The restaurants and teahouses in the capital are quite lively.
Recently, the gossip in Dingguo's mansion has come out one after another, which is very exciting.
Today, someone spread the news that the young lady of the Anyuan Hou's mansion went to visit Duke Dingguo's mansion as soon as she got engaged, and also vividly described the scene where Duke Ding berated Xie Shizi angrily.
What is unfilial and unrighteous, the punishment of fifty sticks, and three days of kneeling in the ancestral hall as a punishment, the blood of everyone who listened to the gossip was boiling.
Thanks to Yang Shuqing, now no one in the capital knows the reasons and consequences of the engagement between Shizi Xie and Miss Jiang Si.
The handsome and noble son Xie's reputation suddenly plummeted from the clouds. If he was only in charge of retiring for the sake of another woman, everyone would understand, but he was ungrateful and treacherous. He obviously had more than one solution, but he chose the most ruthless one. kind of.
This is unacceptable.
The eldest lady of Anyuanhou's Mansion has also become a confidant in everyone's mouth, and there are faint rumors that Miss Yang and Xie Shizi have a disagreement.
If it weren't for Miss Yang's persistent questioning, no one would have known that the engagement between Fourth Miss Jiang and Shizi Xie was a life-saving grace and a good marriage between the two surnames.
No wonder the notarization of the marriage certificate was written so carefully.
Everyone sympathized with Miss Jiang Si again.
Today, Duke Ding personally escorted Miss Jiang Si back home with his personal guards in black, probably to support Miss Jiang Si, everyone suddenly realized, and at the same time, there was a trace of disappointment.
I thought Fourth Miss Jiang was having a show with Ding Guogong.
It turned out to be nothing but joy.
The gossip is too hot, the business of restaurants and teahouses is very hot recently, every day is full of guests, and the bosses and shopkeepers are all smiling from ear to ear.
"Does anyone think that Miss Yang is a character?"
"I don't know if it's OK or not, but there must be no doubt about it. If she hadn't made such a fuss today, no one would have known that Mrs. Xie and Mrs. Xie's family had been saved by Miss Jiang Si's mother, and Mrs. Xie's Your reputation won't go downhill."
"Brother Tai is right. Miss Yang may be a nuisance to her husband, or she may not be compatible with Shizi Xie."
"Miss Jiang Si has a good character. She was bullied to the point of retiring and her reputation was damaged, so she didn't reveal the matter. However, Miss Yang, who just got engaged to Shizi Xie, was relentless in questioning her. That's why Miss Jiang had no choice but to leave the marriage. The old things come out, time, fate, fate is impermanent."
"Who knows if the grace of saving lives is true or not, maybe Fourth Miss Jiang is talking nonsense and deliberately tarnishing the reputation of Mr. Xie." Someone said in disapproval.
"Elder Xie admits it personally, and Duke Ding also acquiesces. I believe in Duke Ding's character. This must be true."
"Hey, maybe Miss Jiang Si's mother deliberately designed this trip, just to climb up to Xie's house." The man still did not give up trying to discredit Miss Jiang Si and her mother.
Everyone who was talking excitedly in the arena looked at that person in unison, their eyes were full of disgust.
"You are so dirty. You have a dark heart, and everyone else has a dark heart. You clearly proposed to get married with Mrs. Xie, and the one who divorced is Mrs. Xie. What do you have to do with the second wife of the Jiang family?"
"That's right, I think he's either from the second wife of the Xie family or from Miss Yang."
"possible!"
Under everyone's eyes of condemnation and disgust, the man ran away in desperation.
"Having said so much, no one thinks it's strange that Mr. Xie, who has always been indifferent to women, suddenly fell in love with Miss Yang after he rescued Miss Yang who fell into the water?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked. That's right, since the glorious Mr. Xie saved that Miss Yang, he has been madly obsessed with her like a demon.
It's so weird.
"It's really strange. No matter how you look at it, Xie Shizi's character doesn't look like someone who would fall in love with someone at first sight, nor does he seem like he would betray his promise and be ungrateful for a woman he just met. There must be something hidden here."
"There must be something hidden!"
"Everyone still remembers the rumor that Xie Shizi and Miss Yang have known each other for a long time. I think this is the most credible, otherwise no explanation will make sense."
"Perhaps Xie Shizi was tricked by someone, or someone used insidious means to plot against him."
"..."
Everyone used their brains to guess all possible reasons, and in the end most of them agreed with the guess that the two had known each other in private.
When Yang Shuqing and Xie Shizi didn't know about it, this rumor spread quietly.
A group of people continued to gossip and discuss, and the topic gradually shifted to the possibility of Miss Jiang Si marrying Ding Guogong. Speaking of which, they, the group of gossips, hoped that Miss Jiang Si would get her wish.
No one in Dayue court pays attention to Duke Ding's lifelong event.
Even the enemy country is paying attention.
They waited year after year, during which there were several gossip about women adoring Duke Ding, but in the end there was no follow-up, and all the noble women who had loved Duke Ding married others one after another, and Duke Ding was still unmarried.
On the second floor of a certain restaurant, a handsome young man in brocade clothes with red lips and white teeth was leaning on the railing on the second floor, shaking a glass of wine, listening to the discussion below, he smiled very happily.
"Master, is it really okay for us to release such rumors?" A personal guard asked a little nervously, but he remembered that the little prince was very interested in Miss Yang before, and even wanted to marry Miss Yang as his concubine .
Now people are spreading rumors that Miss Yang is interfering with her husband, and that she and Xie Shizi have known each other for a long time, the guards can't understand the young prince's behavior.
The little prince Xiao Ran sneered, cast a sidelong glance at the guard, and said casually.
"Who knows if it's true or not, it's all for fun."
The guard was stunned, and asked cautiously: "Master, don't you like Miss Yang, such rumors will damage Miss Yang's reputation."
The little prince Xiao Ran took a sip of his wine, his beautiful peach eyes flashed a gloomy moment, and he sneered: "My lord doesn't like her now, there are many beauties, she is not the only one."
On the surface, Yang Shuqing rejected him righteously, but secretly plotted against him. Thinking of what he had done for her because he was interested in her, the little prince felt that he was blind.
If she asks him for help in an open and honest manner, he will be very happy, and it is definitely not like being secretly calculated by others.
Thinking that every time I helped her before, it was most likely due to her calculations, the little prince Xiao Ran lost his affection for Yang Shuqing early, and there was still a trace of disgust.
Guard: "..."
"Speaking of which, I am so old and have seen all kinds of beauties, Miss Jiang Si is the one who suits me the most. It's a pity that I can't move, otherwise I really want to go to the Changning uncle's mansion to propose marriage." The little prince Xiao Ran's peach blossom eyes There was a flash of regret.
After all, Xiao Ran, the little prince who loves beauties, still misses Jiang Ningbao who he only met once.
Guard: "..."
There are already 107 beauties in the backyard of the little prince, and he has been tirelessly collecting all kinds of beauties. If Prince Rui's Mansion is not big enough, how could it accommodate so many beauties.
Fortunately, the little prince never forgets Miss Jiang Si now, otherwise there would be a few more beauties in the mansion, and their personal guards have been following the little prince to collect Luo beauties, which is also very tiring.
Thanks to Miss Jiang Si, with Miss Jiang Si’s jewels in front of me, the young prince’s eyesight has been raised a lot, and many beauties can’t catch his eyes. In the past few days, he met several beauties who wanted to cling to the young prince. Ignore, in the past, comers were always welcome.
Without knowing it, Jiang Ningbao got the gratitude from the guards around the little prince.
...
Changningbo Mansion
Mrs. Zhang suddenly felt unwell. As a niece, Jiang Ningbao had to visit her. It was one thing whether Mrs. Zhang was happy or not, but etiquette should not be ignored.
Before leaving the house, Jiang Ningbao changed into a simple and elegant light white embroidered begonia long dress, and brought Chunxi to the main courtyard.
Baimei and the other four maidservants silently watched the fourth girl leave, feeling very anxious.
The task assigned by the eldest lady is not easy to complete.
The fourth girl never trusted them, and only had Chunxi as her maid by her side. Every time she went out, she would lock the door and lock all the important personal things. They had never seen such a cautious girl.
The hall of the main courtyard was full of people.
Changning uncle Jiang Dongming, first cousin Jiang Zhuo, second cousin Jiang Yue, fifth younger sister Jiang Mingyao, as well as several concubine brothers and sisters and their aunts.
What made Jiang Ningbao frown was that there was a strange foreigner.
This man was wearing a blue robe, about eighteen or nineteen years old, gentle and handsome, with a dignified appearance. He was sitting with his elder brother Jiang Zhuo. It seemed that he was related to the Changningbo Mansion.
Several concubine younger sisters who were about twelve or thirteen years old secretly glanced at the man from time to time, with a hint of shyness in their eyes.
As soon as Jiang Ningbao entered the hall, several eyes looked at her, one of which was that of the strange man, staring straight at her fair and delicate face, with undisguised surprise in his eyes.
Jiang Ningbao frowned slightly, and a look of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
The man's eyes are so presumptuous.
"My niece has met my uncle." Jiang Ningbao stepped forward and saluted Uncle Changning.
"Well, come and sit down."
Changningbo Jiang Dongming squeezed out a smile, and said kindly, this niece has been making troubles lately, Changningbo is very displeased with this niece, the only consolation is that this niece can still climb Shangding Guogong Mansion.
This made Chang Ning Bo look at her differently, and rarely gave her a kind smile.
Jiang Ningbao's beautiful eyes flashed for a moment, this uncle is a person who can't afford to be early.
At this moment, it was rare to give her a kind smile.
It's really rare.
After the parents' death, the uncle never gave their siblings a smile again. During the holidays, he said a few words indifferently, and the treatment was very different from that of his parents when they were there.
It seems that Dingguo Mansion is still the most attractive signboard.
"Thank you, uncle."
Jiang Ningbao thanked her with a smile, and sat down in an empty seat closer to Jiang Mingyao. Chunxi stayed behind her, and a pretty maid came over and served her a cup of tea.
The aunts of the Dafang and their concubine children glanced at Jiang Ningbao with envy and envy.
It's good to be born.
In particular, the fourth girl still holds the generous dowry of the second wife in her hands, and her annual output and income are extremely rich.
It's no wonder that the eldest lady will focus on this fourth girl.
Mrs. Jiang of the Changningbo Mansion attaches the most importance to her concubines, she has a strong desire to control, and she runs the family extremely strictly. Even the eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, only dares to make small moves in secret. None of the aunts and concubine children of the eldest house can catch the eyes of the old lady. No matter how much Chang Ning Bo loved them, he would not dare to let them cross the line.
But their food and clothing costs are good.
Jiang Ningbao ignored the gazes of the elder brother and sister, and smiled at Jiang Mingyao, the fifth younger sister, who was looking over. She said that the most satisfying thing about Changningbo Mansion is that there are few bad things, and the intrigues are all private.
Except for the elders at the top, no one dared to bother her.
"Uncle, I heard that grandma and auntie have invited the master to the mansion, are grandma and auntie okay?" Jiang Ningbao asked with concern, his brows were full of uneasiness, but he was very speechless in his heart. A group of people stayed together In the hall, the uncle's aunts secretly seduced people with their eyes, and none of them visited the main house where the eldest lady lived.
Even Zhang's children are acting like this.
In fact, Jiang Ningbao didn't know that she came late. Everyone here had already visited Mrs. Zhang, and they saw that she was fine, but she was frightened. Because of the evil spirit entering her body, she was lying on the bed feeling cold and uncomfortable, so she didn't Stay inside again.
It was almost time for dinner, so the aunts of the big house and the brothers and sisters of the concubines did not leave, preparing to have dinner with Uncle Changning.
This is a rare opportunity to get together.
Changning Bo Jiang Dongming glanced at his niece, the culprit, and frowned when he saw her anxious and worried expression.
"Your grandmother is fine, your uncle will go to the temple to live for some time tomorrow."
Jiang Ningbao showed a reassuring smile, the uneasiness between his eyebrows dissipated, and he said with relief: "It's good that grandma and uncle are fine, otherwise my niece will definitely feel guilty and have trouble sleeping and eating."
Changning Bo Jiang Dongming took a deep look at the niece and said calmly.
"It's not your fault, it's your aunt who did it herself."
Jiang Ningbao: "..."
These words were too straightforward, when the aunts of the eldest house heard what the uncle said, gloating flashes of gloating flashed in their eyes, only the expressions of the two cousins changed slightly.
She found that this uncle was really cold, there was no trace of concern or worry in his eyes, obviously he had no affection for his uncle.
But Jiang Ningbao didn't sympathize with Mrs. Zhang at all.
Jiang Mingyao glanced at the gentle and weak fourth sister with a complicated expression. She knew that her mother was corrupted by the evil spirit of the Buddhist scriptures copied by Duke Ding, so it was no wonder for the fourth sister, but she always felt a little uncomfortable.
So he never spoke to Jiang Ningbao.
I haven't seen her for a few days, but the fourth sister has changed and become dazzling. The resignation did not affect the fourth sister in the slightest, and at the same time alienated her a lot. Jiang Mingyao pursed her lips and looked away.
At this time, Jiang Ningbao's lobby brother Jiang Zhuo patted the shoulder of the man beside him, smiled and said: "Fourth sister, come, let me introduce you, this is my cousin Zhang Zhan, you can call him Cousin Zhan , he will temporarily stay in the Bo mansion for a few days."
"Miss Jiang Si, I have known you for a long time. I am Zhang Zhan." The gentle and handsome man showed a smile and introduced himself politely, but he was quite satisfied in his heart.
This Fourth Miss Jiang has a good face, a decent family background, and a large dowry in her hand.
No one is more suitable to be his wife than her.
Aunt picked a good candidate for him.
Jiang Ningbao's expression was light, and he said politely and distantly: "Hello, Mr. Zhang!"
His surname is Zhang, and he is Jiang Zhuo's cousin. It seems that he is the nephew of Mrs. Zhang's natal family.
Wait, Zhang Zhan, this name is a bit familiar.
Jiang Ningbao was startled, Zhang Zhan is also a person related to Jiang Ningbao, she looked through the memory of the traveler again, and finally found this Zhang Zhan's information.
The "Jiang Ningbao" in the book did not agree to withdraw from the marriage, and has been entangled with the hero Xie Jingyi, and designed to frame the heroine. On the surface, the heroine is forbearing and retreats step by step, but behind the scenes, she cooperates with the eldest wife Zhang to deal with "Jiang Ningbao". Zhang Zhan is an extremely important pawn .
He is the eldest son of the elder brother of the eldest lady Zhang's natal family. Zhang's natal family is in poverty and distress, and they live on their own. 'Jiang Ningbao' holds a large dowry. action.
Later, with the support of Yang Shuqing, the eldest daughter of Marquis Anyuan, Zhang's courage grew.
Using Zhang Zhan to destroy 'Jiang Ningbao''s innocence and force 'Jiang Ningbao' to marry her natal nephew, 'Jiang Ningbao' is unwilling, even if her innocence is ruined, she will not marry.
But the male lead Xie Jingyi took the opportunity to use the excuse that 'Jiang Ningbao' had lost his innocence, forcefully withdrew the marriage, tore up the marriage certificate, and got engaged to the female lead Yang Shuqing, causing 'Jiang Ningbao' to collapse completely.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhan appeared in advance.
Jiang Ningbao sneered in her heart. It seems that after she divorced, her aunt Zhang was concerned about her dowry, so she stayed in the uncle's house for a while, fearing that she wanted to destroy her innocence and force her to submit.
It's really a good plan.
She is not the "Jiang Ningbao" in the book, but the characters related to "Jiang Ningbao" start to pop up one by one.
Zhang Zhan saw that Miss Jiang Si looked alienated, and after greeting him, he didn't even give him a look. His eyes flickered, and he glanced at his cousin Jiang Zhuo. Jiang Zhuo secretly pouted in the direction of Uncle Changning, signaling him hold on.
Zhang Zhan nodded slightly.
"Uncle, I want to visit my auntie." Jiang Ningbao was disgusted by Zhang Zhan's tender eyes from time to time. Seeing that the sky was getting dark and it was almost time for dinner, he couldn't help but say.
She didn't want to have dinner with this large group.
"Fourth sister, I'll be with you." The cold Jiang Mingyao suddenly said.
Changning Bo Jiang Dongming nodded indifferently: "Well, you can go together and have a look." After speaking, he called a maid and brought his niece and Yao'er there.
After seeing Jiang Ningbao leave, the concubine sisters who were present at the scene were secretly relieved, their eyes were full of joy, with the fourth sister around, Cousin Zhan was attracted by her, so how could he pay attention to them.
Jiang Ningbao and Jiang Mingyao went to the main house together, Chunxi and several other maidservants followed behind.
The two of them followed the maidservant in silence all the way to the main house door, Jiang Mingyao opened her mouth, but said nothing in the end, when Aunt Yang saw the fourth girl coming, her face darkened, her voice tinged with coldness.
"Fourth Miss, Fifth Miss, Madam is asleep, please go back."
Seeing this, Jiang Ningbao glanced at the closed door, and said softly: "Since my aunt is asleep, I won't bother you, and I will come to visit my aunt some other day."
"Fourth Miss, you don't need to come again, Madam is going to stay in the temple for a while tomorrow." Nanny Yang said coldly with an old face.
Jiang Ningbao nodded slightly, then turned and left.
The silent Jiang Mingyao finally couldn't help but speak, her voice was still cold: "Fourth sister, you clearly know that the Buddhist scriptures have evil spirits, why didn't you stop your mother from reading them?"
Jiang Ningbao stopped, glanced at Jiang Mingyao, saw a trace of resentment in her eyes, and smiled slightly: "Fifth sister, are you blaming me?"
Jiang Mingyao was silent.
A trace of disappointment flashed across Jiang Ningbao's eyes. Yes, she wanted to cheat her aunt, but she had already reminded her that if she believed her, she would not be able to cheat her.
Maybe she was wrong, she is not the 'Jiang Ningbao' in the book now, and Jiang Mingyao is not the Jiang Mingyao in the book.
"Fifth sister, it's better for us to have less contact, Chunxi, let's go back."
After finishing speaking, Jiang Ningbao didn't even look at Jiang Mingyao, and sent a maid to inquire and inform Uncle Changning that she would go back to the courtyard for dinner, then turned around and left the main courtyard with Chunxi.
Different ways do not conspire with each other, Jiang Ningbao has never been the one who wronged her, the eldest lady Zhang's calculations are getting more and more ruthless, she and Jiang Mingyao will become strangers one day.
Jiang Mingyao looked at the slender figure of the fourth sister going away, her bright eyes dimmed, and the maids behind her looked at the fifth girl worriedly.
"Fifth Miss, you should spend less time with Fourth Miss in the future. She can plot against Madam today, and she will plot against Miss in the future." At some point, Mammy Yang suddenly came to Jiang Mingyao's side.
"Fourth sister is not such a person." Jiang Mingyao hesitated and retorted.
Grandma Yang was anxious when she heard that Miss Fifth trusted Fourth Miss so much.
"Fifth Miss, you know people, you know your face, you don't know your heart. Don't forget that your good marriage was obtained by stepping on Fourth Miss. Fourth Miss looks soft and weak, but she is ruthless in her heart."
Jiang Mingyao pursed her lips, a trace of wavering flashed across her cold face.
When Jiang Ningbao returned to the yard, the sky was getting dark, and the house had already begun to hang lanterns. The breeze blew past, bringing a faint chill.
Baimei's four maidservants stood guard at the door.
Chunxi entered the house, lit the candles in the house, and went to the kitchen to get meals. After dinner, bath, and hair wringing, it was the end of the Xu Dynasty, and Chunxi was making the bed.
The candlelight flickered in the room, Jiang Ningbao had long hair hanging loose, and was facing the window in a loose robe.
Recalling Zhang Zhan I saw in the hall, and thinking of the four maids sent by the eldest lady Zhang, Jiang Ningbao's eyes were cold.
Fortunately, she was on guard against these four maidservants. She put all the close-fitting clothes and accessories into boxes and locked them. Even the work of locking the gate of the yard was left to Chunxi, and they were only asked to do some unimportant work.
The "Jiang Ningbao" in the book was calculated because he was not cautious enough, and there was no trustworthy person around him. The elder brother Jiang Jin was framed and broke his leg at that time, allowing Zhang to take advantage of the loopholes, otherwise Zhang would not have succeeded in the calculation so easily.
She had a private meeting with a foreign man in her own yard, and was caught on the spot.
Jiang Ningbao sneered, Mrs. Zhang's methods are really vicious.
"Girl, the bed is made."
Jiang Ningbao withdrew her thoughts, walked over, took off her wooden clogs, and fell asleep not long after lying on the bed. Chunxi pulled down the gauze curtain, blew out the candles, and left lightly.
The night is as cool as water, and the night covers the earth.
Lord Dingguo's Mansion
Dingguo Gong Xie Heng lay expressionless on the bed, thinking of his mother entering the palace to propose marriage for him tomorrow, he couldn't help feeling turbulent, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
He stroked the Buddhist bead bracelet on his wrist, and the little girl's beautiful smile and what she said couldn't help appearing in his mind.
"How about I be your daughter-in-law... how about being your daughter-in-law..."
The melodious and crisp voice kept lingering in my ears.
This night, Duke Ding Xie Heng had a rare insomnia, and he didn't sleep well all night.