Bend Over [ 折腰 ] - Chapter 96

[Chapter 95]

Madame Xu took the cat that came in from outside the room on her knees, was distracted for a moment, and asked: “Is there a follow-up to the matter of the last time that Lady Xianghou surnamed Li was surnamed?” Zhong Mi

said, “The maid is thinking of the old lady.” This woman didn’t look special. Previously, he lived in Luoyang. Last year, the township hou fell ill and died, and the woman was sent back to the ancestral home in Yuyang by Weng Gu. When he lived in Yuyang, he lived in simplicity and did not usually interact with people. But…”

She hesitated and said, “The maid accidentally found an acquaintance, and she has some relationship with her.”
Lady
Xu said, “Which acquaintance?” “It’s

the Su clan in Zhongshan.” A few years earlier, when this woman lived in Luoyang, there was a period of time when Su Shi had close contact with her and often feasted and traveled together. Later, because of this woman and people, a lawsuit was involved. Xu was to avoid suspicion, and Su Shifang and her gradually broke off contact. These are old things from years ago.
Madame
Xu slowly stroked the sleepy cat in her arms, pondered for a moment, and then asked, “How could Jiang Mi secretly communicate with the township lady? Zhong Mi

said, “It is useless.” Jiang Mi and the woman died one after another after the incident, and there was no confession. According to the servant woman in the township marquis’s family, she had never seen Jiang Mi enter the woman’s house on weekdays. How to hook up in one place is really puzzling. “Jiang

Mi’s origins, can you check it?”

“Jiang Mi was originally a maid of Madame’s mother’s family, a widow, with a son, and Lady Zhu had been kind to her, so she has been serving at the side of Madame for thirty years.”

“Where is Jiang Mi’s son now?”

“It is said that more than ten years ago, when I was only a teenager, I fell ill and died.”

“What’s the disease?”

“I don’t know what the disease is. However, the maid found an old woman who had served the lady with Jiang Mi in the past, but was driven away by the lady more than ten years ago, and from the old woman’s mouth, she heard something. It is said that at that time, Jiang Mi’s son died of a violent illness, which seems to be related to his wife’s brother. Her brother, who once raised a boy. Nowadays, it

has become a common practice for nobles to keep prostitutes or adopt male concubines.

Madame Xu frowned, “Is it the brother who went to Luoyang two years ago to get drunk and drowned alone in the pool for a few days before he swelled up?” “Exactly

.”

Madame Xu stopped talking, was distracted for a long time, and suddenly said, “These two days, you see Shao’er, have you provoked my granddaughter-in-law’s anger again?” Zhong Mi

hesitated and did not speak.

Madame Xu shook her head: “A few years ago, he still ran to the south to take my granddaughter-in-law back as a baby, it was only a few days of hard work, and there was no big thing to burn his eyebrows over there, so he said he was leaving, and he asked me to stay with her to serve.” What is not deflating? Zhong Mi

said, “When the accident happened, the male monarch was still small, and the pain of cutting his skin was inevitable that he would not be able to let go.” I can’t turn a corner for a while, and there are some. Fortunately, the female monarch is soft and open-minded. The old lady is not anxious, in time, the male prince will certainly be able to let go of the knot.
Madame
Xu only said, “Donkey!” Zhong Mi

said, “The young couple of the male and female monarchs, at this time, they have provoked idleness again.” If they had been separated for five or six months, I am afraid that something would be wrong. If you are not a, it is better for the old lady to open her mouth and ask the male prince to take the female monarch with her. It is expected that after some time, the two will be fine.
Lady
Xu said, “Have you ever seen a donkey being whipped and willing to go forward?” If I open my mouth and force him to take his granddaughter-in-law over, it will show how wronged he is. I can’t bear to wronged my granddaughter-in-law.

She thought about it for a while, touched the cat’s head with her palm, and smiled: “The year has passed, and there is nothing to do at home.” This fishing sun is windy and sandy, and I miss the good weather in the Endless City. ”

……

When Wei Shao returned in the evening, he didn’t see Xiao Qiao in the room, nor did he see Chun Niang. I went to take a bath and didn’t see her when I came out. He asked Lin Mi.

Lin Mi said, “The old lady summoned the lady to accompany her to dinner.” Wei Shao

hesitated slightly, then went outside, and just when he reached the door, he heard footsteps coming from far and near on the courtyard corridor. Looking up to see the two maids carrying lanterns in front of them, Zhao Xiaoqiao returned, and Wei Shao stepped out of the threshold and headed towards the study.

In the few nights after he returned from touring the border city, he first went to the study after returning, and then went back to his room later. And Little Joe are also at peace with each other.

Xiao Qiao shook Wei Shao’s figure and called him, “Husband Jun, grandmother called you.” Say something to talk to you about. Wei Shao

looked at her and lifted his feet to the North House.

When he arrived at the north house, he entered, and saw that there were several open camphor wood boxes on the ground, which were placed with clothes and various daily miscellaneous items, and the servant woman was busy with the large and small boxes, and Zhong Mi was standing next to a large box, and instructed a servant woman: “The weather over there is not warm for a while, and the fox is brought over first, carefully put away…” Suddenly, when he saw Wei Shao come in, he rushed up and smiled: “The male prince is coming?” The old lady was inside. Wei Shao

said, “What is this going to do?” Zhong Mi said, “The

old lady is ready to leave for the Endless City.” Wei Shao’s

eyebrows moved, and he quickly stepped inside, and Madam Xu sat there, saw Wei Shao, and beckoned him to come.

Wei Shao leaned over and said, “Fang Cai Ammu said that grandmother is going to the Endless City?”
Madame
Xu nodded, “Calling you over is to tell you this.” You know, I like the weather there is comfortable, warm in winter and cool in summer, and in previous years, half a year was spent there. At this time, the Lantern Festival is over, and as soon as you leave, there is no one in the house, so I want to go over there for some time.

Wei Shao said, “When will Grandmother leave?” The grandchildren sent their grandmothers over first. When the grandmother settled down, the grandson went to Jinyang again.
Lady
Xu said, “I don’t need you to send it.” I’ll take your mother with me on this trip. Since Jinyang is in a hurry, you will go there earlier. I have someone to escort me. Wei Shao

hesitated slightly, and asked, “Grandmother only takes my mother?”
Madame
Xu nodded and sighed slightly: “Last time that happened, although I was grounded in your mother, how could I feel better in my own heart?” After all, it is your mother, and I know that you also hope that she is good in your heart. I wanted to go to the end of this trip and take her with me. Changing places, Xu can make people change their state of mind. Wei Shao

then solemnly thanked Lady Xu.

Madame Xu smiled and said, “What can I say thank you?” I remember that in the early years, your mother’s nature would not be as sharp as it is today. Now that she has become like this, although she herself is wrong first, I, as a mother-in-law, should also have something that cannot be guided, and it is difficult to blame her. Just this trip to take her over there, I will be with her again. Wei Shao thanked

Lady Xu again and again. Madame Xu smiled and said, “Calling you here is to tell you this.” You’ve been busy for a day, and you must be tired, so go and rest early. Wei Shao

responded, got up from the bed, made a gesture, took a few steps and stopped, turned back, and said, “Grandmother didn’t take her with her?”
Lady
Xu said, “Who?” Your daughter-in-law?

Seeing Wei Shao looking at himself, he shook his head, “She won’t go.” “Supposedly

, there are very few people in our house,” Madame Xu explained, “as soon as you leave, I will leave, 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 stewards. Only you know that in February, the first people sacrifice taishe and pray for the abundance of grain, which we have always wanted to preside over. It was your mother in previous years. This time your mother went with me, and naturally I wanted her to come forward. One or the other. Second, I also have a little selfishness and feel sorry for you. I think she can stay at home and keep watch, in case you come back early, you won’t be home.It was cold and cold, and there was not even a person to greet.

Wei Shao said, “I don’t have to.” Her grandmother took her with her to the City of Infinity.
Lady
Xu said, “I was also afraid that she would be alone at home and deserted.” When Fang Cai called her, he also asked her. Only she herself said it was okay. I guess that’s it. Sooner or later, she will have to take on the responsibility of our Wei family’s master mother alone, and it is also good to take advantage of her youth and more experience.

Wei Shao opened his mouth, but finally closed it. Finally, he said, “The grandson knows.” The grandchildren retired first. Grandmother also rested earlier. ”

……

Wei Shao returned to the Westinghouse.

Little Joe is in the room with Chunniang to pack his clothes out of the house.

Wei Shao stood on the side, looked at it coldly, and went to the study. When he returned later, Chunniang was gone, and the ground was like in the north room, with several boxes of various sizes, all of which were his clothes.

Little Joe was sitting on the edge of the bed, folding a few of his clothes. When he saw him come in, he didn’t get up to greet him, but only said: “I asked people, the climate in Jinyang is dry and cold in winter, and hot in summer.” Because you said that you didn’t do it accurately for half a year, it is why this trip out to help you clean up more. In addition to the robes and furs to be worn at this time, there are ten sets of medium clothes and ten sets of underwear for use. The underwear is made of fine kudzu. There are also plain Zen clothes prepared for the heat…”

Wei Shao glanced at the boxes on the ground and said impatiently, “You can just look at these things.” And what do I say?

Little Joe did not make a sound, bowed his head and folded the last few pieces of clothing spread on the bed, put them into the box, pressed them, finally closed the lid, turned back and said: “It’s not early, then rest.” The

two of them went to bed separately, not as good as before. Each had his own mind.

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

Little Joe froze, opened his eyes, and turned his face to look at him.

“You tell her that you’ll be left alone at home. Fear! He added.

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

Wei Shao’s brow frowned. Stare at her.

Little Joe turned his face back and closed his eyes.

……

Two days later, Mrs. Xu packed her bags, asked a maid to pick up the increasingly obese cat, and took Zhu Shi with her, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law took a carriage and went out of the city to the end.

Wei Shao personally escorted Lady Xu in spite of her obstruction. Walk on the road during the day and stay at the coach house in the evening. The journey is not hurried or slow. Hundreds of miles of road, after three days of walking, only to send Madame Xu to the Endless City. There was no end to the order to greet him and his party outside the city gate. Wei Shao entered the city, settled everything, left a team of family generals to guard, did not stay that night, rushed back overnight, and returned to Yuyang at noon the next day.

Xiao Qiao originally thought that he had finished sending Mrs. Xu and was going to leave when he came back. Not wanting to come back from this trip, he never mentioned going to Jinyang again. Observing on the side for a few days, I saw that he came out early and returned late every day, unusually busy. Naturally, he would not take the initiative to ask him when he would leave. Only the few boxes that had been packed up earlier were temporarily put away. When the day comes he’s leaving, he’ll carry it out again.

In the blink of an eye, the end of the month passes, and on this day, it is the Taisha Festival at the beginning of February.

Taishe sacrifices the main god of the earth, using leeks and eggs as sacrifices, begging for a rich estate and abundant grain in the next year. After the sacrifice, the villagers gathered together to perform social drama and dance, and some young men and women took the opportunity to exchange orchids to convey their hearts, which was the most solemn auspicious festival of the year, except for the Zhengdan.

Early in the morning, Xiao Qiao got up, dressed up and changed into the sacrificial clothes, and under the escort of the entourage, 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 Ya Office by himself, and as soon as he entered, Gongsun Yang urged him: “Lord, when will you leave for Jinyang?” ”

[End of This Chapter]