Seeing Aunt Bai, Mrs. Xie couldn't hide a smile on her face.
Ha ha…
The charming and gentle Aunt Bai has turned into a big white and fat steamed bun. No wonder the master left after only a cup of tea in the Acacia House.
Aunt Bai knew exactly what Xie was laughing at.
Mrs. Xie was joking that she had become ugly, gloating about her misfortune.
Aunt Bai snorted secretly, and Mrs. Xie didn't seem to be much better than her.
After all, Mrs. Xie is getting old, since entering the capital, one thing after another has never stopped.
Xie's well-maintained face also showed signs of aging, his eyes were no longer full of energy, and he was more tired.
"Why is Madam here?" Aunt Bai's voice was as gentle as ever.
Mrs. Xie said: "I heard that the twelfth brother is ill. As a aunt, I naturally want to take a look. Have you invited a doctor?"
"Mrs. Lao is concerned and has already invited a doctor."
"What did the doctor say?"
Mrs. Xie went all the way into the main room of the Acacia Academy, and asked about the situation of Twelve Brothers by the way.
Mrs. Xie sat down on the main seat, and Aunt Bai stood in front of her.
Aunt Bai said: "The doctor said it's an old disease, you need to take care of it carefully."
Xie groaned, "Is the child awake?"
"Unfortunately, the child just fell asleep."
Mrs. Xie looked at Aunt Bai with a half-smile, "It's okay, where is the child, I'll go and see him."
Aunt Bai lowered her head and bit her lip, she really wanted to refuse directly, but she was also worried about giving Mrs Xie a chance.
After hesitating for a moment, Aunt Bai still said, "The child is in the room."
Mrs. Xie immediately got up and went to the bedroom to visit Twelve Brothers.
Twelve brothers really fell asleep, a small child.
When Xie saw it, he frowned, "Bai, how did you raise it? The child has been a hundred days old, why hasn't he grown any flesh?"
"My wife misunderstood."
The maid, Cui Liu, explained for Aunt Bai, "My twelfth brother has been weak since he was born. My aunt insisted on taking care of my brother herself, regardless of her postpartum weakness, just to make my body gain some flesh. My aunt took care of the child herself during the day. , I have to wake up at night, and everyone is so tired that I fainted. It can be said that no one cares about my brother more than my aunt."
Mrs. Xie looked at Aunt Bai, "Looking at your haggard look, it seems that I misunderstood you. But you are tossing yourself like this every day, when will you be able to take care of the master?"
Aunt Bai bowed and said, "Thank you Madam for reminding me."
Mrs. Xie smiled, "My brother is weak because he is too young. After two years, when my brother grows up a bit, his bones will naturally get better. It's like the second girl who was sick every three days when she was a child, isn't it the same now? good."
Aunt Bai said: "Second Miss just fell ill a few days ago."
"The doctor said it all, it was stimulated."
Mrs. Xie stretched out her hand and caressed Brother Twelve's cheek.
Looking at this scene, Aunt Bai became very nervous.
She hurriedly said: "Madam, my brother is sick, be careful when you get sick."
Xie Shi waved his hand, "No problem."
Aunt Bai rushed up, picked up Twelve Brothers, and said nervously: "The child cannot leave me, so I will hold him first."
Mrs. Xie looked at Aunt Bai with a half-smile, "Are you so nervous because you are worried that my wife will harm Brother Twelve?"
Aunt Bai lowered her head, "I don't think so."
Mrs. Xie sneered, "Do you think so? You know it best in your heart. But I'm looking at this child, Fu Bo. Mrs. Bai, you have to pay more attention to the child.
It is not easy for you to give birth to this child safely. Moreover, the doctor has said that you will not be able to give birth in the future. So, baby, baby twelve, your future depends on him. "
Aunt Bai said with a low eyebrow, "Thank you Madam for reminding me."
Xie Shi smiled, got up and left the bedroom.
Aunt Bai breathed a sigh of relief immediately, and carefully put Brother Twelve back on the bed. Then he walked out of the bedroom and dealt with Mrs. Xie.
Mrs. Xie looked at the furnishings of the Acacia House, and said to Aunt Bai meaningfully: "Mr. Bai, you must not disappoint the master's love for you!"
Aunt Bai frowned slightly, but she regained her composure in a blink of an eye, "I dare not disappoint my master, let alone my wife."
Mrs. Xie smiled, "It's so good. You should take good care of it and make the child stronger. My wife will come to visit your mother and child someday."
"Congratulations to my wife."
Aunt Bai watched Xie leave with her maid, and breathed a sigh of relief.
She hurried back to her bedroom to check on Brother Twelve.
Brother Twelve is still sleeping peacefully, and the medicine prescribed by the doctor is still effective.
Aunt Bai felt relieved.
Mrs. Xie returned to the Furong Courtyard and asked Chun He, "Tomorrow is the day for the Hou's dowry to be displayed, are the gifts ready for the dowry?"
"Report to Madam, it is ready. Here is the gift list, Madam please have a look."
Chunhe sent a gift list, Xie opened it and frowned slightly.
Chun He was nervous, "Is the wife not satisfied?"
Xie frowned and said, "Isn't it a bit too expensive?"
Chun He hurriedly said: "The servants draw up according to the rules of the mansion. If the wife thinks the etiquette is too heavy, then the servants will draw up a new gift list."
"No need, just give gifts according to this gift list. You send someone to ask a few girls, are they ready to add makeup to Gu Mei's? Don't wait until tomorrow to embarrass yourself in the Hou Mansion."
"Slave servant, send someone to ask."
In Zhilan's courtyard, Gu Jiu was busy painting.
Qingzhu came in from the outside and reported: "Girl, Sister Dongmei is here."
Gu Jiu stopped the brush, "Quickly invite Sister Dongmei to come in."
A while later, the maid Dongmei was invited to the study.
Gu Jiu smiled at her and said, "Sister Dongmei is a rare visitor, please take a seat."
Qingmei also jokingly said: "What kind of wind is blowing today, it actually blows Sister Dongmei over here."
Dongmei smiled and said, "Tomorrow is the day when the Hou's house will display the dowry. My wife is worried that the girls' makeup gifts for the eldest daughter of the Hou's house are not ready yet, so I specially asked the servants to come and have a look."
While beckoning Dongmei to sit down, Gu Jiu said, "Mrs. Lao, don't worry, the gift for adding makeup is ready."
Dongmei said, "That's good."
"Sister Dongmei drinks tea." Gu Jiu greeted.
Dongmei was surprised, she didn't expect to come to Zhilan Courtyard and there would be tea served.
She took the teacup with a smile, "Second Miss, you're welcome."
Gu Jiu smiled, and asked, "Has the Xie family's funeral been over?"
Dongmei nodded, "It's over."
Gu Jiu asked casually: "Has the yamen caught the murderer who killed Mr. Xie?"
Dongmei sighed and shook her head, "The yamen said that a thief has entered the capital. But until now there is no trace of the thief."
Gu Jiu said: "Maybe the thief has already left the capital."
"My wife thinks so too, but it's a pity that Mr. Xie, death is too worthless."
Gu Jiu asked: "Master Xie passed away, Madam is very sad."
Dongmei felt that the atmosphere in Zhilan Courtyard was very good, comfortable and at ease, so she couldn't help talking more.
"No. My wife has been crying for several nights, and she has to go to Xie's house to help with the management during the day. She is tired and thin."
Gu Jiu said: "It's also difficult for my wife. I heard that Xie's family is arguing about splitting up."
Dongmei lowered her voice, "I'll only tell the second girl this, and the second girl must not say it."
Gu Jiu nodded, promising not to say anything.
Dongmei said: "Before the funeral was over, the Xie family was arguing about splitting up. Now that the funeral is over, the Xie family's first wife and second wife are even more arguing over the separation.
Mrs. Xie Ma Shi, the second girl should still have an impression, she is a master who can make trouble, and the second master Xie is not a fuel-efficient lamp.
The two families can fight for a long time for a needle and a bundle of thread, and the wife is caught in the middle, which is very difficult. "
Gu Jiu asked curiously: "Aren't the two elders of the Xie family going to repress it?"
"It's useless."
Dongmei said bluntly, "The Xie family's property was all set up by Mr. Xie and the second master Xie.
Mr. Xie wanted to make the decision to separate the family, but Mrs. Ma and Mr. Xie Er were not convinced by him and refused to listen to him.
In the past few days, Xie's house has become a mess inside and out. That is to say, my wife is very patient, and every day passes.
If you want the maidservant to tell you that the wife should not ask about the Xie family's business. "
Dongmei obviously held back these words for a long time, always wanting to talk to someone. Today is my chance.
Gu Jiu smiled, "After all, it's my wife's natal family, no matter what."
Dongmei nodded again and again, "The second girl is right. After all, it is my wife's natal family, and my wife can't bear to leave them alone. It's just that the weather is getting hotter and hotter, and my wife may be tired from running around every day."
Gu Jiu said: "Sister Dongmei advises my wife to take care of your health."
"The maidservant is not that capable. If Chunhe comes forward to persuade the wife, the wife will still listen."
Gu Jiu put down the teacup, "I heard people say that as soon as my wife came back today, she went to visit Aunt Bai."
Dongmei didn't hide it either, "That's right, Madam went to the Acacia Academy as soon as she came back. Is it because the master went to drink flower wine... Ah, the servants should slap their tongues and talk nonsense in front of the second girl. Please forgive me, the second girl."
"Sister Dongmei doesn't need to do this."
After a pause, Gu Jiu said again: "It seems that the mansion is going to add new people."
Dongmei froze for a moment, "What does the second girl mean?"
Gu Jiu smiled softly: "I heard that Aunt Bai gained a lot of weight after giving birth, and she is no longer as gentle and charming as before."
Dongmei nodded.
Gu Jiu continued: "The master has to be served by someone, not Aunt Bai, not even Aunt Hu and Aunt Wei. Do you think there should be new people in the mansion?"
"what?"
Dongmei turned pale with shock, "Isn't Madam..."
Dongmei hurriedly covered her mouth, but didn't say the rest.
Gu Jiu said softly: "It's inevitable for my wife to be angry, but for others, this is also an opportunity. I just don't know if everyone can seize this opportunity."
Dongmei's heart was pounding and beating fast.
She was very upset, the wife must be dissatisfied if the master wants to accept a newcomer. At that time, will the wife promote the maids around her to be the maids of the master, so that it is convenient for them to fight with the newcomers
Dongmei thought wildly for a while, and was distracted by Gu Jiu's words.
At this time, Gu Jiu said, "I'm talking nonsense. Sister Dongmei, don't take it seriously, and don't say it out. If it gets to my wife, she should find my fault."
Dongmei came back to her senses, "Second Miss, don't worry, I will never tell my wife what you said."
"Thank you, sister Dongmei."
"The second girl is polite. The servant has to rush back to report, so I will take my leave."
"Qingmei, send sister Dongmei off for me."
Qingmei sent Dongmei to the door, and then returned to Gu Jiu's side.
She asked, "Is the master really going to take a concubine?"
Gu Jiu smiled, "I just said it casually."
"The girl is straight-talking, and if she says something casually, it can become true."
Gu Jiu pinched Xiao Cui's cheek, "I've learned how to flatter."
Xiao Cui giggled wildly.
Qingmei said: "The master takes a concubine, and the wife is making a fuss again. The girl reminded Sister Dongmei of those few words. Could it be that the girl hopes that Sister Dongmei will be the housekeeper for the master?"
Gu Jiu picked up the teacup and took a sip, "It's not that I want Sister Dongmei to be the master's maid, but the maids in Furongyuan probably have the same idea.
All of them are not young, but they have never heard of anyone discussing marriage. I reckon that those people are not small minded.
While the master is taking concubines, let's run it well, and then the mansion will be lively again. "
What Gu Jiu said to Dongmei was just taking the opportunity to create a little trouble for Xie Shi and make Xie Shi unhappy.
It doesn't matter whether things are done or not, anyway, it's done smoothly.
But it was obvious that Dongmei had moved her mind, and maybe Chun He's maidservants would also be moved.
Mr. Gu had a great time drinking flower wine and didn't return home until midnight.
Mrs. Xie hadn't fallen asleep, and when she heard that Mr. Gu was back, she sat up suddenly from the bed.
Chun He hurriedly asked, "What about Madam?"
Xie gritted her teeth, "Is Master drunk? Did you bring anyone back home?"
"Master was half drunk and never brought anyone home. What is Madam worried about?"
Mrs. Xie didn't make a sound, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "Ask someone to keep an eye on the outer courtyard, and report any situation in time."
"Your servant obeys. Madam should also rest early, and I have to go to the Marquis Mansion tomorrow morning. Madam has lost a lot of weight these days."
"Have you lost weight?" Xie touched her cheek.
Chunhe nodded heavily.
Mrs. Xie sighed, "I'm just a hard worker."
Chunhe waited for Mrs. Xie to sleep, and then went back to her room to rest alone.
She was a little confused, and the wife asked the master if he had brought anyone back, and Chunhe had already figured out the meaning.
Ma'am, I'm worried about the master taking a concubine.
Will the master take concubines
Most definitely.
The master cannot live without a woman to serve him.
Chunhe bit her lower lip, her heart was in a mess, and finally fell asleep in a daze.
At dawn, Gu Fu, who had slept all night, woke up.
The kitchen was the busiest, busy making breakfast and heating hot water for the masters of the courtyard.
Today, the Hou Mansion is showing off the dowry. As a member of the family, of course we have to go there early.
Gu Jiu was pulled up from the bed by Qingmei.
"Get up, girl, or it will be late."
Gu Jiu was half asleep and half awake, her mind was like a mess.
It wasn't until I washed my face with cold water that my confused mind woke up.
After washing up, putting on make-up, changing clothes, having breakfast, and then rushing to the second gate, I took a carriage to the Hou Mansion.
When we arrived at the Hou's Mansion, we found that all the servants of the Hou's Mansion were too busy to touch the ground.
Everyone first went to Songhetang to meet the old lady Wei.
The old lady Wei said cheerfully, "It's good if you come. Go and call Mei girl here."
Gu Mei was invited out, her face was shy and flushed.
It is said that brides are the most beautiful, and Gu Mei is only a day away from being a bride, so she is already beautiful enough.
I don't know how beautiful it will be in the wedding dress tomorrow.
The dowry was carried out and placed in the flower hall.
One hundred and sixty sets of dowries can't fit in the flower hall, and the yard is also full.
Xie looked at so many dowries, and each one was filled to the brim, he couldn't help but be speechless.
How much will it cost for the Hou Mansion to prepare so much dowry for Gu Mei.
Mrs. Xie murmured to Mrs. Zhang in a low voice, "It's five or sixty thousand taels, let alone."
Mrs. Zhang shook her head, "More than that. I heard that the sister-in-law of the lobby added 20,000 taels in private. This dowry is estimated to be at least 80,000 taels."
Xie was shocked.
"The Hou Mansion is really rich."
But Mrs. Zhang said: "My younger brother and sister misunderstood. It's not that the Hou's mansion is rich, but that the sister-in-law in the lobby is well-run. Over the years, not only has the property of the Hou's mansion doubled, but her own dowry has doubled at least. Now you know , why the Hou Mansion has always been headed by the sister-in-law of the lobby, and the second and third sisters-in-law can't get in the way."
Mrs. Xie sighed, "The sister-in-law of the lobby is really amazing."
Mrs. Zhang said with a smile: "We follow behind the Hou's mansion, so we can drink some soup."
Xie Shi suddenly changed his mind.
After returning to the capital, she re-established the farm and shop, but the business was mediocre.
Since the eldest wife Xiao Wei is so good at management, can she take a ride and drink some soup along with her.
But there is no rush on this matter, Gai will have a chance tomorrow, and then talk to the eldest wife Xiao Wei.
Mrs. Xie passed one set of dowries, whether it was utensils, jewellery, cloth quilts, all of them were high-quality goods.
As expected, Hou Fu was willing to do so.
Mrs. Xie took a fancy to a few pieces of jewelry, and thought that she could prepare one for Gu Yue, and one for Gu Shan.
She saw three handfuls of soil, representing three farms.
Plus three house deeds, representing three shops.
Mrs. Xie is envious, it's nice to have money.
When Gu Shan gets married, she will also prepare a generous dowry, not 80,000 taels, but at least 40,000 taels.