spring cloud warm

Chapter 22

Early the next morning, Xu Chunjun first found Mother Ye and told her what he was thinking.

After hearing this, Mama Ye lowered her head and thought for a while and said, "From what I see, the girl's arrangement is very appropriate. If there are any additions or deletions, it's up to Madam to make up her mind."

Xu Chunjun then went to see Mrs. Hou Ye.

Madam got up early and finished chanting sutras, and had already had breakfast.

Xu Chunjun came in to greet her first, Madam looked at her and asked with a smile: "Is there a decision after a night?"

"If there is, I'm afraid it's inappropriate." Xu Chunjun also laughed, "Ma'am, don't joke."

"Just tell me and let me listen." Madam said.

Xu Chunjun then said: "I'm thinking about the old lady of the Shi family's birthday gift. Because of the long journey, the big things are afraid of being damaged, so it is better to be small and fine. Besides, the old lady worships the Buddha on weekdays. I think we have two strings in the storeroom. Canaan Buddhist beads, the lighter ones are more suitable for the elderly to hold in their hands. There is also an embroidered image of Guanyin, both of which are solemn and easy to carry."

"Prayer beads are good, but embroidered statues are probably too common." Mrs. Hou hesitated.

Xu Chunjun slowly explained: "There are 68 embroidered statues of Guanyin in our mansion, and I chose the new one this year. The statue of Avalokitesvara in white clothes. Although it is new, it was made by Cao Shiniang, who is currently the most popular peony embroidery spinner. What’s more special is her original pearl embroidery method, the embroidered image is protruding, which is more realistic than the ordinary embroidered image.”

Mother Ye also said: "Cao Shiniang's embroidery is not uncommon in the capital, but I'm afraid there is no such thing as the aunt's wife. Maybe there will be a wave of imitation of this embroidery statue over there, and Mrs. Shi will definitely mention it often." Madam gave it to my aunt, and it can be counted as giving my aunt a face."

Madam Hou heard this, she couldn't help nodding, and said, "That's true. What is the gift from the third son of the Xuanwei Hou family?"

"The third son and the second young master of our family are Jinlan brothers. The gift is too formal for fear of being inappropriate. I asked the servant of the second young master, and he said that the third young master always likes to play the flute. He got a good flute last year and couldn't put it down. I So I chose a gem and coral necklace pendant that can match the flute, so that the objects that I carry with me can show my affection the most. But this one is too simple, and I add a statue of Jinkuixing and a set of toys from Nanyang. Madam, have a look Is it enough?"

"That's enough, decent and close." Madam is very satisfied.

"As for the celebration of the addition of a child in the Earl's House, a set of gold ornaments for the children of the Five Blessings is quite standard, slightly lighter than those of the concubine's concubines, and heavier than those of ordinary concubines." Xu Chunjun expressed his own considerations.

Suddenly he found his wife staring at him, and quickly asked: "Is there something wrong? Madam just said it."

"There's nothing wrong with it, it's really appropriate." Mrs. Hou said with a smile, "You're really smart and transparent. It's not in vain that I take a fancy to you."

Xu Chunjun blushed slightly, and said: "Madam praised too much, the ones I chose may not be very suitable, but relying on Madam's prestige, I think it's good to give it to anyone."

Mrs. Hou took her hand and said: "It's a pity that I don't have such a daughter in-law, otherwise it would solve my many troubles."

Mother Ye smiled and said: "Madam and Miss Chunjun are destined, if you treat her well, she will naturally be filial to you sincerely."

"Speaking of which, it's better for my aunt to bring some more presents," Mrs. Hou said, "Don't forget the things she likes to eat."

Mother Ye hurriedly said, "Don't worry, madam, I remember everything!"

"My aunt was ill at the beginning of the year, and she is still weak now. I thought about what to give her this year, but she doesn't lack ordinary supplements at home. Mr. Chun, please help me find out what to give her. " Mrs. Hou and this second aunt have always had a close relationship. Although they haven't seen each other for many years, the exchange of gifts has never been broken.

"Since Madam asks questions, Mr. Chun will talk a lot," Xu Chunjun looked at the silver fungus bowl and spoon on the small table and said, "This set of silverware for Madam to eat tremella and bird's nest every day is very good, beautiful and practical. Auntie It must be a common tonic, why don't you send a set of this item. Or maybe my aunt already has it, so there's no need for it."

"Okay, okay, I met this set of silverware from the Wang's house in Nan'an County, and I asked them to make a set of it. I asked the silversmith to do it just like that, and I can do it in two or three days." Madam said happily, " This silver Choshi, silver bowl, and silver spoon are all matched, as well as the small stove. Every day, I use silver frost charcoal to stew tonic in this porch, which is clean and easy."

Xu Chunjun saw that Mrs. Hou was very satisfied with his answer, so he said with a smile: "Chunjun still wants to take a leave of absence from his wife."

"What are you talking about?" Madam asked kindly.

"When I came to Beijing, I met a girl from the Jiang family, and I hit it off very well. Last time I met her again in the county prince's mansion, and asked me to go out for tea tomorrow." Xu Chunjun said truthfully.

"It should be. Women are already trapped in the inner house. If you don't make more friends, the land will be even narrower. You can go! But I still have something to tell you." Mrs. Hou readily agreed .

"Madam, what orders do you have?" Xu Chunjun asked.

"In a few days, I will take Brother Yu to the Zhaotong Temple in Dongdu to worship the Buddha. It will take a month to go back and forth. You have to take care of the house for me these days." Mrs. Hou Ye goes to Dongdu to worship the Buddha every year , and this year is no exception.

After hearing this, Xu Chunjun quickly said: "Madam wants me to act as the housekeeper. Chunjun is very grateful for Madam's trust, but it is difficult to obey."

"I know what you think in your heart. You feel that your reputation is not right, and you are afraid that the people below will not accept you." Madam Hou smiled and said, "You just need to rest assured that I will explain clearly before leaving. If anyone dares to If you don't listen to your words, I will punish you severely. Besides, there is Mother Ye helping you."

But Xu Chunjun still shook his head: "Except for what my wife said, Chunjun also has no talent for housekeeping. It's like a child wearing adult clothes, and it doesn't look good if he can't afford it. It makes people look nondescript."

"Good boy, in a year or two, you will be married. At that time, you will also need to take care of the housekeeper. Since you will have to take on the burden of housekeeping sooner or later, why not try your hand at it in advance? You are my chosen one, and when the time comes If your housekeeper makes a mistake, you will slap me in the face. So I will help you in everything, and I will never watch you. It is not wrong to make a mistake here, and no one is born to be able to do everything. You listen to me, don’t worry Take care of it boldly. Even if there are some places that are not enough, I will never blame you."

Xu Chunjun heard that Mrs. Hou Ye had said so much, and knew that he could not refuse.So he agreed and said: "Thank you Madam for cultivating, but if you have done something bad, just say it, Mr. Chun is very grateful."

(End of this chapter)