The "nail" Su Wanniang, who had been ordered by the eldest prince Fang, arrived at the martial arts field before dawn the next day, and began to learn from squatting. To Shen Xiang's surprise, this slender girl looked so delicate, but she just squatted there for an hour, covered in sweat, and didn't ask for a break in the middle.
At dawn, Su Wanniang felt that it was time for Shen Wen to get up, so she stood up and said to Shen Xiang with shaking legs: "I have to go back to serve the lady."
Shen Xiang boldly patted Su Wanniang on the shoulder and said, "Okay, see you tomorrow morning!" Hearing a "plop", Su Wanniang sat down on the ground.
Shen Jian was walking by, and said with a smile: "Don't be too impatient, how will one day become fat?"
Shen Xiang helped Su Wanniang to get up, and Su Wanniang said with a trembling voice, "Miss, see you tomorrow morning."
Shen Xiang helped her to walk a few steps, let her get up slowly, and said in his mouth: "You are much better than my sister. She only squatted for a quarter of an hour before she shed tears."
Su Wanniang said: "Miss is a noble person, I can't compare to her." She was telling the truth, but others thought she understood her duty. Seeing that her legs were almost ready, Su Wanniang bid farewell to Shen Xiang and walked towards Shen Wen's yard in small steps.
Shen Jian and Shen Xiang watched her go away, Shen Jian asked Shen Xiang: "Who do you think she is?"
Shen Xiang said: "She is quite right about my temper, she is stubborn and willing to endure hardship."
Seeing that Shen Xiang answered the wrong question, Shen Jian sighed: "Whoever you are willing to practice martial arts with you will be angry with you."
Shen Xiang took the opportunity to say to Shen Jian: "Second brother hasn't fought with me for a long time, come and try, otherwise you will lose your temper with me."
When Su Wanniang arrived in the yard, Shen Wen's room was still quiet. Su Wanniang washed up, and when she arrived outside Shen Wen's house, Xia Hong waited outside, and said impatiently, "Where have you been? Do you understand that you have to stay here in the morning?"
Su Wanniang didn't say much, she just stood quietly by the door.
Xia Hong was not reconciled, and said again: "You are so unruly..."
Su Wanniang interrupted her and said, "You know that Miss has already chosen me, so you are leaving. Please make Miss happy, so that she can miss her old relationship and maybe give you something more. If you don't follow her wishes , Master and servant, it’s not good to divide it up so unhappily.”
Xia Hong snorted and said, "I have been with Miss for seven years, and I still don't know her? She is soft-hearted, how could she not be nice to me?"
Su Wanniang sneered: "You are making her soft-hearted! I should tell you, I am not soft-hearted. Now that I hold the money box, whether I can give you more depends on my mood."
Xia Hong gritted her teeth: "You have only been here for a day, and you are so rampant?!"
Su Wanniang looked into Xia Hong's eyes: "Yes! I'm just that crazy! Miss likes me, you better understand!"
Xia Hong blushed with anger, Shen Wen yawned loudly inside, Xia Hong entered the room angrily, and said to Shen Wen who just sat up from the bed: "Miss! You didn't hear what Su Wanniang said..."
Su Wanniang stepped up and picked up a shirt from the side of the bed, put it on Shen Wen, and said: "It's late autumn, Miss, please get up slowly, wait for me to come in and put on your coat, don't freeze."
Xia Hong stood there blankly, Shen Wen followed Su Wanniang's hand to put on her clothes, and Su Wanniang smiled sweetly and said, "Sister Wanniang is so kind to me! I have to tell my mother to let her know that I picked the right person."
Su Wanniang also smiled: "I have asked someone to cook red date soup for you."
Shen Wen clapped her hands: "Great!"
Su Wanniang lifted the quilt, and without waiting for her to help, Shen Wen jumped out of bed by herself, Su Wanniang stopped her again and asked her to put on socks and embroidered shoes.
Shen Wen went to wash up, and when he came back, he saw soup on the table, picked it up and drank it, and said repeatedly: "It's delicious, it would be better if it was sour."
Su Wanniang smiled dotingly and said, "Okay, I'll let them put a plum tomorrow."
Shen Wen sat in front of the dressing table, Su Wanniang combed her hair, Shen Wen seemed to suddenly remember something and asked Xia Hong: "Oh, Xia Hong, what did you want to say when you came in just now?"
Xia Hong has been on the sidelines without intervening, seeing the pair of masters and servants smiling happily, she just felt depressed, so she forced a smile and said: "It's nothing, just that Xia Wan needs to learn more about the rules in this yard." .”
Shen Wen's hair was pulled, so he couldn't nod his head, so he smiled and said: "Yes, sister Wanniang, you have to manage this yard, and you have to get familiar with the rules quickly." Xia Hong's mouth was so shocked that she opened her mouth.
Su Wanniang didn't seem to notice Xia Hong, and said with a smile: "Sister Xia Hong is an old man in this yard, so it's my turn."
Xia Hong shut up and gritted her teeth: What is an "old man"? ! How old am I
Shen Wen said: "Sister Xia Hong is getting married. My mother said that marriage is a happy event, and Xia Hong can't wait. You have to help her prepare some things. She has served me for so many years, it is very hard! "
Su Wanniang nodded quickly and said, "I understand, don't worry, Miss, I will definitely help Sister Xia Hong prepare for her marriage."
As the two sang together, Xia Hong couldn't interrupt at all. Hearing this, did Su Wanniang really let Su Wanniang take care of the money she wanted to give her? ! Xia Hong was even more depressed.
Shen Wen finished dressing up and went to pay her respects. Before she went out, she ran into Madam Qian who came from Mrs. Yang. Madam Qian is Yang's companion and has always been Yang's confidant. Shen Wen hurriedly smiled and called: "Hello Madam Qian, I am going to say hello to my mother."
Madam Qian saluted Shen Wen with a smile: "Miss, go ahead, madam just asked me to come and see if there is anything I can help."
Xia Hong's face showed joy, this is the person sent by Madam who is worried about Su Wanniang.
Shen Wen smiled and said, "That's great! I've already let Sister Wanniang take care of the yard, and you're here to help her." He immediately reserved a seat for the visitor.
Madam Qian was not offended, she smiled and said to Su Wanniang: "Then I will help the girl."
Su Wanniang also saluted, and said with a smile: "I don't want to help, I just want to take care of the yard for Miss, so that all the people in the yard are good to Miss."
As soon as she said this, the eyes of the people around her were filled with anger, wishing they could see through her. Could it be that the ones in the yard are not good for the lady now
Su Wanniang ignored it completely, and continued: "I think half of the people in this yard can be released, just like that woman with such an ugly face—" She pointed to the woman who said bad things to her yesterday, but now she is looking at them ferociously. Zi: "It doesn't look like she is happy to work here. How can she let the mansion support her with money if she dares to show such a bad face to the young lady?"
The woman was just about to say that she was not throwing face at the young lady but at Su Wanniang, Shen Wen pressed her hands on her chest as if she had just seen her just now and said: "Yes, I just realized that she looks like she is going to eat me , how did I offend her?" Then tears appeared naturally, a typical sad expression.
At this time, the old woman seemed to be making excuses even if she made a distinction, Madam Qian nodded and said, "Miss, you can make a list of the person you want to replace, and let Madam see."
Shen Wen immediately looked timid, took Su Wanniang's hand and said, "It's so troublesome, and you still have to write the list? Sister Wanniang, please read and write. After you write it, I will just hand it to my mother."
Although everyone had never met the emperor, they felt that those "faint lords" who were reviled in history were probably people like Shen Wen. At the same time, the eyes of many people looking at Su Wanniang changed immediately, from contempt and hatred to flattery and flattery.
Su Wanniang said without hesitation: "Okay, I will write a list." She turned to Madam Qian and said, "Mama Qian will also help me to see, if it is really a relative of someone who has made meritorious service to the Hou family, then it is not easy to let them go. .Others... depends on what Miss means."
Shen Wen hurriedly shook his head and waved his hands and said, "I don't understand, I don't understand. Over the years, I don't know some people. You can figure it out."
Everyone was angry: what a big tone! Who is Su Wanniang? Has she really become the master? ! Everyone looked at Madam Qian expectantly, waiting for her to say something to stop her.
But before Madam Qian opened her mouth, Su Wanniang said with a smile: "Miss trusts me, it is my blessing, I will definitely pick those people who are sincere to Miss." Is it wrong to be nice to the lady
Few people in this yard have a good impression of Shen Wen. Who doesn't think this lady is a weak and incompetent crying bag? Who hasn't said a bad word about her? After hearing Su Wanniang's words, she felt a little guilty.
Shen Wen didn't delay any longer, and said to Aunt Qian: "Please help Auntie to watch the yard first, and we will come back after we greet you." If you want to drive people away, there must be no one watching in the yard.
Madam Qian nodded and said yes, watching Shen Wen take Su Wanniang and Xia Hong away. Turning to the doorkeeper, she said, "You heard that too, pack up your things, and when they come back, you can follow me to the manager's place."
The woman burst into tears: "Where did that little slut come from? Brothel! What kind of thing is she! How dare you deceive Miss like this?!..."
Madam Qian recalled that Yang had said to her before she came: "Wen'er likes that Su Wanniang, and she insists on making her a big maid. She must not get along well with the people in the courtyard now when the emperor is a courtier. Let her drive a group of people, otherwise Wen'er will be hurt if she can't do anything well. You stay there for a while and watch carefully. If that girl treats Wen'er well, it doesn't matter how much she tosses. If not , tell me right away."
Madam Qian looked at this woman making such a fuss, which proved that Su Wanniang was right, and she couldn't help but sighed: "Don't say that, if you were sincere towards Miss, you wouldn't scold the person she picked like that. Miss Pity her, she shed tears in the street, took so much effort to bring her into the yard, you run her so hard, don't you understand that you look down on Miss, don't you show Miss face?"
What he said made everyone's faces embarrassed, didn't they? Shen Wen picked a girl from a brothel on the street to be a maid, and she was immediately promoted to be a maid. Isn't this stupid? How can this kind of lady be respected
When Su Wanniang and Shen Wen came back to pay their respects, Madam Qian took the woman away, and the attitude of the people in the courtyard towards Su Wanniang was different.
Shen Wen wanted to study by himself, and Su Wanniang was guarding the door. Occasionally, a maid came over and smiled and said, "Sister Wanniang, this is the purse I embroidered. If sister Wanniang doesn't dislike it, you can use it first." "Sister Wanniang , what do you think of the tie I made? Does the lady look good on it?" "Sister Wanniang, you look so good-looking. This hairpin was given by the former lady, and sister Wanniang is worthy of it..."
Shen Wen, who hid inside and read the "Book of Changes", was very happy that Su Wanniang could gain popularity in such a short period of time. She found the first person who could advance and retreat with her. Fortunately, the two cooperated tacitly and seamlessly. From then on, Shen Wen no longer had to worry about someone breaking in while she was reading or writing, and she no longer had to worry about when she went out at night, the servant girl came to see how she was sleeping on a whim, only to find that there was a pile of quilts under the quilt on the bed. Pillow and wake up...
When Su Wanniang came in to serve tea to Shen Wen, Shen Wen took Su Wanniang's hand and said, "Thank you sister."
Su Wanniang whispered, "If you have anyone you want to keep, just let me know."
Shen Wen listened to the surroundings, and said in a low voice: "Except for the wet nurse He, you should leave one or two people who give you money." It is very common for maids to send small things to each other, but if it is really money to Su Wanniang now Sending money, unless you really like her, shows that her intentions are not right.
Su Wanniang nodded heavily, her face darkened.
One day after a month, Madam Qian reported to his wife and the old lady what happened in Shen Wen's yard: "Yesterday, the maid took someone to Miss Er's yard. The second lady looked left and right, and said she couldn't make up her mind. Mother, oh, Xia Wan, help the picker."
Yang frowned: "She let that maid choose someone?"
Madam Qian nodded: "Second Miss is very fond of that maid. Although she named her Xia Wan, she usually calls her 'Sister Wanniang' and 'Sister Wanniang', and she does everything by that maid. It is also capable. This month, all the people in the yard have been dismissed, and the rest are divided into jobs, such as sweeping the floor, cleaning the windows, and carrying water. Every day, someone is watching to see if they are done. The people on duty still There are scarves of different colors tied around the wrists, so that people can tell who is in charge of what at a glance. Usually, they can’t get together in the yard and talk about it, and they can’t talk about the things in the yard to outsiders. Gather people together and talk. The yard is clean now, and it is usually very quiet, and the maids are obedient." Naturally, Madam Qian would not know that these were Shen Wen's ideas.
Yang smiled wryly: "She is actually more like a master than Wen'er."
The old lady also nodded and said: "This way, it's not worse than Xiang'er's yard. Xiang'er's yard is managed according to the army's style."
Yang said: "I heard that something happened to her father, and she was the one who took charge of the family. It's not surprising that she is so capable."
The old lady asked: "Speaking of her father, did you ask someone to investigate?"
Yang sighed: "Yi'er and Jian'er went to investigate, but the information they got all said that her father was greedy for money. There were witnesses but no physical evidence. He died in prison. He may have committed suicide."
The old lady frowned: "This is all a matter of repeating what others say, nothing is accurate. You tell Yi'er, don't make too much noise. If people know that the Zhenbei Hou Mansion is investigating the court case for their maid, don't know if there is any How many people can chew their tongues."
Yang quickly said: "It's better not to ask any more questions, as long as the maid is nice and treats Wen'er well." She looked at Madam Qian.
Madam Qian hurriedly said: "I see that maid is very kind to the second lady. Usually, the maids are restrained and are not allowed to speak ill of the lady. Even if they are rude to the lady, they have to smile. Remember that this is the one who supports them. Every day, I care about the cold and the heat for the second lady, how to match the clothes and make them warm. Not to mention the food, the lady likes to write down everything, what kind of soup, snacks and tastes, write it down clearly, and hand it over out of the kitchen."
The old lady nodded and said: "It seems that she is a kind child. Wen'er is lucky to have her."
Yang Shi was a little hesitant, she raised her eyes to look around, and the other standing maidservants retreated when they saw her wink. Yang Shicai said in a low voice: "That child looks so outstanding, wen'er will compare with her in the future..."
Generally, girls will have a dowry when they get married, and some become concubines of their husbands. Although marrying a wife for virtue and concubine for sex, if the concubine is too beautiful and the mistress is weak, it will inevitably affect the stability of the family in the future.
Madam Qian also said in a low voice: "I heard that girl say that the Su family 'men are not servants and concubines', so the young lady begged the madam to let her mother and younger brother move out of the house."
Yang suddenly said: "Oh, no wonder, she is afraid that they will live in the servant's house all the time and be regarded as servants."
Madam Qian continued to mutter: "Miss asked her mother and younger brother to live in the guest room, but that girl stopped her and said not to cause trouble to the Hou Mansion."
Yang nodded: It is not acceptable for the Hou Mansion to treat the prisoner's family members with hospitality.
Madam Qian said: "The girl rented a small house for them outside the Hou's mansion, and the lady asked her to visit it from time to time. The girl was very grateful to the lady, she burst into tears when she talked about it, and even more ruthlessly took care of the yard. "
The old lady said: "Since she said the family motto 'women are not concubines', she has a strong temper, so don't let her be a dowry in the future, and find someone for her."
Yang felt relieved, and said to Madam Qian: "Leave her alone for the past few years, but you should visit and talk to Wen'er from time to time."
Grandma Qian quickly responded, and said, "Xia Hong's parents came over a few days ago and said they want Xia Hong to go back at the end of the year, and they are preparing for her marriage."
Mrs. Yang was still hesitating, and the old lady shook her head: "Let her go, she can't beat that girl, so she wants to go." Although she doesn't like the old lady pointing fingers, Mrs. Yang doesn't like to refute the old lady's words in front of others , had no choice but to nod.
Madam Qian replied: "That girl is not forgiving when she talks. She is always kind to Mrs. He in the yard, and she always looks up to other people. She is beautiful, but people dare not underestimate her. Xia Hong You really can't compete with her."
Yang said: "I heard that she and Xiang'er practiced martial arts in the morning?"
Madam Qian said: "Where is the original? It is still the same now, and it has never stopped. The eldest lady is also happy, and she always asks people to give her clothes for martial arts, saying that she doesn't need to make another one. It is her old clothes. But I looked at it. , that's all new!"
Yang smiled wryly: "Xiang'er always wants to take in apprentices, Wen'er doesn't like martial arts, she even told me that I would give her a younger brother and sister, now I have fulfilled her wish."
The old lady's eyes lit up, "Oh, it's not bad to give Xiang'er a younger brother or sister, isn't Master Hou coming back soon?"
Rao is in her thirties, and she also blushed. She frowned and said, "What did you say? Master Hou said that he wanted to come back to attend Yi'er's wedding, so he had to agree with the emperor? Besides, the emperor agreed, which at least It will take more than a year and a half!"
The old lady said "tsk": "Of course you think it is slow to count the days like this. In fact, don't worry too much, the days pass quickly. A year and a half will pass in the blink of an eye."
Probably when her concern was mentioned, Yang blushed even more, Madam Qian quickly smiled and joked, "The eldest son's marriage needs three matchmakers and six engagements. The man hires a matchmaker, the woman hires a matchmaker, and then there is a neutral matchmaker." .Then we have to do all kinds of preparations, such as Nacai, asking for names, Najib, Najib, asking for a date, wedding reception, hiring gifts, house decoration, etc. Madam must keep an eye on the day, but she must be busy too. That's right, this year and a half has passed in the blink of an eye?"
The old lady smiled and said to Madam Qian: "You will not offend either side!"
Yang said in a low voice: "At that time, I have to ask my mother to help me make up my mind."
The old lady smiled comfortably. With so many things to do, the relationship between the two is better than before.
If the busyness of the Hou's mansion has just started, the First Prince's mansion has been busy for a while. The Chinese New Year is coming soon, and after the Chinese New Year, the bride will be married in March of the Chinese New Year. This is the marriage of the eldest son of the emperor, and the other party is a noble family of "one family, three ministers". No matter what, the marriage has to be done in a big way.
It was night, and there were four or five people standing in the First Prince's study, and what they reported in turn was not news about the marriage. By the time they had said everything they had to say, it was already close to midnight.
The eldest prince let out a weary breath, a thought suddenly flashed in his mind, and he blurted out and asked: "The one mentioned that time... the second lady of the Zhenbei Hou family... she bought a maid..." He recalled.
One of the staff hurriedly said: "Oh, that maid is called Su Wanniang. According to a letter, the second lady of the Marquis of Zhenbei promoted her to be a maid and asked her to take care of the yard. As a result, within a month, she kicked her out. Mostly, it includes her mother-in-law who just came to the Hou's mansion and made a mockery of her, as well as other maids who were unkind to her. Our people gave money to stay. The second lady obeyed her, and even let the people sent by the toothmaid let her Come and choose. She became the real master in that yard, and the servants all said that she was arrogant and avenged herself."
The eldest prince frowned instead: "Is that young girl pampering her like that?"
The man hurriedly said: "The second young lady of Zhenbei Hou's family has always been weak. Her yard was also managed by a big maid, but she was not as strict as Su Wanniang. As soon as Su Wanniang came in, she pushed the former big maid aside. , I heard that he will be leaving soon."
Another person in the room said: "This Su Wanniang is so powerful, the slave is strong and the master is weak, there will be chaos in the future."
Another person said: "The Zhenbei Hou Mansion seems to be out of control, and the Yang family may be trying to save trouble."
The eldest prince pondered for a moment, then said: "After the New Year, make arrangements, I want to see her."
Someone asked, "Su Wanniang?"
The First Prince shook his head slowly: "It's that Second Miss."
Several staff members looked at each other: a seven-year-old girl? The eldest prince probably knew their doubts, and said casually as if explaining: "I just want to see if someone can really be that stupid."
Everyone laughed: "Zhenbei Hou is a military general. Neither the Gu family nor the Yang family came from aristocratic families. The only sister of the second young lady likes to practice martial arts. She has limited tutoring. Moreover, the man who once raised her The woman seems to say that this second young lady is naturally dull and has a bad brain."
The eldest prince also smiled, holding the teacup in his hand, and everyone left one after another. This matter will never be brought up again. Although everyone thinks that it is superfluous for the First Prince to personally check on a seven-year-old child, it also shows that the First Prince will be cautious in every detail.
Of course, even the eldest prince himself didn't realize that people have an intuition of danger, but this kind of feeling only appears occasionally, and it is fleeting, so people don't understand what it means. It's like the eldest prince wanted to meet Shen Wen, thinking that he just wanted to see how stupid she was, but he didn't realize that his instinct was telling him to see how smart she was.
The eldest prince opened his mouth, but he didn't say no more, what should be arranged still has to be arranged. Soon, the wife of the empress's mother's family, Lehou Mansion, sent an invitation to Zhenbeihou Mansion, inviting the two ladies to come to the Lantern Festival Lantern Festival in Changlehou Mansion, and spend the festive season with the ladies of the rich and powerful in the capital.
Although Mrs. Yang doesn't like being sociable, Shen Xiang is almost ten years old, and she should go out with girls from other families. Besides, this lantern festival is just a gathering of girls from each family in the evening, to guess a few lantern riddles and make a few sentences Poetry, show some talent, and then go home separately or go to the street to watch the lights, it will not be too long. Mrs. Yang asked someone to write a reply, thanked her for the invitation, and told Mrs. Changle Hou that the two young ladies of the Hou Mansion would be there at that time.