Chapter 766: Fragrant feelings warm the marriage

Count's Prefecture, Jia Cong's Courtyard.

The winter days were long. Although Jia Cong got up according to his routine, it was still dark outside the window, with only a hint of dim dawn in the east.

Qingwen placed the copper basin on the basin stand, found the fire starter in the old place, and lit the candle on the dressing table.

She asked, "Cong Sanye, why is Sister Ping'er still sleeping? At this time in the past, she would have already gotten up to manage things."

Jia Cong replied, "Sister Ping'er is not feeling well, let her lie down and sleep a little longer."

Qingwen was curious. When eating last night, Sister Ping'er was very clever. How could she be unwell after a night's sleep?

She served Jia Cong to rinse his mouth and wash his face, and inadvertently saw a pair of white satin embroidered cotton shoes placed in front of the Cong Sanye's bed.

Qingwen felt strange. These were not Sister Ping'er's shoes, why were they placed in front of the Cong Sanye's bed?

Could it be that Sister Ping'er forgot to put them on when she helped the Cong Sanye warm the bed? How could she be so confused? Could it be that she walked barefoot in the cold weather?

Hmph, or did they do something good last night?

As for how they did good things, Qingwen was still half-understanding. Although she had heard dirty words from old women, people didn't dare to tell her in detail.

But seeing Ping'er sleeping soundly on the side couch, looking not quite like it, she asked, "Cong Sanye, where is Sister Ping'er not feeling well? Why don't you ask a doctor to take a look?"

Jia Cong felt strange in his heart. Could a doctor be asked to look at this? He said casually, "There is no serious illness, she will be fine after resting for a day, no need to see a doctor."

Qingwen said "Oh," and said, "I'll go take a look at Sister Ping'er and ask her where she is uncomfortable."

As she spoke, she walked towards the side couch. Jia Cong felt a thud in his heart. Ping'er had just hurriedly wrapped herself in a quilt, and she probably didn't even have all her clothes on.

If Qingwen lifted the quilt and found out, this girl's mouth would definitely tease her, and I'm afraid Ping'er would be embarrassed and shy.

……

He held Qingwen back and said casually, "What's there to look at? It's just a daughter's private matter. Come and tie my hair, I still have to rush to the morning court."

Qingwen heard this, thought she was smart, and suddenly realized, saying, "So it's a daughter's private matter. Cong Sanye, you don't understand this, leave it to me."

"I'll boil a bowl of brown sugar water for Sister Ping'er later. She will be fine after drinking it."

Jia Cong's face stiffened. He had some curiosity and asked tentatively, "Can brown sugar water work? Can this work? Why did I hear it's not like this?"

Qingwen pressed Jia Cong onto the stool, combed his hair while saying, "Naturally it works. I have tried it. A daughter's business, don't talk to you men."

Jia Cong held back his laughter and said, "You are right. How can you talk to men about a daughter's business? Qingwen, you are becoming more and more clever."

Ping'er hid in the quilt, listening to Jia Cong and Qingwen talking nonsense, and could not help but secretly laugh, just not daring to make a sound.

Qingwen was very quick, soon tied Jia Cong's hair into a bun, walked around him, pulled his robes straight, and then put on his official uniform.

Jia Cong said, "Qingwen, send a little maid to the West Prefecture to pass a message to the Second Grandmother later, saying that Sister Ping'er needs to rest for a day and won't go over today."

After Qingwen went out with hot water, Jia Cong walked to the side couch and sat down. Ping'er only then poked her head out from the quilt, her pretty face full of smiles that she could not help but hold back.

She smiled, "Cong Sanye, you don't avoid it, letting Qingwen talk nonsense, and I don't know how she will shout blindly when she goes out."

Jia Cong smiled, "You don't know this girl Qingwen, she has the strongest curiosity, it's better to fool her like this."

He saw her wrapped in a brocade quilt, her pretty face blushing, her hair messy, and she was pitiful and moving, and could not help but feel moved.

Thinking that she didn't have all her clothes on, she ran to the side couch to hide her shyness, so he took advantage of the fire to rob, reaching into the quilt and wandering back and forth.

Ping'er was being teased by him, and her lips and neck were ravaged again. Suddenly, Lingguan ran to the door and called them to eat breakfast in the main room.

Jia Cong took back his hand this time, told Ping'er to lie down and rest, and let the maid send breakfast in later.

……

Jia Cong followed Lingguan out of the main room and closed the door. Ping'er heard the sound of the door closing, so she sat up.

She calmed down slightly on the bed, thinking of the love last night, and her whole body felt hot involuntarily.

Just after she put on her inner garment, she saw the little maid Juan'er enter the door, carrying a water bucket in her hand, which was hot soup with steam.

She said that Cong Sanye had just ordered her to bring hot water over for Sister Ping'er to wash up.

Ping'er heard this, her pretty face blushing, naturally understanding Jia Cong's meaning. She did not expect a man to be so careful.

After Juan'er went out, Ping'er got out of bed barefoot. Although it was a bit inconvenient to walk, she still went to bolt the door.

She walked back to the rosewood shell-inlaid wardrobe and found clean inner clothes.

She took the hot water and hid behind the screen to wash and clean up, and only after changing into clean inner clothes did she feel a bit relieved.

She went to clean up the mess on the bed, and folded the white silk stained with plum blossoms with a red face.

Only then did she return to the dressing table, comb her hair, put on hairpins, tie her waist skirt, and wear a jacket with fur lining.

She found that she in the mirror had eyes like water, a moist complexion, and infinite beauty, which was more moving than usual.

……

In the main room of the courtyard, everyone was sitting together eating breakfast. Only Qingwen ate refreshingly, cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks in a while, and was in a hurry to go out.

Wuer asked, "Qingwen, where are you going early in the morning?"

Qingwen said, "Cong Sanye said Sister Ping'er is having her period and is not feeling well, and is still lying in bed. I'm going to the kitchen to boil a bowl of brown sugar water, and she will be fine after drinking it."

Except for Jia Cong, everyone at the table was a young daughter. Most of them had already had their periods. Although they were intimate with Jia Cong and lived together day and night, there were few taboos.

But Qingwen was careless and spoke without restraint about a daughter's period, which made people feel a bit shy.

Some pretty faces flushed red, some lowered their heads and laughed secretly, and the atmosphere at the table was a bit strange.

Jia Cong was a bit stunned. When did he say that Ping'er was having her period? In front of so many young ladies, he felt a bit embarrassed.

He wanted to argue, but he closed his mouth rationally. If he denied saying this, not to mention Qingwen's strong curiosity,

the girls and maids at the table would all have ideas, and it would be inevitable to whisper and get to the bottom of it.

No matter which era it is, don't ignore a woman's love for gossip.

His romantic affair with Ping'er would definitely become a topic of conversation for the little maids after dinner, exploring the topic of human relations between men and women, which was really too ugly.

So, Jia Cong simply pretended to be confused and picked up the porridge bowl to drink.

Wuer saw Qingwen rushing out, and felt even more strange. She and Ping'er managed the West Prefecture and were together day and night, more intimate than others.

The two were almost inseparable. Wuer knew Ping'er's period time clearly. How could it be half a month away, how could it come now?

She was also a person with careful thoughts, and her mind was all on Jia Cong. Seeing him just lowering his head to eat, his expression was a bit unnatural.

Wuer suddenly thought of Ping'er being on night duty last night, and felt a sense of romance. She was also a person who had been there, and immediately realized something.

She could not help but blush, and felt funny in her heart. Qingwen, this stupid girl, was fooled by the Cong Sanye and didn't know it, but she was kind-hearted, boiling brown sugar water for Ping'er.

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Lixiang Courtyard.

In the morning, maids came in and out of the main room, serving all kinds of exquisite breakfast.

Xue Yima had lived in the Jia Prefecture for many years with her son and daughter, but except for the rooms, all internal and external expenses were paid by themselves.

The Xue family's business was a bit decadent, but it was still in a normal state of maintenance, and it was still the foundation of the four major families in Jinling.

Although it was not as grand as Rongguo Prefecture, where the Old Lady was a first-class noblewoman and used eight first-class maids alone,

the daily expenses of the Xue family were rich and generous, which was unusual and not comparable to ordinary big families.

Although they had moved to Shenjing for many years, they still maintained the Jiangnan taste. There were few buns and noodles on the table, mostly porridge, soup, fish, eggs, and sweet and salty pickled goods.

Xue Yima had just sat down when she saw her daughter Baochai enter the main room, still dressed in ordinary clothes.

Only a rose-red palace flower was worn on her bun, which looked exceptionally charming and pretty, and was very eye-catching.

Xue Yima knew her daughter's habits. She usually didn't like flowers and powder. Although she was born with a good appearance, she didn't like to dress up, which was too plain.

Today she actually changed her temperament and wore palace flowers for use. It was a good omen.

She smiled, "Last time you said you didn't want these palace flowers and wanted to give them all away. Fortunately, you kept some for yourself. These palace flowers look really good."

"You have always been plain and simple, that is the style of my age. You are just past the age of fifteen, the age of flowers, and you should dress up like this to look like something."

Baochai smiled, "I really wanted to give them all away. Sister Feng said she doesn't wear them now, so she let me keep her share for my own use."

"I was just looking for something fresh. I didn't expect that after I wore them, the sisters all said they were good-looking. They all wanted to wear them, so it wouldn't be good for me to be left alone."

…… Mother and daughter were chatting when Xue Pan swayed in, sat down and ate a few mouthfuls.

He said, "Sister, have you talked to Brother Cong about renting out the Jinling shop? Such a good idea must be done quickly."

"The Xinchun Shop in Jinling is now strong, and many people are staring at their benefits. Don't let others get there first."

Baochai said, "Although the idea was mine, it shouldn't be me who talks to Brother Cong."

Xue Pan's face turned into a bitter melon when he heard this, saying, "Sister, Brother was wrong last time, talking nonsense, I have already apologized, why is Sister still angry?"

Baochai said, "I am not angry in my heart, so I won't go to talk to Brother Cong, but it is not quite appropriate for me to come forward for this matter."

"Now Mother is in charge of the house, and Brother is the eldest son who inherits the business. I am just a young lady. It is not reasonable for me to intervene in such industrial matters. Others will laugh if they hear it."

Xue Yima said, "Your sister's words are reasonable. Although she is smart, she shouldn't show her face in everything. The Jia family is a big family and pays attention to rules and etiquette."

Xue Pan said dejectedly, "I really regret it now. I shouldn't have broken my face with Brother Cong for trivial matters, and now I can't talk to him."

Baochai said, "I have thought about this too. After all, Mother is an elder, and it is a bit inappropriate for her to come forward. Brother should be the best to talk about it."

"Since Brother can't talk to Brother Cong, we can only find someone to mediate. As long as the topic is brought up, Brother Cong will also know about this."

"Mother and I will discuss it with Brother Cong again, and things will be more logical. There are many people in the Jia family, so this will avoid gossip from others."

……

Xue Pan's personality was rough, and he could only listen to the surface meaning. Hearing his sister say that this matter could be done, he was overjoyed, and everything else was ignored.

Xue Yima heard the subtext in her daughter's words. The reason why she did things in a roundabout way was because she was worried that there were many people in the Jia family, so gossip would arise.

If the Jia family gossips about this, it is the Second Aunt, her own sister.

At the beginning, her sister falsely accused her daughter of having an affair with Brother Cong. If she hadn't said soft words and sealed her sister's broken mouth, she could have ruined her daughter.

Her daughter was extremely wary of this matter. If she opened her mouth to Brother Cong about this, once the matter was done, it would definitely spread inside and outside the Jia family.

Her sister had always been jealous of Brother Cong. Once she knew about this, she would feel that her daughter and Brother Cong were unusual, and a few words could accomplish great things.

By then, her sister's heart would be gloomy, dissatisfied with the Xue family's closeness to Brother Cong, and would further reduce the power of the Second Room.

If she had any improper thoughts and made an issue of her daughter's past, thereby cutting off the relationship between the Xue family and Brother Cong, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Her daughter did not want to come forward, and did not even want her to come forward. Going around to find a middleman to talk was to cut off her sister's words and thoughts.

Baochai said, "We can't find an outsider to talk. It's best to be a member of the Jia family, so Brother Cong will feel comfortable."

"I have thought about it and only one person is the best, and that is Sister Feng. She is Brother Cong's sister-in-law and Mother's own niece. No one can pick out any faults."

Xue Yima heard Baochai's words and could not help but praise her. Her daughter's thoughts were indeed meticulous and exquisite.

It was indeed most appropriate for Feng Yaotou to mediate this matter. Not to mention that she was smart and powerful, and everyone was afraid of her by three points.

She was not only her own niece, but also her sister's own niece.

If her sister gossips about this, she has offended everyone inside and outside the family. No matter what, she will weigh it.

Besides, Feng Yaotou was younger than her and helped Brother Cong manage the West Prefecture. If she offended others because of this, the Second Room would have to look at their faces for a lifetime.

Xue Yima smiled, "Baochai's idea is still the best. It's right to find Feng Yaotou for this matter. It's better to be early than late. I'll think about the words clearly first."

"I'll talk to her when I have time today. Baochai doesn't need to follow. It's better to cut off the topic cleanly to save others from talking too much later."

"As long as Feng Yaotou understands the meaning, and when Brother Cong has a day off, we will talk about it, and this matter will definitely be done."

Xue Pan heard his mother and sister discuss, the rules and routines were complete, so he concluded that this matter would be successful, and he was overjoyed.

According to his meaning, renting all the shops in the family to Xinchun Shop was truly satisfying to him.

He no longer had to worry about managing the family business, just lying down and collecting shop rent silver, only having to worry about playing, what a carefree life.

No need to look at the faces of those old managers, let them all go home, isn't it refreshing.

He also knew that his mother and sister would never do this, but even if he rented out a few shops, it would save him a lot of worry, at least he could look at fewer account books……

Seeing his mother and sister talking slowly, he was even more scratching his ears and cheeks, constantly urging his mother to find Sister Feng to talk about things.

Xue Yima was thinking about countermeasures with Baochai. After all, even if this matter could be done, there would be many follow-up chores, and how to deal with it would be very troublesome.

She was annoyed by her son's urging, scolded him a few times, and drove Xue Pan back to his room.

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Wang Xifeng's Courtyard.

After the hour of Chen, the sun rose, and the warm sun reflected on the courtyard. In the cold wind, there was a lazy meaning.

Under the veranda in front of the main room, four or five thrush cages were hung. The maid Feng'er moved the cages to the sunny place one by one, so that the birds could bask in the sun.

She lifted the cage covers one by one, and heard the thrushes jumping in the cages, chirping crisply towards the sun.

Feng'er took a small copper pot and ran back and forth, adding water to each birdcage.

The eldest daughter was wrapped in a red brocade fur swaddle, becoming more and more jade-like and cute. She was held in Wang Xifeng's arms, teasing and talking to the birdcage.

Whenever the thrush jumped and chirped, the eldest daughter would be teased into laughing, and the little hand with the hand-clothing would wave unconsciously.

On the veranda, Wuer led the maids and came towards the warm morning light. Walking close, she reached out to tease the eldest daughter.

Wang Xifeng smiled and asked, "Why don't I see Ping'er with you? You two have always been together, and the scale is inseparable from the weight."

Wuer's face stiffened slightly, and a blush appeared. Just as she wanted to speak, she saw a little maid running over there.

She said, "Second Grandmother, I received instructions from Sister Qingwen to come over and pass a message that Sister Ping'er is not feeling well and needs to rest for a day, so she won't come over today."

After the little maid left, Wang Xifeng's expression was suspicious, saying, "This matter is a bit strange. Ping'er is not feeling well, wouldn't it be more convenient to ask you to bring a message?"

"Why did Qingwen ask someone to come and pass a message? Qingwen has always been refreshing, and she is not a troublesome person."

"I think eight out of ten it was Brother Cong who assigned her, others can't command this girl."

"Wuer, where is Ping'er not feeling well? She has always been healthy, and she doesn't even sneeze all year round."

Wuer blushed and said, "I went to see her when I came, she has nothing to do, she will be fine after resting for a day."

Wang Xifeng smiled mischievously, "I guessed right, it must be Brother Cong who assigned Qingwen. He was even embarrassed to assign you. He must have done something good."

"You blush as soon as you say this, even a fool can see there is a cat in it. Tell me honestly, was Ping'er on night duty last night?"

Wuer's pretty face was pink, and she said awkwardly, "Second Grandmother guessed it, why do you still ask me?"

Wang Xifeng smiled, "Brother Cong has been raising Ping'er for half a year, and only now is he sitting on the saddle and riding the horse. Heaven and earth are spring. He is really particular."

Wuer heard Wang Xifeng's dirty words being explicit, her face was burning, and she wanted to laugh but was embarrassed to laugh.

The sun was bright and dazzling, the sky was clear and clear, and the thrushes were chirping noisily.

Wang Xifeng said boldly, "Seeing Cai Xia in Baoyu's room has a big belly. Look at how proud the Second Aunt is, showing off in Rongqing Hall every three days."

"She also asked the public to spend two taels of bird's nest every month, specifically for Seeing Cai Xia to raise the fetus. Most of the good things in the kitchen have entered that girl's stomach."

"Only our big room has no movement. Brother Cong hasn't been idle either. You have all been slept by him, why is there only thunder and no rain?"

"When will you have a child? This is the serious business. It's not good to let the Second Room grab the limelight."

Wang Xifeng was telling dirty jokes under the sun, and she was talking so happily that Wuer was embarrassed to stand or leave.

Suddenly, she heard laughter coming from the veranda, saying, "Feng Yaotou, who are you grabbing the limelight from early in the morning?"

"You are a mother, and you are still so hot and speak without restraint. Be careful of embarrassing the maids around you."

Wang Xifeng saw Xue Yima smiling and coming over, followed by the maid Tongxi.

She smiled, "Why does Aunt have time to come over early in the morning? I have nothing to do, so I am just grinding my teeth with Wuer."

Xue Yima smiled, "You don't have any seriousness, I have serious things to find you."

Wang Xifeng smiled, "What serious things does Aunt have to find me? I'll say it first, although you are an elder, if you ask me to run errands, you can't command me for nothing."

"Just like when I hadn't left the cabinet, you still gave me lucky money during the holidays, otherwise you wouldn't be able to block my mouth."

Xue Yima smiled, "You handle this serious matter for me, not only will I give you benefits, but your brother will also appreciate your feelings." (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 767 =====