Kido

Chapter 45

The third wife, and the second young lady Xie Qinian, who was standing beside the third wife, all turned pale for a moment.Go to the ancestral home?The ancestral home is in Yumingfang, which is far away from Dengshikou Street.The old lady is going to exile the third room?
The third wife was afraid at first, and then she was angry: This is the Xie family, the old man is the head of the family!The third master, like the uncle and the fourth master, is the blood of the old man, so why is it that the whole family is so affectionate and kind, and only the third master should be kicked out?
The third wife waved the handkerchief in her hand, closed her eyes and opened her mouth wide, as if about to burst into tears.The third master had sharp eyesight and quick hands, grabbed her, covered her mouth tightly, and said viciously in her ear: "Shut up!" He became more and more like a shrew, which is really disgusting.

The third wife was controlled by her husband, so she dared not speak out for a while.Xie Qinian supported her with tears in his eyes, with a sad look on his face.The third master smiled and cupped his hands, "What the old lady ordered is that we will go to the ancestral residence right now. Please ask the elder brother to send someone to lead the way." He has not been in Beijing for a long time, and he is not familiar with the road.

Uncle Xie was in a daze, and when he heard this, he hurriedly laughed and said, "It's not difficult." He turned around and ordered a steward, "Lu Liu, you serve the third master to Yumingfang." Lu Liu respectfully replied, "Yes!" Uncle Xie thought After thinking about it, I sent two more nuns in charge, "Seeing what is lacking in Yumingfang, please come and report to me." Although there are servants to look after the house, no one has lived in it for more than half a year. A lot of inconvenience.

After saluting farewell, Mr. Xie and his family got into the car and went straight to Yumingfang.The carriage drove straight for two hours before they arrived, and when they arrived, they looked up and saw that although the house was neat, the house was very empty, the household items may or may not be complete, and they were not complete.

"The little ones didn't know that the third master was coming, so they were a little negligent, please be more considerate." Lai Cheng, the old servant of the Xie family, was looking at the house, smiling at the third master Xie, nodding and bowing.Xie Sanye said with a smile: "I can't bear your old words. We came here in a hurry."

Lai Chengcheng is over 60 years old. When he was young, he served Mr. Xie, and later gave it to Mr. Xie.At this time, sending a light job to look at the house is regarded as retirement.For an old servant of the Xie family like Lai Cheng, Mr. Xie can only be polite.

The third wife was temporarily placed in the side room by the nurse in charge.Looking at the empty and desolate house, thinking of the splendor of Taikangxie Mansion, and the bustling and bustling Dengshikou Street, she was crying all over, "Qi'er, Zhi'er, the three of us are really suffering." She cried so sadly that Xie Qinian and Xie Zhinian couldn't help crying too.

Third Master Xie walked in with a cold face, "Qi'er, take your son down to rest." Looking at the three mother and son in front of them, it seemed that they had suffered some great grievances, which made people really annoyed.What did the Xie family do to them?
Seeing his father's pale face, Xie Zhinian was a little scared, and shrank into his sister's arms.Xie Qinian hugged his younger brother tightly, his face turned pale, and he retreated obediently.Only Xie Sanye and his wife were left in the side room.

"Why are you crying! You still have the face to cry!" Mr. Xie stared at his wife viciously, with his hands behind his back, "I'm ashamed of you for causing such a disaster! You still have the face to cry!" Feel wronged.

The third wife was wrong, and her voice was a little weak, "I'm not here for this family, I'm also for my children." Sanfang's family is too poor, and since my daughter is about to get married, what if I want to save more dowry for her?Isn't that right.Now the world is full of corrupt officials, whoever does not accept bribes, we are just unlucky and caught.

"You don't put money on your face." Xie Sanye looked disgusted, "Why for this family, for the children. The children have been hurt by you! Don't even think about it, if the old lady doesn't help me, I will be dismissed and investigated! What will happen to Qi'er, and what will happen to Zhi'er?" There is a father who has been dismissed or even imprisoned, will the child still be able to hold his head up for the rest of his life?

Aren't you fine?The third wife muttered in her heart, aren't you in charge?What old lady rescued you, she was not for you, she was for the reputation of the Xie family!For her own son who is an official in Beijing!Does she dare not save you? If something happens to you, her beloved uncle and fourth master will not be in good hands.

"If you show any disrespect to the old man and the old lady in the future, and if you dare to offend the two old men again, Mrs. Miao, I will definitely divorce you!" Third Master Xie was very murderous, "At that time, uncle Whether it's pleading, or Qi'er's son begging, I will not soften my heart!"

The third wife replied dejectedly, "Understood." No matter how unconvinced she was in her heart, she did not dare to stand up now.Xie Sanye raised the big hat of "filial piety", living in the heavenly dynasty, no matter men, women, old or young, rich or poor, they would not dare to commit this crime openly.

Mr. Xie gave a wry smile, "I hope you really agree, not perfunctory to me. The old lady is already... oh, I'm ashamed to think about it because of my unfilial son." Secretly received bribes from the defendant.When he was investigated by Shangfeng, it was Mrs. Xie who took out the dowry money to make up for the shortfall for him, and managed it up and down, before he was able to retire unscathed and resigned.

The third wife peeked at her husband, seeing his bitter expression, she was inexplicably happy.Even though he was beaten and scolded after the incident, he, a vagabond, had a hard time. How many times he kowtowed in front of the old man and the old lady, and how many sins he paid.Xie's family has been a role model for Qingliu for many years, and he has never been involved in corruption and bribery, he is the first one.

While the two were talking, the nurse in charge laughed back and forth, "Third Master, Third Wife, the main house has been tidied up, and the residences of the Second Miss and the Seventh Young Master have also been tidied up." Although it cannot be said to be perfect, it is not satisfactory. .

The third master warmly praised, "I'm sorry to trouble you." The nurse in charge is the wife's companion. Although she is a servant, she comes from the Wang family in Taiyuan, and she behaves very well.Just by looking at how swiftly and simply she tidied up the house today, one can tell that she must be able to do things normally.

The nurse in charge laughed and said, "I dare not be the third master's compliment." She served the third master and the third wife diligently and went to the main room, leaving five or six maids as errands. .”

After the arrangements were made, the nurse in charge saluted and said goodbye.The third master and the third wife were all running around, very tired, so they hurriedly washed and rested. "Their big family don't know how to be happy at the moment." After the third wife lay down, she felt dissatisfied in her heart, "Only our concubine's room is not welcome, it is so deserted."

I did something wrong, so what?Could it be that the first and fourth families didn't do anything wrong? Since they were young, they were just covered by someone.The third wife thought indignantly, and fell asleep in a daze.

The next day, the third master forbids the third wife to take their children to Dengshikou Street to say hello, "The old man and the old lady are tired all the way, so they must have a rest." There is no time to entertain you.The third master went to Dengshikou Street alone, and didn't return until evening.

"What do uncle and uncle say?" Xie Qinian asked Third Master Xie in private.It is a resigned official, not a dismissed post, so it shouldn't be difficult to recover, right?Even being an eighth-rank petty official in Beijing is better than being idle at home.Even the daughter of an eighth-rank official has more status than the daughter of a commoner.

What Mr. Xie didn't understand, he knew that Xie Qinian was worried about his life-long affairs, so he was particularly worried about his father's official position.She was angry at first, but when she saw Xie Qi Nian's bright and clean face full of hope, she let out a long sigh, "Qi'er, if I knew today, why bother. Look at Feng'er's life today, what's so bad about it. "

In the spring of this year, the second uncle of the Miao family invited someone to propose a marriage, and proposed marriage to Xie Qinian for their second son Miao Jianjie.Mrs. Xie and Mrs. Xie both said, "It's up to you as parents to make up your mind about the marriage of your children." None of them objected.The two uncles of the Miao family are down-to-earth. Miao Jianjie is only eighteen years old. He joined the army since he was a child. He is brave and good at fighting. He is a promising man.

Third Master Xie was also very intentional, "Marry into my uncle's house so that Qi'er won't be wronged." The two uncles have always loved Qi Nian's niece and treated her as if they were their own.Jianjie and Qinian are first cousins, and they let her in since childhood.If Qinian married into the Miao family, with her father-in-law favoring her and her husband loving her, life would definitely be good.

The third wife refused to die. "My Qi'er, how can I marry into the Miao family!" The Miao family is too weak to compare with the Xie family.Marrying a daughter can only marry a high-ranking one, how can one marry a low-ranking one?With Qinian's talent and appearance, and her background, she should marry better.

Xie Qinian just wept in her boudoir.Cousin is naturally an excellent person, but the Miao family is just a country gentry.She is the daughter of the Xie family's concubine, can't she marry into the wealthy Duke's mansion like the eldest aunt?

It was Xie Fengnian who finally accepted the marriage. "Father said that the Miao family is a kind family." Xie Fengnian was very contented, "Uncle and aunt are very kind." Besides, seeing that Cousin Jie was born handsome and capable, what does it matter that my concubine can marry him? Very dissatisfied.

It was the concubine's daughter who proposed to marry, but the concubine's daughter was the one promised by my aunt, and the second uncle of the Xie family, who was competitive, fell ill.In June, Xie Fengnian married happily.The marriage was done hastily, and the dowry was not neat.But Xie Fengnian is gentle and modest, serving her in-laws and husbands with consideration and care, and now the whole Miao family praises her without saying a word, "As expected of a family, she is well-bred." They treat her very well.Xie Fengnian is now living a happy life with ample food and clothing and the company of his relatives.

Xie Qinian bit her lip, but said nothing.Even if the father can't recover, isn't he also the niece of the servant and the niece of Hanlin?Where is the difference again, how could he condescend to cousin Miao's family.

In Beijing, there is the eldest aunt who married into the Nanyang Marquis Mansion, the eldest aunt's natal Wang Mansion, the fourth aunt's natal Han Mansion, and countless in-laws of their families.Could it be that my fate, Xie Qinian, is so unlucky that I can't find a good match among so many famous families?

Xie Qinian didn't believe it.

In the blink of an eye, the twelfth lunar month has entered, and every family is busy preparing new year's goods.On the day of Laba, it is natural to drink Laba porridge.Xie Yannian smiled all over his face, "It was a pity for me during Laba last year, mother, and Jin'er, Baier, you couldn't drink the Laba porridge given by the palace in Taikang." on.

"Xiao Baier, is it good?" Xiao Mimi bent her head and asked her younger brother.Xie Bainian is a child with a good temper, he smiled at his brother obediently and nodded his head.Xie Jinnian also said, "It's really delicious. The ones given by the palace are really different." The fourth wife looked at the two sons and a daughter in front of her with a warm heart and a smile on her face.Turning around and looking at the beautiful husband-in-law beside him, it was as sweet as drinking honey.

In Jingxin Courtyard on the west side of Xie Mansion, He Li and Xie Liunian were also drinking Laba porridge.Since the arrival of the Xie Family Brigade, Xie Tangnian often accompanied the old lady Xie, Fourth Master Xie often stayed with the fourth wife, and only He Li and Xie Liunian were left in Jingxin Courtyard.

He Li looked a little haggard.Xie Liunian looked at her sympathetically, finished his meal in silence, then dragged He Li around the yard twice, "Teach me how to write." With a smile on his face, he asked earnestly.

He Li smiled, "Okay." It's rare that Xiao Qi has become more and more sensible, and can read and write without being urged.Going to the study, let Xie Liunian sit down firmly, and rubbed the ink for her with his own hands.

"Xiaoqi, you are just practicing. It is very good to be able to be horizontal and vertical... The characters that overlap up and down are usually small on the top and big on the bottom. The characters on the left and right must be narrower on the left side so that the right side... "Grind the ink well, and teach the little daughter to write by hand.

Xie Liunian wrote [-] words seriously, "Arm is sore." He raised his arm and acted like a baby at He Li.He Xin rubbed her arm in pain, "Xiao Qi, there is nothing you can do about it." You are the daughter of the Xie family.The son of the Xie family, dressed upright.The daughter of the Xie family is also a beautiful girl, so she must be educated and reasonable.

Xie Liunian carefully practiced another [-] words.After practicing calligraphy, nestled in He Li's arms, the mother and daughter chatted. "When I was young, I couldn't even read or write. My family was so poor that they couldn't afford to eat, so how could I go to school?" Even if I could go to school, my brothers would go, and there was no reason for little girls to go to school.

"It's so pitiful!" Xie Liunian looked at her sympathetically, stretched out his small arms to wrap around her neck, and kissed her on the face.He Xin felt sour, forced a smile and said, "I'm fine, I'm just sorry for you and Tang'er." Letting you become concubine sons and concubine daughters, you will be born inferior.

"Did you choose your parents yourself?" Xie Liunian sat in her arms and asked earnestly.He Li laughed, "Where is it? Where can parents choose?" Xiao Qijing said childishly.

"Then you were sold to Xie's house, did you want it?" Xie Liunian asked again.He Xin shook his head sadly, "No." Even though his father often lost his temper and beat others, his mother often scolded him, "losing money" and "foodie".But if I can choose, I still prefer to be by my parents' side, in my own home, and I don't want to be sold as a girl.

"Then," Xie Liunian thought for a long time, considering his words, "Is it because of your rush to marry you?" He Li was stunned, his brows blurred for a moment, "Xiao Qi, I can't help this "As a girl, if the master wants you but you don't want to, that's almost committing suicide; if the master didn't ask for you but you rush to post it, the end will be miserable.A girl who has sold a death contract, her life hangs in the hands of others, so one needs to be more careful, more cautious.I have been in Xie's house for more than 20 years, which day is not trembling like walking on thin ice like facing an abyss?
"That's how it is." Xie Liunian said solemnly like an adult, "Then, what can you do to my brother and me?" You can't choose your parents and background, you can't decide whether to be betrayed, and you can't choose your spouse freely.It wasn't that she was willing to be a maidservant, nor was she willing to be a concubine. In this age when people could be bought and sold, her only crime was that her background was too humble.

He Li almost shed tears, "Xiaoqi, I'm afraid you will suffer because of me in the future." He hugged his little daughter and murmured to himself.The Fourth Wife's pro-daughter, Jinnian, is only a few months away from Xiao Qi. It's not good for Xiao Qi to be too outstanding, and it's not good to be too mediocre.As a concubine, there are so many troubles in the middle.

"I'm not afraid!" Xie Liunian had a stern face, and his voice was clear and sweet, "We don't covet what belongs to others. We don't allow others to plunder what belongs to us. We don't get rich, and we don't suffer!" I won't grab what belongs to others, but someone else If you want to grab mine, then I'm welcome!
He felt bitter in his heart.Silly Xiaoqi, what is ours and what is someone else's?How to differentiate?If you meet someone like the third wife, she can regard the old lady's dowry as her own.

On the sixteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Fourth Master Xie brought Xie Yannian and Xie Tangnian to Nanning Houfu to pay respects to Shen Mai's birthday. "Where's the little one?" Zhang Yu greeted him, but he was very disappointed to see Xie Liunian.

"The little girl is already six years old." Fourth Master Xie smiled faintly, "It's a big girl." If Xiao Qi wants to go out in the future, I'm afraid she will have to be accompanied by her aunt.It is inconvenient for a man to go out with his daughter.

The adults were drinking in the flower hall, and Shen Chen and Yue Chi also respectfully accompanied the last seat.Zhang Xi went to understand the language department with his head downcast, "Mother, the little one didn't come." He was six years old, so he couldn't go out at will.

Xie Yu looked at his youngest son amusedly, he really has talent!Over the years, the passion for the little ones has only grown.Of course, the little one is very cute and attractive, but isn't the little Axie's feelings too precocious?
"Little one didn't come, but you want to see her, don't you?"

"Ah."

"Then what should we do? Think about it."

"If the little one doesn't come to our house, I can go to her house." Zhang Xi, who was not very smart and quick, finally thought of it.

Therefore, when Fourth Master Xie left, Zhang Xie blushed and begged, "Your calligraphy is not good, please ask Uncle Shi for advice." Zhang Xie immediately assisted, "Wan Hong, you can take in a disciple." Forcing Fourth Master Xie to accept an apprentice , Teaching Zhang Yi calligraphy.Xie Siye refused, but agreed, "Every five days, I will come to Mo Gengtang to make a post." Mo Gengtang is Xie Siye's study.

(End of this chapter)