Chapter 95
Mrs. Xu hugged the cat that came in from outside the room and put her on her knees. After a moment, she asked, “Is there a follow-up to the matter of Mrs. Li surnamed Xianghou last time?”
Zhong Nuo said: “The maid is trying to tell the old lady. There is nothing special about this woman. She has been living in Luoyang before. When I was in Yuyang, I lived in a secluded place and usually didn’t interact with people. But…”
She hesitated and said, “The maid accidentally found an acquaintance who has something to do with her.”
Madam Xu said, “Which acquaintance?”
“It’s the Su family from Zhongshan. A few years ago, when this woman lived in Luoyang, there was a period of time when the Su family had close contacts with her, and they often traveled together. A romantic lawsuit. To avoid suspicion, Su Shifang and her gradually cut off contact. These are old things from a few years ago.”
Mrs. Xu slowly stroked the sleepy cat in her arms, pondered for a moment, and then asked, “How could Jiang Hao secretly communicate with the lady of the township? Is there any clue?”
Zhong Nuo said: “The maid is useless. Jiang Concubine and the woman died one after another after the incident, and there was no confession. According to the servant girl in the home of the Xianghou woman, I have never seen Jiang Concubine enter or leave the woman’s house on weekdays. It’s really confusing.”
“Jiang’s origin, can you check it?”
“Jiang Li was originally a maid in Madam’s mother’s house. She was young and widowed with a son. Madam Zhu was kind to her, and she has been serving her for 30 years.”
“Jiang’s son, where is he now?”
“It is said that more than ten years ago, when he was only a teenager, he died of a sudden illness.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know what the disease is. However, the maid found an old woman who served her with Jiang Mi before, but was driven away by her more than ten years ago. I heard something from the old woman. It is said that Jiang Mi’s son was seriously ill at that time. The death seems to be related to Madam’s brother. Her brother once raised a son.”
Nowadays, it has become common practice for nobles to keep prostitutes or keep men.
Mrs. Xu frowned: “Is that the brother who went to Luoyang two years ago to get drunk and fell into the pool and drowned for a few days before he swelled up?”
“Exactly.”
Madam Xu didn’t speak anymore, she was dazed for a long time, and suddenly said, “Look at Shao’er in the past two days, have you annoyed my granddaughter-in-law again?”
Zhong Li hesitated and said nothing.
Mrs. Xu shook her head: “He went all the way to the south a few years ago to pick up my granddaughter-in-law as a treasure. It’s only been a few days, and there’s nothing serious about it, so he said he was leaving. He also asked me to stay with her. What is it that you are not angry?”
Zhong Ni said: “When the accident happened, the male gentleman was still young, and the pain was so painful that he couldn’t help it. There are some cases where he couldn’t turn around for a while. Fortunately, the female gentleman is soft and open-minded. Don’t be in a hurry, old lady. You must be relieved.”
Madam Xu only said, “A stubborn donkey!”
Zhong Ni said: “The young husband and wife of the male and female monarchs have caused a lot of slack at the moment. If it is really separated for five or six months, I am afraid that it is not right. If the maid is too talkative, it is better for the old lady to speak up and call it the male lord. Just take the lady with you. I expect the two of you will be fine after a while.”
Mrs. Xu said: “Have you ever seen a stubborn donkey being whipped and willing to move forward? If I force him to take his grandson’s daughter-in-law over, it will show how wronged he is. I can’t bear to be wronged by my grandson’s daughter-in-law.”
She thought for a while, touched the cat’s head with her palm, and said with a smile: “The New Year is over, and there is nothing to do at home. There is a lot of wind and sand in Yuyang. I miss the good weather in Wuji City.”
…
When Wei Shao came back in the evening, he didn’t see Xiao Qiao in the room, nor Chunniang. I went to take a bath, but I didn’t see her when I came out. I asked Lin Li.
Lin Ni said, “The old lady asked the lady to accompany you to dinner.”
Wei Shao hesitated for a while, and then went out. As soon as he reached the door, he heard footsteps coming from far and near on the courtyard corridor. Looking up, he saw two maids holding lanterns in front, and when Xiao Qiao came back, Wei Shao stepped over the threshold and headed towards the study.
In the few nights after he came back from patrolling the border city, he went to the study first after he came back, and went back to his room later to go to bed. And Xiao Qiao is also at peace with each other.
Xiao Qiao came to Wei Shao’s figure and called him: “Husband, grandmother called you. I have something to tell you.”
Wei Shao glanced at her and raised his feet to go to the north house.
He arrived at the north room and entered, and saw several open camphor wood boxes on the ground, inside which were placed clothes and various daily sundries. , told a servant girl: “The weather won’t be warm over there for a while, take that fox cloak first and put it away carefully…” Suddenly seeing Wei Shao coming in, he hurriedly greeted him and smiled: “Men is here? The old lady is here. inside.”
Wei Shao said, “What is this for?”
Zhong Ni said, “The old lady is going to go to the Endless City.”
Wei Shao’s eyebrows moved, and quickly stepped inside. Mrs. Xu sat there, saw Wei Shao, and beckoned him to come.
Wei Shao leaned over and sat down: “Just now, Em said, grandmother is going to Endless City?”
Mrs. Xu nodded: “I told you to come here, just to tell you this. You know, I like that the weather there is comfortable, warm in winter and cool in summer. In previous years, half a year was spent there. Now the Lantern Festival is over there. Now, as soon as you leave, there will be no one else at home, so I want to go there to spend some time.”
Wei Shao said: “When will my grandmother leave? The grandson will send his grandmother there first. When the grandmother settles down, the grandson will go to Jinyang.”
Mrs. Xu said: “I don’t need you to **** me. I’ll go here and take your mother with me. Since Jinyang is in a hurry, you can go earlier. I’ll be escorted.”
Wei Shao was slightly startled, hesitated, and asked, “Grandma only takes my mother?”
Mrs. Xu nodded and sighed slightly: “It happened last time, although I grounded your mother, how can it be better in my own heart? After all, it is your mother, and I know that you also hope for her well in your heart. I thought about this. Take her with me on a journey that never ends. If you change places, you can make people change their minds.”
Wei Shao thanked Madam Xu solemnly.
Mrs. Xu smiled and said, “What is there to be thankful for? I remember that in the early years, your mother’s temperament was not as sharp as it is now. Now that she is like this, she herself was wrong first. As a mother-in-law, I should also have guidance. It’s hard to blame for not being there. Just take her there this time, and I’ll have a good time with her. ”
Wei Shao thanked Mrs. Xu again and again. Mrs. Xu said with a smile: “I called you here, that is, to tell you this. You have been busy all day, and you must be tired. Go and rest early.”
Wei Shao complied, got up from the couch, took a stance, walked a few steps, stopped, and turned around and said, “Grandma doesn’t take her with me?”
Mrs. Xu said, “Who? Is your daughter-in-law?”
Seeing Wei Shao looking at him, he shook his head: “She’s not going.”
“Ordinarily, there are few people in our house,” Mrs. Xu explained. “As soon as you leave, I will leave too, so there is no need for her to stay. I originally wanted to take her with me. The house chores will be handed over to the newcomer. You are the only one who is in charge. As you know, in the first month of February, the people sacrificed to the Taishe Society and prayed for a good harvest. We have always asked us to preside over it. In previous years, it was your mother. This time, your mother followed me, and naturally asked her to come forward. One. Second, I am also a little selfish, and I feel sorry for you. I want her to stay at home and watch over, in case you come back early, you won’t be home. It’s deserted and there is no one to greet you. ”
Wei Shao said: “I’m fine. Grandma can take her to the Endless City with her.”
Mrs. Xu said: “I was afraid that she would be lonely at home alone. When I called her just now, I also asked her. She only said it herself. It’s good to practice while you’re young.”
Wei Shao opened his mouth, but finally closed it. Finally: “Grandson knows. Grandson retire first. Grandmother also rests early.”
…
Wei Shao returned to the Westinghouse.
Xiao Qiao was in the room with Chunniang packing his clothes when he went out.
Wei Shao stood on the side, glanced coldly, and went to the study. When he came back later, Chunniang was gone, and there were several boxes on the ground, just like in the north room, all of which were his clothes.
Xiao Qiao was sitting on the edge of the bed, folding some of his clothes. Seeing him coming in, he didn’t get up to greet him, but said, “I asked people, the climate in Jinyang is dry and cold in winter and hot in summer. Because you said that it took half a year to go, it was not accurate, so this trip, I’ve helped you pack a little more. In addition to the robes and furs to wear at the moment, there are ten sets of middle clothes and ten sets of underwear for replacement. The underwear is made of fine jelly. There is also Su Wan Zen prepared for the hot weather. Clothes…”
Wei Shao glanced at the boxes on the ground, and said impatiently, “You can handle this as you see fit. Tell me what?”
Xiao Qiao kept silent, lowered his head and folded the last few clothes spread out on the bed, put them in the box, pressed them down, and finally closed the lid.
The two of them went to bed separately, and they were not as good as before. Each has their own thoughts.
Xiao Qiao closed her eyes and suddenly heard Wei Shao say in her ear: “Tomorrow you go and tell your grandmother, and let her take you to the Endless City with you!”
Xiao Qiao was startled, opened her eyes, and turned to look at him.
“Just tell her that you will be deserted if you stay at home alone. I’m afraid!” he said again.
Xiao Qiao said lightly: “I’m not afraid. What’s so scary? My grandmother took my mother-in-law to the Endless City, and I stay at home to guard it, which is also my duty.”
Wei Shao frowned. stare at her.
Xiao Qiao turned back and closed his eyes.
…
Two days later, Mrs. Xu packed her luggage, asked a maid to carry the increasingly fat cat, and took Zhu Shi together. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law took a carriage and went out of the city to No End.
Wei Shao escorted Mrs. Xu personally. During the day, he walked on the road, and in the evening he stayed in a post house. No rush all the way. It took three days to walk hundreds of miles before sending Mrs. Xu to Endless City. No final order greeted his group outside the city gate. Wei Shao entered the city, settled everything, and left a team of family generals to guard him.
Xiao Qiao originally thought that he had finished sending Mrs. Xu, and he was going to leave when he came back. Not wanting to come back this time, he never mentioned going to Jinyang again. Observing on the side for a few days, I saw that he went out early and returned late every day, very busy. Naturally, he wouldn’t take the initiative to ask him when he was going to leave. Just ask someone to temporarily put away a few boxes that have been packed up earlier. When he has to leave one day, he will be carried out.
In such a blink of an eye, the end of the first month has passed, and this day is the first day of the second month of the Taishe sacrifice.
Taishe worships the main **** of earth, and uses chives and eggs as offerings, begging for rich real estate and abundant crops in the next year. After the sacrificial ceremony, the villagers gather together to perform social dramas and dances. There are also young men and women who take the opportunity to exchange orchids to express their feelings.
Early in the morning, Xiao Qiao got up, finished dressing and changed into his sacrificial clothes, and under the **** of his entourage, he took a carriage out of the city to the Taishe Temple.
Wei Shao waited for Xiao Qiao to go out that day, and went to the government office by himself. As soon as he entered, Gongsun Yang urged him: “Master, when will you leave for Jinyang?”