Bai Zhan came back in a hurry from outside the mansion and entered the East Garden from the east corner gate. He did not see Lord Hou. When he asked Ruibao and Ruizhu, they said that Lord Hou had taken Baoju to see the eldest wife, and then went to discuss something with the second master. He probably had dinner at the old lady's house before coming back. So, he would not be able to return to the East Garden before dark.
What should I do? This matter is related to the grandmother, should I report it to her? However, as the Houye's personal attendant, there is no precedent for reporting to the grandmother without informing the Houye first. I wonder if this is appropriate
Bai Zhan peeked through the moon-shaped door toward the upper room, and Cui Si happened to pass by and spotted him:
"What are you doing so secretly? If you have something to say, just stand up and speak up. Don't be unmanly!"
Bai Zhan was angry: After all, my parents gave birth to me with a round waist and broad arms, strong and tall, why don't I look like a man? This girl has a very vicious mouth, she is more annoying than Ruizhu!
But he had to come out and said, "Please tell Grandma that the soldiers who escorted me to Yuezhou are back!"
Cui Si was stunned, but also happy: what grandma talks about every day, isn't it just the news about her uncle that she pricks up her ears to listen to
He quickly said, "Wait a minute, I'll go tell my grandmother right away!"
He hurried away, lifted the curtain and went into the upper room to tell Mei Niang the news. Mei Niang was overjoyed and called Bai Zhan in to ask him about it in detail. However, Bai Zhan's words made her worried and she wanted to go back to her parents' home immediately.
Qin Boqing was too weak. He was fine when he went there, but fell ill on the way back to the capital. His pregnant wife was already weak, and she had to take care of him. When they returned to the capital, the couple both lay down in the car, unable to move. The soldiers hurriedly sent them back to Qin's house and went to report to Baizhan. Baizhan couldn't find Lord Hou, so he came to report to the grandmother first.
Qin Mei Niang said to Wang Mama, "Pack up quickly. I'll report to the eldest wife and take me back to my parents' home!"
Mother Wang looked at the sky and advised, "Grandma, you should wait until tomorrow morning before going back. You have to discuss it with Mr. Hou first. You can't just run back on your own!"
Mei Niang thought about Xu Junying's words: Discuss everything with me and listen to me.
She frowned: What is there to discuss? The person is so sick that he is lying there unable to move, and you still can't let me go back to visit him
Alas, living under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head and endure it.
After waiting anxiously until dark, Mother Wang asked for dinner to be served. Fortunately, it was the hot pot dishes carefully prepared by Mother Cai, with delicious and fragrant mutton soup, freshly made beef balls, thinly sliced carp meat, tender green vegetables and other side dishes, and most importantly, a bowl of seasoning salt with plenty of chili peppers. Mei Niang ate some rice and meat dishes, and asked Mother Wang and Cui Xi and several other maids to eat with her. After the meal, she took a book and read it over and over again, and tried to pick up Cui Xi's embroidery work and do a few stitches. When it was midnight, Xu Junying still didn't come back. Mei Niang couldn't wait any longer, so she asked Cui Si to find Bai Zhan and arranged for him to take a lantern to Jinhua Courtyard to welcome Hou Ye.
Xu Junying had dinner at the old lady's place in Jinhuayuan, and sat down to drink a few cups of tea as usual. Tonight, no other brothers came except him. The weather was too cold, so he told the ladies not to come. Without Mei Niang, Zhuang Yulan sat opposite Xu Junying in a relaxed manner. She made tea smoothly and every time she could make tea flowers, she smiled sweetly and said softly:
"Cousin Ying, is this tea delicious?"
Xu Junying smiled and said, "Tea is the best tribute, so it tastes good!"
Zhuang Yulan pouted: "If cousin Ying says so, then the best tea can be served in a cup and taste good!"
Xu Junying was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses: "Lan'er's tea art is superb, it's pleasing to the eye, and it tastes much better when you drink it!"
Zhuang Yulan was happy then: "Cousin Ying, you praised me! This cup of tea is very good, it has peach blossoms, please drink it, cousin Ying!"
Xu Junying was about to take the teacup that Zhuang Yulan handed over with both hands when he heard the maid in the corridor say:
"Qinghuayuan East Garden Baizhan comes to welcome you, Master!"
Xu Junying held out his hand to take the tea and took it back: I brought my precious horse with me, why did Bai Zhan come again? What happened
He stood up and walked to the bedside to say goodbye to the old lady: "Grandson will go back first!"
The old lady looked at him kindly: "Go ahead, you'll be fine tomorrow, come and have dinner with grandma!"
"Yes, my grandson will come when he is free!"
Looking at Zhuang Yulan who was approaching him, he said gently, "You don't have to see me off, Lan'er. It's very cold outside!"
The old lady said, "Let her take it to the corridor. How can it be damaged by the wind?"
Ruixue brought a cloak, Zhuang Yulan took it and put it on Xu Junying herself. Xu Junying was tall, so she had to get closer, raise her hands and look up to be able to tie the straps for him. She was usually used to handling all kinds of silk and satin, and was also good at making loops and tying bows, but now the two silk straps on Xu Junying's chest seemed to be against her. They were slippery and unstable to hold, and she couldn't tie them no matter what she did. Zhuang Yulan's breathing quickened and a blush appeared on her face.
Xu Junying said, "Tie it simply and firmly. Let me do it!"
Gently pull the ribbon from her hand, cross it and tie a knot in two or three strokes, and you're done.
Zhuang Yulan had no time to feel embarrassed. The maids opened the curtains and Xu Junying stepped out of the room. She hurriedly followed him out.
Standing in the corridor, Zhuang Yulan snorted as the cold wind blew. Xu Junying ordered Ruixue, "Help Miss Cousin in!"
Zhuang Yulan looked at him reluctantly and said, "Cousin Ying, please come home early from the government office tomorrow. Lan'er will play chess with you!"
Xu Junying nodded: "Okay, I'll come when I'm free, you go in and rest with the old lady!"
Zhuang Yulan watched him walk further and further away under the guidance of Baoju and Baizhan, and her inner enthusiasm and joy were slowly replaced by indifference and worry: How long will this day last? When will she be able to hold his arm like Qin Meiniang, walk close to him all the way back to Tsinghua Courtyard, and live with him forever
Along the way, Bai Zhan reported Qin Boqing's affairs to Xu Junying.
Xu Junying knew clearly in his mind: those twenty or so soldiers were carefully picked by Baoju, and there was nothing they were incapable of when it came to long journeys, overcoming dangers, and even fighting. However, they had never learned how to serve others. A weak scholar like Qin Boqing did not even have a single servant or domestic servant around him. When handed over to these soldiers, they were strong and energetic, and only wanted to do things quickly and efficiently. They would certainly not give Qin Boqing a chance to catch his breath on the way, as they rushed around recklessly, not afraid of robbers and bandits trying to rob him of his money. It was also the end of the year, so he might have to travel day and night. It would be good for Qin Boqing to come back in one piece.
"Baoju, you go there tomorrow and reward each of the people who escorted Master Qin back and forth with twenty military sticks. This is a favor. If it weren't for the New Year, it should be fifty military sticks. You, take ten!"
Xu Junying had a sullen face, and Baoju responded honestly: I understand!
He and Bai Zhan were born slaves of the Xu family. They followed the Lord Hou since they were young. The Lord Hou took them with him to practice martial arts and learn martial arts. They were slaves at home and his personal guards on the battlefield. They had made countless contributions and were rewarded by the court. Xu Junying had exempted their entire family from slavery. With their achievements, they could easily become middle- or lower-rank generals in the army, but they did not want to, and their parents and family were unwilling to leave. They would rather live in the Xu Mansion, follow the Lord Hou, and be his lifelong attendants.
This time he was careless. He did not even notice that there was no servant following his uncle. He had led that group of soldiers before and thought they worked very quickly. He actually forgot that they were not going to fight, but to serve as servants. They not only had to protect their uncle, but also had to serve him well.
Damn it! Baoju cursed inwardly. He would deal with those useless bastards tomorrow. Didn’t he explain clearly to them that this was Madam Hou’s biological brother and the uncle of Lord Hou’s son? He asked them to take good care of him, but something like this happened!
These ten blows with the military stick are the grace of the Marquis. I don’t know what kind of reward the eldest lady and the young lady will give him!
Baoju couldn't help scratching his head, feeling that the cold wind was particularly biting, blowing along the collar of his neck and straight into his heart. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)