were both overjoyed and said, "Thank you, mother."

Xi Yuzhen was also blessed, but instead of being happy, she felt that the hairs all over her body stood on end.

Sure enough, the next moment, Mrs. Hou said to Xi Yuzhen: "Sister Zhen, stay here, you can go first."

The two sisters were thinking about the jewelry, and didn't think about why Xi Yuzhen was left behind, so they hurried to the side room.

Xi Yuzhen stood nervously below, clenching the handkerchief tightly, not knowing what her aunt was going to say.

"A while ago, someone came to the Duan Mansion, saying that Mrs. Duan took a fancy to you for being gentle and virtuous, and wanted to marry you as her eldest son's wife. Your younger brother is the only brother in the family, and he may not inherit the Hou Mansion in the future. As his sister, your marriage must not go wrong. Mr. Duan has a high official position, a good reputation, and the family business is also good. The eldest brother of the Duan family is about the same age as you, and has a good reputation in Shengjing. He is a good husband. Jun, it suits you just right."

After saying this, Xi Yuzhen knelt down directly, "My mother has worked hard for her daughter's marriage, and my daughter is grateful. But you are still young, and your appearance is as good as 28 years old. In the future, you will definitely have children under your knees, and you will not be able to take advantage of the incompetent Brother Zhou." "

Mrs. Hou looked at her coldly, "You are quite good at talking."

If this was the daughter of another family, she might still like her a little bit, but unfortunately, this was her husband's daughter.

This identity alone is original sin.

She will definitely not let them have an easy time. She is just a bitch who came from a concubine. She has been raised well in this house for such a long time. How can she marry and become a head lady, be loved by her husband and have children on her knees? son.

Even though she was a noble lady and had to suffer so much, the children born to these lowly servants would naturally have to suffer along with her.

She probably understands what Mrs. Duan means, but she just wants her to tease Xi Yuzhen after she gets married. Anyway, since ancient times, men have not interfered with the family affairs. When the time comes, Xi Yuzhen will be teased secretly by her mother-in-law, and she, the aunt, will not care. , can make her unable to live but unable to wish to die.

If Duan Qingen's reputation was so bad before, Mrs. Hou would have agreed. However, now that Duan Qingen has a reputation for filial piety, even if Mrs. Duan said it was an accident, she was worried that Duan Qingen was not what he seemed.

If she personally found a good marriage for Xi Yuzhen, wouldn't she be vomiting to death?

Thinking like this, Mrs. Hou had a new plan in her heart.

She touched her nails and said nonchalantly: "You have always been respectful to me, and I am not heartless. This marriage is your reward. At today's banquet, the eldest brother of the Duan family also When the time comes, I will ask the girl to bring you to him, and you have a good conversation with him. If you like him, come back and accept me, and I will accept it from the Duan family. If you don't like it, I will find someone else. "

Xi Yuzhen stiffened for a moment, then knelt on the ground and kowtowed, "A mother only cares about her daughter. A daughter must always remember her mother's goodness."

Something is wrong.

She was extremely frightened by her aunt, who was like a loving mother.

She vaguely sensed that her aunt had evil intentions, but she had no way to save herself and could only follow her arrangements.

Everything was very ordinary. When the two sisters chose the jewelry and came out, Xi Yuzhen also went in and absentmindedly took out two pieces of jewelry. Then they rode in the sedan towards the eldest princess's mansion.

The three young girls were arranged to sit together. When the other sisters were joking, Xi Yuzhen only looked at them with a shy smile. From time to time, she would also glance at her aunt sitting at the top.

When the banquet was about to disperse, she breathed a sigh of relief and thought she had escaped. The maid next to her went out for a while, and when she came back she had a wine flask in her hand and poured her a glass of wine.

If Xi Yuzhen had only been joking with the girls around her like her two younger sisters before, she would have never noticed it, but she was worried about it from the beginning. As soon as the girl walked away, she became vigilant and watched her come back to pour herself some. After drinking the wine, my heart skipped a beat.

It can't really be what she thinks, right? Doesn't she, the legitimate mother, not want the face of the Hou Mansion?

Her hands under her sleeves suddenly clenched, but there was no strange look on her face. She just pretended that she didn't see the glass of wine.

But she didn't go to take it, but the maid picked it up and handed it to her hand, "Sister, have a drink."

Xi Yuzhen smiled and pushed away the wine glass, "I really can't drink anymore. I've already drank a lot. If I drink any more, I'm afraid I'll have to sleep here."

"Then slave girl will change it to water for you."

The girl was also very flexible. After hearing Xi Yuzhen's words, she immediately took the jug and left. When she came back, the jug was already full of water.

"Sister, please change it to water. Take a sip to quench your thirst."

The smile on Xi Yuzhen's lips was a little stiff, "I'm not thirsty now, so you can leave it alone for now."

"Eldest sister has eaten a lot of food just now, and her mouth must be dry. Please drink it quickly. Madam has specifically told this servant to take good care of my sister. If my sister is thirsty, I'm afraid it will not only be the madam's fault, but also Aunt Xie's. I’ll scold him too.”

This statement directly stated that if she did not drink this wine, Aunt Xie would suffer some unknown treatment.

Xi Yuzhen bit her lip, and finally picked up the wine glass with trembling hands and put it to her lips.

With her wide sleeves in front of her face, outsiders could only see her raising her neck to drink the glass of water.

When the girl saw that she had drank, her face showed satisfaction, and she quietly leaned into Xi Yuzhen's ear, "Sister, Madam has arranged for the eldest brother of the Duan family to meet you in the corner room on the west side."

There was self-mockery in Xi Yuzhen's eyes, as if he was forced to a dead end and no longer needed to struggle.

She stood up, straightened her back, and left the table under the leadership of the girl.

This was specially arranged for her by her aunt. If she didn't obey, her mother and brother would be implicated. If she jumped into this pit, she could have any outcome she wanted.

There must be something in that glass of wine. What would happen if a man and a woman were alone in the same room.

She touched the hairpin on her head. She got it from her aunt today. It had a sharp tip and could easily cut her face.

If it is really what she thinks, she can only take the lead in breaking her face, clearing her reputation, and satisfying her aunt.

As for her marriage...

My face is ruined, and I'm afraid I won't be able to get married in this life, but it doesn't matter, as long as I live, it's better than dying and lying underground for the rest of my life.

After thinking clearly, Xi Yuzhen stood in front of the door of the corner room. Under the urging of the girl, he slowly opened the door.

--Bang!

The door was closed from the outside.

There was no sun here, and it was frighteningly dark once the doors were closed and the windows were closed. There was only a little light in front of the door. Her heartbeat was very fast. She quickly pulled out the hairpin from her head and held it in her hand. She stood at the door without moving or speaking.

A hand suddenly appeared and pulled her over.

"ah--"

Xi Yuzhen subconsciously let out a panicked exclamation.

The girl outside heard her voice, with a smile on her face, and hurriedly turned around and went to Mrs. Hou's place.

"What?!"

Mrs. Hou was joking with other ladies. After hearing this, she stood up suddenly, "Did you really see it?!"

"This slave really saw it and saw it enter the house with her own eyes."

Seeing the ugly look on Mrs. Hou's face, the ladies around them had some vague suspicions in their hearts and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just the servants talking nonsense. Sisters, eat first. I have to go out."

As soon as Mrs. Hou stood up, she let out a sigh and swayed slowly as if she was about to fall down. Mrs. Miao was sitting next to her. Seeing her like this, she quickly stood up and supported her.

"Sister, you are not in good health. Why don't we work together to help you figure out what to do?"

"No, no way..."

Mrs. Hou waved her hand "weakly", "It's all my own business, I won't bother you."

"We are sisters, what's the big deal?"

After Miao finished speaking righteously, she directly asked the girl kneeling below her, "Tell me, what is going on and where is it?"

The girl knelt down and said, "I don't dare to say...I just know that it is in the corner room on the west side. Madam, you should go and see for yourself..."

From this look, it was obvious that someone was cheating on her.

The other ladies looked at each other, and seeing Miao's attitude of wanting to help make the decision, they all stood up, intending to take a good look at the excitement.

So, Mrs. Miao supported Mrs. Hou, followed by a group of people, and headed towards the corner room on the west side.

As soon as she arrived at the door, she found that the door was open. Mrs. Hou whined again and leaned on her sister-in-law's shoulder, "They didn't even close the door."

Her sister-in-law quickly comforted her: "Don't worry, maybe I misunderstood."

"What misunderstanding can there be!"

Miao took the lead and entered the door. Mrs. Hou and others did not go in. She only cried on her sister-in-law's shoulder, "My family is unfortunate..."

But there was no panicked scream from Xi Yuzhen as he expected, nor was there the voice of Duan's brother. Instead, a familiar voice asked curiously: "What are you ladies doing here?"

Zecheng? ?

Hearing her nephew's voice, Mrs. Hou was stunned, and her sister-in-law's eyes suddenly widened, and she pushed her away and walked into the house.

Fortunately, there was no mess in the house.

And men and women are not coexisting. Zhu Zecheng brought two boys, and the girl in pink brought three girls. The two were not even close. The girl was sitting inside, and Zhu Zecheng was standing at the table outside. There was a piece of drawing paper spread out, and he was holding a paintbrush in his hand, obviously speaking.

Seeing this scene, Zhu's mother breathed a sigh of relief, "Zecheng, what are you doing here?"

"I'm painting for my cousin."

Zhu Zecheng stood up with an innocent look on his face and bowed to his mother, and then bowed to the other ladies: "Since I got engaged to my cousin, we haven't had time to meet. This time, I said I would draw a picture for my cousin. Mother, aunt, why are the ladies here?"

Mother Zhu wanted to ask me when I agreed to get engaged to my cousin. Suddenly, she remembered that he pestered her last time and she couldn't resist so she just said a few words casually, thinking that she would find a wife for Zhu Zecheng as soon as possible.

In the end, he took it seriously? ?

Now that so many ladies are here, the matter is clear, she can't regret it, and can only grit her teeth and accept this marriage.

Mother Zhu was so angry that she hated the marquis' wife outside. Zecheng met with a woman, and she put on that attitude to attract so many people here. What on earth was she thinking!

But she still had to smile on her face: "It's okay, your aunt didn't know that you were engaged to your cousin, so she was a little surprised."

"In that case, we won't hinder you two young people, sister, let's go!"

The word "sister" was obviously emphasized, and he hated her.

A group of ladies retreated, Zhu Zecheng put down the brush in his hand, asked the maid and the servant to send his cousin out, and then pulled open the curtain.

"Qing'en, thank you for making my cousin and I happy. My mother had always refused to agree to my cousin's marriage before. Now that this marriage has been cleared in front of all the ladies in Shengjing, she will definitely not say anything. I still have to thank you for helping me find a way. Brother, remember your kindness!"

Behind the curtain, Duan Qing'en looked at Xi Yuzhen, who was standing beside him with a dazed look, and smiled innocently: "You're welcome, we are all brothers."

The author has something to say: 10,000 words, see you tomorrow, little angels~

I'm sending red envelopes to some random little angels, good night muah