Chapter 378: Lotus on the same stalk and Qiqiao [Thank you! Thank you again! Owed]

Bianjing

Morning

Outside Zhu Que Gate,

On the east-west street,

Smoke drifted from the chimneys on the roofs on both sides of the street.

The smoke was blown away by the morning wind, blowing this fireworks atmosphere into the air.

By the roadside, there were vendors steaming or boiling things,

Pulling out the steamer or lifting the pot lid, there was always a large piece of white steam, which drifted into the noses of passersby along with the fragrance of soup and rice.

By the roadside, under the eaves of a shop that had not yet opened, the door panels that had been used for many years had been polished by the waiter, and two children, one big and one small, were leaning against these door panels used to close the shop.

One was a boy, about eleven or twelve years old, about the same age as Chu Zhan, with water stains and mud spots on his rolled-up trouser legs.

One was a little girl, only about six or seven years old, her clothes were a bit worn, but compared to the boy beside her, she was still clean.

Smelling the fragrance of the food by the roadside, the two swallowed their saliva in unison, and then hugged the things in their arms tighter.

"Clatter clatter"

The horse hooves inlaid with horseshoes stepped on the stone slab road, making a chaotic sound.

Hearing this sound, the little girl hurriedly poked her head out and looked outside.

After seeing that it was a line of patrolling soldiers riding horses, the little girl looked disappointed and retracted her head.

The little girl looked at the steamed rice mixed with red dates at a stall not far away again, and licked her lips.

By the roadside,

Two maidservants dressed decently, carrying exquisite food boxes, walked out of the shop.

"This Zhen family's date cake smells so good, no wonder the Fourth Da Niangzi likes it..."

One of the maidservants was talking when she saw the little girl licking her lips by the roadside.

Not knowing what she thought of, the maidservant pulled her companion and walked over, looking at the things in their arms, and said: "How do you sell these?"

Looking at the two's attire, the little girl opened her black and white eyes and shook her head quickly: "Not selling to you!"

When the little girl spoke, the maidservant who was pulled over narrowed her eyes, leaned into her companion's ear and said: "Sister Yunzai, look! It's a double-headed lotus."

Maidservant Yunzai took a look and said: "Sewn with thread..."

After seeing clearly the things in the girl's arms, she stopped talking.

"Make an offer, we buy your things, and you can go eat that steamed rice."

The boy with wet trouser legs said: "Said it, not selling to you!"

"You..."

Called Sister Yunzai, the maidservant dug into her purse and said: "Luzhong, how many copper coins do you still have on you?"

"Just these."

Looking at the dozen or so copper coins in her hand, Yunzai said: "Then sell me two, that's fine, right?"

The half-grown boy and the little girl looked at each other and nodded.

After handing an unopened lotus bud to Yunzai, the half-grown boy said: "Thank... thank you."

Yunzai and Luzhong smiled and turned to walk toward the carriage not far away.

After a quarter of an hour,

Another sound of horse hooves came,

The little girl poked her head out again, and after seeing who it was, the little girl's eyes lit up and said: "Brother, brother, someone is coming!"

Hearing this, the boy hurriedly handed the lotus in his arms to the little girl.

Afterwards, the little girl hugged a bunch of lotuses and ran out: "Young master! Young master! Take a look at the freshly picked lotuses! There is also a double-headed lotus here!"

"Snort snort"

Just as she finished shouting, looking at the black behemoth that was snorting at her and lifting a front hoof lightly, the little girl was frightened and stepped back two steps, then sat on the ground.

Xu Zaijing patted the neck of the little Li horse to soothe his mount.

Looking at the little girl who ran out by the roadside, Qingyun shouted loudly: "What are you doing? It's you little girl again! Rushing out like this???"

"That is... my little Li..."

Seeing Xu Zaijing wave his hand, Qingyun didn't continue to shout.

It's no wonder Qingyun was so angry, it's just that the little Li horse is a stallion and has a big heart.

But if it were a horse with a small heart, maybe it would be frightened by the little girl's action of rushing out.

"I... I..."

In the carriage, hearing these words, Huaxiang lifted the carriage curtain and looked out.

The half-grown boy who walked over hurriedly was stunned after seeing Huaxiang's appearance.

This stun certainly had the reason that Huaxiang looked fair and good-looking, but there was another reason that the girl in the carriage was not the sister from yesterday!

Xu Zaijing dismounted,

Qingyun also did the same action, walked quickly to the little girl, pulled her up after a few times, and put the lotus on the ground back into the little girl's arms.

He also patted the dust off her body: "If you dare to rush out like this next time, you'll have a good time!"

Looking at the little girl with tears in her eyes, Qingyun sighed hatefully and didn't continue.

Xu Zaijing looked at the bunch of lotuses in the little girl's arms: "The double-headed lotus today isn't sewn, right?"

The little girl shook her head: "Young... young master, this was picked by my brother himself in the pond."

"He said that yesterday's sister actually saw that our lotuses were fake, but still gave more money."

"This morning... just happened to pick this lotus..."

Qingyun beside him shook his head: "You two are looking at my sister Qingcao's kind heart! Even the fake ones were given money, for the real ones, wouldn't the money given be even more?"

Hearing this,

Both children lowered their heads.

Xu Zaijing took the double-headed lotus from the little girl's hand, looked at it carefully, and then gave this double-headed lotus to Zaizhang beside him, smiling: "Huaxiang, give money!"

Zaizhang on horseback also observed this lotus flower carefully like Xu Zaijing, wanting to see if it was real or fake.

"Yes, young master!"

"Take the rest too."

Hearing Xu Zaijing's words, the two children raised their heads in surprise.

After Huaxiang finished giving the copper coins, looking at the two children who didn't dare to look at her, she whispered: "You don't have to wait tomorrow, the young master might not walk on this road."

After saying this, Huaxiang stepped into the carriage.

After passing this cross street,

On the north-south street leading to Jiying Lane,

It was still early, and there were not many people on the road.

Xu Zaijing looked at the colorful sheds selling things set up in the middle of the road along the way,

At this time, some people were moving goods into the colorful sheds, mostly things that everyone had to buy for Qixi, such as "Mohele (human dolls)", "Grain boards (miniature models of fields)", "Water floats (toys in water)".

The size and luxury of the colorful sheds selling things in the middle of the road were directly proportional to the value of the things in the colorful sheds.

Zaizhang on horseback approached these colorful sheds from time to time, and after seeing things he liked, he bought them and put them in the carriage behind.

"Brother, stop looking, we'll be late if we dawdle!"

Hearing Xu Zaijing's voice, Zaizhang hurriedly followed on horseback.

Near the entrance of Jiying Lane,

Vendors selling fruits bowed and arched their hands from time to time, Xu Zaijing and his party nodded slightly and then entered the Sheng family gate.

After dismounting and walking toward the academy,

Xu Zaijing could vaguely see the red silk on the top of the Qiqiao colorful building built in the backyard of the Sheng family for Qixi prayers.

The Qiqiao building in the home on Quyuan Street was even higher than the Sheng family's.

After nodding to Changbai who arrived early in the academy, he began a day of study.

After school in the afternoon,

Xu Zaijing walked outside with his brother and maidservants and servants.

When they were about to reach the place where the carriage was, they saw Cui Mama standing there with a twenty-something maidservant.

The maidservant in her twenties was holding an exquisite long-necked porcelain vase, with a lotus flower inserted in the vase.

Seeing Xu Zaijing and the others coming, Cui Mama bowed with a smile and said: "Zhang Ge'er, Jing Ge'er, this morning, a lotus flower like this was also picked in the pond in our courtyard."

"After Huaxiang sent this flower to Shou'an Hall, the Old Madam felt that the meaning of this double-headed lotus was good, so she found this porcelain vase and asked you two to take it back."

Xu Zaijing hesitated: "Cui Mama, the Great-Aunt wouldn't lie to me, right?"

Cui Mama and Cuichan beside her looked at each other and smiled, saying: "The Old Madam guessed that Jing Ge'er would ask this, she said, if you don't believe it, go to Shou'an Hall and take a look."

"Okay! I'll go see!"

Looking at Xu Zaijing who was walking toward the backyard and the sound of "I'll be back soon!"

Cui Mama and Cuichan didn't know what to say for a while.

Zaizhang beside him thought of Hualan and his son at home, and said: "Let's go first."

Shou'an Hall,

The Old Madam sat on the Luo Han bed, tilting her head to look at Sheng Changmei who was copying calligraphy on the low table.

Seeing Minglan who had put down her book box and walked out of the bedroom, the Old Madam beckoned and said: "Minglan, come and see the calligraphy copied by your brother."

Minglan pursed her lips at the door, looked at the little maid who was making tea with Hearing Fang Mama behind the chair, and said: "Oh!"

Sitting down by the Luo Han bed, just as she was about to look at the calligraphy,

The voices of maidservants talking in the courtyard outside Shou'an Hall came: "Greetings to the Cousin!"

"The Cousin is here!"

Hearing this, the Old Madam and Hearing Fang Mama looked at each other in confusion.

Just as the words fell, Xu Zaijing poked his head out from behind the curtain at the entrance of Shou'an Hall, and then lifted the curtain and walked in.

Looking at the Old Madam, Minglan, and Changmei who happened to see him, Xu Zaijing scanned them and said: "Great-Aunt, where is the other double-headed lotus flower that Cui Mama mentioned?"

Saying this, Xu Zaijing walked toward the middle of Shou'an Hall.

The Old Madam held a handkerchief in her hand, helplessly pointed at Xu Zaijing with her hand, and said angrily: "For a lotus flower, would I, an old woman, lie to you!"

Looking at Xu Zaijing's expression of "You are still lying to me", the Old Madam said: "There, it's right there!"

During the time of speaking, Minglan bowed after realizing it, and Xu Zaijing also came near the Luo Han bed, looking in the direction indicated by the Old Madam.

A lotus flower was quietly inserted in the long-necked porcelain vase, the style of the porcelain vase was the same as the one in Cuichan's arms.

Xu Zaijing: "Uh... Great-Aunt, you really have one!"

The Old Madam nodded and said: "This morning when your aunt brought Ming'er's little maid to pay respects, she brought it over."

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded at Wei Shuyi who was standing with Hearing Fang Mama.

It seemed that the last time he saw this Wei little maid was when Minglan went to visit her grandmother's house.

Today, Xu Zaijing had a whim and came to Shou'an Hall somewhat mischievously, but he didn't expect Wei little maid to be there too.

This little maid was not holding a round fan in her hand today, and her clothes seemed to be simpler than when Xu Zaijing first saw her in Yang Zhou.

Standing with Hearing Fang Mama, Wei Shuyi, who didn't have many ornaments on her hair, made people trance and think that this was a steward mother of the Sheng family like Cui Mama.

Seeing Xu Zaijing look over, Wei Shuyi smiled and bowed to Xu Zaijing.

Seeing that Wei Shuyi had a smile on her face and light in her eyes.

Xu Zaijing withdrew his gaze, nodded with a smile as a return greeting.

Afterwards, he smiled at Sheng Changmei who was looking at him curiously beside the Old Madam, bowed and said: "Great-Aunt, since you really have one here, then your nephew will take his leave first."

"Just in time to pick up the porcelain vase that Cui Mama carried out."

Looking at Xu Zaijing who was retreating, the Old Madam waved her hand with a smile: "Go!"

Watching Xu Zaijing's figure disappear at the entrance, the Old Madam shook her head: "Really naughty!"

Hearing this, Minglan nodded in agreement.

Hearing Fang Mama smiled at Wei Shuyi and said: "Old Madam, nowadays Jing Ge'er is only like this in front of you!"

"Usually when I go out to buy things, I hear many people in the capital say that Jing Ge'er has made progress and is studious! Compared to those playboys who are reckless in Yuqing Temple outside the city, he is much stronger!"

"I think Jing Ge'er is a sensible child, knowing that he needs to work hard for the academy examination this year! In the more than half a year since the New Year, he has restrained his nature!"

"Unlike previous years, either beating the nobles of Great Zhou or beating the diplomatic envoys of Bai Gao."

Listening to Hearing Fang Mama's words, thinking about the things Xu Zaijing had done in the past two months, the Old Madam shook her head: "I suppose so."

After all, not many people knew about Xu Zaijing going to Bai Gao to save people.

The Marquis of Yongyi's mansion when the Old Madam was a girl was at its most prominent time.

She was also an only daughter who had entered the palace to serve beside the late Emperor's Empress, and after leaving the palace, she was much more extravagant than the fifth daughter of the Zhang family of the Duke of Ying today.

Such experiences also made the Old Madam see many unruly clan nobles and Bianjing disciples.

No matter which character in her memory was picked out, the things they did in some aspects were not as excessive as her own grand-nephew.

After all, this grand-nephew of the Old Madam had indirectly caused the disappearance of two Marquis mansions, and went to Bai Gao to save people... all kinds of things.

But, the days of the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion were flourishing!

The next night,

Qixi night,

Marquis of Yongyi's mansion,

In front of the high Qiqiao building,

Xu Zaijing and his brother respectfully burned incense, recited poems, and prayed in front of the Kui Xing statue as before.

Hoping for a good result in the academy examination next month.

After they finished praying, it was Da Niangzi Sun who led the female family members of the Xu family to beg for skills.

After the host family finished praying,

The Xu family's maidservants continued to beg for skills,

Qingcao, Huaxiang, and Yunxiang, relying on their youth, used the moonlight at night to thread needles in front of the table...

Behind them, there were Xu family maidservants who placed the small wooden box containing the spider near the incense table.

If the next day, the spider in the wooden box could weave a round or square spider web, it would be considered a skill.

In the same Bianjing City,

Huyan family courtyard.

Xu family's Anmei knelt on the cushion with some emotion, in front of her was the Qiqiao building built by the Huyan family, and beside her were Da Niangzi Pan and two sisters-in-law who were also kneeling on the cushions.

Anmei's Qixi for so many years,

This was the first time she begged for skills in a place other than the Xu family.

And for many years to come, she would mostly be in this Huyan family...

Thinking of these, Anmei closed her eyes, put her hands together and prayed that the child in her belly would be a boy, and if it were a girl, she would also be a skillful one.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 379 =====