Back to the second day in the capital.
Early in the morning, Gu Jiu was woken up by Qing Mei from the bed.
"Girl, it's time to get up. I'm going to be a guest at the Hou's Mansion today, and I can't afford to waste time."
Gu Jiu's eyes were sleepy, as if she hadn't woken up.
Perhaps it was because of the change of environment that some of them accepted the bed. Gu Jiu didn't fall asleep until midnight last night.
She wiped her eyes, not quite sober. Let Qingmei and Qingzhu take care of her dressing.
It wasn't until a handful of cold water splashed on her face that Gu Jiu finally woke up.
She blinked, the water was so cold.
Wash your face with cold water, and your whole body will be refreshed in an instant.
Wash and dress up.
After breakfast, we came to the second gate.
Everyone dressed up very festively today.
Gu Yue was directly dressed in bright red, and with her bright appearance, she was the most eye-catching in the crowd, and she immediately caught everyone's attention.
Seeing everyone looking at her, Gu Yue couldn't help but feel proud.
Going to the Hou Mansion today, she must be the one who shines.
What Gu Shan, Gu Jiu, all stood aside.
The sixth girl, Gu Jun, followed the eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, to the second gate.
Gu Jun smiled sweetly, "I've met you sisters. The sisters are so well dressed today."
Gu Jiu noticed that when Gu Jun smiled, there were small dimples on both sides of Gu Jun's cheeks, which looked very cute.
"Greetings to my aunt. The sixth sister is also very beautiful today."
Gu Jun smiled and was in high spirits.
Mrs. Zhang asked: "Third girl, where is your mother?"
Gu Yue bowed slightly and said, "Mother will be here soon, please wait a moment, auntie."
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, said with a smile: "Third girl, you look rich and honored with your outfit today."
That's right.
Not to mention what Gu Yue is wearing, but the set of emerald jewelry on her head is very valuable. It is estimated to be worth at least a thousand taels.
Mrs. Xie was really willing to spend the capital to prepare such expensive headgear for Gu Yue.
Gu Yue pursed her lips and smiled, "It's the first time to be a guest at the Hou's Mansion, so naturally you have to dress up to show respect."
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, looked at Gu Yue with a half-smile, "You are dressed so beautifully, and you are rich enough. But you are still a girl after all, and you dress so flamboyantly, and you compare the girls in the Hou's mansion." Go down. San girl, you are deliberately trying to steal the limelight from the girls of the Hou Mansion."
Gu Yue was taken aback for a moment and panicked. Some at a loss.
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, continued: "The fourth girl's outfit is very appropriate. She is neither ostentatious nor disrespectful. She should be able to leave a good impression on the old lady of the Hou Mansion."
Gu Yue suddenly looked at Gu Shan.
Gu Shan was dressed in pink, and there were only a few simple jewelry on her head.
It looks refreshing.
Gu Yue gritted her teeth, is it possible that she should go back and change
Woke up early this morning and started washing and dressing.
After finally getting dressed, the eldest aunt said that she would steal the limelight from the girl of the Hou's mansion if she dressed up too much.
This made Gu Yue worried and unwilling.
Today's outfit is what she is most satisfied with, and she is really reluctant to change it.
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, reminded Gu Yue, "Three girls, if you want to change, it's still too late. Otherwise, it will be too late when you arrive at the Hou's mansion."
Gu Yue was tangled and struggling.
At this time, Mrs. Xie arrived.
"I didn't expect my sister-in-law to come earlier than me."
Mrs. Zhang laughed, "The siblings are finally here. Now that everyone is here, let's go."
After speaking, Mrs. Zhang got into the carriage first.
Although there is only one wall between the Gu Mansion and the next-door Hou Mansion, there is a corner door in the middle to make it easier for the two families to come and go.
But when the two families formally visit, they always go through the main entrance.
Mrs. Xie also said to Gu Yue and the others: "Get in the car."
There is no shortage of carriages in the Gu residence, which is convenient for everyone.
Gu Jiu took the maids and boarded the carriage.
Gu Yue stood there without moving.
Mrs. Xie looked at her strangely, "Yue'er, what are you doing standing there. Hurry up and get on the carriage."
Gu Yue looked confused, and whispered to Xie in a low voice, "Mother, my aunt said just now that my daughter's outfit is too flamboyant, and she might steal the limelight from the girls in the Hou's mansion."
Xie frowned, "Your aunt really said that?"
Gu Yue nodded, "Mother, do you want my daughter to go back and change?"
Mrs. Xie snorted coldly, "What for? Don't listen to your aunt's nonsense, she has no good intentions. Listen to me and dress like this. When you arrive at the Hou's mansion, behave well. In short, everything is up to me."
Gu Yue reluctantly accepted Mrs. Xie's words, followed Mrs. Xie into the carriage, and headed to the next door to the Marquis's Mansion.
On the carriage, Qingmei murmured to Gu Jiu, "The servant thinks that what the eldest lady said is somewhat reasonable. The third girl is dressed too ostentatiously, and such expensive jewelry can't be ignored. The girl of the Hou's mansion must be in her own home. Not dressed like that."
Gu Jiu smiled softly, and said: "The third younger sister obviously wants to make a good impression on the old lady of the Hou Mansion, that's why she is worried about gains and losses, and is influenced by the eldest aunt. However, what the eldest aunt said may not be right."
The two families are next to each other, and after leaving Gu's mansion, they arrived at Hou's mansion.
The concierge of the Hou Mansion was waiting early, and when he saw the carriage of the Gu Mansion arriving, he hurriedly opened the side door and welcomed the people of the Gu Mansion inside.
Mr. Gu took his sons and daughters to pay a visit to Lord Hou first.
Together with Mrs. Xie and Mrs. Zhang, they took the girls to the inner courtyard to visit the old lady Mrs. Wei.
The women lead the way.
"The two wives and the girls are finally here. The old lady got up early this morning, and she was talking about the two wives. The old lady also said that it took so long, it's strange to miss the old lady."
The mother-in-law led the way while talking funny.
Mrs. Zhang laughed when she heard the words, "I've always been thinking about the old lady. I was too busy a while ago, busy tidying up the courtyard of the second bedroom, so I didn't come to pay my respects to the old lady. I have to accompany the old lady later. "
The mother-in-law smiled and said: "The eldest lady is really caring. No wonder the old lady always talks about the eldest lady."
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, smiled heartily, with joy in the corners of her brows and eyes.
Mrs. Xie walked in silence, while paying attention to Mrs. Zhang's conversation with the mother-in-law, while looking at the Hou's mansion.
Sure enough, it is a rich place, and it seems to be more grand than Gu's mansion.
Listening to the mother-in-law kept talking, the old lady kept talking about Mrs. Zhang, and Mrs. Xie said in her heart that she was envious, that must be a lie.
It's just that there is no envy or jealousy in this matter.
She went out with Mr. Gu for more than ten years. There is no way to change the old lady's heart without a chance.
When we arrived at Songhe Hall, the woman said, "You two ladies, ladies, go in. The slaves will be sent here."
With just one look from Mrs. Zhang, Shao Yao sent a purse to the old lady.
The mother-in-law beamed with joy and said a bunch of auspicious words before bowing and leaving.
The servant girl of the Hou's mansion was clever, and came in first to report, "Old lady, the eldest lady, the second wife, and all the girls from the house next door have come to greet you."
When the old lady Wei heard this, she immediately laughed, "Please come in quickly."
Xiao Wei, the eldest wife of the Hou Mansion, said: "My daughter-in-law heard that after the second room next door came back yesterday, the old man in the house next door had a quarrel. It almost broke the banquet."
The old lady Wei snorted coldly, and said in a low voice: "The old man in the next door is getting more and more absurd. Don't implicate us in the Hou's house."
The eldest lady Xiao Wei bowed slightly, "The old lady is very true. My daughter-in-law has ordered the porter to guard the door and not allow the servants of the two families to run around."
The old lady Wei nodded repeatedly, "It's very good to deal with it like this."
The second wife of the Hou Mansion, Wang Shi, said: "The Second Household of the mansion next door comes back this time, and will not leave again. There are several girls in the Second Household, and I heard that none of them are married yet."
The old lady Wei said: "Let's have a look first."
At this time, the servant girl raised the door curtain and welcomed Mrs. Zhang, Mrs. Xie and the girls from the Gu residence.
Gu Jiu followed behind Xie Shi, lowered her head slightly, and looked at the situation in the room calmly.
There are many people sitting in the room.
Sitting at the top, the silver-white haired, very kind old lady must be the old lady of the Hou Mansion, Mrs. Wei.
There are three wealthy wives and a row of girls sitting on the bottom.
Mrs. Zhang led everyone, "My nephew and daughter-in-law greet the old lady. These are my younger siblings, Mrs. Xie, who have been away from Beijing for more than ten years, and my nieces."
Mrs. Xie hurried forward, bowed and bowed: "Nephew and daughter-in-law pay respects to the old lady, and the old lady is well."
Gu Jiu led the sisters and followed her to pay her respects.
"Grandniece pays respects to the old lady, and the old lady is well."
"Okay!"
The old lady Wei laughed.
She looked at Mrs. Xie, "You've been with Zhili for so many years, you've worked hard as a husband and a child."
Xie was excited, even though she knew that what the old lady Wei said was just a scene, she couldn't help but turn red eyes. All these years of hard work have not been in vain.
Xie said: "Bringing up children for the master, sharing worries and solving difficulties, so that the master will not be distracted by trivial matters in the backyard, this is what a nephew and daughter-in-law should do."
The old lady Wei was cheerful, "I know you are a good person. When Zhili insisted on straightening you up, I said that you must have something special."
Xie was moved, "Thank you Madam for your understanding."
After so many years, I finally heard a thoughtful word. Xie was so moved that he couldn't be more moved.
With a smile on her face, Mrs. Zhang watched this scene calmly.
Gu Jiu secretly glanced at the old lady Wei, feeling in her heart, the old lady is indeed a person who has experienced great storms, and the means of buying people's hearts are really good.
After a few words, Xie was moved to such a state.
The old lady Wei said: "Show seats to the first wife and the second wife."
The servant girl stepped forward, "Eldest Mistress, Second Mistress, please sit here."
The maid placed Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Xie at the lower right of the old lady Wei.
The old lady Wei looked at Gu Jiu and the others again.
"Girls with the sign of good life, come forward and let the old man take a good look."
Gu Jiu took the lead and took everyone two steps forward.
The old lady Wei's eyes swept over everyone's faces one by one.
With just one glance, she already knows who is who.
She first said to Gu Zhen: "This is girl Zhen, I didn't expect to grow so big in a blink of an eye."
Gu Zhen looked excited, she really didn't expect the old lady to still remember her.
She blessed the body, "Grandniece pays respects to the old lady."
"Good boy."
Immediately afterwards, the maid standing next to the old lady Wei presented a specially prepared gift of meeting, two pieces of jewelry.
Gu Zhen was excited, she secretly looked at Mrs. Xie, and waited for Mrs. Xie to nod before she accepted it.
The old lady Wei looked at Gu Jiu again, took a closer look, and was stunned for a moment.
What a sign girl. The stature has not been fully opened, but this whole body looks unusual.
"You are Xiao Jiu, you look like a kitten back then, and you have grown up to this size."
Gu Jiu smiled sweetly, "My grandniece has met the old lady, and I wish the old lady a happy life and a healthy life."
The old lady Wei smiled, and stretched out her hand towards Gu Jiu, "Come closer, let the old man take a good look at you."
Gu Jiu took two steps forward.
The old lady Wei held Gu Jiu's hand, looked him up and down carefully, and nodded secretly.
Then he asked, "Do you have any reading?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "I've read a few books."
"I heard that your body is weak, and you have been raising it for many years, is it better?"
Gu Jiu nodded slightly, "Thank you Madam for your concern, my grandniece's health is much better."
The old lady Wei smiled happily, "It's so good. Now that I'm in good health, I will spend more time with my sisters in the future. Let the Hou's Mansion be my home."
Gu Jiu smiled slightly, "My niece and granddaughter have just arrived in the capital, so there are many things she doesn't understand. I'm going to ask all my sisters and sisters for advice."
The old lady Wei laughed loudly, "Girls, have you heard that? Xiaojiu wants to ask you for advice later, so don't be perfunctory."
Several girls in the Hou's mansion talked in a hurry.
"The old lady is eccentric. With sister Xiaojiu, she will forget about us."
"Who makes little sister Xiaojiu look like a sign, and the old lady likes it."
"I'm so envious of sister Xiaojiu."
…
The girls talked one after another, which made the old lady Wei laugh out loud. Even several other wives and wives also laughed.
The old lady Wei pointed at the girls in the Hou Mansion, "You monkeys are just making trouble. After spoiling you for so many years, why don't you allow me to spoil Xiaojiu?"
"Old lady, my granddaughter also likes little sister Xiaojiu. Can you give her to us?"
The old lady Wei said with a smile: "Take it, take it. You have to take good care of Xiaojiu and don't wrong her."
"Don't worry, old lady, she will definitely not let sister Xiaojiu feel wronged."
The eldest girl of the Hou Mansion pulled Gu Jiu and sat down on the seat, "Sister Xiao Jiu sits here, we will talk in the wing later."
Gu Jiu laughed, "Thank you sister Mei."
Gu Mei was very surprised, "You know me? We've never met before, but you are so amazing, you recognized me the first time you met."
Gu Jiu smiled slightly, and said, "Sister Mei is so pretty, I noticed it as soon as I walked in."
Gu Mei laughed and thought, this little sister Xiao Jiu is quite good at talking.
As soon as Gu Jiu sat down, the maid brought over the gift prepared by the old lady Wei. It's also jewelry, but it has one more jasper hairpin than the big sister Gu Zhen.
The old lady Wei talked to Gu Yue, Gu Shan, Gu Lin, and Gu Jun respectively.
Everyone is treated equally, no one is special than anyone else.
If it's really special, it's Gu Jiu.
Obviously, the old lady Wei Shi talked the most with Gu Jiu.
When Gu Yue returned to her seat, she was very upset, and secretly glared at Gu Jiu.
Why did everyone pay more attention to Gu Jiu
Obviously Gu Jiu lost his mother.
Gu Yue never thought that Xie's family is a concubine, so she is naturally a head shorter than others.
In everyone's minds, although Gu Jiu, Gu Yue, and Gu Shan are all descendants. But it's obvious that Gu Jiu's status is higher.
Because Gu Jiu's biological mother is Su Shi.
The Su family was born in a family of scholars and officials. How can it be that Xie, who was born in a small family, can compare.
If Mrs. Xie was married into the family by Mr. Gu as a house-filler, everyone would naturally look at her highly.
Not to mention anything else, at least the Xie family will be equated with the deceased Su family, there is no one who is shorter than the other.
Even with Gu Yue and Gu Shan, they can get the same status and attention as Gu Jiu.
It's a pity that the Xie family is not filling in the house, but a concubine helping the righteousness.
There's a huge difference here.
I'm afraid Mrs. Xie didn't realize the subtle difference between filling the house and helping the concubine.
No one would say this kind of thing in front of Mrs. Xie.
No matter how everyone thinks of Mrs. Xie in their hearts, at least on the bright side, everyone will give Mrs. Xie enough face.
To give face to Mrs. Xie is to give face to Mr. Gu.
Gu Jiu was keen and noticed the subtle differences.
She didn't make a sound, and listened to what the elders had to say.
The old lady Wei asked Xie, "Daughter-in-law Zhili, I heard that the northwest is bitterly cold. You have been there for eight or nine years, and it has been hard for you."
Mrs. Xie bowed slightly, "Thank you Madam for your concern, as long as the family is together, the nephew and daughter-in-law will not feel bitter."
The old lady Wei nodded, and said: "I know you can endure hardships. You have added two sons and two daughters to Zhili, which can be regarded as hard work."
Mrs. Xie said: "Bringing children to the master is what a nephew and daughter-in-law should do."
"Not bad, not bad. After so many years with Zhili, you have experienced it. When you return to Beijing this time, your family will not leave again."
Mrs. Xie said: "It still depends on the master's will. In recent years, he probably won't leave the capital."
The old lady Wei nodded, "It's best to stay in the capital. The children's marriage can also be settled together. Wife Zhili, have the marriages of these girls been settled?"
Xie was overjoyed.
Zhengchou couldn't find a chance to mention this matter, but she didn't expect the old lady to mention it on her own initiative, which solved her problem.