The bright moon and the empty courtyard are like water like a Chinese year

Chapter 3 Mrs. Song Jiatai's "Sixty" Birthday
At [-] o'clock in the morning, the master (Yaoguang) quietly got up while the second concubine (Yiyi) was still asleep, and softly ordered the maid, Juxiang, to inform the kitchen to prepare breakfast and send it to the third concubine (Yiyi) Minxiu) room, by the way, tell Third Aunt (Minxiu) to have breakfast in her room today.Master (Yaoguang) took a bath and changed clothes, and came to the door of Mrs. Tai (Li Yue)'s room, ready to greet Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) good morning and offer tea.

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Venue: Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) Room

At four o'clock in the morning, Li Yue got up and got dressed, and after a while, she ordered her close maid, Mei Xiang, to open the door and let her son (Yao Guang) in.

"Master, morning"

Mei Xiang, the close maidservant of Mrs. Tai (Li Yue), lowered her head and bowed slightly, respectfully addressing her.

"Mother, good morning, my son is back, come to say hello to mother"

The master (Yaoguang) clasped his hands together, put his fingers together, put them on his chest, lowered his head and bowed, so excited that he almost knelt respectfully to Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) who was sitting on the tea table sofa.

"Get up. Ouch, you're finally back"

"My son. You are back. Do you know how much my mother misses you?"

Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) rushed into the arms of her son (Yaoguang) while talking, holding his shoulders with both hands, and then wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

"Mother, my son made you worry, worry, worry, worry. My son is unfilial and my son is here to apologize to you."

"What a stupid son, look at what he said, as long as mother sees you well, safe and healthy, mother will be fine with everything."

"Mother, sit down first, I'm coming back this time, but I specially celebrate your [-]th birthday"

"You have been running out for years and months, and this time it's been half a year. You're never at home, so it's rare to come back. This time, don't run out so soon again. Be with your bridesmaid, she's getting old."

"When you're not at home, this family is thanks to Huiyi for helping me manage the housework, otherwise it would have been a long time ago."

"Mother, you don't know. To do business, you have to be busy inside and outside. There is a lot of entertainment and effort. This time, the matter of opening a branch in Hong Kong has finally taken shape, and it has been messed up."

"If the business is good, I plan to reopen another "Mingyueju" in Guangzhou, so that Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou all have our Song family's teahouses. If this is done, it will be such a glorious event. "

"I knew you wouldn't let my mother down. Since you were young, you have been smart, talented, diligent in studying, have a good memory, and have great ambitions. You are really a good son of my mother."

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... (The happy chat process between the two mothers and sons is omitted)

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"You just came back, and you greeted your mother early in the morning. It's hard work. Go back to your room and have some breakfast. Take a good rest"

"Listen to mother, my son will leave now, and come back tomorrow to greet mother and offer tea."

"Go, go, don't be tired."

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The master (Yaoguang) who came out of Mrs. Li Yue's room looked at the pocket watch in his hand, and knew that the third concubine (Minxiu) was up and dressed at this time, so he walked to her room.

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Venue: Room of the third wife (Minsu)
"Master, morning"

"Master, please come in"

Zhuxiang, the maidservant of the third concubine (Minxiu), opened the door and saw the master (Yaoguang) standing at the door, immediately lowered her head and bowed slightly, and respectfully called the master (Yaoguang) to enter the room.

"Master, good morning, please greet the master"

The third concubine (Minxiu), who was making breakfast, found that the master (Yao Guang) was slowly approaching her from the door, she smiled happily in her heart, then put down the breakfast in her hand, and bowed slightly to respect the master (Yao Guang) appelled.

"Sit down, it's rare for me to come back, I just want to have a good conversation with you, don't be so busy"

"Yes, sir"

"Master, Juxiang came to tell you this morning that you came to my place for breakfast today. In addition to the breakfast prepared by the kitchen, I also ordered the kitchen to make three of your favorite snacks for you to taste. taste"

"The left side is Sansi Meimao Crisp"

"This is pea yellow in the middle"

"The horseshoe cake is on the right"

"My lord, try them all and see how they taste?"

"My lord, you haven't tasted it for half a year, so you have to taste it today."

The third concubine (Minxiu) was talking, while serving porridge and snacks to the master (Yaoguang).
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... (Facing such a sumptuous breakfast and snacks, the master (Yao Guang) ate with gusto)

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"How is Ruoxian studying? Thinking about it, she is 16 this year. I have seldom been with her since I was a child. Most of the time, I am busy with business. Instead, I spend more time with Ruoli. Ruoxi and the others spend more time than Ruoxian. For Ruoxian, I cared less and cared less, which made her grown up now, and her character is not good."

"Master, don't say that, the child is still young, unmarried, and doesn't understand the heart of parents. When she gets married and becomes a mother in the future, she will naturally understand our hard work as parents."

"Minxiu, in this family, apart from Huiyi, you are the one who understands things the most, and the one who doesn't bother me the least."

"Only the child Ruoxian worries me the most"

"Every day I know to read those "messy" books, as a lady of everyone, I don't understand self-respect and self-love at all.
"Minxiu, you have to teach Ruoxian more about which books you can read and which books you can't read. Don't keep reading indiscriminately. You don't learn from the good ones, and you learn a lot from the bad ones. When you get married, Let the in-law's family laugh at our Song family."

"Yes, sir"

"Mother's [-]th birthday this time is a big event. You help Huiyi to make preparations. Don't let the guests see the joke."

"I will, sir, you can rest assured."

"Okay, I'm done. I'll go to Mingyue Residence first."

"Zhuxiang, you will go and inform the other rooms later. Now that I'm back, everyone eats dinner together in the hall every day. You can't be absent except Mrs. Tai. If she wants to stay in her room to eat, she won't force you. Do you understand?"

"Okay sir, I'll notify you right away"

After receiving the order from the master (Yaoguang), Zhuxiang, the handmaiden standing next to the third concubine (Minxiu), immediately set off to report to each room.

"I'm leaving" said the master (Yao Guang) who had finished his breakfast and stood up from the dinner table.

"Master, go slowly," the third concubine (Minxiu) also stood up from the dinner table and said respectfully.

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... (Dinner time is coming in a blink of an eye)

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Location: dining table in the lobby

"Report to Mrs. Tai, Mrs. Tai: Second Concubine (Yiyi) and Master Uncle (Zhenhong) said they will come out soon." Butler Song walked slowly over to Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) and Mrs. (Hui Yi) Let me know.

"Is there so much to talk about? Really."

"Wouldn't it be embarrassing for the whole family to wait for the four of them?"

At this time, Miss San (Ruoxian) who was sitting at the dining table saw that Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) had a bad face, and was impatient to wait, so she opened her mouth for Mrs. Tai (Li Yue).

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting."

At this time, the uncle and young master (Zhenhong) who brought the second concubine (Yiyi) and Ruoli and their daughter (Yingzhi) to the dining room happened to hear
"It doesn't matter, you siblings, since we haven't seen each other for so long, naturally we have a lot to talk about."

"Sit down, sit down. Sit down and eat"

At this time, the eldest wife (Hui Yi) who avoided everyone's embarrassment spoke.

"Okay. Let's eat and eat." At this time, the master (Yao Guang) also spoke.

"Grandma eats, dad eats, aunt eats, second mother (mother) eats, third mother (mother) eats, uncle eats" the eldest lady (Ruoli) and the third lady (Ruoxian) sitting at the dinner table politely called .

"Master Uncle, the food is light on the wine. Don't be polite and eat more."

The eldest wife (Hui Yi) said politely to the uncle and young master (Zhenhong).

"There are so many delicious dishes, how can it be said that the wine is light on the dishes?"

"Actually, it's really rich. Thank you very much for your kind hospitality to our father and daughter."

Young Master Uncle (Zhenhong) said with a smile.

"You're welcome." The eldest lady (Hui Yi) replied with a polite smile.

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At this moment, because the wind from the fan is blowing towards Mrs. Tai (Li Yue), Yingzhi can smell the perfume on her skirt.

"Wow, it smells so good."

"This is a unique combination of bergamot and cinnamon, so it is very fragrant"

"I didn't expect Yingzhi to know perfume so well at such a young age. It's really impressive." Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) began to be interested in this girl who was only ten years old.

"Grandma, I actually like the smell of this perfume too."

"The knowledge of perfume is also taught by my father after he started his business."

"Dad, apart from knowing choreography and managing accounts, he also has a little research on other Western things. He knows more than me. He is my master."

The young master's daughter (Yingzhi) responds fluently to Mrs. Tai's (Li Yue) words, which makes people have to look at her differently.

"Ruoli, Ruoxian, you should learn more from Yingzhi. Although Yingzhi is younger than you, she is talented and intelligent. She is proficient in everything at a young age. She is really talented and beautiful."

"Understood, grandma." Sitting at the dinner table, the eldest lady (Ruoli) and the third lady (Ruoxian) replied in unison.

Hearing Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) praise her niece so much, the second concubine (Yiyi) was very happy, and she became arrogant again, without concealing it, and said modestly:

"Of course my family, Yingzhi, is pretty good. It doesn't matter who the child is, of course he inherited his intelligence."

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"You are so smart at such a young age, and when you grow up, whoever marries Yingzhi is truly blessed."

At this time, the eldest wife (Hui Yi) also followed the words of the wife (Li Yue) and began to boast.

"That's right. Mother is right."

At this time, the third concubine (Minxiu) also followed Mrs. Tai's (Li Yue) words and began to boast.

"Mrs. Mrs. Mrs., Mrs. Third, you have praised our family Yingzhi too much."

The uncle and young master (Zhenhong) who was sitting next to Yingzhi at the moment replied humbly and politely with a smile.

After the meal, in order to prepare a birthday gift for Mrs. Tai (Li Yue), everyone began to explore the truth on the mahjong table.

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Location: Song House (side hall)

"As for the meal, you don't have to eat it. As for the gift, you have to give it. The gift given last year can't be repeated this year. This time of year is the most troublesome time. Sigh."

The second concubine (Yiyi) is playing mahjong and touching the cards while talking to the eldest wife (Hui Yi), the third concubine (Minxiu) and her younger brother (Zhenhong).

"By the way, Second Sister, what gift do you plan to give your mother this year?"

At this time, the third concubine (Minxiu) stared at the second concubine (Yiyi) very curiously and asked.

"I haven't figured it out yet, what about you?"

Surprised by the sudden question from the third wife (Minxiu), the second wife (Yiyi) asked back.

"Oh, I haven't figured it out yet. This is a nerve-wracking job, and it's not easy."

The third concubine (Minxiu) responded shrewdly to the second concubine's (Yiyi) question.

"Sister, why don't you and the third aunt give it together, so that everyone doesn't have to worry about thinking about a gift?"

At this moment, uncle and young master (Zhenhong), who saw his sister and third concubine (Minxiu) having a headache discussing about gift giving, spoke up.

"It's still not good. If you buy it expensive and spend more money, some people will be unhappy. If you buy it cheap, you will look ashamed."

The third concubine (Minxiu) glanced sideways at the second concubine (Yiyi), touched the mahjong, and said to the young uncle (Zhenhong).

"No, that's right. The same rice feeds a variety of people, and the dragon produces nine sons. They are all different. Everyone has different tastes. Some people have vulgar tastes. I really don't know how to buy them together."

The second concubine (Yiyi) also glanced sideways at the third concubine (Minxiu), touched the mahjong, and said to her younger brother (Zhenhong).

"Zhenhong, you have only been here for a short time in the Song family, and you don't know the situation of the Song family very well. We are used to giving each room a gift." The eldest wife (Hui Yi) spoke to the uncle and young master in order to break the deadlock. (Zhenhong) explained.

"So that's what I understand"

"Second Sister, what gift did you give last year?"

"Speak up and tell me, let me refer to it, after all, this is the first time I am at the Song family this year, and it is the first time to pay Mrs. Tai (Li Yue) birthday wishes."

Uncle and young master (Zhenhong) didn't think it through all of a sudden, he was straightforward, and he blurted out and asked his sister and second concubine (Yiyi).

"I remember last year, master, it seems that I gave my mother a mutton fat jade wishful."

Faced with her brother's ignorance, the second aunt (Yiyi) immediately changed the subject and fooled around.

"Yes, I don't know what gift the master will give mother this year?"

The third concubine (Minxiu) also followed what the second concubine (Yiyi) said.

"Master's business is doing well this year. The "Mingyueju" branch in Hong Kong has good news again. Presumably this year's gifts must be bigger and more expensive than previous years."

The eldest wife (Hui Yi) also continued the topic.

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... (the process of playing mahjong is omitted)
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After the mahjong entertainment program after dinner in the evening, everyone in each room returned to their rooms with their maidservants.

Location: Second Aunt (Yiyi) Room

"Oh, I lost a few hundred yuan tonight, and I didn't find out what gift they gave. It's a big loss."

"I didn't expect them all to be so secretive, and they were unwilling to reveal anything. They are really so despicable."

The second concubine (Yiyi) was drinking tea in the room while complaining to the close maid Juxiang.

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Venue: Room of the third wife (Minsu)
"This second sister is despicable. She likes to copy others every year. Every year, she will give whatever gift I give her. She has no heart or novelty at all, let alone sincerity."

"You must keep the gift for mother this year a secret, and don't let her copy mine again."

"Don't make it public. If you let other people know or the second room finds out, I'll take your skin off." After returning to the room, the third wife (Minxiu) sat down in front of the dressing table, taking off her makeup while talking to her. Looking at the close maid Zhuxiang, she said.

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Venue: Mrs. (Huiyi) Room

"Ma'am, you asked me to go to the Xinglong Jewelry Store to pick out some gifts for Mrs. Tai Madam's birthday a few days ago. Before dinner, the owner of the Xinglong Jewelry Store has already sent someone to pick them out for you. I'll go get them. Let me show you."

After playing mahjong, she had a headache. Accompanied by the close maid Lan Xiang, the eldest lady (Hui Yi) who had just returned to the room and was about to sit down, was refreshed when she heard the reply from Butler Song. It hurts.

"Go ahead and show it to me"

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... (A moment later, Butler Song brought some jewelry)

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After the jewelry arrived, the eldest wife (Hui Yi) looked at it for a while, picked up the "Jade Butterfly Brooch" in front of her and said to Butler Song:
"This jade butterfly brooch is made of Tianshan jasper. The jasper is green and bright green in color, and there are black impurities, and light ones are second."

"This jade butterfly brooch has a delicate texture, uniform jade color, and very delicate setting."

"It's a pity that this jade butterfly brooch is not a good gift, because the jade quality of this jade butterfly brooch is not the best. It is okay to give to ordinary people, but it is not suitable to give to mothers."

After finishing speaking, the eldest wife (Hui Yi) put down the jade butterfly brooch in her hand.

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Then he picked up the "Emerald Jade Pendant" next to it, looked around carefully, and then said to Steward Song:
"This jade pendant" looks very crystal clear. "

"As the saying goes, "Jadeite emphasizes four good things", "good emerald", "good water", "good land", and "beautiful".

"'Cui Hao' means that the color of emerald is "thick, positive, positive, and harmonious", "thick" means that the color saturation should be high, "yang" means bright and bright, and "positive" means that the color should be pure And without variegated colors, "and" means that the color is evenly emerald and there is no difference in depth."

"'Water is good' means that the texture of jadeite should be thorough, crystal clear and transparent."

"'Dihao' means that the jadeite crystal particles should be as small as possible, so that the jadeite looks fine and delicate."

"'Beautiful' means that the jade should be free from cracks, cracks, impurities and other colors, and the weight should be relatively suitable."

"And high-quality jadeite should meet the "four conditions" I mentioned above."

"This jade pendant" combines four good things in one, it is indeed the best among jadeites, but when it comes to preciousness, it is still not as good as this pearl and coral necklace.

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After finishing speaking, the eldest lady (Hui Yi) put down the jade pendant in her hand, picked up the most dazzling pearl and coral necklace in the whole set of jewelry, fiddled with it left and right, and said to Butler Song:
"Pearls and corals from the East China Sea have always been famous for their luxury."

"Its preciousness lies in the size, shape and luster of each pearl are so consistent."

"And the polishing of coral beads is even more extraordinary."

"There is light in the dark, and softness in the light."

"It sets off every pearl to be radiant and dazzling."

"Sure enough, it is a gem that can be met but not sought after, a treasure among jewels."

"Among these three pieces of jewellery, if I had to choose, it must be it, so I should choose it."

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"Miss, you are really "speaking", which is admirable. Once you have commented so much, this pearl and coral necklace must be worth a hundred times. This time, Madam (Li Yue)'s birthday, it must be you The gift I gave her was the most pleasing."

After Song Steward listened to the eldest wife (Hui Yi) reviewing the three jewels, he felt that he had learned something and benefited a lot, and his flattery began to ring out.

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"Okay, it's getting late, put these jewels away."

"Remember to go to Xinglong Jewelry Shop tomorrow and settle the bill for these three pieces of jewelry."

"Although these jade butterflies and jadeite jade pendants are not easy to give to my mother, it is still good to keep them. When the second miss (Ruoxi) comes back from graduating from abroad, let her choose one she likes, and leave the rest to the young master." (Wei Ren), let him meet someone he likes in the future, and when he brings it back to meet me, it will be a "meeting gift"."

"Yes ma'am, I see."

"By the way, where did the master go tonight?"

"It seems to be in the study room. I heard from the servant Ah Fu that the master has been very busy recently. He only spent the night in the second aunt's (Yiyi) room the night he just came back, and spent the rest of the time in the study room and "Mingyue Residence."

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After a while, the eldest wife (Hui Yi) brought a cup of stew from the kitchen to the master (Yao Guang)'s study.

"master"

"Huiyi, it's you. It's so late, why don't you go to bed, come to the study to find me something?"

"I made a cup of soup for you"

"Let's put it down first. I'll be busy and drink later."

"Master, don't work too hard, and take care of your health." As he spoke, the eldest wife (Hui Yi) poured out a bowl of soup from the stewing pot, and then held it to the master (Yaoguang) with both hands.

"What kind of soup is this?"

“Gastrodia elata stewed fish head is the best cure for headaches”

"Master, you are always busy with the Song family and Mingyueju, and you have to socialize. You must have a headache. This soup is the most suitable."

Hearing that the eldest wife (Hui Yi) was so considerate and said with concern, the master (Yao Guang) held the bowl with great interest and began to drink the soup.

"Yeah, it tastes good and the heat is enough."

"It's getting late, master, after you finish your soup, remember to go to bed early, don't be too tired. I'll go back to my room first."

"Hey, it's so late? Okay, I won't watch it anymore, I'll watch it another day, I want to spend time with you tonight" After that, the master (Yaoguang) put down the bowl of soup he had drunk on the desk, Standing up, walked to the side of the eldest wife (Hui Yi), walked out of the study with her in her arms, and walked towards the direction of the eldest wife (Hui Yi)'s room, under the moonlight, along the way, the two were talking and laughing, full of affection pulse.

Chapter 3 (End)
Note: The ones with () are just to inform the readers of their respective identities.When reading, you can remove the name in () by yourself.

(End of this chapter)