Cheng Xu changed into a dark red brocade gown and tied a sash of the same color around his waist. Then he looked at himself in front of the mirror, thought for a moment, took off the peach wood hairpin on his head and replaced it with a jade hairpin. Then he smiled and said to Huanxi, "Okay, let's go pick up Fourth Uncle."
She happily replied "yes" with a smile, and went to Tingli Pavilion with Cheng Xu.
His fourth uncle was a serious person and he had been a little afraid of him since he was a child.
He ran back so rashly that he was worried at first that his fourth uncle would scold him. Unexpectedly, after his fourth uncle called him to the study, he just asked him about his homework in detail and did not mention a word about his early return.
I wonder if Fourth Uncle thinks this is unimportant, or will those stewards who helped him conceal his whereabouts suffer
He was a little unsure.
However, Zhou Shaojin stayed and was entrusted to his grandmother for upbringing by his great aunt from the fourth room. For him, he accepted any scolding and blame.
Now that Zhou Chujin is married, the Cheng family only has Zhou Shaojin, the cousin who lives there as a guest. Given the power of her grandmother, she will definitely be brought to Tingyuxuan's family dinner.
He would be able to see her then.
Then he could go to Zaoyuan to study peacefully.
However, he did not expect that his fourth uncle would throw him to Zaoyuan. Isn't it said that Zaoyuan is the forbidden area of his fourth uncle and family members generally cannot enter
Could it be that Fourth Uncle is a person who is cold on the outside but warm on the inside
Does he still hope that he can get a place on the list
That’s for sure!
By his generation, the eldest son's descendants were a little weak.
Why didn't Fourth Uncle get married? Was it because the maids in Xinglin Hutong were talking about Fourth Uncle being gay? But even if that was the case, Fourth Uncle should have a confidant. Why didn't I see Fourth Uncle getting particularly close to anyone
Or does Fourth Uncle have a mistress outside
But since my fourth uncle has always been alone, I guess neither my grandmother nor my father can control him.
If nothing else, just based on this point, Cheng Xu admired Cheng Chi very much.
He was lost in thought as he stepped into the gate of Tingli Pavilion.
Cheng Chi wore a very plain indigo blue cotton gown with a sash tied around his waist and a purse and seal hanging from it. He looked calm, reserved, low-key and noble.
Cheng Xu suddenly felt a little regretful.
You should wear a few ornaments around your waist like your fourth uncle.
He walked forward respectfully and bowed, but when he stood up, he laughed cheerfully and said, "Fourth Uncle, can I study in Duojia Pavilion? The place has been cleaned up, and it would be too troublesome to move! Besides, I have to visit my grandmother every morning and evening..."
He was the eldest grandson of the eldest son's family, the future eldest son of the Cheng family. Although he was a little afraid of Cheng Chi in his heart, he also didn't care. After all, he was his uncle. He was not allowed to bargain for fun when he was not in the study! Even if there was something wrong, he would be reprimanded at most. Would the fourth uncle punish him for such a small matter
Cheng Chi glanced at him expressionlessly, and Cheng Xu knew that this was not going to work.
He couldn't help but wail.
Cheng Chi walked straight out the door.
Cheng Xu hurriedly followed, but still did not give up, and said: "Fourth uncle, I promise that you will let me live at home during the autumn examination this time? I haven't seen my grandmother for two years, and I miss her very much. Please let me be filial to her! Besides, studying should also pay attention to the combination of work and rest. You can't lock me up in Zaoyuan and let me make art with my eyes open and with my eyes closed. How can I get good grades if I work behind closed doors like this? My father also said that before the autumn examination, I should get out more with my classmates and find out the preferences of several examiners this year, so as to prescribe the right medicine..."
Cheng Chi didn't even look at him, and walked straight ahead, as if he didn't hear what he said, until Cheng Xu ran in front of him and blocked his way. He paused and said indifferently: "What you said makes sense. How about this, you still live in Duojia Pavilion, and then go out and walk around with your classmates when you have nothing to do, and find out the preferences of the examiners, so as to prescribe the right medicine. I just happen to have something to go out for, and I will probably be back after the Mid-Autumn Festival. What do you think?"
This is what it means to just leave it alone!
My father once said that although he didn’t know who was the chief examiner and who was the deputy examiner among the examiners, he was certain that one of them was a classmate of my fourth uncle.
It’s not that he doesn’t have confidence in passing the exam, but if he wants to become the top scholar, he must find the right remedy!
Could it be that Fourth Uncle really thinks so
If Fourth Uncle really abandoned his job just because he didn't listen to his parents, his father would be upset first... There would be no talk of marriage between him and Zhou Shaojin!
Cheng Xu looked at Cheng Chi with a solemn face and was a little dumbfounded.
Cheng Chi walked around Cheng Xu and continued walking forward.
Cheng Xu didn't dare to say anything anymore. He just followed Cheng Chi to Tingyuxuan obediently, feeling extremely depressed.
The happy ones followed from a distance, not daring to say a word.
After leaving the main house, passing through Ruyi Gate, and walking on the Four Seasons Brocade Corridor, Cheng Xu felt that something was wrong.
Tingyuxuan is in front, but there is no sign of my grandmother and Zhou Shaojin!
He hurriedly took a few steps forward and walked to Cheng Chi's side, whispering, "Fourth Uncle, why don't you see Grandmother?"
Cheng Xu didn't dare to ask Zhou Shaojin, for fear that Cheng Chi would ask him how he knew Zhou Shaojin had moved to Hanbi Mountain House.
Cheng Chi said casually: "Your grandmother didn't want to attend the banquet hosted by the second-house ancestor, so she didn't come."
ah!
Cheng Xu was very anxious, rubbing the sweat on his forehead and asked, "Why? Everyone come here, why doesn't grandma come over!"
Cheng Chi stood still, looking at Cheng Xu, who was full of anxiety. Thinking about what Zhou Shaojin had said to him, his mind turned again and again, and he said seriously: "In other families, the eldest branch of the family is in charge of the family tree and family affairs. But your great-grandfather was younger than the ancestor of the second branch, so the ancestor of the second branch was in charge of the family tree and family affairs. When it came to your grandfather's generation, the ancestor of the second branch felt that the salary of being an official was a drop in the bucket and was not enough to support the family's expenses. However, managing family affairs could use the money of both families, and being an official would not require corruption or bribery, and would not be controlled by others. He could go further in his career. He wanted his own son Cheng Cheng Li managed the general affairs. Who knew that Cheng Li had bad luck and was killed by the Cao Gang when he went out to do business. The ancestor of the second house was busy with government affairs at that time. He had no energy to manage the general affairs of Jiuru Lane, and there was no one who could convince the people to help him manage it, so he had to hand over the general affairs of the family to the hands of the eldest house. At that time, your grandfather passed away, and your father and your second uncle had just entered the officialdom. After the mourning period, they needed the ancestor of the second house to help them resume their duties, so it was decided that I would manage the general affairs of the family in the future. So although I passed the imperial examination, I could not enter the officialdom. Your grandmother hated him for being greedy and taking advantage of others, so she didn't like him for so many years.
"Do you still want your grandmother to attend the family dinner hosted by the second branch's ancestor?"
Cheng Xu stood there with a dull expression, his lips moving slightly, and he didn't utter a word for a long time.
Cheng Chi sneered and went towards Tingyuxuan.
He had said all that needed to be said. If Cheng Jiashan would still be fooled, then who would be the patriarch of Jiuru Lane? The eldest and second brothers really needed to have a good discussion about this.
※
Zhou Shaojin was measuring Madam Guo's body, while Biyu and the others were either standing beside him with a ruler or sitting beside him with a pen.
"One two... two one... two five... you need to take two inches here." She looked at the tape measure in her hand, "I think the dress will fit better this way."
Madam Guo laughed a few times and said, "I'm old now, and I like to wear loose clothes."
"So I'm only going to close it two inches!" Zhou Shaojin smiled, blinking her big eyes. "Autumn clothes are different from summer clothes. In autumn, the wind blows and it gets colder. Clothes should be made to fit more tightly and be warmer."
Mrs. Guo was still a little hesitant.
Zhou Shaojin assured: "Don't worry! If you feel uncomfortable, I will change it back for you."
"You're just kidding me!" Mrs. Guo laughed when she heard that. "I've only heard of clothes being changed from big to small, but I've never heard of anyone changing from small to big."
Zhou Shaojin chuckled disapprovingly, his brows revealing confidence in his own sewing skills.
Madam Guo smiled and said, "Then just reduce it by two inches. If it's uncomfortable to wear, you still have to make me one."
"Yes!" Zhou Shaojin said with a smile.
Pearl, who was sitting at the table and was responsible for recording the measurements, couldn't help laughing and said, "Then I'll write two inches less!"
"No, no." Zhou Shaojin said hurriedly, "I reported all the net sizes, just write them down according to my instructions. I will watch them when I sew."
Madam Guo laughed and said, "It seems that you are 'a general in a foreign country has no right to obey the orders of the emperor'. You are going to act first and ask for my permission later. You are going to make autumn clothes for me directly according to the size you think is good!"
Zhou Shaojin indeed thought so.
She doesn't like clothes that are baggy and loose on her body.
It’s not like there’s no fabric.
Fabric will rot if kept for a long time, and patterns will become outdated if kept for a long time.
Of course, it is better to wear something that fits well.
Seeing that although Mrs. Guo said this, she did not look angry, Zhou Shaojin knew that she was joking with him, so he pursed his lips and smiled.
The servants in the room couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Zhou Shaojin took Madam Guo to choose the material: "… You can make a yellow underwear, and wear a brown jacket on the outside, embroidered with dark red Baoxiang flowers, which looks solemn and bright."
After hearing this, Mrs. Guo nodded continuously and praised her for her good choice of color.
Biyu hurriedly picked out the cloths of several colors that Zhou Shaojin mentioned and put them aside.
Zhou Shaojin also selected a few pieces of Zhangrong and brocade for Mrs. Guo.
Mrs. Guo said it was a good idea.
But when Zhou Shaojin looked at the white Songjiang three-edged fine cloth placed aside, he couldn't help but say, "Actually, Uncle Chi is the best to wear like that—fine cloth is breathable and warm, and is good to wear in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, but it's not as smooth as silk."
Seeing Zhou Shaojin praising Cheng Chi, Mrs. Guo showed an expression of pride, but she said: "He is a heretic. He has been different from his two brothers since he was a child and is very naughty. At that time, I thought, how great it would be if I had not given birth to this little son! But now, it is this little son who is with me. It can be seen that this child is given by the Bodhisattva. This is my future blessing."
Zhou Shaojin was silent.
How sad would Mrs. Guo be if she knew that Uncle Chi was about to leave the Cheng family!
In the previous life, if Uncle Chi had stayed in the Cheng family, would Mrs. Guo have lived longer
※
Sisters and brothers, today is Monday and we have a regular meeting. The update needs to be postponed for one day and will be changed to Tuesday. Today's update will be around 7 o'clock in the evening. Please bear with us, sisters and brothers.
PS: Regarding the place name, Sijijin is a long corridor. I remembered it wrong and changed the place for the family banquet to Tingyuxuan.
(⊙﹏⊙)b…
※(To be continued)