Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Yesterday, at the wedding banquet of the eldest son of the Xie family, it was the third son who came out to pay respects, which caused quite a stir. Before the twists and turns were figured out, in the morning, I don't know who was the first to spread the news, but people in the mansion said that the bride carried into the Xie family yesterday was not the eldest lady Wen, but the second lady Wen.

It's getting more and more chaotic.

Various speculations emerged one after another, more exciting than picture books. There is no wall that is impenetrable. The strong wind blew over the top of the wall with an unstoppable attitude and quickly rolled into the streets.

Once the rumor started, the Xie family would definitely be drowned. Xie Shao arrived at Zui Xiang Lou early in the morning and asked someone to invite Zhou Kuang.

At night, Zui Xiang Lou was brightly lit with singing and dancing. During the day, it was just a place for drinking and chatting. Zhou Kuang received the news and climbed over the wall to keep the appointment. He went upstairs and opened the door. He saw Xie Shao sitting by the window, wearing a black round-necked shirt with round flowers, sitting cross-legged on a futon, looking sideways at the busy traffic below, and hurriedly called out, "Brother Xie."

Xie Shao turned his head and saw Zhou Kuang sitting opposite him. He waved to the servant beside him to pour tea and took a sip. "The tea at Zui Xiang Lou is still the best. No matter how fragrant the tea at home is, it always feels like it lacks a flavor." He put down the teacup and couldn't wait to take credit for it. "I spent a whole month's expenses to invite the opera troupe from the White House on the other side of the river to your house to entertain you. We even used red ivory plates. How was the little song last night? Was it exciting?"

It’s really exciting.

Xie Shao didn't answer, but smiled.

Unlike Zhou Kuangxing who appears to be a dandy on the surface, Xie Shao is unruly to the core. He appears to be a man of great talent at first glance, but only when he has evil intentions does the arrogant and degenerate nature of a child from an aristocratic family reveal itself.

Zhou Kuang was too familiar with him. When he smiled like that, Zhou Kuang felt inexplicably nervous. "Why, you didn't sing well? If I hadn't been grounded, I could have gone to join in the fun. What a pity... Don't worry, when you get married, I will definitely come to your house and make a scene for three days and three nights."

Xie Shao rarely said anything.

Xie Shao rarely made appointments so early in the past. Seeing that he seemed to be busy, Zhou Kuang stopped talking and asked first, "Brother Xie, what's the matter? Just say it."

As they were talking, someone pushed open the door next door. Although the two rooms were separated by a partition, they were connected by a row of windows facing the street. At this time, all of them were open, and the voices from the opposite side could be heard clearly.

"Have you heard about the Xie family's affairs?"

"The matter of the eldest son being replaced by the third son?"

"This is just the beginning. The excitement is yet to come. I heard that the one carried over by the Wen family was not the eldest lady. Guess who it was?"

After a few moments of silence, the man said again, "Second Madam Wen!"

"Is there such a ridiculous thing?"

"This isn't the eldest son's wedding banquet. I'm afraid it's the third son's wedding banquet."

"The Wen family agrees with you..."

Xie Shao asked Min Zhang to close the window, and the voices from next door were instantly blocked outside the window. When he looked up again, Zhou Kuang opposite him was stunned, staring at him motionlessly.

"There is indeed one thing." Since he had heard it all, Xie Shao was too lazy to explain. He took over what he had just said, swept his sleeves and picked up the teapot to refill his tea, "Help me spread a rumor."

Zhou Kuang had not yet recovered from the earth-shattering news. Seeing Xie Shao gently put down the teapot, he came over and said in a gentle voice, "It is said that I, Xie Shao, have been plotting against Second Lady Wen for a long time. At the wedding banquet yesterday, we fell in love with each other."

The old ancestor is not so easy to fool. We have to wait until the news outside reaches the mansion. Only then will this laughing stock subside and the old ancestor can breathe a sigh of relief.

Zhou Kuang silently reached his hand into his sleeve and pinched him hard. He must still be lying in bed dreaming, and it must be a nightmare.

The pain in his arm was so clear, but Zhou Kuang still didn't believe it. He suspected that he had heard it wrongly, and asked, "Brother Xie, which Second Lady Wen is this?"

It definitely couldn't be that Second Lady Wen who let the dog bite people...

Xie Shao on the opposite side said nothing, but looked over here. The deathly silence on his face was self-evident.

Zhou Kuang:......

When a person is sitting at home, disaster comes from the sky. Zhou Kuang can only sympathize and can't say anything. After a long while, he murmured, "Xie brother, I told you a long time ago, offer sacrifices to the Buddha..."

The door behind him was pushed open with a bang. Cui Nian and Pei Qing came in one after another after hearing the news, looking hurried, "Thank you, brother..."

Early in the morning, the four great playboys of Fengcheng gathered together.

—

The old lady of the Xie family suffered a great blow last night and was really sick. After Xie Shao comforted her, she fell asleep in the middle of the night and did not wake up in the morning.

Fearing that the newlyweds would be upset again when they came to offer tea, Nanzhi, the personal maidservant of Old Madam Xie, sent someone to tell Nanny Fang that "The old lady is not feeling well, so the newlyweds will put the tea offering on hold for a while until she is better."

It's just a replacement, no one likes the other, and when they meet, they feel awkward, and the other person is also awkward.

There was no need to offer tea, and Wen Shuse felt relaxed.

Although this marriage was not satisfactory and the old lady failed to let the third son marry the eldest lady as she wished, the second lady Wen had already entered the house, and from now on she would be the third grandmother in the mansion. Nanny Fang told her about the situation in the courtyard. Half a month ago, Xie Shao's grandmother fell seriously ill. After receiving the news, Xie Shao's parents rushed to Yangzhou overnight and are not in the mansion now.

This confirmed that the person who was planning to change the bride this time was the old ancestor of the mansion.

It's exactly like me.

Madam Xie was ill, but what about my grandmother? After learning the truth, I was afraid she would be seriously ill. My grandmother probably wouldn't believe the story I made up.

My father and brother are not at home again. What will they think when they come back in two months and find out that I have married a famous playboy in Fengcheng?

Last night, the incident happened suddenly. I was too anxious and tired, and was only focused on finding a way to survive. I didn't have time to think about it carefully. Now that the day has dawned and my mind has awakened, I look back at this confused marriage of mine, and I feel indescribable sadness in my heart.

All girls have a spring dream, and she has one too.

Before going to the manor, Ming Wanrou sent her to the city gate, and the second son of the Ming family also escorted her on horseback.

Before leaving, the second young master suddenly jumped off his horse, walked quickly to her, his eyes fell on her face, dodging left and right, "Second lady, take good care of yourself and come back soon."

The early spring breeze blew and turned the face of the young man standing in front of her red. How beautiful and heart-warming.

If she were to marry, she should marry such a perfect man.

When she thought back to the face that was glaring at her last night and the voice that was scolding her, the difference between the two was immediately apparent.

I can't think about it. If I think too much, I'll want to jump into the river. The sadness is getting stronger and stronger, and I can't control it. I have to vent it somewhere. Wen Shuse hugged his arms and burst into tears.

As she started crying, Aunt Qing and Xiangyun also started crying, and the three of them, the master and the servants, hugged each other.

Nanny Fang and the Xie family's maid stood aside, at a loss as to what to do.

On the first day after her marriage, the elders did not recognize her, and the groom disappeared in the morning. She was indeed a pitiful person. Nanny Fang stepped forward and whispered to comfort her, "It is spring now, and the flowers in the yard are blooming beautifully. Third Madam, go for a walk and relax."

Wen Shuse was not a sentimental person. No matter how big the matter was, she would get over it after crying. She went back to the house, washed her face, and pulled herself together. She really took Aunt Qing and Xiangyun to the yard.

During this stroll, I found my own happiness.

When I came in yesterday, I thought the yard was huge, and I never thought there was a small lake where I could go boating.

When they were at the Wen family, they had to go to a lake a few miles away if they wanted to go boating. Seeing that there was a ready-made boat in front of them, they hurriedly asked someone to pull the boat over. The three of them got on the boat together. As soon as they passed under the arch bridge, a sea of ​​flowers came into their sight. Bunches of peonies, bathed in the spring sun, were pink and white, as if in a dream.

Wen Shuse suddenly felt that his previous mindset was too narrow.

Isn't it just about love and romance? She should think about it, read more storybooks, or go to a teahouse to listen to a love story that moves heaven and earth and makes ghosts weep. Watching other people's love can also be satisfying.

In addition to his good looks, Xie San had another remarkable quality in her eyes.

Know how to live.

The sun was a little hot at noon, so Wen Shuse walked through the peony flowers and climbed up to a viewing pavilion built next to the courtyard wall to enjoy the cool air.

The attic has three floors. Standing on the top and looking down, you can have a panoramic view of the nearby mansions and houses.

I saw tall and short blue bricks and black tiles crowded together in all directions. It was completely different from the feeling I usually saw on the ground. Standing on a high place, I had a broad view and a broad mind, as if everything was under my feet and all my worries disappeared.

Xiangyun suddenly asked, "Madam, can we see the Wen family here?"

Following her words, several people raised their eyes and began to search.

"We can really see it. Isn't that it?" Aunt Qing pointed to a tile house at the end of the left side. Even if only a corner of the courtyard was exposed, it was enough to make several people excited.

"Whenever you miss home, come here and see me. I'll send a message back tomorrow. Maybe one day you'll be able to look the old lady in the face again."

This is a bit unrealistic. They can see the other side, but the other side may not be able to see here.

Just when he was in high spirits, a scolding voice suddenly came from the right corner of the wall, "Why do people fear fame and pigs fear weight? Once this person has a little success, there will always be distant relatives coming to visit. Gu is just a concubine in the mansion, but she can attract poor relatives like you. Today she is your cousin, tomorrow she is your cousin. She is so embarrassed, and she still has the nerve to bring you in..."

Wen Shu was curious and stretched his neck to look. Isn’t that the gate of Xie family?

As he was speaking, the man standing inside the door suddenly pushed the two people on the threshold away, and the door closed with a "click".

The two were turned away, and when they turned around, Wen Shuse could see clearly that it was a woman in her forties, with a girl by her side. Both of them were pale and thin, their clothes were tattered, and they didn't even have a bag in their hands.

The girl stared at the imposing general gate of the Xie family with a look of despair, "Mom, what should we do?"

"Let's go. It seems your aunt is not having a good life either. Let's go begging on the street. It's better than starving to death..."

—

It was late in the evening when Xie Shao stepped into the courtyard. As soon as he entered the door, he asked Nanny Fang, "How is the old ancestor today?"

Min Zhang had already cleaned up the west wing next to the main house. Seeing him about to walk in, Nanny Fang hurriedly stopped him, "The old ancestor is fine, Third Madam..."

Xie Shao's steps were a little shaky. When he heard the name of Third Grandma, his brain started to clamor loudly. He asked impatiently, "What happened to her?"

"Third Madam cried so hard today that her heart was broken." Nanny Fang lowered her head and reported in detail, "This morning, the old lady sent someone to tell her that Third Madam didn't need to go over to offer tea. Third Madam must have heard it and it must have brought up her sorrows. She didn't eat since noon. Young Master, you should go and take a look."

Since you are already husband and wife, you can't just become strangers. You should spend more time together in your lifetime. Who knows, you might fall in love with each other one day.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Nanny Fang whispered again, "Actually, Third Madam is quite pitiful..."

As soon as the sun rose today, everyone in the mansion knew that the Wen family had changed people, and no one liked her. The young master was out for another day...

How can I not be pitiful if my elders don't love me and my husband doesn't like me?

There was silence for a while before Xie Shao spoke, "Trouble." Although he said this, he still changed direction and went to the main house.

Wen Shuse had been walking around the yard for the whole morning and felt a little tired. He came back in the afternoon and took a nap, missing his meal. Now he was no longer sleepy and was sitting under the lamp peeling longans.

When I heard footsteps outside and the maid calling "Third Young Master", my heart skipped a beat and I thought to myself, "Hasn't the west wing been cleaned up?"

It's already dark, why did he come in? Didn't they say that they have nothing to do with each other after dark?

It turned out that he came to compete with her for the bed.

Before she could figure out how to deal with it, the person outside had already lifted the beaded curtain and walked straight towards her. He lifted his robe and sat on the round stool opposite her. Without even looking at her, he asked directly, "What do you want?"

You see, this man is not fit to speak.

"We have already discussed it last night, and you agreed to stay at the Xie family. Since you are willing, don't act like I am bullying you. I might as well tell you that with the means you have to fill in the numbers at the Wen family, you can't even live a peaceful life. With the temper of the eldest son of the mansion, he can send you back intact that night. You should be glad that you met me. If I hadn't been kind-hearted, I'm afraid you wouldn't even have a place to cry."

Wen Shuse's eyelids twitched, and he really wanted to seal his lips, but he lost control of the strength in his hands, and the longan shell broke into pieces with a "snap".

Xie Shao took the opportunity to look over and saw the longan shells all over the table. Next to it was a bowl of egg custard that had just been used up. He frowned and said, "You can't eat..."

"Is Third Brother back?" The voice was suddenly interrupted. There was another hurried footsteps outside, walking in while calling, "Third Brother..."

Soon, the bead curtain in the inner room, which had not yet had time to calm down, was lifted again.

She was a young girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old. She was wearing an ankle-length skirt and an apricot-colored spring blouse. She had a small round face and looked playful and lively.

Wen Shuse turned his head and happened to meet the girl's gaze.

There was a flash of surprise in the other's eyes, but it soon calmed down. He turned away indifferently without saying hello to her. He walked towards the man opposite her, his lips curved into a crescent smile, "Third brother, why did you come back just now?"

Xie Shao had a headache and was afraid of noise. "What's the matter?"

The girl stood two steps away from him, clasping her hands and looking down as she said, "Today, Aunt Gu's cousin came to the mansion, saying that her family had encountered a natural disaster and had no food, so she brought her wife to seek refuge with Aunt Gu. Maybe Aunt Gu was short of money, so she didn't give her any. I happened to meet her at the door, and I couldn't bear it, so I took the initiative and gave her some money, all for this month's expenses..."

Aunt Gu, isn't that...

Aunt Qing and Xiangyun behind them couldn't help but look at each other and secretly glanced at their wives.

However, as an outsider, Wen Shuse had no intention of listening to them. But it was such a coincidence that his eyes couldn't help but move slightly, and he raised his eyes to inquire about the girl opposite again.

Xie Shao rubbed his temples, "How much?"

"Five hundred taels."

This scene was inexplicably familiar. Based on Wen Shuse's experience, he felt that this girl was a little too impatient, and it would be easy to be exposed if she asked for too much.

Then the man opposite him didn't even blink, and called Nanny Fang from the outer room, "Give her one thousand taels."

Wen Shuse:......