Chapter 448: The relatives of his household

Xingguo Lane

Ningyuan Hou Fu

At the second gate,

Bai Shi and Gu Tingyi walked out from the carriage, and the tall and long-legged Pingmei was already standing by the carriage, having reached out her hand.

Gu Tingyi smiled and took it.

After the two alighted,

Bai Shi turned her head to look at Gu Tingye, who was being supported by Zhi Que as he alighted from the horse, and shook her head with some helplessness in her eyes: "Tonight, have the kitchen boil some rice porridge that nourishes the stomach and send it over to Ye'er."

Chang Mama looked at Gu Tingye with some heartache and said: "Yes, Madam."

Pingmei said from the side: "Big Brother, Xu Xu Zaizhang, and Little Five were at the same table as Yuan Erlang, and I don't know why they didn't stop him; look at how Yuan Erlang was made to drink!"

"It has nothing to do with the Xu family boys; it is Ye'er who brought this upon himself. Let's go!"

Entering the inner courtyard,

It became much warmer once they entered the room,

Bai Shi and her party began to take off their cloaks and capes.

"Mother, just when we entered the gate, the managing mama said that the Marquis had returned. Why don't we see him?"

Pingmei said as she took Gu Tingyi's cloak into her hands and handed it to Qingxia beside her.

Bai Shi sat on the Arhat chair, holding a cup of hot tea, and looked at the maidservants in the hall: "Do you know?"

"Replying to the First Madam, this servant vaguely heard Steward Qi say that there was a letter sent to our Fu. Perhaps the Marquis has gone to the study."

"Oh!"

Pingmei nodded and sat on the chair below Bai Shi, looked at Gu Tingyi, and smiled: "Mother, the marriage between the Shen family and the Zheng family is to continue. What congratulatory gifts should we send then?"

Bai Shi thought for a while: "Official Shen has been an official in the south for many years, and your sister-in-law's father is also in the south. I remember hearing you say before that the relationship between the two families is very good!"

"The Zheng family's Xiao Ge'er is even a friend of Ye'er and Jing Ge'er. Our congratulatory gifts should naturally be heavier than others!"

Gu Tingyi, who was on the side, said: "Mother! At that time, this daughter also wants to prepare a separate gift for Sister Zheng Ni."

While the mother-in-law and daughters-in-law were talking,

In the Gu family ancestral hall,

In the fire basin,

The envelope and letter paper were slowly burning,

The envelope had not yet finished burning, and one could vaguely see the two beautiful brush-written characters 'Yanwen' on it.

The firelight in the basin was reflected in Gu Yankai's eyes,

Gu Yankai looked at a certain spirit tablet in front of him, the firelight in his eyes flickering just like his thoughts at this moment.

"Big Young Master!"

The voice of Steward Qi Sheng, who was standing at the door, came calling.

Gu Yankai raised his sleeve and wiped the corner of his eye.

"Father! Why have you come to the ancestral hall?"

Gu Tingyu asked while going to get the incense sticks.

"I came to see your mother."

Gu Tingyu nodded, looked at the paper in the fire basin that was about to burn out, pulled out an incense stick, walked to the candle, and lit it.

Wisps of smoke curled in the ancestral hall.

After Gu Tingyu kowtowed before his birth mother's spirit tablet, he looked at her spirit tablet and said:

"Father, when I left the morning court today, this son heard Minister Huangfu say that someone is preparing to advise His Majesty that preparations should be made to attack Northern Liao next year."

Xu Zaijing looked back suspiciously and said with great interest: "Brother Changwu, are you saying that you brought the person engaged to Sister Shulan?"

Hearing Gu Tingyu's words, Gu Yankai was stunned and said in a deep voice: "These matters are naturally decided by His Majesty and the Grand Ministers, but to start a war with Northern Liao just after the war in the Northwest has ended is a bit too impatient."

"Father is right! Then do you think that if someone really advises him, His Majesty will agree?"

"Looking at how His Majesty was in no hurry to conquer Bai Gao last year, he will most likely not agree to this matter. However, many nobles in the capital will go to incite His Majesty to agree. After all, only when a war starts can families of military merit like ours move upward."

Gu Tingyu said: "Then does Father think that Duke Ying will enter the palace..."

Gu Yankai waved his hand and said: "Duke Ying will neither incite His Majesty nor oppose this matter! Opposing this matter would chill the hearts of the soldiers in the north who want to achieve merit."

Gu Tingyu nodded: "If a war starts, they can also take the opportunity to fish for more profit."

Then he added: "Why did Wei Wei Yima write a letter? Is it to ask Father to come forward and support what this son just said?"

"Hmm!"

"This Dongchang Hou Fu is thick-skinned enough."

"Yu'er, no matter what, that is still your maternal grandfather's family! Moreover, your Wei Wei Yima does not know what your uncle has done!"

"Snort!"

Gu Tingyu then turned and walked out. When he reached the door, he turned his head and said: "Father, you are an excellent general! But, it is better for you to get involved in this matter as little as possible!"

"Is this how you speak to your elders?!"

Gu Yankai looked at his eldest son, who walked straight out of the ancestral hall without answering, flicked his sleeve in anger, and after his chest heaved violently a few times, he looked at the forest of spirit tablets and slowly let out a breath.

When he shook his head and was about to leave the ancestral hall,

"Big Brother!"

"Big Brother!"

Two people full of the smell of alcohol appeared at the entrance of the ancestral hall.

"Fourth, Fifth, why have you come over?"

"Big Brother, old acquaintances in the capital invited this younger brother to drink today, saying that those families in the Northwest who recovered Bai Gao made a fortune! Northern Liao is currently biting at the Jin Kingdom, and our Great Zhou should take advantage of the situation to send troops." Gu family's Fourth Master Gu Lun said.

"Fourth Brother is right. If we really fight with Northern Liao, relying on our Gu family's Guangrui Army, wouldn't the merit be easily obtained?" The Gu family's Fifth Master echoed.

Gu Yankai shook his head: "We will discuss this matter later!"

"Hey! Big Brother, listen to what this younger brother has to say!"

The voices gradually faded away,

The ancestral hall became quiet,

Before the forest of spirit tablets, the incense candles were scattered by the wind.

The sun set and the moon rose,

Yelu Ying's residence,

In the inner courtyard room,

Anmei was sitting at the table with Madam Pan,

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were both holding fragrant drinks in their hands, and spread out on the table in front of them was the booklet of congratulatory gifts from various families recorded by the Fu's steward.

"Whoa, the gift sent by Miss Zhengzheng is heavy enough!"

Madam Pan said from the side.

"Let me take a look."

Anmei leaned over and took a look: "Hiss, it's so heavy, it won't be easy for us to return the gift!"

Madam Pan nodded in agreement.

After Anmei thought for a while, she asked with a smile on her lips: "Mother-in-law, what did the Rong family send?"

"Let me see, it's a jade lock."

Upon hearing this, Anmei hurriedly said: "Ye Er, go and bring the things here for me to see!"

Madam Pan looked at Anmei curiously and didn't say much.

Before long, Ye Er walked over holding a wooden box.

After Anmei opened the wooden box, Madam Pan looked at the exquisite jade lock lying quietly in the box and sighed: "Such ingenious workmanship, I'm afraid it's an imperial gift."

"The Rong family has really spent a fortune!" Anmei said, taking out the jade lock and looking at it carefully.

"It will be even harder to prepare the return gift for the Rong family."

Anmei smiled: "We'll talk about it then! By the way, Mother-in-law, what did my mother from my maiden family send?"

Saying this, she put the jade lock back into the wooden box.

After Madam Pan flipped through it, a smile appeared on her face, and she casually read out a few items.

Anmei said with some displeasure: "Why are they all medicinal herbs for maintaining health!?"

Ye Er, who was on the side, smiled: "Miss, can't you see? Madam just wants you to have two children in three years!"

"Go, go, go!"

Marquis Yongyi Fu

Lanterns were hung under the eaves of the wooden house by the horse racing track,

In the house,

Xu Zaijing sat by the fire stove, looking at the stack of gifts placed on the table.

Qingyun stood on the side and looked at Uncle Yin: "Uncle, are you saying that the relationship with those old acquaintances outside the capital has long faded, and it's impossible for them to send me gifts?"

Uncle Yin nodded.

Xu Zaijing looked at the iron kettle steaming on the fire stove and said: "To be able to know the relationship between the two families, but not know that the relationship has faded, and also to send congratulatory gifts under a false name, I think only that Second Miss of Dongchang Hou Fu could do it."

Uncle Yin glared at Xu Zaijing with his single eye and said to Qingyun: "Since they sent them, just accept them."

"Yes, Uncle."

Xu Zaijing lifted the iron kettle with the boiled water, walked to the door, placed it outside the house, and closed the door.

"Master, the way you look now, even Uncle Deng wouldn't recognize you. Why must you confine yourself to the courtyard of the Hou Fu!"

Uncle Yin looked at Xu Zaijing: "I have seen the scenery of the world when I was young. The scenery outside is not as good as the horses!"

"Jing'er, you have a good relationship with the Chief of the Imperial City Department now. Has he told you about the situation of the several vassal kings of Great Zhou?"

Xu Zaijing scratched his hair bun: "I haven't met Big Brother Zhao Meifeng these days. Master, why are you asking this?"

Uncle Yin sighed: "Great Zhou's energy is currently in the north, but you, Jing'er, have had conflicts with several vassal kings. You should still pay attention to some things."

"Master, the Imperial Princes are currently thriving, and His Majesty has just recovered Bai Gao. Those vassal kings should have no other thoughts, right!"

"Jing'er, you think too simply of those who have tasted the power! Prince Yan is so close to Bianjing, yet he secretly raises dead soldiers, not to mention those who are far away from the Emperor!"

Xu Zaijing nodded solemnly.

In ancient times, transportation was inconvenient, and the Emperor was far away; being a local emperor was no joke.

"Now that the Northwest has won a great victory, there are many soldiers with newly established merit, and with backers like the Cao family, the Xu family, and the Zhang family, they will naturally occupy the original positions of other nobles."

"Master is right. Once the position is gone, the way to make money will naturally be gone."

There was a hint of a smile in Uncle Yin's single eye: "Jing'er, then do you think that families like Duke Han and Duke Ling have the chance to rise again like your family?"

Xu Zaijing thought for a while and shook his head: "The Lu family of Duke Ling has been rotten from the inside since my father's generation! As for the Duke Han family, whether in civil or military paths, there are not many outstanding children in the main branch. To rise again, one can only say the chance is slim."

"But these families have many ancestral in-laws, and they can still get by relying on their connections and family status!"

Uncle Yin continued: "Perhaps it's because of the things I encountered before that I always think a lot. In my heart, I always feel that those vassal kings of Great Zhou will not just stay obediently."

Xu Zaijing nodded heavily: "Master, I understand! From now on, I will keep a tight string in my heart!"

Uncle Yin nodded, stood up, and said: "I should go feed the horses!"

Qingyun packed up the congratulatory gifts and followed him out of the wooden house.

Uncle Yin stood outside the house, looked at the stars all over the sky, and smiled: "Jing'er, you are right. When I have the chance in the future, I should go out of the Fu and walk around."

The first day of the second month,

Early in the morning, while it was still dark,

Quyuanjie,

The large lanterns at the gate of the Hou Fu were lit,

Under the lanterns,

Sun Shi looked at Zaiduan, who had disappeared at the end of the street, sighed, and said to the others beside her: "Go back!"

Seeing that the atmosphere of parting was a bit oppressive, Xu Zaijing turned around and walked a few steps quickly, saying as he walked into the courtyard: "Mother, looking at you this time, it's a bit different from when you sent Big Brother away before!"

"Little Five, last time your father and brother's future was uncertain, this time the war is settled. Do you think I can feel the same?"

"Hehe, Mother is right! This son thinks that maybe Father will be able to return to the capital by the end of the month!"

Xie Shi, who was holding Xu Xingdai, looked at Sun Shi's expression and smiled: "Little Five is still the one who knows how to speak!"

After breakfast,

Xu Zaijing and Xu Xu Zaizhang braved the still cold morning wind and arrived at Jiying Lane.

What surprised the two was,

At the gate of the Sheng family, where there were usually few people, there were actually several more carriages today.

"Little Five, could it be that the Sheng family's main branch has arrived?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head: "Brother, it's not that fast!"

"Then what is this?"

"Just go and take a look and you'll know!"

Arriving near the carriages,

The Sheng family's servant looked at Xu Zaijing and his party and hurriedly cupped his hands: "Third Young Master, Fifth Young Master, you are here!"

The masters and servants beside the carriages also hurriedly cupped their hands and saluted when they saw the clothing and mounts of the two brothers.

After Xu Zaijing returned the salute, he said: "I wonder who these few are?"

"Fifth Young Master, these few are the juniors of Official Liu's family, a contemporary of the Master. They have come to participate in this month's metropolitan examination and will be staying in the outer courtyard for these few days!"

"Oh!"

Xu Zaijing cupped his hands and said: "Greetings to you all!"

After a round of pleasantries,

Xu Zaijing entered the school.

While taking off his cloak and giving it to Qingcao, he looked at Changbai, who had arrived early as usual, and said: "Changbai, aren't you going to welcome the few outside the gate?"

Changbai, under the candlelight, waved his hand: "I already welcomed them when I came to the school just now!"

"So that's how it is."

The sky gradually brightened,

When Scholar Zhuang came to the school, the seats of the three Lans were still empty.

"Everyone, Official Sheng told me yesterday that three students participating in this metropolitan examination would come today. Let's exchange and learn from these people today!"

"Yes, Scholar!"

"Changbai, Heng Ge'er, Changfeng, go to the seats of the three young ladies and vacate your seats!"

When Xu Zaijing was exchanging and learning with the 'senior students' in the school,

Quyuanjie,

Marquis Yongyi Fu,

Sun Shi, who had arranged the day's affairs, was talking to her two daughters-in-law,

"Madam, First Madam Wu is here!"

After the maidservant finished speaking,

First Madam Wu's hearty laughter came over: "I say, Sister Sun, today this old sister of yours has a request for you!"

Sun Shi took Xie Shi and Hualan and stood up, looked at First Madam Wu who lifted the curtain and entered, and said: "Sister, then tell me first, so that this younger sister can easily set a price!"

First Madam Wu smiled at Xie Shi and Hualan, who were bowing, walked to Sun Shi's side unceremoniously, and pulled Sun Shi to sit down.

Looking at Dan Mama on the side, she said: "Serve me a cup of tea first!"

First Madam Wu took the teacup, drank a mouthful of warm tea, and said: "Sister, I have also looked for many families, but none of them could handle it, so I could only come to you!"

"First Madam, just say it. If Mother-in-law can help, she will definitely not refuse." Hualan smiled.

First Madam Wu pinched her handkerchief and smiled at Hualan, then said:

"Sister, it's like this!"

"A relative of a clan woman from Yuzhou is coming to Bianjing, but this month is the time for the metropolitan examination, and all the good courtyards have been rented by students! They couldn't rent a courtyard, so they found me!"

"Speaking of which, this family also has some distant relative relationship with the Liang family of my Yongchang Hou Fu, so I can't just ignore it!"

"But my family has many people, and the courtyard is crowded, so I wanted to come to you, Sister, to borrow a courtyard on Quyuanjie!"

Sun Shi nodded and hesitated: "A clan woman from Yuzhou..."

First Madam Wu waved her hand: "Not a clan woman, it's a relative of her maiden family! The surname is Zou!"

"I have met this Zou family once. The one in charge is the eldest daughter of the Zou family who married into the Shen family. She is a warm and straightforward person!"

"That clan woman is also an honest person who is obsessed with farming. Sister, don't worry!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 449 =====