"Your younger sister is young, ignorant, and has something bad to do. You can teach her. We are a family. She will repay you when she gets well in the future. Do you understand?" Xie Liangbei looked at his daughter obediently and bowed to his second son. , the second son’s expression was quite calm, he was relieved immediately, and turned his head to tell his daughter, “You too, wink, don’t stick around like a stick, there are many customers today, when your second brother is busy, remember to help… "
After Xie Liangbei gave enough advice, he threw his daughter Xie Ru to Xie Tingyue, and left in a hurry, ready to go to the outer courtyard to enjoy the limelight of the old man.
The Chu family's family background, Xie Tingyue's fighting spirit, both of them are shining, how can others not boast? Xie Liangbei didn't get close to his second son, he had nothing to say when they were together, he couldn't get closer to his 'son-in-law' Chu Mu, he was polite on the surface, but he still hated him in his heart, he was a sick child, and he didn't know how long he could last, so what's the point of getting married Use it, how much cheaper can it take? The Chu family's elders are of high status and seniority, and they can overwhelm each other at any time, making it even more uncomfortable to sit together. It's not as refreshing as being sought after and flattered by others in the crowd of guests outside the courtyard!
Xie Liangbei's pursuit is single and clear, and he is completely self-satisfied, like a fish in water, so he doesn't need others to worry about it.
The only thing Xie Tingyue needs to worry about is her stepsister, Xie Ru.
"You came alone, without a maid?"
Xie Ru blushed slightly, a little embarrassed: "Originally, I brought it, but my father looked at it with disgust and said it was too petty, so it would be embarrassing to bring it out. Anyway, I have my brother to take care of it, so..."
Xie Tingyue frowned, what the hell is that old bastard doing!
still-
Lin
He narrowed his eyes suddenly.
"Brother don't worry about me, I can take care of myself," Xie Ru repeatedly stretched out his hand to assure, with a shy smile, brave and strong, just like the lovely sister next door, "I know it's not easy for my brother to be in a high-ranking family, so I won't give you Trouble."
Xie Tingyue was stunned.
He knew little about Lin's son and daughter. Lin guarded the two of them very tightly. In her previous life, every time she made troubles, she would fight against Xie Tingyue in person. All methods, all scheming, were used to avoid the influence on her own children. If she failed, it was fine for her reputation to be damaged, but not for her children.
Xie Tingyue has always been adhering to the idea of "the wrong is the head and the debt is the owner", and he has never been implicated. The siblings have never harmed him, so he has never targeted them. As for Lin's constant play, one after another, it is difficult for him to protect himself and his younger brother, how can he have the time to focus on other things
He only remembered that the Lin family married in, took their son to worship their ancestors and entered the genealogy, changed their name to Xie Tingri, and then sent them to study outside. Of course, they were not in the same academy as Xie Tingxing. He was married to Chu Mu, and Xie Tingri did not come back. There was some accident in what Lin said outside, and the news did not arrive. The news passed.
The second son is married as a male wife, what will the elder brother do when he comes back? Carrying him on the sedan chair to see him off? Isn't that embarrassing enough
As for the step-sister Xie Ru, she stayed in the backyard all the time. Mrs. Lin invited a famous female gentleman to teach her piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and her virtues and merits. Xie Ru seldom comes out, usually there are not many chances to meet each other, at most they salute each other, and there is no other communication. Lin and he were fighting in the house, and the situation was tense. Xie Ru never helped, but he didn't say a word for him.
In all memories, the faces of these two people are very blurred. In short, they are better than him, stronger than him, and can win glory than him. That old bastard likes it very much.
Xie Tingyue didn't know how to face the current situation.
He was able to kill Lin, and he didn't feel any guilt when he killed him, because Lin had harmed him all his life, and he still didn't change this time, but Xie Ru didn't hurt him, and he was not good just because he treated her My mother has a bad impression, so I beat everyone to death with a stick...
"Let's go, I'll take you to the flower hall to sit."
From the current point of view, Xie Ru is still relatively quiet, so let's focus on observation and vigilance for the time being.
"Yeah." Xie Ru was really quiet, Xie Tingyue didn't speak, so she didn't make any noise, and followed Xie Tingyue all the way to the flower hall.
The Chu family is a bit special. When the late emperor was here, he once sent a girl into the palace, but this girl had no favour, no children, and was not well-known. She was like a little transparent in Nuo Da’s palace. Following the new emperor's decree, she was promoted to be a noble person, and together with all the unfavored concubines who were favored by the previous emperor, she raised the □□ garden in honor.
Regardless of whether they are favored or not, the women who served the former emperor are different, and the new emperor dare not treat them poorly. As long as the Chu family does not commit suicide, they will have some face in front of the superiors.
The old man of the Chu family retired early, and Chu Mu's father left early. Now the biggest official in the family is the second master, who doesn't have any real job. He is just a job in the Ministry of Rites. The official rank is said to be honorable, but in fact it is not powerful.
This kind of family is far away from the imperial power, and has a seemingly nonexistent connection. Its own strength is not enough to stand in the middle of the court, and there are few conflicts of interest. On a certain level, there are many people who are willing to associate.
Because of safety.
Those with high status show their grandeur when interacting with the Chu family, they have noble conduct, and they don’t dislike the poor and love the rich; those with average status have certain risks in officialdom. This problem exists, instead of associating with people who don’t know the details, it’s better to come here, at least you won’t get into trouble; those who have no status, let alone give up this opportunity to know the powerful and climb up, the bosses can’t reach them, as long as Chu If everyone is willing, a little something exposed between the fingers is enough for them to eat.
Today's banquet, the Chu family has a new look, the embossed paintings on the beams and columns are wiped clean, potted green plants surround the bluestone path, gem bonsai is not uncommon, the back garden is open, there is a small plum grove, red plums and green calyx There are various varieties, blooming and fragrant flowers, and the faint fragrance. The verandah is wrapped with a light gauze gold belt, which sways gently in the wind. Even the bead curtains in the flower hall are decorated with special plum flowers.
The teacup cup set on the table is even more incredible. It is pink glazed porcelain that I don’t know where to find. It is a new color from the kiln. Translucent, bright yet dignified, it makes people happy at first glance, and they can't bear to let go...
Along the way, the heritage of the Chu family can be seen.
Where no one else could see, Xie Ru clenched her fingers tightly, her eyes flickering slightly.
"Young Madam!"
As soon as Xie Tingyue brought Xie Ru to the flower hall and pointed out a maid to take care of her, someone came over and said, "The teahouse has sent several batches of new tea, the quality is very good, and the young ones don't know how to arrange it. Should I change it? The female guests are separated from the outer courtyard or use the same? Where is the old lady?"
Xie Tingyue thought for a while: "I'll go and have a look."
There were so many things going on today, accidents were inevitable, the errand servant talked about several emergencies in one breath, not big, but it was a headache. Xie Tingyue was full of ideas, ordering one by one to solve it, completely unaware that Xie Ru didn't stay in the flower hall at all, but followed him again, always behind him.
Really helped.
When he was giving orders at the front, she would help pass the message and give a hand. When the servants didn't hear his order clearly for a while, she called them aside and explained in a low voice...
It didn't affect Director Xie Tingyue at all, and perfectly avoided Xie Tingyue's sight, so that the other party didn't notice her.
After all, she is Lin's daughter, and she has learned a lot from the female husband. She is very familiar with these small things, and she is full of smiles, so that the servants can feel the warmth like spring.
Xie Tingyue was very surprised when she noticed it: "Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to have fun in the flower hall?"
Xie Ru smiled brightly, innocently: "Father told me to follow you! Besides, Second Brother is so busy, I'm alone... I feel very sorry for not helping."
Xie Tingyue: "No need, you go and rest."
Xie Ru had no choice but to be obedient and said: "Then I will stay obediently and not cause trouble."
Xie Tingyue was too busy to notice when Xie Ru disappeared.
People are good at dancing, and they will always find room to play.
As for the maid who was following her, of course she didn't get separated and kept Xie Ru in her sight. The servant girl understands, to 'take care' of this Miss Xie, it is true to take care of, and it is true to look at, as long as you don't cause trouble, you can play with Miss Xie as you please, and take good care of it. If there is any 'accident', naturally you can't ignore it. Time to report.
Xie Ru didn't mind the maid following at all, and would chat with the maid, let the maid guide the way, and if the maid walked slowly, she waved and shouted, don't get lost.
After coming and going, I didn't know how to get there, and came to a warm pavilion.
The Nuan Pavilion is built near the water, with a wide view. In summer, it should be a water pavilion, with the lake on its side. Now in winter, the lake is frozen, and there are birds chasing each other, which is very interesting. There is a screen on the verandah to keep the wind out, several charcoal stoves are placed in front and back, and tea is still brewing on the table, the fragrance is lingering, and it is very warm at first glance.
Sitting on a soft chair by the table was a young man, very thin, with pale complexion, pale lips, a bit sickly, but very beautiful eyebrows, sharp eyebrows, deep eyes, as if there were tides flowing.
Xie Ru was startled, then turned to follow her maid: "Is this... brother's husband?"
The servant girl frowned fiercely, why is the young master here? You must know that she will definitely not just walk around with Miss Xie!
"Yes, it's the young master of our family." She frowned, hoping that Miss Xie would avoid suspicion.
Xie Ru didn't understand the maid's anxiety at all: "I'll go over and say hello."
Maid: …
There is a big difference between men and women, but the two families are related by marriage, and the relationship is like a brother-in-law and sister-in-law in another family. It is not an exaggeration to say hello and say a few words when they run into each other at a family banquet. Moreover, the field of vision here is wide, and people from all around can see it, so it is not unruly.
There was no other way, so the servant girl had no choice but to lower her head and follow Xie Ru.
My sister-in-law and brother-in-law have always been frequent visitors in all kinds of romantic stories. When Xie Ru walked over, everyone who saw it was shocked.
Those who were sweeping in the distance, those who delivered things stopped, their eyebrows and eyes moved frequently, and small words kept flying out.
"What's the matter with this sister-in-law, is she trying to seduce our young master?"
"There are many good stories about sisters serving a husband together outside, maybe the Xie family's taste is different?"
"Farewell, I think you are short-sighted and have no place to put your tongues. This Miss Xie is a nice person. She has helped a lot in the front just now. She is a very good girl."
"That's right, our eldest young master is good-looking, but his body is useless. Why are other girls trying to figure him out? If you really want to figure it out, why do you need to marry the second young master? Why don't you just marry yourself?"
"Blind, you only look at people in a bad way. If you have that kind of effort, you might as well do more work, so as not to mess things up and get punished by the young lady!"
"As long as you can, as long as you are right! Isn't this just a few gossips? Who wouldn't be curious about such a thing, talk about what's wrong, and don't really do anything..."
The words of the servants drifted away with the wind, and it was unknown who heard it and who didn't.
…
Chu Mu was looking at a wine book. There are several ancient methods of wine making introduced above. There are many fruit wines, most of which are sweet and lingering but not intoxicating. If they can be brewed... Madam will definitely not stop him from drinking, and Xu will accompany him to taste the same.
The air is clear and warm, and the charcoal stove is warm, reflecting his profile, with a smile on his lips, and most of the air-conditioning has gone out of his body.
Hearing people's voices, Chu Mu raised his head, and when someone approached, he narrowed his eyes imperceptibly: "Xie Ru?"
"Brother mentioned me to you?" Xie Ru didn't admit his birth at all, and he saluted Chu Mufu generously, "He just loves to worry, and worries every day that our younger brothers and sisters are not good, and if we are wronged, he pampers him like Bao, I have to mention it to everyone."
Her smile is full of coquettishness, "I hate my brother but I can't really like it", she is so full of emotions that it is almost overflowing, and people can understand at a glance that this is a brother and sister who have a good relationship.
Xie Ru was also polite, and continued to move forward after saluting, walked to the table and sat down, seeing that Chu Mu's teacup was empty, Su carried the pot and helped him refill it.
Qin Ping took a step forward, as if he wanted to stop him, but Chu Mu raised his hand to signal him to go down.
Xie Ru concentrated on continuing the tea, and did not see the interaction between the master and the servant, but the quiet atmosphere was too obvious, she stuck out her tongue, and patted her head lightly: "Did I bother you?"
Chu Mu smiled, but didn't speak.
"Brother said you are not in good health, you need to pay attention all the time, don't tire your eyes, let alone your heart, what your brother says is always right, you have to listen," Xie Ru said to disturb, but she didn't understand He left and said with a smile, "You are reading, do you want me to help you read?"
This kind of gesture, once done, is ambiguous and disgusting, and when it is just right, it is cute and cute, because I like my brother, listen to my brother, and those who are close to my brother want to be close to them, subconsciously take care of them, without any personal affection between men and women.
Chu Mu leaned back without any trace of his body, his eyes were sunken, and his smile was always elegant: "How can I help my sister? I'm about to rest."
Qin Ping's eyes almost popped out.
This girl is so brave!
But the master is angry! very angry!
Why
I couldn't figure out the length of the body.
The madam misses her master, she is too busy today, so she specially asked her sister to come and take a look, why are you unhappy? Master usually listens to his wife the most, wishing he could keep his wife by his side
"That's great, you just need to rest more." Xie Ru showed a big smile, very satisfied.
Chu Mu put the book in his hand on the table, and his voice was so soft that he said, "Did your brother ask you to come here?"
Xie Ru smiled: "Brother didn't say it directly, he missed you so much, but he was so busy that he couldn't turn around. I, a younger sister, couldn't bear it and wanted to share his worries, so I volunteered to come here. Don't be angry ?”
Qin Ping was stunned.
He's come to think of it, which means... Didn't Miss Xie come here at the behest of his wife
Then why did every word and every sentence carry this hidden meaning just now, and why don't you give up now? To be honest, I won't drive her out.
This Miss Xie is generous and courteous, charming and cute, with a beautiful smile, bright and warm, as if all the concern comes from the heart, and there is no other meaning. If you have to care about it, it is because you are not generous, and it is cruel to refuse directly. Not a gentleman at all.
Qin Ping was worried for his master, how should he respond to such a sister-in-law
Chu Mu was not in a hurry at all, his elegant smile was the same as before, and he was not steady: "Why are you angry? I just think that the girl's family is full of spring, so it's appropriate to play outside happily, carefree, and worry about things later. Many, don't worry."
Qin Ping laughed out loud.
What the master said is hurting people!
The beauty of spring is beautiful, but it is too short. Don't you take advantage of the beauty and waves now, and regret all kinds of tears later? Today's Mei Yan, there are many lively places, the food outside is not delicious or the little sisters are not fun, why are you running around
My master knew that the more elegant Chu Mu's smile was and the more sincere his attitude was, the more likely he was to swear, but those who were not familiar with him might not be able to hear it and thought he was sincerely suggesting.
Qin Ping felt that Miss Xie probably couldn't hear it either.
If you hear it... you'll pretend you didn't hear it.
It doesn't sound very nice after all.
He quietly observed Xie Ru's expression, but unfortunately he didn't see anything.
It's not good to speculate about others randomly, but when you're not sure about the other person's character, you need to be vigilant. Qin Ping stopped laughing and watched Xie Ru's every move carefully, for fear that the master would be taken advantage of by others, and his wife would be jealous later. .
Xie Ru held her chin cutely, her cherry lips parted slightly, and exhaled a breath of white air, she was so pitiful: "The weather is so cold, people's enthusiasm for fun is lost, I just want to warm up..." It was an answer to Chu Mu's question, "It's you, you have to take good care of your body. Only when your body is healthy can you play happily, enjoy a lot, and be with your brother for a long time!"
Qin Ping pondered.
This is... what is the hidden meaning
Does this Miss Xie like her brother too much, or does she have some bad thoughts about her master? Otherwise, why did you tell the master to pay attention to your body every word
Chu Mu's slender fingers touched each other, and his voice was slow and slow, quite meaningful: "You want me to be healthy?"
"Naturally! Don't listen to the nonsense outside, our family is looking forward to your health and longevity, and a long life with your brother, and your brother..." At this point, Xie Ru bowed his head slightly, a little depressed, "If the husband and wife can't live together until the end, how sad it is."
"You buried your bones in the mud of the spring, and I sent the world full of snow. I don't understand the love and love in the storybook, but I don't like these regrets, it's too sad."
As Xie Ru said, her eye circles seemed to turn red: "Lonely goose is hard to live, and people will be moved when they see it, but I love the goose that stays the most. There are many things that I can't empathize with, but only feel pain. Feel distressed."
Qin Ping: ...
What's going on? The atmosphere suddenly changed? What the hell is this little girl doing here!
Look at my master again—
Chu Mu was laughing, actually laughing! And from the bottom of my heart!
Even the corners of his eyebrows twitched, as if he was completely delighted by the Miss Xie in front of him, seeing some great joke.
Xie Ru sighed for a long time: "Don't look at what I said, in fact, my brother is more distressed by me. As long as I think that he will suffer alone, my heart will hurt. At that time, I should persuade him that there is no place in the world. Fangcao, I should remember you well? I am a younger sister, and I am destined not to be his closest person. No amount of companionship and comfort is possible. I hope he is well, I hope you are well, and I hope that you will always be well, for the rest of your life well."
Chu Mu's smile was full of deep meaning: "Sister is really caring."
"It's not that the brothers are too careless, they only know that others don't care about themselves, and they don't care about their own affairs at all. What can I do if I don't care?" Xie Ru turned her head to look at Chu Mu seriously, her cheeks flushed, "Now that my brother is married to you, I... will be your sister too, so you must be obedient and protect your body obediently."
The care from the younger sister is soft and sweet, and it is always so good for men. It is completely different from the brat Xie Tingxing.
Two moods, two attitudes, it's hard to say which one is more advanced, but it's a pity—
A fake is a fake, and it can't even trigger emotion.
Of course, the performers themselves may not be aware of it, and they will think that they have performed well.
Chu Mu smiled slightly, looked down, left Xie Ru, and looked at the teacup on the table.
There are three in total.
There was one for him, Xie Ru came to take one for himself, and put the other one on the side of the table, it was very inconspicuous, he only drank half a glass, and the owner was not there.
In the side room separated by a curtain, with an easel propped against the window, a young man is painting with ink, with a handsome silhouette.
Are these words aimed at him today, or someone else
This stepsister is interesting.