After the banquet, Mrs. Zhang found an opportunity to mention Xie in private.
"It seems that Mrs. Haisie is very satisfied with Zhen girl. If there are no accidents in this marriage, it should be possible. Brother and sister, Zhen girl is getting married soon, is her dowry ready?"
Xie bluffed the last sentence directly, and asked: "Mrs. Hai Xibo really has a crush on Zhen girl?"
Zhang nodded.
Mrs. Xie said: "That Zhao Silang, I don't know what to do. I have to listen to my master's opinion first. If my master says there is no problem, we can continue talking about this marriage."
"Of course. In the family of a son and daughter, not only the man looks at the woman, but the woman also looks at the man. I mean, if this marriage is completed, the dowry of Zhen girl should also be prepared. For a family like Haixibo Mansion, Zhen girl The dowry should not be too shabby, at least five or six thousand taels of dowry should be prepared."
Xie frowned, "A dowry of five or six thousand taels? That's too much."
Mrs. Zhang raised her eyebrows, "I still think it's too little. After all, it's the Earl's Mansion. The young mistress of the Earl's Mansion only brings five or six thousand taels of dowry. Brother and sister, do you think it's too much? Are you not afraid of being laughed at?"
Xie sternly said, "Girl Zhen is a concubine, so there is no reason for a concubine to prepare so much dowry."
Back then, when she married Master Gu, the dowry was only one thousand taels. That was all it took.
Mrs. Zhang snorted, and said: "Sisters and sisters, Miss Zhen is indeed a concubine, but she married the young master of Haixibo Mansion.
If Miss Zhen married with only two or three thousand taels of dowry, then not only Miss Zhen, but also you and your siblings will be ashamed.
Maybe our big house will be implicated by you, saying that our family is all miser. "
Mrs. Xie was upset, "Is sister-in-law calling me mean?"
Mrs. Zhang smiled, "I don't dare to scold my younger siblings. What I said just now is not only my own thoughts, but also the meaning of the old lady of the Hou Mansion next door."
Xie frowned, "Did the old lady speak?"
Zhang nodded.
Xie's face was irritated, and he secretly muttered in his heart, what kind of interference did the old lady have when he married his daughter. He also deliberately sent someone to tell her not to be so stingy.
Does she come across as stingy
But Mrs. Xie forgot, how she despised Mrs. Ma when Mrs. Ma said that she would marry a concubine and have a daughter, and at most only pay one or two thousand taels of dowry.
This will change her to pay, she is not much better than Ma Shi. All are those who are reluctant to pay.
Mrs. Xie didn't dare not listen to the old lady's words.
She said a little irritably: "I know what the old lady means. If this marriage can really come true, I will prepare a dowry of 6,000 taels for Zhen girl."
Mrs. Zhang nodded in satisfaction, "I'm relieved that my siblings can think like this."
Mrs. Xie said that she would prepare a dowry of 6,000 taels for Gu Zhen. There is another idea in my heart.
If I had known that Gu Zhen would have to prepare so much dowry when she married into Haixibo Mansion, it would be worth noting that the marriage would not be done.
Compared with Gu Zhen's lifelong event, money is of course more important.
The maid came to report that the stage was ready.
Together with Mrs. Zhang, Mrs. Xie invited all the wives and girls to go to the theater to listen to the opera.
Gu's mansion invited a well-known opera troupe in the capital, and all the wives became interested when they heard about the reputation of the opera troupe.
Everyone talked and laughed, came to the theater building, and sat down separately.
Mrs. Xie changed her previous positive attitude and tried not to approach Mrs. Hai Xibo as much as possible.
If Mrs. Hai Xibo is dissatisfied and vetoes the marriage, Xie will be satisfied.
Zhao Erlang and Zhao Silang, the two young masters of Haixibo Mansion, went to the theater to pay their respects.
When Mrs. Haisie saw her son, she laughed, "Come and meet the two wives and the wives."
Zhao Erlang and Zhao Silang greet Mrs. Xie, Mrs. Zhang, and all your wives.
Seeing the two young masters of the Zhao family for the first time, Mrs. Xie and Mrs. Zhang nodded one after another. They all looked good, and Zhao Erlang was even better.
However, thinking of the rumors about Zhao Erlang's wife and temper, he really can't be judged by his appearance.
Looking at it this way, Zhao Silang is more pleasing to the eye.
Mrs. Xie coughed lightly, and said to the servant girl Chun He, "Go and invite the eldest girl here."
Chunhe backed away with a smile.
After a while, Gu Zhen was invited over.
Mrs. Xie said to her: "These two are the Second Young Master and Fourth Young Master of Haixibo Mansion."
When Gu Zhen heard this, her cheeks immediately turned red, and even her ears turned red.
Gu Zhen blessed Fushen, "I've seen Second Brother Zhao and Fourth Brother Zhao."
"Sister Gu is polite!" Zhao Silang looked at Gu Zhen with a smile.
Gu Zhen's face turned redder, like a boiled shrimp.
She didn't dare to raise her head, she took a small step back to stand behind Xie Shi, and then looked at Zhao Silang out of the corner of her eye.
Looks really good.
This is Gu Zhen's first impression of Zhao Silang.
Immediately afterwards, Gu Zhen's heart beat faster, pounding, as if it was about to jump out.
Gu Zhen became more and more shy, and a little bit at a loss.
I'm so nervous.
Mrs. Xie praised Zhao Erlang and Zhao Silang, and Mrs. Zhang echoed her.
Mrs. Hessieber smiled subtly, "The two wives are admirable, they are not as good as you said."
After finishing speaking, Mrs. Hessie waved her hand, "Don't stand in front of your eyes and block us from watching the show."
Zhao Silang seemed to be more lively and more at ease, "My son will go downstairs with my second elder brother. If mother has any orders, just ask someone to go downstairs and say it."
"Go, watch the show well, don't be naughty."
Gu Zhen secretly watched the two young masters of the Zhao family leave the theater building, biting her lips, feeling a little bit reluctant.
As soon as the two brothers of the Zhao family came down from the theater, a servant girl came to invite them, "Second young master, fourth young master, sixth young lady invites you to the atrium."
"Sixth sister is not upstairs listening to the play, what is she doing in the atrium?"
"Miss Six said, it's boring to listen to the opera, but it's more fun in the garden."
Zhao Erlang said with a straight face, "I won't go."
Zhao Silang said: "Second brother, please do as you please, I'll go to the atrium to have a look. No matter what, I can't dampen Sixth Sister's interest."
Zhao Erlang snorted coldly, "Just play around with her." After speaking, he walked away.
Zhao Silang asked the servant girl to lead the way and rushed to the atrium.
Upstairs, just as Gu Zhen sat down in her seat, a servant girl came to her side without a sound.
"Miss, this servant just saw Master Zhao Si go to the atrium. I heard that Miss Three and Miss Zhao Six are also in the atrium."
Gu Zhen frowned upon hearing this, "Is what you said true?"
"My servant dare not lie to the elder girl. Do you want to go to the atrium to have a look? If it is too late, the servant is worried about what will happen."
Gu Zhen thought that Gu Yue had always had impure thoughts, would she take the opportunity to attack Zhao Silang and secretly sabotage her marriage
The more I think about it, the more possible it becomes.
Gu Zhen took a deep breath and said to Gu Jiu, "Second sister, it's very stuffy here, I'll go outside to get some air."
Gu Jiu asked, "Don't big sister listen to the show?"
Gu Zhen shook her head, "I don't like to watch this play. If someone asks where I've been, my second sister will help me cover it up."
Gu Jiu nodded, "Big sister, let's go. If there is anything that needs to be done, let a maid just say it."
"Thank you, Second Sister."
Gu Zhen got up and quietly left the theater with her maid.
Gu Mei noticed the movement here, across the coffee table, she asked Gu Jiu: "Sister Zhen left, what are you doing?"
Gu Jiu whispered: "Big sister said it's too stuffy here, she went out to get some air, and she'll be back in a while."
Gu Mei covered her lips and smiled, "I see, Sister Zhen is shy. Her cheeks are so red that she should go out to get some air."
Gu Jiu laughed, "I didn't expect Big Sister to be so shy."
"It seems that sister Zhen is very satisfied with Zhao Silang."
Gu Jiu nodded.
When Zhao Silang went upstairs to pay his respects, she glanced at her a few times, and the first impression he gave was indeed good. Although he is a concubine, he does not have the petty air of a general concubine.
Watching the conversation between him and Mrs. Haisiebo, it was natural and fluent. Thinking that the two of them get along in private, it should be like this.
On the other hand, Zhao Erlang, with a cold face all the time, almost had the word impatient etched on his forehead.
Gu Jiu didn't think much, and continued to listen to the play.
She doesn't understand much opera, but it doesn't prevent Gu Jiu from listening with gusto. In this day and age, there are too few entertainment items, and it is also a good choice to have the opportunity to listen to an opera.
I couldn't understand it at first, but after listening to it slowly, I could hear a bit of charm.
Looking at the other wives and girls, they almost devoted themselves to the opera, and all of them listened with gusto.
Obviously, this play should be a hit and loved by everyone.
After singing two verses of a play, everyone was still full of ideas.
Gu Mei turned her head and saw that Gu Zhen's seat was still empty.
She snorted, "Is sister Zhen not back yet? It's been almost an hour."
Gu Jiu said: "I haven't come back yet. I don't know where she went."
It wouldn't take nearly an hour to go out for a breath.
Could it be that Gu Zhen really didn't like to listen to dramas, so she found an excuse to avoid it.
Gu Jiu didn't think too much about it, "Big sister has a sense of propriety, she probably went back to her room to rest."
Gu Mei nodded, "I've been tired all day, I should find time to rest for a while. Sister Jiu, are you tired? Why don't you go back to your room to rest, I'll take care of you here, don't worry."
Gu Jiu laughed, "That's so embarrassing. Sister Mei doesn't have to worry about me, I can still hold on."
"If you can't hold on, remember to tell me."
Gu Jiu nodded.
At this time, a little servant girl hurried upstairs, came to Ma Shi, Mrs. Xie, and muttered a few words.
Ma Shi suddenly widened his eyes, and asked in disbelief: "Really?"
This "really" was too loud, and it immediately attracted the attention of everyone in the theater.
The servant girl nodded solemnly, "I dare not lie to my wife."
Mrs. Ma's eyeballs rolled around, she got up immediately, and came to Mrs. Xie, "Auntie, have you seen your eldest girl?"
Mrs. Xie frowned, and looked at Mrs. Ma dissatisfied, "What are you doing, sister-in-law? Go back to your seat and sit down if you have nothing to do."
Ma Shi smiled, "I really want to go back and sit down and continue listening to the play, but unfortunately something happened, I can't sit still."
Xie suddenly had a bad feeling.
Chunhe knew the situation, and hurriedly found someone to inquire about the situation.
Soon, Chunhe got the news.
She leaned down and whispered in Xie's ear: "Madam, it's not good, something happened to the eldest girl. It seems that something happened with Master Xie's family."
"what?"
Gritting her teeth, suppressing her anger, Mrs. Xie said to Mrs. Zhang, "Sister-in-law, please take care of me here. I'll come as soon as I go."
Mrs. Ma smiled triumphantly, "Auntie, I didn't lie to you, did I?"
Mrs. Xie glared at Mrs. Ma fiercely, "Come with me."
Mrs. Xie walked in front with her maid and hurried down the theater building. Ma Shi followed behind.
The eldest wife Mrs. Zhang watched Mrs. Xie and Mrs. Ma left, frowning.
What happened? Her heart was throbbing, and she felt very bad.
She said to the servant girl Shaoyao: "You follow along and have a look, don't let the second wife and Mrs. Xie's family mess around."
"The servant obeys."
Shao Yao went downstairs after her.
The wives of Hou's mansion all looked over.
Mrs. Zhang smiled at everyone, "It's nothing important, you don't have to worry, sisters-in-law."
The eldest lady Xiao Wei asked in a low voice: "Are you really all right?"
Mrs. Zhang came up to her and whispered: "I don't know now. I have asked the servant girl to follow me to have a look. I hope it's not something important."
Little Wei nodded, "I hope so."
Mrs. Zhang thought, looking at Mrs. Xie's face, it is estimated that something serious happened. Hope it's nothing serious.
Mrs. Xie led Mrs. Ma to the atrium wing in a hurry.
Before entering the door, I heard Gu Zhen crying.
Mrs. Ma secretly smiled, and then put on a worried look, "Girl Zhen is crying, she must have been bullied."
Mrs. Xie stared at Mrs. Ma fiercely, as if to say: Do you really think my old lady can't hear that you are gloating? Put away your hypocritical concern. In front of my old lady, what are you pretending to be.
Ma Shi pinched her nose, "My aunt is still so fierce."
Mrs. Xie snorted coldly, "Sister-in-law, don't talk nonsense. If your son is messing around, don't blame me for being rude."
"My child is very good, so he won't mess around. I'm afraid it's not your girl who is disrespectful."
"What did sister-in-law say?"
Mrs. Xie stared at Mrs. Ma suspiciously, his eyes were so vicious that Mrs. Ma was frightened.
Mrs. Ma hastily changed her words, "I didn't say anything, please don't misunderstand, my aunt."
Mrs. Xie narrowed her eyes, "Sister-in-law, let me put my ugly words first. If I hear rumors outside that are not good for our girl from the Gu family, then don't blame my six relatives for not recognizing her."
Mrs. Ma said awkwardly, "I see, I promise not to say a word. Auntie, go in quickly. Listening to the movement, the matter may be a little serious."
Mrs. Xie glared at Mrs. Ma fiercely before entering the door.
Gu Zhen lay on the table and kept crying. The sleeves were torn, exposing the cotton coat underneath.
The clothes were stained with mud, and the whole body was dirty. Hair is also messy.
Madam Ma took a deep breath when he saw this image.
My kid, wouldn't he use force on Gu Zhen, right
Ma Shi suddenly felt guilty. If you really want to use force, this matter is not easy to handle.
Mrs. Xie saw Gu Zhen's miserable appearance at a glance, and her maid stood by her side.
The second young master of the Xie family, Xie Ding, stood in the corner, looking at a loss.
The eldest master of the Xie family and the third young master were by Xie Ding's side, all frowning.
"what happened?"
Xie Shi asked sharply.
Gu Zhen didn't speak, but cried even louder.
Luyi, the maid beside Gu Zhen, cried together with Gu Zhen.
Xie roared angrily: "Why are you crying? What happened to your girl? You are her personal servant girl, how can you not know?"
Lvyi stopped crying, pointed at Xie Ding, "It's him, he's the one who killed the girl."
"What's going on?" Xie asked.
The green clothes sobbed, and said: "The slave girl was wandering around the courtyard with the girl, this man suddenly rushed out, knocked over my girl, fell off the bridge with the girl, and hugged the girl directly. He, he, took the opportunity to despise the girl, he It's a rogue."
"Little girl, don't talk nonsense." Mrs. Ma stared at the green clothes unkindly.
Lvyi swears to the sky, "If I talk nonsense, I will be struck by lightning when I go out."
Mrs. Ma was choked, the maids of the Gu family were all so powerful, they couldn't be provoked, could not be provoked.
At this time, Gu Zhen cried even louder.
Mrs. Xie was furious, turned her head suddenly, and stared at Xie Ding.
"Is this the case?"
Xie Ding felt guilty and dodged his eyes.
Mrs. Ma yelled at him: "Auntie asked, what to say. You have to bear the responsibility that is yours."
Xie Ding lowered his head and said, "This is a misunderstanding."
Snapped!
A teacup flew towards Xie Ding's head.
Xie Ding yelled and dodged.
The teacup fell to the ground with a loud noise.
Both Ma Shi and Xie Shi were startled, and looked in the direction of the teacup flying.
Seeing Gu Zhen staring at Xie Ding with hatred on her face, she pointed at him, "How dare you say you misunderstood? Xie Erlang, do you think I'm an ignorant girl who is easy to deceive in the country
You clearly did it on purpose, you've been scheming against me from the very beginning. You smelly and shameless bastard, you ruin my reputation and my future, I will kill you. "
Gu Zhen rushed towards Xie Ding.
Xie yelled, "Hurry up and stop the eldest girl."
Ma Shi yelled beside him, "This is not acceptable, the girl should be more gentle."
"Pooh!"
Gu Zhen spit directly on Ma Shi.
Ma Shi was furious, this was her new dress. That damned girl Gu Zhen, a concubine, how could she have the courage to spit at her.
This dead girl, when she married into Xie's family, she had to skin off the dead girl.