Concubine like a house

Chapter 20
"Master needless to say, he is the son of the Tai Furen and is also the eldest son of Yunfu; the second master Yun Qi is the son of the second concubine, one year younger than the master; the third master Yun Xian is the son of the third concubine, younger than the master Two years old; there is also a fourth concubine in the mansion who is in full bloom and has nothing to do." Danxin continued to explain patiently.

I had vaguely heard about it before I came out of Xiu. Although the Yun family lineage has been passed down for hundreds of years, the incense of the direct branch has not been very strong.In the final analysis, the Yun family still has more infatuation.This point can be known from the legend of the ancestor of the Yun family and the founding queen of Daxi.

With such an infatuated ancestor, I am afraid that Yun's blood is full of dedicated people.It's no wonder that with the status of the old Hou Ye, there are only three heirs left.Thinking of this, Chuxiu couldn't help but secretly speculate, among the four widows in this mansion, which one is the real sweetheart of Lord Hou?
Just as he was thinking, Chuxiu suddenly received a chestnut on his forehead.When she regained her senses, she saw Danxin staring at a pair of exquisite water eyes, and scolded her: "Missing again! I don't know why the master loves you so much!"

As soon as Danxin finished his words, before he came out of Xiuxiu to react, he only heard a scolding in his ears: "Danxin! You talk too much!"

Going out of Xiuxun and turning around, I saw a dignified Shuning woman standing at the gate of the courtyard, walking gently towards her.Her eyebrows are as light as smoke, and she looks curled and quiet, which is the shallow rhyme that she once had a relationship with Chuxiu.

Light rhyme, light heart, the two maidservants beside Yunci.

Counting it, Chuxiu and Qianyun haven't seen each other for half a year.Goodbye at this moment, Qian Yun seems to have a little more alienation and coldness.The thought just flashed for a moment, and Chuxiu was the first to salute and greet.Qian Yun bowed and returned the salute, then turned to take a look at Danxin again, and continued to reprimand: "The master ordered you to bring out Xiu to familiarize yourself with the personnel in the mansion, but he didn't let you talk nonsense."

Danxin seemed to be very afraid of Qianyun, and quickly stuck out her tongue, not daring to say any more.

Qian Yun walked past Chuxiu as if no one else was around, and went straight into her house.

Seeing Qianyun's behavior in Chuxiu, he hurriedly made gestures and asked Danxin, thinking that he had offended her somewhere.

"Don't worry too much, Sister Qianyun has always been like this." Danxin said in a low voice, "She was originally by Madam Tai's side, and her temper followed Madam Tai's. Later, she was assigned to the master, and Madam Tai saw that the master liked her like this .”

At this point, Dan Xin covered her face and smiled again: "That's all right now, although Sister Qian Yun is taciturn, she will be compared to you in the future!"

Chuxiu has long been used to speaking indifferently and indifferently, so she didn't take these words to heart.After that, Danxin gave a brief introduction to all the things in the mansion, nothing more than some rules and taboos, and Chuxiu also wrote down them one by one.

"Okay, some things can't be explained clearly for a while, and you will naturally know after a long time." Dan Xin looked around again, and said in a low voice cautiously, "Master ordered you to serve in the inner garden, you will Don't walk out of Zhiyan Pavilion casually. Especially the second master's courtyard 'Jinlutang', don't go in by mistake!"

Chuxiu is not stupid, seeing Dan Xin's cautious appearance, knowing that the second master Yun Qi must be a character not to be trifled with, so he also nodded solemnly.

The two haven't seen each other for more than three months, and they talked a lot about themselves. After half an hour, Zhuying came to call: "Miss Chuxiu, master is waiting for you in the study."

Not daring to delay leaving Xiuxiu, he bid farewell to Danxin quickly, and went out with Zhuying.Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped out of the yard, he ran into the housekeeper Yun Zhong: "Miss Chuxiu, long time no see."

Indeed, it has been a long time. The last time the two met was in Jingzhou Chasing Rainbow Garden.Chuxiu smiled and leaned over to salute. Fortunately, Yun Zhong knew that she couldn't speak, so he didn't think she was rude.

Steward Yun received a salute on his face, but said in his mouth: "You can't do it, you are the person next to Lord Hou."

Chuxiu knew it was a polite remark, so he just smiled and waited for Steward Yun to show him.

Zhu Ying was the first to ask, "Why did Uncle Zhong come here?"

Steward Yun didn't turn around, and straight to the point stated his intentions: "Mrs. Tai heard that there is a newcomer in Zhiyanxuan, and it was brought back by Master Hou from Jingzhou. I want to meet you."

Since Mrs. Tai wanted to see someone, Zhu Ying couldn't stop her.He knew Chuxiu's true identity, and also knew that his master had just purchased a household registration for Chuxiu recently, but he never thought that this incident would alarm Mrs. Tai.

Before going out of Xiuxiu, he went with Butler Yun, and Zhuying went to the study to report the matter to Yun Ci.

Come out of Zhiyan Pavilion, turn back to Chaoshouyoulang, go out of Xiu and follow Steward Yun to the outer courtyard of Yunfu.The ancient trees are towering, the strange rocks are everywhere, the mountains are surrounded by water, and the corridors are winding. This time, she has been able to keep her eyes on her nose and her nose on her heart, without squinting.

After walking for a cup of tea, Steward Yun brought Chuxiu to the place, but he saw the four big characters "Yin Xiang Drunk Moon" written on the arched white marble door, and one or two women's voices could be faintly heard in the garden. laughter.

It really is "Yin Xiang". Just before walking to the arch, a burst of inexplicable fragrance has come to the nostrils, like the fragrance of flowers, and like the powder rubbed by a woman.Chuxiu followed Steward Yun into the courtyard gate, and the charming laughter inside stopped abruptly.

Steward Yun stopped first, and bowed respectfully: "Mrs. Tai, Eldest Miss, Second Miss. Miss Chuxiu, come to pay your respects."

As soon as she said this, Chuxiu already felt a few eyes on herself, she kept her head down, and caught a glimpse of two smokey skirts, one was light pink and the other was light purple.Presumably, they were the two young ladies that Steward Yun was talking about.

"Xiang Rong, Mu Ge, you guys go out first." An elderly female voice sounded at this time, very kind but dignified.

"Xiang Rong (Mu Ge) will leave." The two young ladies said at the same time, and retreated out in a very polite manner.

It turns out that these two are the daughter of the Yun family, Yun Ci's concubine sister - Yun Xiangrong and Yun Muge.Chuxiu silently wrote down the name and saluted.

The atmosphere suddenly became stagnant, Mrs. Tai did not speak again until Yun Xiangrong and Yun Muge retreated, and she quietly said to Chu Xiuming: "Raise your head."

Chuxiu didn't dare to disobey, and slowly raised his head to face Mrs. Tai, but still lowered his eyes.She knew that it was disrespectful for a servant to look directly at her master.

The scrutinizing eyes shot at Chuxiu again, accompanied by a low order, this time it was not from Mrs. Tai, but from a mother beside her: "May you raise your eyes."

After Chuxiu took the order, she slowly raised her eyes and looked at Mrs. Tai who was sitting on the main seat.I saw that she was nearly fifty years old, with a serious face, slightly horn lines, and no complicated decorations on her body. She was wearing the flying fog bun that is common among noble ladies. Only the exquisite luster on her ears revealed that the pair of earrings were not ordinary. .

Mrs. Tai is wearing a brocade dress, which is also embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns with dark gold thread, but Chuxiu faintly feels that she is not a person who likes extravagance, and at the same time, she exudes wisdom and luxury with insight into the world.

These temperaments are very contradictory, aren't they?But it is so appropriate to integrate with this legendary woman.Mrs. Yunfu not only has the demeanor of the hostess of a high family and deep house, but also has the shrewdness to guide the world.

This is Chuxiu's first impression of her as a person who has been in a high position for a long time.

At this time, Mrs. Tai was also looking at Chuxiu.Her eyes are deep and meaningful, revealing a bit of clarity.But if you look closely, you don't seem to care.

There is such a silence in the garden, there is a kind of weirdness with different thoughts.The fragrance of flowers blows towards my face with the breeze in early spring, and Chu Xiuwen suddenly feels nervous and palpitating in my nose.

I don't know how long it took before Tai Furen spoke in a kind voice, and said calmly: "Since Lord Hou brought you back, he must be a measured person. From now on, serve carefully."

Such a simple command, without any deterrence or preaching.Chuxiu was a little surprised, he was stunned for a moment and quickly bowed his head to accept the order.She began to rejoice that she had a throat disease, otherwise her thoughts at this moment would have leaked out, and she would be guilty of negligence.

Mrs. Tai has seen countless people in her life, and Chuxiu's little thought did not escape her eyes.She took the teacup calmly, took a sip leisurely, and called out, "Mother Chi."

The mother standing by the side immediately went to Chuxiu, took a small brocade box, and said: "This jewelry is a set, the bracelet is given to Qianyun, and the pendant is given to Danxin. This pair of Mingyue pendant earrings is given by Mrs. Here it is. Why don’t you thank me sooner?”

Chuxiu understood the meaning of the words, and hurriedly held the brocade box solemnly with both hands, and respectfully returned the gift.

Mrs. Tai did not reveal anything, but ordered: "Go down." The tone was light and unpredictable.

He didn't dare to stay out of Xiuxiu, so he was ordered to leave.It was not until she reached the door that she raised her eyes to look at the garden. Needless to say, there were flowers and plants, but it turned out that there was an octagonal theater not far from Madam Tai.

It was only then that I came out of Xiu to understand that the garden of "Singing Fragrance and Drunken Moon" is a place for entertaining guests and watching operas in Yunfu.Mrs. Tai passed on her here, presumably there is some deep meaning in it.I am not qualified to enter her garden.

Only for a moment, Chu Xiu waved away distracting thoughts and collected her mind, and when she walked out of the garden, she realized that the housekeeper Yun Zhong had been waiting at the door.

"Miss, can you recognize the way back to Zhiyanxuan?" Yun Zhong asked again with a smile.

Chuxiu nodded, raised his hand and gestured for several directions.

Seeing this, Yunzhong showed surprise, and praised: "This is really rare. The Yunfu building and garden are twists and turns, and many servants can't finish groping for half a year. From 'Yinxiangzuiyue' to 'Zhiyanxuan', the girl left One time, I actually remembered it all!"

Chuxiu didn't know much about this admiration, so he just saluted and mouthed: "Absurd praise."

Yun Zhong smiled and said: "Even if the girl knows the way back, the old man will accompany her. It turned out that Lord Hou summoned the girl, but the old man intercepted her halfway. Although she was ordered by Mrs. Tai, she still had to face her Lord Hou, I apologize."

Chuxiu couldn't help secretly praising Yun Butler for his ability to deal with the world, and he admired him even more in his heart.While thinking, she followed Steward Yun back to Zhiyanxuan, and just took two steps when she saw Zhu Ying pushing Yun Ci coming from another direction.

From the looks of it, they didn't come from Zhiyanxuan.

Chuxiu didn't think much about it, but Butler Yun's eyelids twitched when he saw this.This direction... It seems that Master Hou went to Mrs. Tai's garden first, and I'm afraid that he was thinking about this dumb girl in his heart, so he made the trip in vain.

Steward Yun suppressed his panic, and went up to greet him first, and said respectfully: "The old slave is about to send Miss Xiu back to Zhiyanxuan." He paused for a moment, and added an explanation, "Mrs. I ask you for instructions, and I hope Lord Hou will forgive me."

Yun Ci's expression was light, and he said with a slight smile: "It's okay, you can go to work."

Butler Yun hurriedly resigned.

Only then did Chuxiu go forward with a smile and salute.

Yunci didn't say much to Chuxiu, just looked at the brocade box in her hand, and asked with a smile, "From mother?"

Chuxiu nodded slightly.

"But a pair of earrings?" Yun Ci asked, apparently relieved.

Chuxiu opened her eyes wide in surprise, opened the brocade box, and bent over to send it to Yun Ci.The fragrance after washing hair in the morning hits the trend, Yunci sniffs it lightly, and then smiles: "This is a set of jewelry that my mother loves. I took it apart and gave it to you as a gift. I don't want to give these earrings to you. you."

He moved his eyes to Han Chu's small and white earlobe, saw the tiny pierced ear, and blurted out, "Don't you put it on yet?"

Are you going to wear it right now?Chuxiu opened her eyes wide again and asked silently.

"Do you want me to do it myself?" Yun Ci looked down Chuxiu's earlobe, and his gaze finally settled on the tip of her black hair.

Chuxiu hurriedly shook her head, she doesn't really like wearing earrings, she just finds them cumbersome.But since Yun Ci spoke, he had no choice but to obey.

Yunci naturally took the brocade box from Chuxiu, took out the two earrings from it, and handed it to her palm.Chuxiu pinched the earring and put it on the earlobe. The left ear is very easy, just put it on.But it was the turn of the right ear, but after wearing it several times, the ear was not pierced.After repeating this, the ears were pinched and turned red, but they still couldn't put them on.

"Let me do it." Yunci looked aside for a while, but finally smiled helplessly, insisted on standing up from the wheelchair, and reached out to Chuxiu for the earrings.

For some reason, Chuxiu's first reaction was to quickly take off the earring on his left ear, hold it in his hand and put it behind his back, speechless to resist.

Obviously it's just wearing an earring, it's far less intimate than Mufa, but Chuxiu still feels awkward, especially since it's in Yunfu.She asked herself that she was a servant who had just arrived, although she was highly regarded by the master, she also knew the etiquette of respect and inferiority, and even knew how to avoid suspicion at the right time.

Thinking of this, Chuxiu became more determined, bit her lip and gestured to Yun Ci, indicating that she would go ahead.She also didn't care about seeing Yun Ci's reaction, she bowed indiscriminately and left, then left clutching the earrings, even forgetting to take the brocade box.

"Master, the girl from Xiuxiu might not be able to find her way back..." Zhu Ying helped Yun Ci to sit back on the wheelchair again, and reminded her.After all, Chuxiu is a newcomer to the mansion, he can't speak, and he is extremely beautiful, so it may be inconvenient for him to even ask for directions.

Hearing this, Yun Ci didn't care much, looked at Chuxiu's back and pursed his lips and said with a smile: "You can see that she walks swiftly, she should know it well."

Zhuying didn't say any more after hearing the words, and pushed Yunci back to Zhiyanxuan.

The half-arched door of "Yinxiangzuiyue" is carved with hollowed out patterns, which is the easiest to hide.Mama Chi looked through the arched door for a while, until Yunci's master and servant had left, and then she went to report what she saw to Mrs. Tai.

After Madam Tai heard this, she pondered for a while, and then asked Mama Chi, "You think so too, don't you?"

Chi's mother nodded: "It's really very similar."

"No wonder Ci'er brought her back." Mrs. Tai only said this vaguely, then got up and walked out of Yinxiang Zuiyue Garden.

(End of this chapter)