Chapter 694: Slipping away

Wu Shi hour (after 12:00 noon),

The polo field was empty, and no one was riding or hitting the ball.

Behind the large tent on the side of the field, as various steamers were lifted, white steam drifted into mid-air and dissipated from time to time.

Maids from various families, under the command of the managing nannies, carried trays and walked into the tent one after another.

Inside the tent,

Qiao Jiulang looked at the steamed crabs served and stood up with a smile: "Brothers, these are big crabs carefully selected by the stewards in my family. When Gu Er Brother told me, these big crabs had already been spitting out mud and sand in clear water for two days."

"Starting from the Mid-Autumn Festival, I also fed them some soy sauce and vinegar to drive away the cold."

"Of course, except for the soy sauce and vinegar, these big crabs are exactly the same as those sent to your mansions."

Listening to Qiao Jiulang's words, among those sitting in the tent, some swallowed their saliva.

There was no other reason; naturally, they had tasted the delicious big crabs and were recalling the taste of the big crabs in their hearts at this time.

Gu Tingye on the side nodded, waved at Qiao Jiulang to signal him to sit down, and said: "Jiulang has a heart!"

"Everyone knows that crabs are cold in nature, so yesterday I specifically bought a few jars of excellent yellow wine from the Dou family! Bring them up!"

After Gu Tingye finished speaking, the servants of the Gu family brought over the jars of yellow wine with water stains.

Those water stains were traces of warming the wine with hot water.

Changfeng looked at the yellow wine jars and said with some surprise: "Gu Er Brother, the top-grade yellow wine produced by the Dou family's main shop is not easy to buy! My family's steward also asked, and they said it was sold out the day the new wine came out."

Gu Tingye smiled: "Dou family's yellow wine is very popular! I also used the relationship of relatives to get these few jars."

"So that's it!" Changfeng nodded.

Dai Ge'er, who was sitting beside Xu Zaijing, looked at Xu Zaijing curiously: "Little Uncle, what relatives does Gu Er Uncle have with the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Consort Fu Guo's family?"

Xu Zaijing turned to the side and said in a low voice: "Your Gu Er Uncle has an aunt who married into the Yang family, and the elder sister-in-law of this person is a Madam of the Dou family."

"Oh..." Dai Ge'er nodded, sorting out the relationships in his little head.

As they spoke,

A maid walked over with a tray and placed the things wrapped in fine cloth on the tray in front of everyone.

Xu Zaijing opened it casually; it was a simplified version of metal objects used for eating crabs.

Everyone was just gathering, and there was no distinction between host and guest.

After a burst of clanging sounds, everyone started eating the big crabs.

With two nephews beside him, Xu Zaijing didn't eat much, and most of the crab meat he took apart was given to them.

Of course,

A group of young masters from the Marquis and noble families used these objects to eat crabs for fun, and the main part was still the various dishes carefully prepared by the chefs behind the tent.

After soaking the crab meat in the dipping sauce full of soy sauce, vinegar, and ginger, Xu Zaijing placed it in Xingzhong's bowl.

Looking at Gu Tingye raising his glass, everyone in the tent raised their glasses one after another and drank a sip of yellow wine.

"Tsk! Truly excellent wine!" Qi Heng exclaimed, squinting his eyes.

Looking at Qi Heng's appearance, the two nephews beside Xu Zaijing revealed confused expressions in their eyes.

Yesterday, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, they had tasted yellow wine shared by Zaizhang at home, and they felt it wasn't as good as sugar water.

At this time,

Several maids carried a few plates of pickled crabs and placed them on everyone's table.

Qiao Jiulang, who put down his wine glass, looked at the pickled crabs on the table and, for some reason, shook his head and laughed.

"Jiulang, why are you laughing?" Changfeng asked while biting a crab leg.

Looking at the eyes of the crowd, Qiao Jiulang shook his head with a smile: "It's nothing, it's just that seeing these pickled crabs reminds me of a brother from the Li family of Puzhou living in the capital."

"Li family of Puzhou?" Changbai heard this and asked with thoughts in his eyes: "Could it be the family of the Grand Minister Li who was the top scholar during the reign of the previous Emperor?"

Qiao Jiulang gave a thumbs up: "Sheng Pei Erge is right, it is the family of Grand Minister Li, the top scholar. That brother is the great-grandson of Grand Minister Li's clan, named Li Jie."

"Usually, this brother and I have a good relationship, and I even went to eat at his wedding before."

"Since it's this kind of relationship, why did you think of him and laugh, Jiulang?" Qi Heng asked in confusion.

Qiao Jiulang shook his head with a smile: "It's just that this brother loves these pickled crabs the most in his life, and the wife he married loves them just as much! Four or five out of ten of these big crabs in the aquatic shop on my side were bought out by his family."

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing and the others looked at each other.

"Hiss! Now that you mention it, this couple really loves to eat!" Changfeng sighed.

"And then... hahahaha."

Before he could finish, Qiao Jiulang burst into laughter again.

Liang Han on the side frowned: "Tsk! I say Jiulang, what is wrong with you today? You only said half of what you were saying and then giggled like a fool?"

Qiao Jiulang waved his hand: "Sixth Brother, listen to me! It's just that this brother found me two years ago to get a large jar half the height of a person."

Qiao Jiulang gestured how big the jar was and continued: "He said it was specifically for pickling crabs. According to the steward, he put hundreds of crabs from my family inside. After they were pickled, he and his wife would eat a few every day."

Xu Zaijing and the others didn't interrupt, looking at Qiao Jiulang and waiting for the rest.

"But, the two of them loved to eat them too much. After going back and forth, only one was left!"

"Last year, before the Autumn Festival, the Madam of the Li family returned to her maiden home, and she and this brother agreed to share the crab when she returned home!"

"As a result, when the Madam of the Li family returned to the mansion, she found that the large jar was already empty! When she asked this brother, this brother said..."

Qiao Jiulang suppressed his laughter: "Said, he originally wanted to fish out the only remaining crab and look at it on a plate, but he didn't expect, puchi..."

Qiao Jiulang couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Didn't expect that the crab, which had been pickled for many days, actually jumped out of the plate when he wasn't paying attention, 'slipping away' with fast steps, and disappeared into the courtyard in the blink of an eye..."

"Keng chi!"

"Hahaha!"

In the large tent, Xu Zaijing and the others also burst into laughter one after another.

Even Changbai, who was usually not prone to laughing, had his mouth turned up.

"Hahaha, no wonder Jiulang couldn't help it!" Liang Han said with a smile: "Looking at it, it should be that the Li family brother couldn't resist the temptation of the food himself and ate it alone."

Qiao Jiulang nodded with a smile.

Xu Zaijing also smiled, raised his wine glass, and said: "Come, let's have a toast to this interesting story of Jiulang!"

"Come!" Everyone agreed and raised their glasses.

After drinking,

Xu Zaijing put down his wine glass, looked at Qiao Jiulang who was eating, and said: "Jiulang, speaking of which, this is also a matter of the back courtyard, how did you know?"

Qiao Jiulang put down his chopsticks and opened his mouth to speak. Liang Han waved his hand: "Jiulang, don't say it yet, let me guess! Was it news leaked by the maids and nannies in the family?"

After swallowing the food in his mouth, Qiao Jiulang shook his head and said with a smile: "Not so, not so, it is..."

Qiao Jiulang pursed his lips to suppress his laughter and said: "The Madam of the Li family is not stupid, so she naturally didn't believe the Li family brother's explanation and was convinced that the Li family brother had stolen it himself!"

"The Li family brother refused to admit it, saying he had heard of pickled crabs escaping after sobering up."

"The couple pulled and tugged like this and found my family's aquatic shop. The Li family brother insisted that my family's steward testify for him, saying that this had happened, and only then..."

"There were quite a few guests in the shop that day, and it really became a joke."

Everyone heard this and laughed softly one after another.

At this time, footsteps sounded,

Several more maids carried trays into the tent to serve dishes.

Qi Heng, who was talking to Liang Han, looked at the maids entering the tent casually.

Suddenly,

Qi Heng's gaze, which was about to sweep past, stopped abruptly.

"Young Xiao Xiao Gongye, I tasted this dish at Wu Lou before, and the taste is quite good!" Liang Han said with a smile on the side.

After being stunned for a moment, Qi Heng came back to his senses.

"Oh! Since Sixth Brother says so, then I must taste it." As he spoke, Qi Heng's gaze swept over the departing maids again.

Liang Han, who noticed Qi Heng's abnormality, didn't say much, just looked at the maids as well.

After the meal,

Everyone drank the digestive beverage, rested for two quarters of an hour, and then went to the polo field to walk their horses.

During this period, several children who were not old, like Xingzhong, who were not good at riding running horses, also turned several laps in the field under everyone's care.

By the time the sun slanted to the west,

Everyone took their personal attendants and servants and rode their horses toward the gate of the polo field together.

After leaving the polo field,

Approaching the city gate,

Before parting,

Xu Zaijing looked at Xingzhong, who was sitting in front of Changbai's saddle, and instructed: "Zhong Ge'er, you must listen to your uncle on the way!"

"Little Uncle, Zhong'er knows."

"Zhong Ge'er has always been sensible!" Changfeng on the side praised with a smile.

Qi Heng, who was riding a horse on the side, smiled.

Xu Zaijing nodded, looked back at the Xu family carriage following Changbai, and the carriage was occupied by Hualan's personal Mama Cuichan and the Xu family maid.

"Cuichan, you and Yunjin keep an eye on things. If Zhong Ge'er gets sleepy on the way, carry him into the carriage."

"Yes, Fifth Young Master, this servant understands." Cuichan nodded and said to Yunjin.

While they were talking, Buwei, who was beside Qi Heng, said: "Young Xiao Xiao Gongye, I think the two young masters are also sleepy."

Qi Heng looked back and found that in the carriage with the curtains lifted, his two little uncles were yawning.

Subsequently,

Everyone bowed and said goodbye, and Changbai's group walked toward the south.

After walking for half a quarter of an hour,

Xingzhong, who had been playing wildly for most of the day, was a bit tired, and the horse's walking was also bumpy, so soon Zhong Ge'er, who was in front of Changbai, had his eyelids fighting each other from the bumping.

Changbai stopped the carriage and horses and handed Zhong Ge'er to Cuichan in the carriage.

Yunjin, who was riding in the carriage, hurriedly reached out to help.

After Cuichan entered the carriage, Changmei, who was riding a horse, glanced at Yunjin's face, and then continued to hold the reins and ride forward.

After walking for a while,

"Seventh Brother, what are you thinking about?" Changbai said with a smile.

Changmei was not old, but his eyes were steady. He looked at Changbai and said: "Pei Erge, younger brother is thinking about the young masters who went to the polo field today."

Changbai was stunned.

Changfeng on the side smiled: "Seventh Brother, you are not old, but you think a lot. Not bad! Knowing these young masters today, once we pass the imperial examination and become officials, they will be rare and precious connections!"

"Seventh Brother, are you thinking the same?" Changbai asked with a smile.

Changmei nodded and shook his head: "Pei Erge, I thought of more than what Third Brother said. Younger brother is thinking, if there were no famous teachers like Scholar Zhuang, could our brothers get to know those classmates?"

Changbai smiled: "Brother-in-law and Fifth Brother are our relatives, so naturally we would know them! But like the two Young Dukes and several others, there might not be any chance to know them."

Changmei nodded.

"But, knowing them is one thing, whether we can interact for a long time still depends on yourself, as well as Father and the family!" Changbai looked at his two younger brothers and instructed.

"Pei Erge is right, younger brother will keep it in mind." Changmei nodded.

Changfeng pursed his lips and said: "Pei Erge, when the friendship between friends is good, sometimes we don't look at family background, right? Like Xu Fifth Brother, didn't he introduce quite a few people into the army? I heard that one by one they are rising step by step!"

Changfeng seemed to have anticipated Changfeng's words, and said indifferently: "Then now, if I ask you to befriend the Kang family cousin, would you be willing?"

"Kang Jin?" Changfeng pouted and shook his head: "That's better not to. Kang Uncle-in-law is not enterprising, and Kang Jin is not young anymore but still hasn't passed the imperial examination. Sometimes when talking to him, I feel..."

As he spoke, Changfeng shut his mouth embarrassedly.

"Third Brother, our family still has relatives with the Kang family, isn't that relationship heavier than the friendship between friends? If you even dislike that, let alone others?"

After Changbai finished speaking, Changfeng nodded.

"What you said about Jing Ge'er is true; he did introduce quite a few people into the army, but in the army, you have to use your life and ability to fight for your future. Haven't you heard from your brother-in-law about those soldiers who died in battle?"

"If you don't have a good background and your studies are not successful, even if someone recommends you for some errand, how do you know you aren't just a stepping stone?"

"If someone sincerely plans a future for you, but you are unable to take on the position and cause trouble, wouldn't you be letting down other people's painstaking efforts."

After Changbai finished speaking, he looked straight at Changfeng.

Changfeng lowered his head and said: "Pei Erge is right, it was younger brother who thought wrong. No matter what the relationship is, first of all, you have to have ability yourself."

"Hmm."

The sound of the carriage was rumbling,

The group entered the city gate and walked toward Jingying Lane.

Arriving at the Sheng family,

After getting off the carriage, Yunjin followed behind Cuichan and walked toward Shou'an Hall.

Because tomorrow is the Autumn Festival, Hualan and Zaizhang came to Jingying Lane in advance, just to be able to stay at the Xu family tomorrow to entertain Pingmei and Anmei who were returning to their maiden home.

Therefore, they were prepared to stay at the Sheng family today and return to Quyuan Street tomorrow morning.

Shou'an Hall,

Wang Ruofu frowned at Zaizhang and said: "Son-in-law, you should also pay attention to your health when drinking with friends. How can you drink so much?"

Hualan, who was sitting on the Old Madam's lap, also glared at Zaizhang reproachfully.

Zaizhang, who was drinking hangover soup, smiled: "Mother-in-law, son-in-law will remember."

Watching the "interaction" between the couple Zaizhang and Hualan, Wei Shuyi, who was standing on the side with Liu Mama, also laughed.

Wang Ruofu nodded, looked toward the outside of the house, and said: "Why haven't Bo'er and the others returned yet?"

Rulan on the side pouted and said: "Mother, I think you missing Pei Erge is fake, and missing Zhong'er is true, right?"

Hearing this, Wang Ruofu turned her head to glare at Rulan, poked Rulan's forehead, and scolded: "You talk too much!"

Minglan, who was sitting on the outside of Hualan, also covered her mouth and smiled.

"Pei Erge and Third Brother are back." Outside the house, a little maid reported.

Everyone in the house looked toward the door.

After a while,

Changbai and the three brothers, together with Cuichan who was holding the child, entered the room.

"Grandmother, Mother, the children are back." The three of Changbai bowed.

Wang Ruofu nodded, stood up and walked to Cuichan, looked at Xingzhong who was held in Cuichan's arms, and said softly: "Why, fell asleep on the way?"

Cuichan nodded with a smile.

"Holding him for the whole way is tiring, let me do it."

"Yes, Madam." Cuichan, whose arms were a bit sore, smiled and handed Xingzhong to Wang Ruofu.

"Oh, Zhong'er, my little heart!" Wang Ruofu called out, hugging her grandson happily.

Looking at Xingzhong, whose eyes were sleepy in her arms, Wang Ruofu grinned: "Zhong'er, awake? See where we are? If you're sleepy, continue sleeping; Grandmother is here."

"Grandmother." Xingzhong called out in a daze and continued to squint and fall asleep.

Sitting on the chair holding her grandson, Wang Ruofu's Liu Mama and Wei Shuyi both leaned over to look with a smile, and after looking, they all laughed.

Liu Mama goes without saying, and Wei Shuyi, since entering the Sheng family gate, Hualan had always been very good to her, so she naturally hoped that Hualan could be happy.

Looking at Wang Ruofu's appearance, everyone lowered their voices when they spoke.

Changfeng introduced the people at the polo field today, and Changmei, under Hualan's questioning, talked about the brothers playing polo.

Hearing polo, Minglan's eyes lit up, and she looked at Changmei.

The Old Madam's gaze looked from time to time at Yunjin, who was standing with Cuichan.

Noticing her grandmother's gaze, Hualan took advantage of the gap in the conversation and smiled: "Yunjin, come here."

After Yunjin walked to the middle and bowed to everyone.

Hualan said: "Grandmother, who do you think this maid from the Hou Fu looks like?"

"Like Sixth Younger Sister." Rulan said with a smile.

Yunjin hurriedly lowered her head: "This servant's appearance is not outstanding, this servant is ashamed, how can this appearance compare with the Sixth Da Niangzi."

"Appearance is all given by parents. Being able to have some similarities is also fate." Wang Ruofu said with a smile.

Everyone in the hall nodded.

The Old Madam smiled and said: "Madam's words are reasonable."

Hualan smiled and said: "Grandmother, Mother, the lotus flower with twin blossoms that Fifth Brother sent before was mostly found by Yunjin's elder brother!"

"Yo!"

"Oh?"

The Old Madam and Wang Ruofu exclaimed.

The two orchids and Changbai all looked at Yunjin in surprise.

Wei Shuyi's eyes were even more unbelievable. The Jina Zhai had raised many lotus flowers with twin blossoms, but she didn't expect it to have a relationship with the maid in front of her.

Wei Shuyi's eyes were filled with even greater disbelief; many lotus flowers had been raised in Jina Zhai, yet she never expected they would have any connection to the maid before her.

Yunjin hurriedly said: "The Old Madam praises too much. This servant and my brother are relying on the blessing of the Hou Fu to be able to do so. Now my brother has a long-term job in the navy, and this servant is too late to thank the Fifth Young Master."

Hualan said a few words in detail beside the Old Madam.

"It's also a child from a bitter background who knows how to share the burden for her parents!" The Old Madam nodded in a deep voice.

"The Old Madam praises too much." Yunjin bowed and said again.

Xiaotao, who was listening to the conversation, looked at her own young lady and then at Yunjin, and said to Danju on the side in a low voice with surprise: "Danju sister, this person's eyes are really like the young lady's."

Danju nodded: "But it's only the eyes, other places are not like, and she is not as tall as our young lady, and her skin color is a bit dark."

Xiaotao nodded repeatedly.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 695 =====

(End of chapter)