The Concubine's Survival Manual

Chapter 25

Li Yixing returned to Yuhang soon.

"It's not that Suzhou is bad. The hospitality I received at Yuezhang's place is also very warm. It's just that Shande is just pregnant... I'm really worried." The little maid imitated Uncle Li's tone realistically.

Shande is the first name of the first lady, and the generation of the Yang family is ranked as Shan, but usually the girls' families rarely use the first name, they are either called rankings or nicknames.

Everyone laughed together.

"Big sister is really lucky!"

Huang Xiuniang walked into the room and looked curiously at the harmonious scene in front of her.

"What are you so happy about?"

The little maid told Huang Xiuniang vividly and vividly about the fact that the first lady's husband-in-law came to give the gift.

Huang Xiuniang returned to her hometown in the countryside of Suzhou during the Dragon Boat Festival, so naturally she didn't know this story.

Hearing that the first lady was having such a good time, she nodded, showing some joy.

"It should be. With the character of the first lady in our family, marrying into the Li family is considered condescending."

The atmosphere in the room was very relaxed, the third lady and the fourth lady were chatting and laughing in low voices, slowly embroidering flowers on the embroidery frame in front of them.

Liu Niangzi did not speak, she was always the most attentive in the embroidery class.

Seventh Lady had something on her mind, so she embroidered a few stitches, and looked at Third Lady and Fourth Lady.

Fourth aunt's two daughters are like ice and fire.

The third lady is as enthusiastic as fire, and the fourth lady is as cold as ice.

The seventh lady could see through the third lady, but she couldn't see through the fourth lady's mind. She lived in the main courtyard for three or four months, and the fourth lady spoke to her only a handful of times, and she was as silent as a piece of ice.

San Niangzi's city is too shallow.

They are not suitable for spreading the word, and they may not understand their own hints.

Even if the eldest wife is at home, the possibility of her communicating with the fourth aunt is not very high when the morning and evening are calm, not to mention that when the eldest wife is not at home, the aunts rarely walk outside.

Unless Fourth Yiniang came to look for her like last time in Baiyujin, otherwise, the possibility of bumping into her is very small.

But it's already May now, even if the time for selecting candidates is not counted, it will take more than half a month at least from marriage proposal to agreement.

The eldest wife will be home in August.

If Fourth Yiniang's movements were a bit slower, she would really have no way of making decisions about Third Lady's marriage.

Fourth aunt would not fail to understand this truth.

Seventh Lady stared at the silk thread in front of her in a daze.

She has always dealt with things in the embroidery class, and everyone watched it, but didn't say anything.

How will the eldest wife react when she receives the news from Mama Wang?
If she was the eldest wife... then she would be shameless, and designed the old man to break through the conspiracy between the second wife and the fourth concubine.

Although the Elder Master didn't say anything, he was very afraid of the Second Wife in his heart, and he might not have a lot of disgust.

The fourth aunt's dignity in the mansion depends on the favor of the elder, without the elder, she is nothing.

But with the tempers of the eldest wife, Mama Wang, and Mama Liang, they may not take such countermeasures.

If she wants to be human on both sides, she has to consider both ways.

Qin Niangzi paused for a moment with her hand, then shook her head again.

Sending charcoal in the snow can only be done in the snow, and the action must be fast. The charcoal will be delivered only after the snow stops, so it will be meaningless.

If Si Yiniang loses all of her initiative when the eldest wife replies, her point will only become a joke.

Sometimes, it is not easy to properly deliver a favor to others.

#
The weather is getting hotter and the days are getting longer.

After leaving Zhu Yingtai, the sun was still high, Seventh Lady looked at the sky, and then at Sixth Lady, shyness appeared on her face.

"Sixth Sister..." She muttered, "Is Xiao Xiangxue's swing still there?"

Sixth Lady was startled, and laughed loudly, "Seventh Lady is so playful!"

Both Bai Lu and Dong Zhi who came to pick them up smiled, Qin Niangzi really rarely has such a childlike innocence.

Seventh Lady was a little embarrassed, she paused, "Sixth Sister laughed at me..."

"There's no such thing, you come, I'm too happy for it." Liu Niangzi smiled, "Why don't you just have dinner at Xiao Xiangxue tonight!"

Seventh Lady twitched, "How embarrassing."

"Hey, what are you afraid of?" Liu Niangzi directly held Qi Niangzi's arm, "I usually eat with Qi Yiniang, no one talks, and I'm so lonely to death!"

Seventh Lady had no choice but to smile helplessly, and was dragged by Sixth Lady on the road to Xiaoxiangxue.

The two sisters chatted and laughed all the way, and when they were approaching Xiao Xiangxue, Seventh Lady took a break and waved to Bai Lu.

"Go back and tell Ms. Wang," she instructed softly, "so she won't worry."

Bai Lu nodded and started to leave.Seventh Lady said again, "Bring some snacks and fresh fruits..." It was always embarrassing to come to eat empty-handed.

Bai Lu looked at Qin Niangzi with a smile in her eyes.

Being by Qin Niangzi's side, you never have to be afraid of her rudeness in front of others.The kid behaved like a grown-up.

"Hey, the sweet-scented osmanthus fermented bean curd that Li Xia's family brought over a while ago is the best." She and Qiniangzi whispered, "Qiniang's favorite is sweet-scented osmanthus fermented bean curd."

Although Qi Yiniang was a little surprised by Qi Niangzi's visit, she also warmly entertained her.

The two little girls were tired after swinging on the swing for half an hour in the woods, so they huddled together on the swing and sat together, swinging the swing slowly and biting their ears.

Although the plum blossoms have all fallen, the little fragrant snow is still full of vitality, green plums are hidden among the green leaves, and with the evening wind, they emit a tempting sour fragrance.

"When Big Sister used to be at home, she always greeted people with a smile." Six Niangzi confided her heart and whispered softly, "No matter who got angry, I will see Third Aunt the next day..." She paused before changing her words, " When I saw that person the next day, I was still polite and happy."

Even if people don't like her at first, after years of smiling face to welcome people, they won't be too annoying after all.

Seventh lady, this is the first time she heard someone mention her third aunt.

San Yiniang passed away a year before Jiu Yiniang and her arrived in Suzhou.

It seems that there was a grievance between her and the first lady.

Liu Niangzi didn't notice Qi Niangzi's daze.

"I've always envied big sister!" She said softly, "But I can't learn how to..."

Although Liu Niangzi also has a smiling face everywhere, her actions are not related to being slick and slick.

Seventh Lady thought of the embroidered screen she gave Second Lady, and the sachet for herself and Ninth Brother.

"Everyone has their own temperament, there is no need to learn from others." She comforted Liu Niangzi. "You are already very cute." With Liu Niangzi's personality, even if the eldest wife doesn't care as much as the first lady, she will still say a good marriage for her.

After all, the concubine of the Yang family is well-married, which is also the face of the eldest wife.

Six Niangzi let out a snort and laughed.

"Are you older sister, or am I older sister?" She jumped off the swing, her face was half hidden in the setting sun, and Qin Niangzi could only vaguely see the smile on her lips.

For some reason, at this moment, she strongly felt the beauty of Liu Niangzi.

"It's time to eat, why are you in a daze." Liu Niangzi pulled her off the swing, and the two little girls looked at each other, both a little embarrassed.

It seems that at that moment just now, they both showed their too private selves, and the two of them became awkward instead.

Lixia really sent a small bottle of sweet-scented osmanthus fermented bean curd over.

She also brought a plate of Yangzhou Tang Shaomai, a basket of big bright red pomegranates and lingo.

"It's nothing rare, just a little thought." Li Xia was very polite.

These things are not rare and good things in the Yang family, and Xiao Xiangxue is not without them.

What is rare is this kind of intention.

Qi Yiniang loves to eat fermented bean curd, this bottle of sweet-scented osmanthus fermented bean curd is very suitable for her, and Qi Yiniang, who still has the charm, smiled and thanked Qi Niangzi.

"It's made at Lixia's home, and the taste is different from the ones sold outside." Seven Niangzi said with a smile, "This Yangzhou sugar siu mai is also the proud work of Wu sister-in-law. From time to time, word was sent out, asking her to make it and send it in."

Liu Niangzi has always loved sweets.

Everyone sat down to have dinner in Seventh Aunt's house.

Qin Niangzi didn't beat drums or gongs when she came to eat this time. In the big kitchen, I'm afraid they didn't know she was here, so the food was still for two people.

Although it is not as delicate and exquisite as the food in the main courtyard, it is also luxurious in color and rich in taste.

The sixth lady was talking to the seventh aunt while eating, muttering about the embroidery at Zhu Yingtai today.

The atmosphere is warm and pleasant.

Seventh Lady's eyes showed envy.

After dinner, it was already half dark, and Qi Yiniang wanted to send Qi Niangzi back to the West Side Courtyard.

Seventh Lady hastily declined.

"It's good to have Lixia!" She smiled and pulled Lixia past, "We are also used to walking in Baifang Garden, so we won't get lost."

Seventh Yiniang also followed suit, and with a smile on her lips, she and Sixth Lady watched them leave Xiao Xiangxue.

After leaving Xiao Xiangxue, the two of them didn't speak for a while.

Xiao Xiangxue only has a gravel road leading to the garden, and after leaving the plum grove, it is the right road paved with bluestone slabs.

Lixia is about to take Qin Niangzi to the right.Pass Yuyuxuan from Zhuyingtai, and return to the main courtyard via the small Banqiao in front of Huanshawu.

Seventh Lady grabbed her hand and led her to turn to the left.

Going out from the left side of Xiaoxiangxue, the shortest way is to pass through Jubaxian, go around to the edge of Qinghong Pavilion, and then exit Baifang Garden from the rockery to enter the main courtyard.

But Qin Niangzi took Lixia to the east and west with great interest. When passing by the Eight Immortals, she picked a handful of viburnums that had not yet shed. lotus.

The lotus flowers in the Yang family are in late flowering period. Although it has entered May, only a few of them have bloomed. The big red and white lotus flowers stand alone among the thousands of flowers, showing a bit of loneliness.

Right now, it was time for the deacons to have dinner, and there was no one in the garden, and the dark clouds were over the setting sun, with only a little bit of dark red showing through.It's not yet time to light up the lights in the garden, so I can't even see who the oncoming person is.

Li Xia didn't dare to say a word, but Qin Niangzi was in a good mood. As she walked, she asked Li Xia, "Why did you bring the things here? Where's Sister Bailu?"

"Sister Bailu said, I should also learn how to treat people and come out to do things." Lixia replied carefully. "Be careful of the slippery soles of your feet." The bluestone road beside the pool is always slippery.

Seventh Lady hummed.

"Bai Lu is a cautious person." She seemed to be talking to herself, "Knows the meaning of avoiding suspicion."

Li Xia felt cold all over, and began to tremble unconsciously.

Qi Niangzi suddenly wanted to go to Xiao Xiangxue for dinner, and sent Bai Lu back to let herself come... If it was just a whim, even she would not believe it.

Seventh Lady patted her hand again, "Don't be afraid!"

Her voice was very soft, yet firm under the silent flower tree.

"Which woman in the deep house has nothing to hide." Seventh Lady's voice gradually revealed fatigue and helplessness, "Bai Lu came out of the eldest wife's house, and sometimes...it's always inconvenient!"

Lixia savored Qiniangzi's weakness, and in an instant, he felt taller in his heart.

"I'm not afraid." She said firmly, "At your command!"

If Qi Niangzi can take her from the southern courtyard to the main courtyard, she can be beaten from the main courtyard to the southern courtyard.

It is precisely because the only person she can rely on is Qi Niangzi, so Qi Niangzi always promotes her and trusts her.

At this time, she must not back down.

Qin Niangzi smiled gratifiedly, and she held Lixia's hand tightly.

"After all, the second wife is the first wife that Ming Media is marrying..." She told Li Xia her thoughts carefully, "The eldest wife can't do anything to her. This trip to Beijing is actually to rescue soldiers... Even Mrs. Xu If someone is really sent to take care of the second wife, I am afraid that at most it will only take the second wife to Beijing."

If the second wife goes to the capital, the eldest wife will lose her opponent at once.

If he succeeds in blocking the third lady's marriage again, it will block the fourth aunt's throat.The eldest wife has no rivals in this family.

At that time, what Qin Niangzi thought about was not how to make meritorious service, but how to protect herself.The eldest wife has less opponents, so naturally she doesn't need her to come and go with Brother Jiu... Her life will be sad.

Therefore, if a person's calculation is too precise, it is easy for the people around him to have their own ideas.

If the eldest wife's kindness to her could be less utilitarian and more sincere...

Seventh Lady couldn't help laughing.

I remembered my first lady again.

No matter what, the eldest wife's heart is still soft, she's just a little stingy!

As long as the eldest wife still has strong rivals, she can develop a friendship with the eldest wife little by little, and become the eldest wife's own person.

Sixth Lady's melancholy voice still echoed in Seventh Lady's ears.

"I've always envied big sister! But I can't learn how to..."

What concubines like them envy are nothing more than the husband's family of the first lady.

Seventh Lady's eyes gradually became clouded.

Don't ask for a lot of wealth, just ask for a simple population and a modest life.

The eldest wife is always capable of fulfilling her little wish!

Unknowingly, Xi Ke Fang is already in sight.

The Wanhua Creek in Baifang Garden has been transformed into dark water after passing through Huanshawu, flowing under the rockery and bluestone road, and when it reaches Xikefang, it converges into a shallow lotus pond, surrounding the small courtyard. And then into Wanhualiu.

Xikefang is somewhat similar to Xiaoxiangxue, it is connected to the outside world by a small bluestone road, but the road of Xikefang is built on the water.

Qin Niangzi handed over the snow-like Qionghua to Lixia.

"Put this bouquet in front of the courtyard gate, and move gently."

Li Xia took the words and looked around.

Xikefang is located in the southwest corner of Baifang Garden, backed by thousands of flowers, most of the nearby courtyards are empty.

In the deep twilight, even if two people bump into each other, they may not be able to recognize each other.

Lixia walked to the gate of the courtyard lightly and nimbly, bent down and put down Qionghua, turned around and walked back to Qiniangzi calmly.

There was no hint of guilt on his face.

Qiniangzi thought of Jiuyiniang's evaluation of Lixia again.

"Bold and careful, calm and conscientious. In the future, I will be your good helper." Jiu Yiniang's voice was hoarse and weak, and in the weak, there was hidden satisfaction. "When you get to the main courtyard, don't be stingy, and promote her well."

She turned her head to look at Li Xia's side face and smiled.

"Besides, we are all concubines..." She continued the topic just now, "Although fights are inevitable in normal times, I will not step on her in this matter."

A person's attitude towards friends does not prove her character.

Only the attitude towards the enemy can reflect her character.

Although not everyone can express this truth, everyone has a scale in their hearts.

This is true for enemies, but not for friends.

Li Xia also turned his head and smiled slightly at her.

The two of them speeded up their pace at the same time, passed through Baiyujin, turned out from the foot of the rockery, and entered the main courtyard.

The lamps were being lit in the main courtyard, and women and maidservants holding huge candles shuttled back and forth, illuminating half of the courtyard. Compared with the desertedness of Baifang Garden, this place is much more lively.

When people were walking back and forth, seeing Qiniangzi returning from Baifangyuan at this time, they couldn't help but look at them strangely.

From the beginning to the end, Li Xia's back was straight, and there was a slight smile on his face.

At this moment, she actually looked like a Seventh Lady.

(End of this chapter)