Bend Over [ 折腰 ] - Chapter 96

[Chapter 95]

Mrs. Xu hugged the cat that came in from outside the room and put her on her knees. After a moment of ecstasy, she asked: “Is there a follow-up to the matter of Mrs. Li surnamed Xianghou last time?”

Zhong Li said, “The maid is just trying to tell the old lady. There seems to be nothing special about the woman. She had been living in Luoyang before. Last year, the village marquis died of illness, and the woman was sent back to Yuyang’s ancestral house by Weng Gu. …”

She hesitated and said, “The maid accidentally found an acquaintance who has something to do with her.”

Madam Xu said, “Which acquaintance?”

“It’s the Su family from Zhongshan. For a few years, when this woman lived in Luoyang, there was a period of time when the Su family had close contacts with her, often having fun together. Shi Fang and her gradually cut off contact. These are old things a few years ago.”

Mrs. Xu slowly stroked the sleepy cat in her arms, pondered for a moment, and then asked, “How did Jiang Li get along with her? Is there any clue that the lady of the township is secretly communicating?”

Zhong Ni said, “The maid is useless. After the incident, Jiang and the woman died one after another, and there was no confession. According to the servants of the township lady’s family, they have never seen each other on weekdays. Jiang Li went in and out of the woman’s house. How did she get to one place, it’s really hard to understand.”

“Jiang Li’s origin, can you check it?”

“Jiang Li was originally a maid in the wife’s mother’s house. , she has been serving by the lady’s side for thirty years.”

“Where is Jiang’s son now?”

“It is said that he died of a sudden illness in his teens more than ten years ago.”

“Why? ”

I don’t know what the disease is. However, the maid found an old woman who had served her with Jiang Concubine in the past, but was driven away by her more than ten years ago. From the old woman’s mouth, I heard something. It is said that Jiang Concubine’s son was at that time. The death of a sudden illness seems to be related to the wife’s brother. Her brother once raised a male husband.”

Nowadays, it has long been common for nobles to keep prostitutes or raise male husbands.

Mrs. Xu frowned: “Is that the brother who went to Luoyang two years ago to get drunk, fell into the pool and drowned for a few days before he swelled up?”

“Exactly.”

Mrs. Xu stopped talking, lost in thought After a long time, he suddenly said, “Look at Shao’er in the past two days, have you annoyed my granddaughter-in-law again?”

Zhong Yi hesitated and said nothing.

Mrs. Xu shook her head: “He went all the way to the south a few years ago to pick up my granddaughter-in-law as a treasure. It’s only been a few days, and there’s nothing serious about it, so he said he was leaving. He also told me to stay with her. What’s not to get angry?”

Zhong Li said: “When the accident happened, the male prince was still young, and the pain was so painful that he couldn’t help it. There are some who can’t turn around for a while. Soft and open-minded. Don’t worry, old lady, as time goes by, the man will be able to let go of his heart.”

Madam Xu only said: “A donkey!”

I’m offended. If it really is like this for five or six months, I’m afraid it’s not right. If the maid is more talkative, it’s better for the old lady to speak up and ask the male gentleman to bring the female gentleman with him. That’s fine.”

Madam Xu said, “Have you ever seen a stubborn donkey being whipped and willing to move forward? If I force him to take his grandson’s daughter-in-law over, it will show how wronged he is. I can’t bear to be wronged by my grandson’s daughter-in-law.”

She thought After thinking for a while, he touched the cat’s head with his palm, and smiled: “The New Year is over, and there is nothing to do at home. There is a lot of wind and sand in Yuyang. I miss the good weather in Wuji City.”

…

Wei Shao When I came back in the evening, I didn’t see Xiao Qiao in the room, nor Chunniang. I went to take a bath, but I didn’t see her when I came out. I asked Lin Li.

Lin Ni said, “The old lady asked the lady to accompany you to dinner.”

Wei Shao hesitated for a while, and then went out. When he reached the door, he heard footsteps coming from far and near on the courtyard corridor. Looking up, he saw two maids holding lanterns in front, and when Xiao Qiao came back, Wei Shao stepped over the threshold and headed towards the study.

In the few nights after he came back from patrolling the border city, he went to the study first after he came back, and went back to his room later to go to bed. And Xiao Qiao is also at peace with each other.

Xiao Qiao came to Wei Shao’s figure and called him: “Husband, grandmother called you. I have something to tell you.”

Wei Shao glanced at her, then lifted his feet to the north room.

He arrived at the north room and entered, and saw several open camphor wood boxes on the ground, inside which were placed clothes and various daily sundries. , told a servant girl: “The weather won’t be warm over there for a while, so bring that fox cloak first and put it away carefully…” Suddenly seeing Wei Shao coming in, he hurriedly greeted him and smiled: “Men is here? Old lady. It’s inside.”

Wei Shao said, “What is this going to do?”

Zhong Li said, “Old Madam is going to go to the Endless City.”

Wei Shao’s brows moved, and she quickly stepped inside. Madam Xu was sitting there, and when she saw Wei Shao, she waved her hand. let him come.

Wei Shao leaned over and sat down: “Just now, Em said, grandmother is going to Endless City?”

Madam Xu nodded: “I told you to come here, just to tell you this. You know, I like the comfortable weather there, warm in winter and warm in summer. Liang, in the past year, I spent half a year there. The Lantern Festival is over now, and when you leave, there will be no one at home, so I want to go there to spend some time.”

Wei Shao said: “Grandma When will you leave? The grandson will send his grandmother there first. When the grandmother settles down, the grandson will go to Jinyang.”

Mrs. Xu said, “I don’t need you to send it. I will go over here and take your mother with me. Since Jinyang It’s urgent, you can go earlier. I’ll be escorted.”

Wei Shao hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Grandma only takes my mother?”

Mrs. Xu nodded and sighed slightly: “Last time When that happened, even though I grounded your mother, how could it be better for my own heart? After all, it is your mother, and I know you wish her well in your heart. I thought that this trip would never end, and I would take her with me. Change the place, Xu Neng can make people change their mood.”

Wei Shao thanked Madam Xu solemnly.

Mrs. Xu smiled and said, “What is there to be thankful for? I remember that in the early years, your mother’s temperament was not as sharp as it is now. Now that she is like this, she herself was wrong first. As a mother-in-law, I should also have guidance. It’s hard to blame for not being there. Just take her there this time, and I will have a good time with her.”

Wei Shao thanked Mrs. Xu again and again. Mrs. Xu smiled and said: “I called you here, that is to tell you this. You have been busy all day, and you must be tired. Go and rest early.”

Wei Shao answered, got up from the couch, and walked for a while. He stopped again, turned around and said, “Grandma doesn’t take her with me?”

Madam Xu asked, “Who? Is your daughter-in-law?”

Seeing Wei Shao looking at her, she shook her head: “She won’t go.”

“Ordinarily, we There are few people in the mansion,” Mrs. Xu explained. “As soon as you leave, I will leave too, so there is no need for her to stay. I originally wanted to take her with me. The chores at home are handed over to the new steward. Only you know that in the first day of the second month, the people sacrificed to the Taishe Society and prayed for the harvest of the crops. We have always been the ones to preside over them. In previous years, it was your mother. This time your mother left with me, and naturally asked her to come forward. One of these. The other. , I am also a little selfish, and I feel sorry for you. I think she can stay at home and guard, in case you come back early, you will not arrive home, deserted, and there is no one to greet you.”

Wei Shao said: “I It doesn’t matter. Grandma will take her to Endless City with her.”

Madam Xu said: “I was afraid that she would be lonely at home alone. When I called her just now, I asked her about it. She only said it herself. I think that’s all. Sooner or later, she will take up the responsibility of the mistress of our Wei family alone, and it’s good to have more experience while she is young.”

Wei Shao opened his mouth, but finally closed it. Finally, he said, “Grandson understands. Grandson will retire first. Grandmother will rest earlier.”

…

Wei Shao returned to the Westinghouse.

Xiao Qiao was in the room with Chunniang packing his clothes when he went out.

Wei Shao stood on the side, glanced coldly, and went to the study. When he came back later, Chunniang was gone, and there were several boxes on the ground, just like in the north room, all of which were his clothes.

Xiao Qiao was sitting on the edge of the bed, folding some of his clothes. Seeing him coming in, he didn’t get up to greet him, but said, “I asked people, the climate in Jinyang is dry and cold in winter and hot in summer. Because you said that it took half a year to go, it was not accurate, so this trip, I’ve helped you pack a little more. In addition to the robes and furs to wear at the moment, there are ten sets of middle clothes and ten sets of underwear for replacement. The underwear is made of fine jelly. There is also Su Wan Zen prepared for the hot weather. Clothes…”

Wei Shao glanced at the boxes on the ground, and said impatiently, “You can do it as you see fit. Tell me what?”

Xiao Qiao kept silent, and lowered her head to spread the last few pieces on the bed. The clothes

were folded, put into the box, pressed down, and finally closed, and he turned around and said, “It’s getting late, so let’s rest.” Each has their own thoughts.

Xiao Qiao closed her eyes, and suddenly heard Wei Shao say in her ear: “Tomorrow you go and tell your grandmother, and let her take you to the Endless City with you!”

Xiao Qiao was startled, opened her eyes, and turned to look at him.

“Just tell her that you will be deserted if you stay at home alone. I’m afraid!” he said again.

Xiao Qiao said lightly, “I’m not afraid. What’s so scary? My grandmother took my mother-in-law to the Endless City, and it’s my duty to stay at home to guard it.”

Wei Shao frowned. stare at her.

Xiao Qiao turned back and closed his eyes.

…

Two days later, Mrs. Xu packed up her luggage, asked a maid to pick up the increasingly fat cat, and took Zhu Shi together. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law took a carriage and went out of the city to No End.

Wei Shao escorted Mrs. Xu personally. During the day, he walked on the road, and in the evening he stayed in a post house. No rush all the way. It took three days to walk hundreds of miles before sending Mrs. Xu to Endless City. No final order greeted his group outside the city gate. Wei Shao entered the city, settled everything, and left a team of family generals to guard him.

Xiao Qiao originally thought that he had finished sending Mrs. Xu, and he was going to leave when he came back. Not wanting to come back this time, he never mentioned going to Jinyang again. Observing on the side for a few days, I saw that he went out early and returned late every day, very busy. Naturally, he wouldn’t take the initiative to ask him when he was going to leave. Just ask someone to temporarily put away a few boxes that have been packed up earlier. When he has to leave one day, he will be carried out.

In such a blink of an eye, the end of the first month has passed, and this day is the first day of the second month of the Taishe sacrifice.

Taishe worships the main god of earth, and uses chives and eggs as offerings, begging for rich real estate and abundant crops in the next year. After the sacrificial ceremony, the villagers gather together to perform social dramas and dances. There are also young men and women who take the opportunity to exchange orchids to express their feelings.

Early in the morning, Xiao Qiao got up, finished dressing and changed into his sacrificial clothes, and under the escort of his entourage, he took a carriage out of the city to the Taishe Temple.

Wei Shao waited for Xiao Qiao to go out that day, and went to the government office by himself. As soon as he entered, Gongsun Yang urged him: “Master, when will you leave for Jinyang?”

[End of This Chapter]