In her free time, Mei Niang sadly rummaged through boxes and cupboards to find wool to knit a sweater for Xu Junying. She didn't take this into consideration. The emperor and Xu Junying were so close that they had to discuss wearing unusual clothes. It was really unreasonable that the emperor had one but Xu Junying didn't.
It was impossible to find the same pink and purple color as hers. She would faint if she imagined the effect of Xu Junying wearing that color. At least they could find some dark purple ones, in the same series.
After getting started, I asked Cuixi to go to the closet and take out the long-sleeved one she had originally owned and compare its size.
Cui Xi said: "I have already given it to Lord Hou!"
Mei Niang was stunned: "When? Why don't I remember asking you to take it?"
Cui Xi lowered her eyes: "It was snowing and too cold those days, and my mother asked me what to do if I didn't wear the knitted fabric? She asked me to deliver it!"
"You're just saying I was the one who sent it?"
"That's what my mother told me to do!" Cui Xi said calmly.
"You, you are really..." Mei Niang was helpless: "Forget it, I have knitted it anyway. It is knitted for people to wear. It is better than wasting it!"
The spring rain was fine, moistening everything silently, but it also blocked the way out. As soon as Mei Niang arrived at the corridor, she felt a chill at the gloomy sky, the wet road surface, and the continuous and dense rain. Rainy days were actually fun. In her previous life, she dressed simply, holding an umbrella and walking in the drizzle, which was very romantic. But it was different now. She went out in a carriage, and if such a long skirt and long-sleeved robe got wet, it would not be fun to climb up and down.
He had no choice but to stay at home. He didn't believe that the King of Qi would really turn Xianmen upside down. He could actually practice on his own. Why did he always need a teacher to accompany him? It was too much!
Mei Niang stayed in the mansion for a few days. After finishing her household chores every day, she would go to see Heng'er and talk to Rulan. She would take advantage of the situation and go to Jinhuatang every other day instead of every day. It doesn't matter what you say, she is almost a has-been anyway. Seeing how excited Zhuang Yulan is, the empress dowager's decree to grant marriage will probably come down in the next few days.
Be happy, but don't be too happy. It would be bad to imitate Fan Jin who passed the imperial examination. Zheng Meiyu would get the advantage for nothing.
Heng'er has completely recovered. He is full of energy and seems to be much more sensible than before. He was happy that Mei Niang came. When she left, he no longer cried. He obediently imitated Mei Niang and waved his hands. His expectant eyes made Mei Niang feel sad.
Rulan has not reacted yet, probably because she is in a good mood. Her diet and sleep are normal. Xu Junya is a caring man. He goes home on time every day to accompany his wife. He is considerate and caring. He personally asks about her when she drinks a sip of water and when she takes a step, and supports her. The couple's happy love has touched Mei Niang. She can't help but think about her own future. She wonders if she will be as blessed as Rulan and find a partner who truly loves her and is willing to share the joys and sorrows of life together.
Of the men she has met so far, Xu Junying is not her ideal man. The King of Qi only loves men, Zhang Jingyun and Lingxuzi. It is strange that she always combines these two people into one. Zhang Jingyun is actually the eldest son of the Duke of Jingguo's mansion? Why did he leave his illustrious family background and not inherit it, and run around all over the country? Yes, the wife of the Marquis of Changle said that he had a shameless stepmother who forced the wife of the main wife to death. He was driven out when he was very young. He has several younger brothers born to his stepmother, one of whom is the fat, stupid and bad Zhang Si...
I never thought he was such a poor guy!
Zhang Jingyun is a very good person, with a handsome appearance, low-key, deep and steady, and a warm heart.
Lingxuzi is the same as him, but the difference is that Lingxuzi is more active and has a brighter personality.
They are all good men...
Mei Niang was daydreaming and accidentally got the hook needle stuck in the gap between her nails. The pain was so excruciating that she kept blowing hard: Damn it, this is what happens when you think about a man!
Cui Xi hurried to get the medicine. Mei Niang took a closer look and shook her hands: "It's okay! There's no bleeding. It won't hurt in a while."
She continued crocheting and finished a men's vest in four days. Her speed was quite fast. She folded it and threw it to Cuixi:
"You should do this and give it to Lord Hou. You gave him sweaters twice. He should reward you!"
Cui Xi was embarrassed: "Look at what Grandma said, it is our duty to do our job, how dare we ask for a reward?"
Unexpectedly, Cui Xi came back from the East Courtyard with a bundle, followed by a precious horse, and she put down four pieces of brocade of elegant and bright colors. After performing her greetings, she went back.
Mei Niang said embarrassedly: "You are not really going to ask him for a reward, are you?"
Cui Xi blushed, "How dare I? Lord Hou said: This was brought back from the palace, a reward from the Empress, and I should give it to Grandma!"
Cui Lian and Cui Si gathered around. Mei Niang touched the brocades, all of which were her favorite colors. She hurriedly asked Cui Xi to open the bundle, which contained two brocade boxes about a foot long. Mei Niang opened both of them, and the objects inside were exactly the same, including some gem pendants, necklaces, pearl flowers, hairpins, gold hairpins and other jewelry, all of which were finely crafted, gorgeous and exquisite. Mei Niang looked at both sides, then at the four pieces of brocade, and she understood in her heart: it was indeed what the Queen asked Xu Junying to bring back. There were obviously two copies, needless to say, one was Lin Runan's. Zhang Jingyun had already told the Queen that Lin Runan had returned to the capital and was living in Cen's house.
Xu Junying didn't go to Jinhua Hall for dinner for two days. He heard the old lady tell his brothers and sisters that he had gone to accompany the emperor. The queen's reward should have been brought back today. Why didn't she send it directly to the upper room? If Cui Xi didn't go to deliver the sweater, did he want to withhold it
This is outrageous! You want to give my things to Zhuang Yulan, Zheng Meiyu and others? No way!
Mei Niang smiled and picked up the jewelry in the brocade box to admire it. She placed each piece on Cui Xi, Cui Lian and Cui Si's heads to show them. Cui Si reached out to take one to look at, but Cui Xi slapped her back, "Go away! Grandma hasn't finished looking at it yet. Don't break it!"
Cui Si pouted: "Sister Cui Xi, am I so rude? It will break if you touch it!"
Cui Lian said: "This is a reward from the palace, we can't touch it!"
Mei Niang glanced at her and said, "Why not? I want to pick one for each of you!"
Cui Lian waved her hands hurriedly: "Madam, you must not do that! These jewels are all made by the Sizhenfang in the palace. You can see there are seals on them. Only people of your status can wear them. If we dare to wear them outside, we will be punished!"
Mei Niang inserted a golden sparrow hairpin into her hair and said with a smile, "Things given to me are mine. I can do whatever I want with them. I can give them to whomever I want. This one is for you!"
Cui Lian was frantically trying to pull it off, but Mei Niang said, "They are all external possessions, what are they worth? You are unfortunate to be maids, but in fact, in my opinion, you are all smart and clever, kind and simple, much better than the young ladies like Zhuang Yulan and Zheng Meiyu. When I have the chance, I will find your indentures and cancel your slavery at the government. Then you will be good citizens and can wear whatever you like. Who dares to judge you?"
Cui Xi's eyes turned red: "I will not leave grandma, I am willing to serve grandma for the rest of my life!"
Cui Si nodded: "Me too! I was sold when I was four years old, and my parents are nowhere to be found. My grandma couldn't abandon me!"
Cui Lian cried: "Cui Xi and I have been with the young lady since we were young. How could the young lady have the heart to..."
Mei Niang was softened by her crying and wiped her tears with a handkerchief: "Why are you crying? I didn't say you must leave. If you want to follow me, just follow me. We have been like a family for a long time. How could I not know your hearts? I have said it long ago. I just want to give you freedom and you can still live together. You are about the same age as me. I have Heng'er already, and you also want to get married. I don't want to delay your life."
Cuisi said, "Do I have to get married? I don't have to get married. I can stay with my grandma during the day and sleep with my mom when I come home at night!"
Mei Niang stared at her, Cui Xi lowered her head, Cui Lian suddenly burst into laughter, and then several people laughed. Mei Niang pointed at Cui Si and said:
"I'll bet on you. If you get married before Cui Xi and Cui Lian, you'll get double the dowry!"
Cui Si was unmoved: "I don't want even three or four. It's better not to marry someone who is not compatible with me and make me upset every day!"
Mei Niang nodded: "That's serious. You must marry the right person before you marry. This is a lifelong thing. You will grow old together and be together for life. You can't be a concubine, and you can't let your husband take a concubine. This is very important. Remember!"
The master and servants were talking animatedly when Cheng'er suddenly ran in, bowed to Mei Niang, and said, "Sister Ruibao from the East Courtyard is here to tell the Marquis: If you have midnight snacks from the upper room, let me know. The Marquis wants some too."
If you want to order supper, just go there yourself. Why do you have to go to the upper room? Is the upper room the dining hall
Mei Niang ordered Cheng Er: "There is no food in the upper room tonight. Let Rui Bao go to the kitchen to find food for Lord Hou!"
Cheng'er left and came back after a while: "Reply to grandma: Sister Ruibao didn't go to the kitchen, she went back to the East Courtyard. Should we go and bring some food back? What if Master Hou gets hungry?"
Mei Niang looked at her serious little face and said with a smile: "When Lord Hou is hungry, he should go to Ruibao Ruizhu first. It's not our turn to worry about it. If he comes to you and says, 'Cheng'er, I'm hungry,' you can go get him something to eat!"
Cheng'er smiled embarrassedly, bowed lightly, and went out.
Mei Niang took out a book and flipped through a few pages, then asked, "What time is it now?"
Cui Xi looked at the copper kettle hourglass and said, "She must be fainting. Is grandma going to rest?"
Mei Niang said: "Let's take a break. We have to go out tomorrow anyway, otherwise..."
Cheng'er's voice came from outside the door: "Master Hou is here!"
Cui Xi and the others quickly got up and helped Mei Niang get off the bed and put on her shoes. Mei Niang said in annoyance, "I should have listened to Cheng Er and asked someone to bring some food back. Now that he's here, I don't know when I can sleep. I'm really sleepy now!"
As she spoke, she yawned. Cui Xi hurriedly supported her and said softly, "We have to welcome Lord Hou in first!"
As soon as Mei Niang reached the door, Xu Junying walked in. Mei Niang bowed and said, "It's late at night, Lord Hou, are you still not resting?"
Xu Junying walked to the edge of the couch and sat down, saying, "I just came back from outside and didn't have a good dinner. I'm a little hungry now. Don't you usually have food here?"
Mei Niang smiled and said, "That depends on what time it is. Now, I am going to rest!"
Xu Junying reached out and took a jade hairpin from the brocade box and looked at it: "It's still early, let's send some food back!"
"What would you like to eat, Lord Hou?"
"Anything is fine!"
Mei Niang said to Cui Si, "Go and ask Mama Cai to make a bowl of beef noodles!"
Xu Junying looked at her: "Don't you want to eat?"
Mei Niang said: "A bowl of noodles made by Madam Cai will be accompanied by many side dishes, I just need to eat those!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets at Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)