From spring to summer solstice, the weather is getting warmer.
Guo Jingyan, the fourth grandmother in the Guogong's mansion, touched her slightly bulging belly, played a small fan of Qingluo, and picked up the snacks on the table one by one.
This is her second pregnancy, but the first child was not kept for less than three months and was miscarried. So be extra careful this time.
Suddenly seeing the big sister-in-law Huang Tingyu coming, she hurriedly got up to greet her.
The two sisters held hands and bowed to each other, before they were seated as the guest of honor.
Huang Tingyu is the eldest son and wife of the Duke's Mansion, the eldest son and eldest daughter-in-law of the Yu family, and the future mistress of the Duke's Mansion.
People in their thirties have a kind of graceful and steady bearing. On weekdays, she is a well-mannered housekeeper, respects the elders and loves the young, and also cares for several younger brothers and sisters.
When he was seated, he inquired earnestly.
"Has it been better today, is it still bad for the mouth?"
"I don't know which Heavenly Demon Star was reincarnated in. I couldn't eat anything." Guo Jingyan said distressedly, "But today's cakes are quite refreshing, and I can get a few pieces."
Huang Tingyu saw that on the plate with clear water and blue sky, there were several delicate pastries, which were made of various flowers, either exquisitely carved, or pink and lovely, all of them were small and exquisite and coveted.
"It looks exquisite. It doesn't look like it was made at home. I think the fourth uncle loves you and sent someone to buy it from outside. It's either from the restaurant or from Jiuxianglou."
"My sister-in-law didn't say it this time. Recently, a new cake shop opened on West Street, the December cake shop. This set of cakes is their signature dessert, called December Flower God Cake. It is very difficult to buy, and there are queues every day. The people in the queue all the way from West Street to East Street Exit. Xingzhang sent the servants early in the morning, and they had to return at noon." Guo Jingyan pushed the plate and gave in, "Sister-in-law also has a taste, but it's good."
Huang Tingyu heard this, took a sip of tea, coughed for a long time, covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and showed a strange expression.
"You can eat this pancake by yourself. Don't let your mother see it."
"What does that mean?"
"You didn't know it. This is—that woman's business."
"Which woman?" Guo Jingyan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, her eyes widened, her mouth rounded, and she gestured with five fingers, "Is that the one?"
Huang Tingyu calmed down, adjusted her appearance slightly, glanced at her, and said, "Exactly, mother is angry now, so don't touch the mold at dinner time."
Said Bi thought alone in his heart, and in the afternoon, his mother sent his three younger siblings to explore the way there, and now he doesn't know what the situation is. This is a good errand, so you have to be vigilant, and don't get caught in it and cause a fishy mess.
Guo Jingyan was speechless: "I'll save it, thank you for reminding me."
He clapped his hands on the cake foam, and said with a bit of disdain: "A man like Uncle Fifth, I thought I was fascinated by a woman who was so talented and beautiful. But I didn't want to fall in love with a merchant's daughter. It's a big joke in the world. ."
"It's strange to say it." Huang Tingyu said, "A few days ago, Prince Yan went to Fengxiang with such aggression. I thought I could settle this matter. Unexpectedly, when I came back, the whole person changed the direction of the wind. Instead, he helped Fifth Uncle speak."
"Who said it wasn't. Even the second uncle and sister-in-law Qinglian sent letters to that person. I really don't know what kind of woman she is. It makes people curious."
At dinner time, the dining table in the Guogong Mansion was exceptionally silent.
Mrs. Guo in the main seat had a dark face, and everyone could see at a glance that Mrs. Guo was in a bad mood today. No one wanted to touch this moldy head, so they all ate it carefully and retired one after another.
Only the three grandmothers were moved to the east wing with their mother-in-law.
When the crowd retreated, Guo Jingyan couldn't hold back, and asked, "Sister-in-law three, you can see that girl Zhou today? Is she so beautiful and like a fairy?"
Liu Xinyi, the third grandmother of the Duke's Mansion, said: "It's not that kind of charming appearance, but..."
Liu Xinyi touched her face, thinking of the woman she saw in the afternoon. An unidentified emotion rose in my heart.
"When I saw her, the girl was dressed in men's clothes, but she was dashing and full of vigor. She looked like a young man."
"It's not like a man, what's the point of it?"
Liu Xinyi remembered those bright eyes that looked at her with a smile instead of a smile. For no reason, his face flushed, "It's just like a man. When I talk to her, it's a bit..."
"What's the matter!" Mrs. Guo said in a bad tone, "Could it be that she dares to show you a face?"
Liu Xinyi was startled, and hurriedly got up to answer, "It's not rude, but this girl Zhou is polite to her daughter-in-law. It's just that she has a bright personality and can talk very well, and her daughter-in-law was confused by her. What the lady told me."
Mrs. Guo said: "Useless things, you are a lady from the door, but you can't say that you are an ignorant and rough woman. You are so eloquent when I see you on weekdays.
Liu Xinyi blushed, bowed her head and listened to the training, not daring to speak back.
The fourth grandmother, Guo Jingyan, is Madam Guo's niece. She has always had a little more face in front of her, and because she was pregnant, she opened her mouth to help: "Madam, I can't blame the third sister-in-law entirely for this, that woman surnamed Zhou. The woman is the daughter of a merchant. She is crawling and scrambling in the market every day. She must be rude and vulgar, cunning and smooth. The third sister-in-law is such a gentle and handsome person, how can she have the same knowledge as that country girl. "
"Forget it, what's the use of waiting for one by one. Have pity on my Goro, since he was a child, he was docile, courteous, and intelligent. No one would praise him when he saw it. But I never wanted to be hooked by such a reckless woman. Get lost."
Huang Tingyu persuaded: "Mother, don't be impatient, according to my daughter-in-law's opinion, why don't I invite the girl into the mansion to see her another day, so that my mother reprimanded her face to face, I don't think she would dare not listen. I'd better stay by the side. sideways."
Mrs. Guo frowned and was silent.
The next day, in the back hall of the newly opened December Mooncake Shop on West Street, Zhou Xiaoxiao was checking the accounts with Xiaomei, who had just arrived.
"When you came over, was Feng Xiang's side all right?" Zhou Xiaoxiao asked while thinking about it.
"If you go back to the lady, the business of the head office in Fengxiang is booming, and Aunt Ji is too busy. Just a few days ago, I bought two new messenger girls and hired two new staff. This contract and several months' accounts Ask me to bring them here to show you."
Zhou Xiaoxiao nodded: "Is everything okay, master and wife?"
"The old man and the old lady are in good health. They just miss the girl. They said that when the New Year is over, they will take time to visit you in Kyoto."
"By the end of the year, when everything is stable, I will personally pick up the two elders. You have to serve snacks here in the new store. If you strive for yourself, sooner or later, you will be like Aunt Ji."
Xiaomei was overjoyed and deeply blessed, "Thank you for your love, and the meaning of nurturing for a lady, Xiaomei will never forget it for a lifetime."
Just as he was talking, Juanzi came in here with a post in his hand.
"Ma'am, someone sent a message."
Zhou Xiaoxiao stretched out his hand to take it and took a look.
"The young lady who came from the Guogong Mansion the day before yesterday invited me to have a small gathering?"
Juanzi said: "Miss, the Duke's Mansion can't go there. There are so many conspiracies and tricks waiting for us in the deep gate compound."
Zhou Xiaoxiao laughed out loud: "What is conspiracy, I think you have been listening to dramas a lot recently."
Xiaomei persuaded from the side: "Miss, Juanzi's words are not rude, should we inform Fifth Master Yu that it is inappropriate for you to go alone."
Zhou Xiaoxiao looked down at the post and said softly, "What's wrong? Mrs. Guogong is also a human, not a tiger. Can an old lady eat me? Even if I can't beat it, I can still run. ."
She closed the post: "You go and reply to the person who came for me, and go to see you early tomorrow morning."
The next day, Mama Yu in the Duke's Mansion was ordered to lead the legendary Lady Zhou towards the main room where her wife was.
The illustrious name of this lady Zhou has spread throughout the whole government in the past few months. Now it looks very different from what I imagined.
Yu Ma muttered as she walked.
Although her brows were delicate, she did not have the slightest hint of glamour. Slim body, well-proportioned. Entering the mansion from the corner gate, there are no soft sedan chairs. After walking these many twists and turns, his face is still not red, his heart is not beating, his expression is gentle, and there is no sign of fatigue.
The imperial palace is rich and prosperous and prosperous. She stepped into it, feeling contented, without being humble or deliberately arrogant.
This is not a fuel efficient lamp. Mother Yu settled for Zhou Xiaoxiao.
I was walking through the long chasing hall, and I didn't want the figure of Fifth Master Yu to turn out of the jacquard door.
Yu Xingzhi blocked them, his face was low, and he took Zhou Xiaoxiao's hand and left.
That mother Yu hurriedly stopped: "I can't, I can't, Fifth Master. Today, my wife invited Miss Zhou to come and see."
He stomped his feet again and said, "Where are all those little monkeys Yu Tong dead? My wife specially instructed them not to disturb Fifth Master today."
Yu Xingzhi glared at her coldly, and that glance was full of almost instantaneous anger.
Yu Mo couldn't help but take two steps back.
He watched Yu Xingzhi pull Zhou Xiaoxiao away.
Mammy Yu felt her chest and thought: The fifth master has been the most gentle and considerate person since he was a child. What's going on now, he's really crazy.
Yu Xingzhi dragged Zhou Xiaoxiao and walked for a while, Fang stopped, adjusted his mood, and turned around.
He stared at the person in front of him carefully, and reached out to brush the hair on her temples. He said gently, "Xiaoxiao, I'll take you back. You don't have to come here."
"Why? Don't you want me to see your mother?"
"Of course not. It's just mother... She doesn't know you yet, and I haven't convinced her yet. I don't want you to face her anger and suffer this senseless grievance."
He held Zhou Xiaoxiao's hand and rubbed it gently. His hand was big and warm, and his voice was warm and gentle.
Zhou Xiaoxiao suddenly felt very sweet in his heart. Although this man had a lot of helplessness, he wanted to stand in front of him and shield himself from the wind and rain in front of him.
She has passed the period of girlhood when she was full of boundless fantasies about love. She is well aware of the pressure to endure in a cross-class relationship in reality and the hardships it takes to achieve this relationship.
Her heart was beating fast, and her heart was full.
"I will do my best to handle everything. When I have the ability to give you a stable and happy environment. I will personally hold your hand and take you to see my mother and my family. .OK."
The winter spring-like voice continued, but Zhou Xiaoxiao was a little distracted.
He is so handsome. I really want to kiss him.
She bit her lip thinking so.
He couldn't help but reached out and brushed the hair on his forehead.
There was a bruise there, as if it had been hit hard by something hard.
"Is your mother fierce?"
Yu Xingzhi was stunned for a moment.
"Could it be more fierce than His Royal Highness King Yan?"
"Mother is not someone who shouts and kills like my cousin. It's just..." Yu Xingzhi showed a worried look. He knew what Zhou Xiaoxiao meant.
"Xingzhi, I said I would wait for you,"
She raised her head and looked at Yu Xingzhi, her eyes sparkling.
"But I don't mean to stand behind you. Waiting for you to shelter me.."
She took Yu Xingzhi's hand and walked slowly along the tree-lined path with him.
Walk and talk.
"I want to walk side by side with you like this. Even if there is wind and rain along the way, what is there to be afraid of? My shoulders are not only weak, I am willing to share everything with you."
She suddenly felt a shadow cover her eyes.
Yu Xingzhi lowered his head and kissed her.