"Shaoyao went to make tea and you haven't come back yet?" Wen Qingzhu glanced outside the house and found that Shaoyao had not come yet.
Mother Ye had just packed her things and said, she went to urge her and left.
Aunt Yue said quickly: "Miss, don't worry, I won't be able to clean up the kitchen for a while. My concubine and Mei'er are not thirsty."
Wen Qingzhu smiled and said, "It's okay, I want to drink anyway."
While the two sides were talking, Wen Mingqian's shout suddenly came through the two-story courtyard wall.
"Why is this place so small? There isn't even a door! I want to go check out the courtyard in the middle!"
The room fell silent for a moment.
Just at this moment, Shaoyao came over with new tea, but his expression was a bit off.
"What's wrong?" Wen Qingzhu stood up and asked.
After Shaoyao put down her tea, she sighed and pointed to the kitchen at the back: "It's not the kitchen yet. The master said before that one person can have up to four waiters. Aunt Wu's side has three masters. In the end, she took them There are eighteen people, and four of them have the kitchen to themselves, and there is no room left.”
Everyone began to fall silent, and Wen Qingzhu was also thinking about it.
If we continue to live there, I'm afraid there will be various conflicts.
Thinking of this, Aunt Yue suddenly said: "Miss, how about this? There are two amps on the left and right sides of my small courtyard. I can move one out and use it as a small kitchen. If you want to do something then, just go to Just go to the maid and concubine."
"That's not good, your place is already too small, let alone what if father goes to your place to rest..." Wen Qingzhu looked at Aunt Yue and Wen Qingmei and knew that the place was too small.
There are three rooms in the west wing, and one side could have been given to Wen Qingmei.
But if Uncle Wen wanted to stay overnight, it would be inconvenient. Although the second bedroom was small, it was still a separate room. It would be best to set aside one side for Wen Qingmei.
Wen Qingmei knew what Aunt Yue meant and hurriedly explained: "Sister, don't worry, I still live in the penthouse. Seeing that my sister has taken care of things so well, there must be no problem over there. Besides, the house where aunt lives is big, not to mention Don’t worry, it’s still fine if we separate a clean room.”
Wen Qingzhu thought for a while and then nodded.
After a while, Wen Mingqian and Wen Qinglan suddenly appeared outside the door.
Seeing them here, the two of them were obviously stunned for a moment.
In the end, Wen Qinglan reacted first and saluted: "I have met Aunt Yue, my second sister and my fourth sister."
Wen Mingqian then bowed belatedly.
Wen Qingzhu returned the gift, and Wen Qinglan followed Wen Mingqian as if just looking casually, then turned around and left again.
By noon, everyone was in a central hall between the front yard and the back yard.
The central hall is not large and is divided into two sides. The outside is a dining area and the inside is a teahouse for receiving guests.
There were people all around the big round table.
Wen Qingzhu was also surprised. There were quite a lot of people in Uncle Wen's family.
This lunch was very quiet, and Wen Mingqian felt uncomfortable all over.
Wen Qingzhu thought it was nothing. Such a third-level courtyard was actually better than the one on the ninth floor.
Halfway through the meal, Wen Mingqian was the first one who couldn't sit still.
"Father, my son still hasn't finished reading the book. Go back to the study first and see."
Uncle Wen stopped holding the chopsticks. He did not speak to Wen Mingqian, but said to Aunt Wu: "Mingqian is old, and there is no mistress in the family now. Please be patient and teach him etiquette. After all, your Wu family used to be the same." Born into an official."
"Yes, sir." Aunt Wu nodded respectfully, and then glanced at Wen Mingqian.
Wen Mingqian could only sit down patiently, feeling extremely aggrieved.
As soon as he raised his eyes, he saw Wen Qingzhu opposite him. Looking to the left was Aunt Yue and his daughter, and to the right was Wen Shuquan. He felt even more uncomfortable.
After finishing the meal, Wen Shuquan talked about the servants: "I have already arranged the people in the kitchen. As for the extra ones, I will send them away as soon as possible. Whoever owns the money will keep it."
"Yes." Aunt Wu gritted her teeth and could only hold back.
In the middle of the afternoon, Aunt Wu called all eighteen servants to the small courtyard.
When we were in Yanyuan West Courtyard, there were not many people at all.
But when we arrived at this small courtyard, the only space was filled with people standing.
Aunt Wu suddenly recalled the days when she was a girl, and the yard seemed to be so small.
But it was even worse at that time, with three sisters living in one penthouse.
At least now she can still have a small courtyard to herself.
After repeated selections, the person who has been with you all year round will naturally stay.
There are Mama You, Lu Yu, Xiao Cui, three little girls and two women who do chores, and there are two people in the kitchen.
On Wen Qinglan's side, there were six people serving her, and Wen Mingqian was a little less, only three.
After repeated selections, I could only give up the kitchen and the little girl doing chores.
As a result, the number of personnel was naturally reduced.
In the afternoon, someone sent a letter. Tian Chong had settled in the house over there and was ready to live there at any time.
Wen Qingzhu felt relieved and went to read with Mingxuan for half the afternoon.
When I came back, I found that Wen Mingqian in the next room had fallen asleep on the table.
Seeing this scene, Wen Qingzhu shook his head helplessly.
She had just walked to the door of the backyard with Lu Tao when she happened to meet Wen Qinglan coming with Yuan'er.
"younger sister."
"elder sister."
The two people bowed hypocritically. The house was really too small and could be seen outside the door.
Wen Qinglan had already stepped aside, thinking that she must establish a good relationship with Wen Qingzhu in the future, and happened to catch a glimpse of the food box in Lu Tao's hand.
She then asked with a smile: "Did my sister go over to visit my fifth brother? He is still young and does not need to be too diligent. I am afraid that his brother living next to him will put pressure on him."
Hearing this, Lu Tao almost couldn't help laughing, but she immediately lowered her head.
Yuan'er felt strange, but didn't ask any more questions.
Wen Qingzhu looked as normal and nodded: "It's better to be a little stressed about studying. Wait until the filial piety period is over and pass the exam in one fell swoop."
"Thank you sister for your kind words." Wen Qinglan said again and watched Wen Qingzhu and the others leave.
When we arrived at the study, Wen Mingqian's and Wen Mingxuan's rooms were right next to each other.
Standing at the door, Wen Qinglan saw Wen Mingqian sleeping soundly with her left eye, and Wen Mingxuan silently practicing calligraphy with her right eye.
The strong contrast made Wen Qinglan feel angry.
No wonder she noticed something in Wen Qingzhu's words just now, it turned out to be like this!
Wen Qinglan walked unceremoniously into Wen Mingqian's room, took the food box from Yuan'er's hand, and placed it heavily on the table, suddenly waking up Wen Mingqian.
"What, what's going on! There's an earthquake!" Wen Mingqian was so frightened that he immediately jumped up and looked around.
Wen Qinglan held back her anger and said, "Ming Qian! You said you wanted to study hard! That's how you study!"
When Wen Mingqian saw that the visitor was his sister, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief, slumped down on the chair, and said dissatisfied: "Sister! Why are you so surprised! This yard is small, don't let dad hear you!"
Wen Qinglan was so angry that she couldn't help but quarreled with him.
Wen Mingxuan's thoughts were interrupted and he ordered Alai to close the door.
Wen Qinglan heard the door slamming next door and then she paused.
Wen Mingqian was even more proud: "Let me just say it, you'd better go back. I'm so loud here, so you have to keep your voice down."
…
Early on the first morning, Aunt Yue prepared housewarming cakes, and originally wanted to ask Aunt Wu to go out together.
But Aunt Wu didn't sleep well last night, she caught a cold again and became ill.
After Aunt Yue asked Wen Shuquan for instructions, she took Ruxing and Mama Luo from the kitchen out to deliver gift cakes to the neighbors.
Next door to Wen's house is a similar courtyard house, and the person who opens the door is an old woman.
After Aunt Yue explained her intention, the woman hurriedly led her in and poured her tea and water diligently.
After a while, the hostess of the backyard, Mrs. Ning, came out.
Mrs. Ning is about the same age as Aunt Yue, and she is cheerful and straightforward.
After chatting for a while, he asked directly: "I have long heard that a Mr. Wen moved next door. I didn't expect Mrs. Wen to take good care of her. She looks like she is not much older than my eldest daughter."
Aunt Yue deliberately wanted to explain, but Mrs. Ning kept talking to Mrs. Wen, which made Aunt Yue feel very comfortable.
She didn't deny it and chatted with each other for a while.
Only then did Aunt Yue find out that Mrs. Ning has two sons and two daughters. The eldest son, 19, is a civil servant and has found a small official job in Luo City next door. The younger son, 15 this year, has already passed the scholar examination and plans to continue the examination the year after next. Examine people.
Regarding the situation of the Wen family, Aunt Yue had the experience of going out before, so she could respond much more smoothly.
"There are quite a few people in our family. My late wife has gone away and left behind a pair of children. I have a daughter myself, and there is also an aunt at home who also has a pair of daughters. They are both smart and well-behaved."
Aunt Yue said, Mrs. Ning thumped.
This was the style of a rich family, but she still had a kind smile on her face.
After chatting for a while, Aunt Yue left and went to other stores along the way.
But on the other hand, it was acquaintance. She was polite and not as hospitable as Mrs. Ning.
After returning home, Aunt Yue went to Wen Qingzhu's place and told him about her trip today.
Wen Qingzhu nodded: "Auntie did a great job."
Halfway through his words, he suddenly looked at Aunt Yue's belly: "Have you been drinking the medicine you gave Aunt Yue before?"
"Yes, but last year, there were many things going on in the Wen family. In addition, King Chu became more powerful, and Master Wu also became more powerful. Therefore, I went to Aunt Wu's side more often."
Aunt Yue's face darkened as she spoke.
Wen Qingzhu comforted her, but she felt bad.
As long as the King of Chu still uses Wu Shan, Aunt Wu will always be on top of Aunt Yue.
It's not good if things go on like this. It seems like we have to find an opportunity for Aunt Yue to take over.
Otherwise, Aunt Wu might have to stare at her again when she is free.
Two days later, when Wen Qingzhu was about to move out, a low-key carriage arrived at the door of Wen's house.
Jiang Yuancheng was dressed in regular clothes and was very low-key.
In recent days, Wen Shuquan has been at home and immediately welcomed Jiang Yuancheng in.
It happened that Wen Qinglan had just come out from Wen Mingqian's place and was pleasantly surprised when she saw Jiang Yuancheng.
After saluting, Wen Qinglan quickly returned to the small courtyard on the east side and asked Yuan'er to dress her up.
The place was small, Xiao Xing saw it at a glance, went in and told Wen Qingmei.
Wen Qingmei thought for a while and asked Xiao Xing to go to Wen Qingzhu to inform him of the news.
Wen Qingzhu, who was packing his things, frowned. Is Jiang Yuancheng very free
Of course not. Now that the emperor has given him a lot of things to do, and he is fully responsible for the canal, Jiang Yuancheng should be too busy to keep his feet off the ground.
After a while, a woman from the front yard came over and asked Wen Qingzhu to come over.
Wen Qingzhu hesitated and said, "I'll go there later and let them wait."
The old woman thought of Wen Qingzhu's status in the family, so she didn't dare to rush him, so she turned around and returned to her life.
Wen Qingzhu then stood up and looked at the backyard: "Lu Tao, you told me yesterday that there is a side door in the backyard where you can go out, right?"
"Yes." Lu Tao put down the things in his hands.
Wen Qingzhu laughed: "You and I will leave first later. Mother Ye and the others will stay here to pack their things, and they will take Mingxuan to my place later."
At this time, there is no one in the backyard.
Wen Qingzhu and Lu Tao carefully avoided the kitchen, took Mi Lei and quietly went out.
Finally walking out of the house, Wen Qingzhu breathed a long sigh of relief.
But when they reached the corner, they almost bumped into someone.