Jiafu hurried back to Rongfang's place along the road. After sitting down, Rongfang asked her what she had seen before. She only chose the part about meeting the guests, skipping the encounter with the old lady on the way, and spent the whole afternoon talking again. Not a single step out.
It was getting dark gradually, the guests and the clan had arrived, and the lights in the mansion were brilliantly lit. Pei Xiuzhi, the second master, Pei Quan, the third, Pei Xiuke, the fourth, Pei Xiuhong, and several respected elders from the clan greeted the guests in front of the longevity hall. Mrs. Xin Some women in the second wife's family have entertained the female relatives of the house. When Jiafu came to the longevity hall with her mother, the birthday worship was almost over, and only the younger daughters were left. She was among a group of bright and beautiful women. She stood in the corner of the longevity hall. Looking up, there was a birthday plaque hanging high in the middle hall. There are four golden characters "Bao Wu Xinghui" written by Pei Quan for her mother's birthday. In a prominent position in the middle of the birthday table, there is a royal gift made of yellow forging on the bottom, and a pair of long handles Ruyi is placed horizontally. The birthday cakes on both sides are piled up into a mountain of pagodas, and the left and right are listed with various birthday gifts, gorgeous crowns and beautiful clothes, golden and jade full halls. Jiafu looked like when she saw it. Tonight, she wore a beaded crown and was in uniform. She held a cane with a dragon's head carved from a whole agarwood in her hand. She was full of wealth and honor. On the opposite side, those who came to pay homage to her for her birthday got up.
Jiafu was still a relative and a junior, and she was at the back of the line. Following the guidance of Li Zan, she and the first person paid her respects to the old lady. Madam Pei smiled and told everyone to get up and eat birthday wine in the back hall.
Today, almost no one in the clan knows about the marriage of the Pei Zhen family. Mrs. Meng and Jia Fu have also become the focus of attention. The female family members of the Pei family have taken the initiative to chat with Mrs. Meng, praising Jia Fu for her gentleness and beauty. Following her mother, she bowed her head shyly, looking like a girl she should have, but secretly keeping an eye on Brother Quan.
That one time just a few days ago was not enough to explain that she and Brother Quan were in conflict. In her vision, tonight is also an opportunity.
Although Brother Quan is outrageous, he also has a child's natural cunning. He knows that the Guogong's house is not like the grandmother Song family can let him do whatever he wants, and he is a little afraid of his great-grandmother. When he saw his grandmother, Mrs. Song, he just wanted to go to her. on the side.
Mrs. Song was surrounded by people and flattered tonight, and the limelight even suppressed Mrs. Xin. How could Mrs. Xin let her grandson go there, and asked someone to hold him firmly by her side. She was not allowed to leave even one step, so that the birthday banquet came to an end. , One after another, guests began to leave the table to leave, but Jiafu couldn't find a suitable opportunity to get close to this child, so she couldn't help but feel a little anxious.
The marriage is imminent, she must hurry, tonight was a good opportunity. After finally waiting for the mother and Mrs. Xin to sit together, Brother Quan became sleepy again. Mrs. Xin asked someone to take him back to the room to sleep, and he was taken away.
Jiafu knew that she should have no chance tonight, so she suppressed her disappointment and could only continue to socialize with Mrs. Meng.
In the middle of Hai Shi, the birthday banquet was over, and all the guests who were left behind were also sent away one after another.
Mrs. Meng has been busy since she came here, and at this time she is also tired. Because her son had left at first, she took Jiafu to say goodbye. Mrs. Xin thanked her, saying that she has contributed a lot today, and she has saved a lot of effort. When she was sent out, Madam Meng knew that she had something to do and tried her best to bid her farewell. During the conversation, a oval-faced girl in her twenties, well-dressed and beautiful, smiled and said, "Madam, the old lady invites you to come over, I have a few words. What to say."
This big girl's name is Yuzhu, the one that Jiafu met by the side of Madam Pei during the day.
Mrs. Xin responded, turned her head and called a trustworthy steward on her behalf to go to count the valuable utensils that the servants packed up and prepared to store in the warehouse, but the mammy was not nearby. Mrs. Meng said, "Since the old lady is calling, it must be something important. If you believe me, I will count it for you."
Mrs. Xin was overjoyed, said that she was working hard, confessed, and turned around and hurried away.
Mrs. Meng turned to Jiafu: "Afu, if you are tired, my mother asks someone to take you home first. After I finish my work, there should be a while."
Jiafu knew that her mother worked so hard to marry Mrs. Xin, all for herself, so she said distressedly, "Mother, let me accompany you."
Mrs. Meng refused. Jiafu knew that there were servants carrying things coming and going, and her mother was probably afraid of bumping into her, so she stopped insisting.
Yuzhu said: "If you have Aunt Lao, why don't I take the little lady to the old lady's house to wait for you first? It's warm there, and no one will walk around randomly. Aunt can come to pick you up when she's done."
This jade pearl was also the daughter of a big family when she was young. When she was eight or nine years old, her family was broken down and she entered the Duke Wei Mansion. Because of her outstanding appearance, she was able to write and do calculations, and she became a powerful girl in front of the old lady. She was twenty years old. She was still unwilling to be married, so the old lady left her. Having said that, Mrs. Meng was relieved and urged Jiafu to rest.
Jiafu followed Yuzhu to Madam Pei's main courtyard, and saw a few figures on the windows of the main room, faintly speaking. Yuzhu whispered: "The old lady just called your uncle and aunt in the second room. I think they are all inside. I'll take you to the side room."
Jiafu said, "I have Sister Lao."
Yuzhu smiled and said, "How can you be called the little lady, just call me by my name. The little lady comes with me."
Jiafu was led to a side room, which was bright and warm. Yuzhu asked Jiafu to sit on a couch, put a pillow behind her waist, and took a fur blanket to cover her. On his lap, he said: "If the little lady is sleepy, you can sleep here. No one will come in. I still have clean fragrant maple tea there. I will bring you a pot."
Sandalwood thanked her on behalf of Kafu: "I can go to the end."
Yuzhu nodded with a smile, took the sandalwood to go out, and just walked out the door, she saw the nurse and the girl coming with Quan brother who was wearing a wind cloak, saying that brother Quan had just woken up, crying and going to Song's house, the nurse coaxed her. Hold on, bring her to Mrs. Xin.
Yuzhu frowned and snorted: "Madam has something to do with the old lady at the moment! You take it back first, and then coax." She dragged the ignorant nurse to go out.
The nurse said with a bitter face: "I can't coax, you know, if my brother makes trouble, the old lady will be able to cure it..."
As soon as she finished speaking, Brother Quan had already twisted away from her and ran towards the raw-faced Sandalwood.
Yuzhu let out a snort, hurriedly chased after him, and shouted, "There's no one in that room, brother, don't go in."
The door opened from the inside, and Jiafu showed her face and said, "Let him come in, I'm fine."
…
In the main room, Mrs. Pei was sitting on a chair, the bead crown had been removed, but the official uniform on her body had not been changed. She glanced at the sons and daughters-in-law standing in front of her, and said, "These days, In order to give my old lady a long life and make me happy, you guys have worked hard."
Pei Quan hurriedly said: "How could mother say such a thing? Why is it so hard? Besides, it was our duty in the first place."
Mrs. Xin and Mrs. Meng also nodded in agreement.
Mrs. Pei smiled slightly: "There have been a lot of good things in our family recently. It's just my birthday, it's not worth mentioning. I'm very happy that Zhi'er is short, and Luo'er's homework is top-notch."
In the past few years, Mrs. Pei's health was not very good, and she lived in a seclusion. It has been a long time since she was like today. He called his son and daughter-in-law to him, and saw her solemn expression just now. I thought she was dissatisfied with the birthday celebration tonight, but all of them were a little apprehensive. When she spoke, it turned out to be a compliment. She was relieved and laughed. : "It's all relying on my mother's luck and decency."
Mrs. Pei said: "I am an old lady, there is nothing decent for you to rely on. Don't think that I am confused and immortal, I will be satisfied."
This is really not a light thing to say, not to mention that they just celebrated their birthday today, Madam Xin and Pei Quan and his wife were stunned for a while, and suddenly they looked confused, Pei Quan said: "What mother said really made the son unbearable. I If you do something wrong and make your mother sad, even if you teach me a lesson, even if you kill me, I deserve it, how can you curse yourself like this?"
Madam Pei was silent. Pei Quan's heart gradually became empty.
This time, Pei Quan originally hoped that he would be able to fall on him, so that he could enter an official position that had not been promoted for many years, but finally fell to his nephew Pei Xiuzhi because of the Song family. Shi said that the big room spent nearly 2,000 taels, and there was even a grudge in his heart. Naturally, he was friendly on the surface, but he didn't expect to be called just after his birthday tonight. Hearing such words again, he didn't dare to speak.
Mrs. Xin and Mrs. Meng glanced at each other.
Mrs. Pei slowly let out a sigh of relief and replied: "Everyone is happy today, I shouldn't have spoiled your interest, but I have something in my heart, thinking that I won't say it today, and I don't know when the next time will be. "
"If you have something to say, just tell me!" Pei Quan said hurriedly. Mrs. Xin and Mrs. Meng also agreed.
"So that's what I said. Today, I was out of the house, and I accidentally heard some gossip behind the back of a few servants. It's just that those words are unbearable, and I'm even more puzzled. When will the government start? The rules of the family are gone, so that the servants are so lax. After thinking about it, there is only one sentence, that is, the upper and the lower are effective. There is no such thing as the head of the family, and the servants below will naturally become more and more serious. "
Mrs. Meng didn't say a word, but Mrs. Xin's face changed slightly, she hesitated, and said, "It's all mine, isn't it, I didn't teach the servants well..."
Mrs. Pei waved her hand: "I know you are all busy, and I am calling you to say this now, not to listen to someone confessing to me, but I have a lot of emotions in my heart. Life is like a white horse passing by. When I was young, look at As your old man earned this family business with his life, now I have a great-grandson in the blink of an eye. Since ancient times, there have been very few people who have lived in wealth and wealth, and who can know enough to stop. , is even rarer. In the past few years, the Pei family's situation has not been as good as before, but there is a word, I still want to remind you, the earth supports each other as the wall, and people support each other as the home, if your family members are fighting against each other, No need for others, in a few years, the Pei family will be in chaos first."
Pei Quan's forehead was oozing with sweat, and Mrs. Xin and Mrs. Meng bowed their heads in silence.
Mrs. Pei shook her head: "I can't blame you. Speaking of which, the first one to blame is me. I have been too lazy in recent years and have not fulfilled the duty of an elder..."
She pondered for a while and looked at Mrs. Xin: "I know that the family's income is low, and each of you has difficulties. The money that Zhi'er used to make up the shortfall this time comes from my body..."
Mrs. Xin was stunned for a moment, and when she was about to speak, the old lady turned to Pei Quan and Mrs. Meng: "You can't let your second room suffer. When Luo'er gets married, it will definitely cost a lot. How much I give to the big room now, then I will pay. How much will I give you? That's all I can do. If there is any injustice, I hope you will understand me, just wipe it out, and don't make any resentment because of it. When outsiders find out, where will I put my face? "
Pei Quan stepped forward and knelt down with a thud, kowtowed, and said, "Mother, you must never ask for this money as a son. I was all confused, and I was arguing with my nephew. Don't get angry. Your old man is still alive. It is the blessing of our Pei family."
Mrs. Xin and Mrs. Meng also blamed themselves.
There were tears in Mrs. Pei's eyes, and she said, "To tell you the truth, today's big birthday is absolutely indispensable to me. I understand you, and I nodded my head to meet the guests in order to make you happy. I hope you It can also understand my heart. There is no good or bad, only people call me. I have lived to this age, and I have seen a lot of riches and highs. That's all I've said. If you think it's reasonable, remember that when you go back, you'll be more blessed than you doing a hundred birthdays for me."
Pei Quan kowtowed, and Mrs. Xin and Mrs. Meng also complied and agreed.
Mrs. Pei looked at Mrs. Xin: "Brother Quan is not too young. He will be five years old after the new year. It is time to teach him the rules. In the future, he is not allowed to take him to the Song family at will."
Mrs. Xin was stunned for a moment, then hesitated: "I ran to pick it up over there..."
Mrs. Pei snorted and stared at Mrs. Xin: "Is his surname Pei or Song? You only think about your son, why don't you think about your grandson?"
Madam Xin blushed and lowered her head embarrassingly.
…
In the middle of the night, at midnight, Pei Quan and Mrs. Xin's Mrs. Meng went out from the north house.
When the people left, Yuzhu went in and asked the servant to wash and rest. The old woman seemed to have not heard it, and still sat there, looking at the hourglass in the corner of the room.
There was only a moment left, and the day was coming to an end.
It's so late, and the old lady is still not resting. Yuzhu was a little puzzled, and didn't dare to ask. After staying by the side for a while, she suddenly remembered what happened when she went out with her during the day, and her heart suddenly became brighter. Said: "Old lady, the little lady of the Zhen family is in the side room right now. If the old lady is still not sleeping, I will call her and let her talk to the old lady?" After speaking, seeing that she did not nod, He didn't shake his head, as if trapped in distant memories, he quietly walked out.
Jia Fu entered the house and greeted the old lady.
The old lady turned her head, saw her coming, smiled slightly, and said: "Yuzhu is also very busy. I asked you to come so late, are you tired of tossing today? I have nothing to do here, you can go back and rest."
Just now Yuzhu told Jiafu that she hoped that she would come and say a few good words to make the old lady happy.
It could be seen that neither Yuzhu nor the old woman in front of him expected that the eldest son of the long house who left Beijing many years ago would return tonight.
But Jaffe was impressed. She remembered that in the previous life, he did come back this night, but it was very late. As for when it was late, she could not remember.
She looked at the old woman in the lamp shadow in front of her who had only a lonely figure after removing the bead crown and Chinese dress. For such a short moment, she suddenly regretted her calculation just now.
If Brother Quan falls ill, the old woman will not be able to sleep well tonight.
In fact, it's okay to be late for one night. Originally, the old woman should have lived her 60th birthday well.
She took a slow breath and said, "Old Madam, the eldest cousin will be back."
The old woman smiled and nodded: "Good boy, go and rest."
Jiafu bit her lip, but finally held back her words, turned around and walked towards the door slowly.
"Old lady—old lady—"
When she walked to the door, suddenly, a voice came from outside the courtyard, which sounded a bit harsh in this quiet midnight.
Jiafu paused and stopped at the door.
Yuzhu hurried out and yelled at the old woman who ran in: "Are you crazy? You shouted like this in the middle of the night, what happened?"
"Master is back!" The old woman ran out of breath, with a strange expression, and gestured with her hands.
"I almost don't recognize it!"