The wharf was crowded with people, and everyone saw a large ship docked. Behind the cabin door, there was a pretty shadow of a maid walking back and forth.
Madam Meng took a purple veil from Madam Liu and put it on her daughter's head. The purple veil reached her shoulders and covered Jiafu's face. She was escorted by Madam Meng and Zhen Yaoting out of the cabin. Through the veil blowing in the wind, at a glance, I saw a horse parked on the shore, riding on the horse's back was a young handsome man with the appearance of a young man, with golden hairpins and a brocade robe, walking around the grayish travel. Against the background of her husband, she is extraordinarily rich and dazzling.
He was looking in this direction, and when he saw Jiafu and his party appearing at the hatch, his eyes lit up, and he quickly got off the horse and went forward.
…
Pei Xiuzhi hurriedly boarded the deck, greeted Madam Meng with a smile, and said with a smile: "I think it should be here in a few days, and I am looking forward to it every day. Today, it can be considered as waiting. Is the road going well?"
The last time Mrs. Meng entered Beijing, it was three years ago. After her husband passed away unfortunately, she never walked north again, but she met Pei Xiuzhi in the middle. The year before last, he came to Quanzhou with Pei Xiuluo, his aunt and nephew of Erfang, and they settled down at that time. in their own home.
"Thanks to the second son, everything is fine." Madam Meng smiled happily.
Zhen Yaoting called his second cousin, and all the stewards accompanying the Zhen family, led by Zhang Da, also greeted him. Pei Xiuzhi nodded and turned his attention to Jiafu.
The last time he went to Quanzhou, she was only fourteen years old, and she was very good. When he came back, he never forgot it. He remembered that when she left the cabin, the veil was just blown by the wind. The purpose is immortal, but it is more and more amazing.
"cousin."
He looked at Jia Fu and called her with a very gentle voice.
Jiafu was just a little fortunate, so she passed by him, and was surrounded by maids and wives ashore, and boarded her own carriage that was waiting there.
Pei Xiuzhi turned his head and kept looking at her figure until he disappeared in the carriage, then he recovered and helped Madam Meng ashore. Family.
…
The Zhen family's mansion is located in the west of the city, not far from the Guogong's mansion, but it is only two streets away. It was originally a private residence of a Beijing official. Due to the fact that it was outsourced and the money was tight, the house was simply sold. The Zhen family bought it and used In order to prepare for the wedding, a steward came early a few months ago, inside and out, it was extremely appropriate to clean up early.
Mrs. Meng and her party entered, took a short rest, changed clothes, led a pair of children, brought servants and maids and the gift of meeting, and then rode the carriage to visit the relatives of the Duke's Mansion.
The old Wei Guogong was the founding hero of the Great Wei Dynasty. He followed the Taizu to fight in the east and west, and Fang laid the foundation for his descendants. The wall of the Guogong's mansion occupies most of the street. The southeast corner has a wide and bright gate. The stone lions under the steps are divided into opposite seats. The eaves are painted with red lacquer. The gates are completely different, representing the detached status of the government.
The door is usually not open, and it is closed at the moment, only the other side door on the side is open for entry on weekdays. Several doormen stood there with their hands on their hands, and saw the second master leading someone from a distance, and ran away in a hurry. Going to greet Mrs. Meng who got off the carriage, she greeted Mrs. Meng, and shouted, "Grandma is here. Our wife just sent someone to ask. Come in."
Jiafu had already taken off the veil, was helped by the maid and got off the carriage, followed her mother and brother through the side door and went in, walked through the hall, and finally arrived at a large courtyard in the southeast, with a black door. Half-open, this is where the long house of the government is located.
Mrs. Xin was wearing homely clothes, and her outer covering was a greasy robe. She heard the commotion outside the yard, and she knew that someone was coming. She pursed her temples, but didn't get up until she heard the sound. As the footsteps approached, Mrs. Meng's laughter came in, and she said, "Is that lady from our family inside?" Then he got up and walked out, followed by six or seven girls and women, and saw Mrs. Meng head-on. With a smile on his face, he said, "No, I'm here now!" Leaving people aside, he quickly walked up to catch Mrs. Meng affectionately, and sighed, "You too, you have come all the way on the road, so it must be hard work, so don't bring it with you first. Let the children take a breath. What if you are a few days late, could it be that I still ate you?" After that, he blamed his son: "How did I tell you before? breath."
All the girls and women on the side laughed out loud and said, "Our wife is like a bodhisattva. I have been thinking about my grandma and you have been tired on the road just now. This is distressing, and even the second master has scolded it."
Mrs. Meng hurriedly smiled and said, "I'm not tired. I haven't seen each other for a long time. I miss it. Today is here, so I can't wait to fly with my wings."
Zhen Yaoting bowed and greeted Mrs. Xin. Mrs. Xin looked at Jiafu, stepped forward to hold her hand lovingly, and sighed to Mrs. Meng, "I don't know how you are, such a smart daughter. Born and raised. I often say, I am not that lucky, if I have a daughter like this in front of me, there will be someone who can speak sweetly. "
Madam Meng was always happy when her daughter was praised, but said, "Afu is stupid and ignorant, so I hope that I won't be offended in the future, so I will chant Buddha."
The old woman next to Mrs. Xin said again: "It's too late for our wife to love her, how could it be?"
They were friendly and warm, and said some words of meeting. Mrs. Meng was let into the seat. Mrs. Xin frowned slightly and asked the woman beside her: "The people over there haven't come yet?"
As soon as the voice fell, the voice of the girl outside the door came in: "Second Madam is here!"
Madam Meng hurriedly got up to greet him.
Jiafu raised her eyes and saw that her aunt, Mrs. Meng Er, was leading people in, followed by her fourth cousin, Pei Xiuhong, who came in and said with a smile, "Just now, I was going to come, but I just wanted to wait for the third one. He was dismissed. The little servant came back and said that the article he made today was praised by the master of the school, and he couldn't come back because he stumbled. He asked me to accompany my aunt on his behalf, and I'll see you when I get back."
She had a smile on her face, was affectionate, and looked the same as before.
In fact, at first, the second lady wanted to tell Jiafu to her son Pei Xiuluo, but she was a little concerned about the family of the Zhen family. According to her idea, it is best to let Jiafu be her son's side room, and she talked to Mrs. Meng in private, saying that after passing through the door in the future, she will definitely treat her as if she is out, and will never wrong her in the slightest. Mrs. Meng pretended to be deaf and dumb at the time and didn't answer. The second lady also knew that the Zhen family refused to let their daughter be a child, so she didn't mention it. It didn't take long for people to give a big room to the past.
Mrs. Meng is just such a daughter, and she would not let her be a child under any circumstances, even if the other person was the grandson of the Duke's government. But after Mrs. Xin came to say it, the old lady who had always been the head of the family agreed immediately. Mrs. Meng also thought about it herself. Although her daughter was a continuation of the string, she was a serious wife of the prince of the country and gave birth to a son in a dignified manner. , Not to mention the second son of the big house, whether it is character or appearance, is one in a hundred, there is really no reason to object, so the marriage is settled like this.
Because of the previous incident, Mrs. Meng was worried that the sisters meeting this time would be somewhat embarrassing. Seeing that her attitude was the same as before, she thought that this sister had no grudges in her heart, and finally put down her heart and praised her nephew for making progress. Jiafu and her brother went to see the ceremony again. Pei Xiuhong also smiled and called his cousin. After the relatives were talking about the old days, Mrs. Meng asked, "How is the old lady? If I have time, I will lead the children to kowtow to her old man."
Mrs. Xin sent someone to ask questions, and after a while, the old woman came back and said: "The old lady has been in poor health these days, and she has not finished reading the sutra in the Buddhist hall. Ask the madam and the second madam to entertain them, and don't neglect the relatives."
Although the marriage of Jiafu and Pei Xiuzhi has been finalized, everyone knows about the family, but because Jiafu has not yet had a period of filial piety, everything is only a verbal agreement, not a formal ceremony, the old lady is now called "relative" The Zhen family are not outsiders.
In the past few years, Mrs. Pei has been in poor health and rarely showed up to meet guests in person. Everyone has long been accustomed to it. Besides, the Zhen family is not an honored guest in the government. Inside, I just sent someone to ask, but it's just a walk.
Madam Meng got up hurriedly: "Then I won't disturb the old lady, and I will bring the children to kowtow on the old lady's birthday."
The birthday is three days away, and it is approaching, Mrs. Xin nodded and said yes. Mrs. Meng looked around again, but she still couldn't see Brother Quan, so she asked.
Mrs. Xin smiled and said, "The family said that they miss Brother Quan. My waist and bones have been sore for the past two days. Thinking of Brother Quan's troubles, I couldn't bear it, so I sent it over."
What she said was actually just covering up for herself. Brother Quan was picked up by Mrs. Song yesterday. It is a rare treasure. He wants to take his grandson to see it. Mrs. Xin was reluctant to let it go, but brother Quan kept crying and fussing, fell to the ground and made a fool of himself. He had to go there. Mrs. Xin had no choice but to ask someone to take it away. He hasn't come back today.
There was a slightly mocking smile at the corner of the second lady's mouth, and Mrs. Xin caught a glimpse of it. She was a little annoyed, but her face was still smiling. If you want to say it, don't worry about me." The tone was very sincere.
The second lady smiled and said: "I have already said a lot of words, and it is almost the same. I think that my nephews and nieces are short, and the rest, it will not be too late to talk about it next time."
Mrs. Meng said goodbye, Mrs. Xin retained the meal, Mrs. Meng declined politely, Mrs. Xin said: "Alright, you have worked hard on the road, go back and rest early, I won't stay here." Then she got up to see off the guests.
After Jiafu came in, she stood by her mother's side. Although she kept her head half lowered, she felt Pei Xiuzhi's eyes cast on her from time to time. When I saw him, I couldn't help but think of the last scene in the past life with his husband and wife. It was pitiful, pathetic, ridiculous, and hateful. At this moment, he looked at him so many times, and I felt extremely uncomfortable. My aunt's inner secrets are even more clear, and I don't want to stop for a while, I wish I could go out of this door immediately. As for Zhen Yaoting, he just arrived in the capital, and he hasn't been here for a few years. It's just new. Don't be stuck here and listen to the women gossip without hurting. Follow out the door.
Despite Madam Meng's repeated refusal, Pei Xiuzhi not only sent out the door, but also sent it back to Zhen's house in person. Madam Meng was very moved. After getting off the carriage, she invited him in for tea. Pei Xiuzhi glanced at Jiafu and smiled, and Jiafu suddenly said: "Mother, we just arrived today. The house is in a mess, and the luggage has not been put away. The stove is on fire. It would be rude to invite the second cousin in. Why don't you come back next time?"
Mrs. Meng was slightly startled, looked at her daughter, saw her serious expression and serious tone, and was a little puzzled for a while.
Jiafu did not wait for Madam Meng to speak, but turned to Pei Xiuzhi and smiled slightly: "I thanked my mother for the help of my second cousin today. My second cousin will naturally not dislike my tea, but my mother has gone all the way. I arrived today, and my second cousin saw it too. Without taking a breath, I left my relatives first. I was really tired. I would like to ask my second cousin to forgive me for the inconvenience today.”
Pei Xiuzhi wanted to follow up, but when Jiafu said this, she stopped, so she had to say, "What my cousin said is. Then I'll take my leave first, and you can rest."
Mrs. Meng asked him to leave. When he was gone, her daughter walked in with her arm in arm. She relaxed and said with a smile, "What you said was right, my mother is a little tired. It's just rare for him to be like this. Attentive, and took us back to the door of the house, and left without asking anyone to take a sip of tea. I felt a little sorry. Besides, you are not outsiders, and when the old lady's birthday is over... "
"Mother! My second cousin and I haven't gotten married yet. Even if we do, our family won't keep him much. He has been with him all the time today. If you keep him, I'm afraid there will be gossip over there."
Madam Meng suddenly woke up and sighed: "It's still your thoughtful thinking, but my mother forgot it for a while."
In Mrs. Meng's impression, her daughter has always been soft, soft, and obedient. Now that she is about to get married, and she is still in the palace, she always felt at ease. She thought about it all. Although she was a little surprised, she felt very relieved that her daughter had grown up and sensible.
Jiafu walked in slowly beside her mother and said, "Mother, you go to rest first and recover your energy. I will send someone to Song's house to send a greeting card. If Mrs. Song is free, we will be after noon. Let's go to Song's house. She is my godmother, and I want to go to worship her early to show our sincerity."
Madam Meng was both distressed and relieved, and said: "I was afraid that you would be tired and wanted to go tomorrow. You think so, or if you reply to the letter there, let's go early, and sooner or later we have to leave. trip."
After Jiafu sent her mother back to the room to rest, she didn't feel tired at all, watching Sandalwood lead the little girls to put things back, waiting for the Song family's reply.
Before noon, the person sent to deliver the greetings came back with a letter, saying that Mrs. Song called the Zhen family Shen Shi to come over.
Jia Fu had long expected such a reply.
In her previous life, she had dealt with Mrs. Song. This "Gan Niang" has eyes above the top and has an impetuous personality. The old lady Ye, whom she had already led, was very dissatisfied when she went north. When she got off the ship and returned to the Song family, she must have reported her words and deeds. With Madam Song's temperament, how could she hold back? Even if she didn't plan to go today, she would definitely call her mother and daughter there.
The so-called child-seeking talisman is just an introduction.
The thing about fate that she has been thinking about since she woke up, whether it can be fulfilled or not, the next thing is the key.
Today is really a good opportunity, she must seize it.
Jiafu suddenly felt agitated, and she felt nervous again. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she calmed down, she called Sandalwood and said, "I want to bathe and change."