Chapter 35 Chapter 35 Give You
Jiang Shu was calm and capable. With Zhao's guidance, she quickly collected all the items needed for the Qingyang Temple.
Zhao gave the map of the houses in Qingyang Temple to Jiang Shu and asked her to divide the houses for each family in advance.
The most spacious room must be occupied by Zhao and Lu Lin. Lu Changji is the pillar of Xinyang Marquis Mansion, and he should be allocated a spacious room. However, Jiang Shu has her own selfish motives and moved Lu Changji's room to the backyard of Qingyang Temple.
Yang was somewhat dissatisfied with Jiang Shu's arrangement: "It would be fine for anyone else, but why would you want Xue Ji, with his status, to stay in the backyard?"
Xue Ji is Lu Changji's courtesy name.
Jiang Shu brought out her prepared speech: "Uncle likes quietness and loves to read. The backyard is secluded and beneficial for his self-cultivation and reading."
That made some sense. Thinking of Lu Changji's quiet nature, Zhao stopped talking and said, "Remember to leave a room for Hu Lingshuang."
Jiang Shu was stunned and said, "The mountain road is bumpy, and my third sister-in-law is six months pregnant. I'm afraid it's not suitable for her to travel. The old marquis is a kind man. If he is still alive, he would definitely not want his pregnant grandson-in-law to suffer for him."
Zhao was an experienced person, so she naturally understood this principle. She said, "I didn't want Hu Lingshuang to go up the mountain in the first place. She came to me several times, begging me to do so. If I didn't allow her again, it would be like preventing her from fulfilling her filial piety.
After all, it was her insistence, so even if something goes wrong, it's not our fault. Just arrange a room for her, and remember to keep it away from Sanlang. They're both very troublesome, so they won't cause any trouble in this quiet place."
Since Hu Lingshuang insisted, Jiang Shu couldn't say anything. Hu was pregnant and tired, so Jiang Shu arranged her room in the suite next to Zhao and Lu Lin. That room had a bathroom, so it was convenient for bathing and washing.
Two days before departure, Zhao's niece Zhao Yingyun came to visit the mansion. The Zhao family had frequent exchanges with the Xinyang Marquis Mansion, so it was normal for Zhao Yingyun to stay at the Xinyang Marquis Mansion for a short time. However, it was a bit unreasonable for her to come and disturb the host family when she knew that the host family was going out to worship their ancestors.
Zhao Yingyun was a sensible person, and no matter what, she always had her own considerations. Jiang Shu said nothing more, and after instructing the kitchen to send a dessert to Zhao Yingyun, she returned to Xinchun Garden.
Only the Zhao aunt and niece were left in the room, so they could talk to each other in a heartfelt way.
Zhao said to Zhao Yingyun, "I heard that many young men who proposed marriage to you almost knocked down the threshold of the Zhao family, but you didn't like any of them. Your mother rejected them all.
Auntie knows you have high aspirations, but you have reached the age of puberty, and you can't keep putting it off. Even the best girl can't be engaged after she's past her age."
Zhao Yingyun is not like the average girl from a small family. She is very frank when talking about marriage: "I know that my aunt is doing this for my own good, but marriage is a lifelong event. I don't want to compromise. I just want to choose a gentleman with both virtue and talent, and spend the rest of my life with him in harmony."
It is easy to talk about a gentleman with both virtue and talent, but it is difficult to find one. When it comes to how to behave in society, I am afraid no one can match Lu Changji.
Zhao's eyes flashed, and she fixed her gaze on Zhao Yingyun's face and asked, "Does Yun'er like Xueji?"
A slight blush appeared on Zhao Yingyun's face, and she replied softly, "Yes."
Lu Changji was extremely handsome. At a young age, he controlled the cabinet and had great power. Looking across the entire Bianliang, I'm afraid half of the women hoped to marry him.
Unfortunately, Lu Changji has a cold personality and is as pure and unselfish as a banished immortal. Not to mention marrying a wife, he doesn't even have a concubine.
When Lu Changji came of age, Zhao had thought of arranging a marriage for him, but he declined on the pretext of being busy with official duties.
Later, Lu Changji's power grew, and he had the final say not only in the Xinyang Marquis's residence but also in the court. How could Zhao dare to urge him to marry? As a result, Lu Changji has become a widower until now.
If it were any other family, it would be easy for a legitimate mother to arrange a marriage for her concubine's son, but it was impossible in the Xinyang Marquis' Mansion.
Zhao looked at Zhao Yingyun with a smile and said softly, "Marrying Xueji will not only benefit you, but also our Zhao family.
It's a shame to say that although I am Xueji's legal mother, I cannot be his master. Whether you can win his heart depends on your own luck."
Zhao changed the subject and continued, "You are the legitimate daughter of our Zhao family, and you are of noble status. No matter what your situation is, you must not belittle yourself.
Even though Xue Ji is a good man, you can't be so servile for him. Even if you express your feelings, you should stop at the right time. Otherwise, you will lose face and be looked down upon."
That being said, when it comes to her own niece, Zhao Shi cannot stand idly by. She arranged Zhao Yingyun's residence in Feiniao Pavilion, and the courtyard adjacent to Feiniao Pavilion is Canaan Courtyard.
Since they live next to each other, they are bound to see each other. When they meet, they will fall in love with each other. Maybe after a few visits, they will develop feelings for each other.
A ritual was to be held at Qingyang Temple soon. As night fell, Zhao arranged a table in the main hall and specially placed Zhao Yingyun's seat together with Lu Changji's.
At the hour of Xu, everyone came to the main hall one after another. Lu Changji arrived the latest. He glanced at Jiang Shu and saw that she was tying the belt of Lu Changyi's cloak.
She is quite diligent and even ties her belt herself. I don't know what the maids in Xinchunyuan do for food.
It was a very hot day, and Lu Changyi didn't know how many layers of clothes he was wearing, layer upon layer, stacked up like a rice dumpling.
"How is your health lately, second brother?" Lu Changji looked at Lu Changyi and asked in a calm voice.
Before Lu Changyi could say anything, he coughed heart-wrenchingly, as if he wanted to cough out his heart, liver and lungs.
At this time, Lu Changfeng interrupted: "I see that Second Brother's health is getting worse and worse. Second Sister-in-law is still so young. Second Brother must take care of himself."
His words were like a soft nail. If you insisted that he had bad intentions, you would not be able to find any evidence, but it was unpleasant to hear anyway, and it left a thorn in your throat.
Zhao was protective of her son and would never let Lu Changfeng get ahead of her own son. Just as she was about to scold Lu Changfeng like a legitimate mother, she suddenly saw Jiang Shu's face darken.
Jiang Shu frowned at Lu Changfeng and said unhappily, "Everyone should take care of their own business. Third brother, you should take care of your own house first. Don't try to help others put out the fire when your own house is flooded."
Zhao had only thought that Jiang Shu came from a poor family, was gentle but lacked courage, but she had never expected that she would be so decisive when faced with a problem. She could not help but look up to Jiang Shu.
At this moment, the chopsticks in Hu Lingshuang's hand fell to the ground. She was pregnant and it was inconvenient for her to pick them up, so Lu Changfeng bent down to help her pick them up.
Lu Changfeng is a man who never gives up. He refuses to show weakness even in front of Lu Changyi, let alone Jiang Shu.
He was about to retort when Lu Lin's eyes suddenly swept over him. Lu Lin said in a deep voice, "Sanlang is becoming even more useless. If you want to show off your eloquence, go to the streets and argue with those gossipy women. Why are you trying to show off in your own home?"
After Lu Lin spoke, Lu Changfeng didn't dare to say anything more. He lowered his head and went to eat.
Zhao Yingyun was a guest and it was not appropriate for her to interfere in the Zhao family's affairs. She just quietly paid attention to Lu Changji's preferences. After the meal, she found that Lu Changji had a light taste and did not like meat, but he was very fond of desserts. He not only ate three bites of white orchid pastry, but also picked up five chopsticks of pine nut crystal cake.
Zhao Yingyun is the only legitimate daughter of the Zhao family. She is not only proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but also has considerable attainments in cooking. The pine nut crystal cake she makes is much more exquisite than that of the Xinyang Marquis Mansion. If there is a chance in the future, she will definitely make it for Lu Changji to taste.
Zhao Yingyun's mind was on Lu Changji, and Zhao was also observing their actions quietly.
After the meal, Zhao said to Lu Changji, "It's getting dark. You and Yun'er happen to be going the same way. Please take her back to Feiniao Pavilion for me!"
Lu Changji did not comment and walked towards Feiniao Pavilion with Zhao Yingyun. He was tall and walked like a crane strolling in the garden, very elegant.
Zhao Yingyun was a guest, and Lu Changji should have taken care of her, but he remained silent all the way, as if Zhao Yingyun did not exist on the road.
It's not a business deal if you're the one who's chasing after someone. Matters of the heart should be left to develop naturally. Lu Changji didn't want to say much, and Zhao Yingyun didn't want to be too enthusiastic. When they reached the door of Feiniao Pavilion, she quietly pulled the purse with the night pearls to the ground.
She turned around slowly, bowed to Lu Changji, and said softly, "Thank you for seeing me off, cousin. I'm here now. Please wait." After saying that, she walked into the room.
The night was pitch black, and with no body to block the view, Cheng Yong could immediately spot a purse embroidered with night pearls lying on the ground.
He had good eyesight and still remembered the sparkling light on Zhao Yingyun's waist. He said, "Sir, this purse belongs to the young lady of the Zhao family."
A purse is a woman's personal belonging. If it is picked up by someone with bad intentions, the woman's reputation will inevitably be damaged.
Zhao Yingyun was Lu Changji's cousin. Logically, Lu Changji should have returned the purse to Zhao Yingyun, but he pretended not to see it and returned to Canaan Courtyard in silence.
After everyone left, Mian Wu walked out of Feiniao Pavilion, bent down and picked up the purse in her hand.
"Miss, after you entered the room, I peeked out through the crack in the door. Mr. Cheng was the first to notice your purse. He spoke up to remind Master Lu, but Master Lu seemed not to hear him and walked away silently."
It's not that he didn't hear what Cheng Yong said, it was obvious that he didn't take her reputation seriously, he didn't take her seriously.
Zhao Yingyun was a little disappointed, but she was strong-willed and determined not to show her displeasure. She locked her purse in the box and turned to get on the bed.
At daybreak the next day, Jiang Shu held up a sign and urged the servants to deliver daily necessities to Qingyang Temple for a seven-day ritual for the late Marquis. The daily necessities needed by the entire Marquisate were numerous and complicated, and they had not been delivered until breakfast.
Jiang Shu quickly ate a bowl of glutinous rice porridge and then went back to the yard to work. At this time, Zhao Yingyun walked to her side and said softly, "It's hot today. You have worked hard, cousin.
It's very tedious to deal with the small details of this family. If you don't mind, I'll lend a hand. Although I'm useless, at least I can help you with some of the worries."
This is a kind-hearted person who is very humble even when he wants to help you. Even if you want to refuse, you are too embarrassed to say it.
Jiang Shu said thank you and asked Zhu'er to give Zhao Yingyun a seat.
Zhao Yingyun is organized and calm in doing things, and is more organized than Jiang Shu.
As noon approached, the sun became increasingly scorching, and even while sitting in the shade of a tree, the two of them were sweating a lot.
Zhao Yingyun was a guest, so Jiang Shu didn't want to bother her all the time. She repeatedly advised her to go back to her room and rest. Although she came from a noble family, she was not spoiled at all and insisted on holding on together with Jiang Shu.
When Lu Changji passed by the main courtyard, he saw Jiang Shu busy working under a big tree from afar. She was wearing an apricot-colored coat, and because she sweated too much, the color of the clothes had become darker.
Lu Changji glanced at Cheng Yong and whispered, "The sun is scorching. It's hard for Second Madam to work hard for the family. Tell the kitchen to send her a bowl of plum ice to drive away the heat."
As he spoke, he caught a glimpse of Zhao Yingyun beside Jiang Shu, and said, "Remember to send a bowl to Miss Zhao as well."
After working hard for a whole morning, they finally got things done. Jiang Shu and Zhao Yingyun went to the flower hall together to drink cold tea. As soon as they sat down, a servant came in with an ice cup.
The servant was polite and courteous, speaking slowly and leisurely: "The ice bowls in the small kitchen are quite good. The master asked me to bring them over for Second Madam and Cousin to taste."
Jiang Shu took the ice cup and handed it to Zhao Yingyun first, saying to the servant, "Master, this is so thoughtful. This ice cup is really a timely relief. Please thank him for me and my cousin."
The ice cup is crystal clear, with crushed ice topped with seasonal fruits such as melon, hawthorn, and pear. There is also plum soup at the bottom of the cup, which is sweet and sour, refreshing and pleasant, and is the best way to relieve heat and summer heat.
Zhao Yingyun stared at the ice cup and smiled barely perceptible, then picked up the porcelain spoon and began to eat in small bites.
A maid knocked on the door to ask questions. Jiang Shu went outside and gave some instructions. When she turned around and walked to the door, she heard the sound of cotton mist.
Mian Wudang was very happy, and her tone was a little excited: "Lord Lu may look cold, but he actually has feelings for the young lady in his heart. Look at how well made this ice cup is. Lord Lu obviously put a lot of thought into it."
Zhao Yingyun put down the porcelain spoon and pretended to teach Mian Wu a lesson: "Don't talk nonsense. This ice cup must be given by Lord Lu to my second cousin's wife. I am just taking advantage of my second cousin's wife."
Mian Wu smiled again: "Lord Lu is the uncle of Second Madam. It is unreasonable for an uncle to give an ice cup to his sister-in-law. This ice cup is naturally given to you by Lord Lu."
Lu Changji and Zhao Yingyun, one calm and elegant, the other beautiful and intelligent, are both outstanding people, so it is understandable that they fall in love with each other.
Thinking of her plan, Jiang Shu felt very uncomfortable.
What she was about to do was despicable, but morality was what saints did, and she had to save her own life first before she was qualified to talk about morality.
Jiang Shu coughed lightly and waited until the sound inside the house died down before she stepped into the house. She exchanged greetings with Zhao Yingyun for a while, then hurried back to the Jiang family to celebrate Jiang Wenhuan's birthday.
This day was Jiang Wenhuan's birthday, and no matter how busy she was as a daughter, she had to go home to show her filial piety.
Jiang Ran was in a miserable situation. Logically, Yang should have hated Jiang Shu to the core, but she seemed like a different person, completely losing all her sharp edge.
When he saw Jiang Shu, he didn't say a harsh word and went to the dining room to make tea for her.
Mrs. Wu was an indomitable person. Seeing that Yang had left the house, she took the opportunity to show her face to Jiang Shu. While pouring tea for Jiang Shu, she said, "Madam is very virtuous now. She goes to the kitchen to make soup for the master every day.
The soup is called "Four Gentlemen Decoction," and it's made with Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, ginseng, and roasted licorice. It's incredibly effective, and after drinking it, the master's sleeplessness was completely cured, and he could even sleep an hour longer than the average person. The master slept well at night, and was extra alert during the day, and he was also much kinder to his wife.
"This old servant sees that Madam is poised to make a comeback, Miss, please be careful."
Jiang Shu glanced at Mrs. Wu, grabbed a handful of silver melon seeds and stuffed them into her hands, saying indifferently, "Thank you for your reminder. I know about this matter and I will keep you in mind!"
Jiang Shu's expression was a little cold, but the weight of the silver melon seeds was not light. Mrs. Wu was unsure of Jiang Shu's attitude and did not dare to act rashly, so she retreated quietly out of the house.
Jiang Wenhuan was off duty two quarters of an hour later. Perhaps it was because Yang's medicine was effective, or because he was in high spirits due to the good news, but Jiang Wenhuan looked more energetic than before.
He said to Jiang Shu, "The cook at home is stupid and the food he cooks is not up to standard. Why don't we dine at the Banquet Hall? The food there is more palatable."
The food at Yanbinlou tastes good and is very attractively priced. The Jiang family rarely had the opportunity to dine at Yanbinlou before, but now they have become regulars there. If it weren't for Jiang Wenhuan making some money, the Jiang family wouldn't have been able to afford to splurge at Yanbinlou based on their financial resources.
After all, he was her father. Jiang Shu advised in a low voice: "Our family is weak, so it would be better for father to be more cautious."
Jiang Wenhuan didn't take her words to heart and retorted, "If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. If others take it, and I don't take it, I will definitely be feared by others.
Things are different now. I've been promoted, but I have no choice. I have to take some benefits."
It was Jiang Wenhuan's birthday, and Jiang Shu didn't want to upset Jiang Wenhuan, so she stopped talking and went to the banquet hall with the Jiang family in a carriage.
The private room was booked in advance, and as soon as everyone sat down, the waiter brought the cold dishes to the table. While opening the door, Jiang Wenhuan saw a familiar figure flash by in the corridor.
He immediately stood up and ran out. Sure enough, the man was Lu Changji. He was surrounded by several officials and taken to the box next door.
Not to mention Lu Changji, even the officials behind Lu Changji were beyond Jiang Wenhuan's reach. If he didn't have the courage to step forward and bother them in the past, now that he had the relationship with Jiang Shu, he actually had some courage.
He straightened his clothes and mustered up the courage to knock on the door of the compartment. The one who opened the door was General Yan, a man of dignified appearance and tall stature, who looked down at Jiang Wenhuan as if he was looking down on him.
Before Jiang Wenhuan could even speak, his aura weakened by three points. He trembled and bowed, saying respectfully, "Your humble servant, Jiang Wenhuan, the magistrate of the capital, greets you all!"
Everyone in the room showed contemptuous expressions. A sixth-rank judge was not even qualified to carry their shoes, so why did he come into the room for no reason?
Yan Taiwei was a man of quick words. He snorted and said unhappily, "What is Judge Jiang doing here?"
Jiang Wenhuan had prepared a lot of speeches, but when he saw the solemn face of General Yan, he became extremely nervous. His lips trembled and he couldn't utter a word.
"The tea in the banquet hall is okay. Judge Jiang, don't stand at the door. Come in and have a cup!" Lu Changji's voice was like the sound of nature, rescuing Jiang Wenhuan from his helplessness.
He stood up tremblingly and walked slowly to Lu Changji's side. He didn't even dare to sit down, but stood upright and drank a cup of hot tea.
After drinking a cup of tea, his throat felt a little clearer. He said, "Today is my humble official's birthday. My daughter has come to congratulate me. She and you are close relatives, so she should have come to..."
It was getting more and more outrageous. Jiang Shu was a woman from the inner chambers, how could she show herself in public? Lu Changji interrupted Jiang Wenhuan, "Since it's the Tongpan's birthday, it's the younger generation's responsibility to go over and congratulate him. There's absolutely no reason for you to take the time."
As he spoke, he stood up and made a "please" gesture to Jiang Wenhuan.
The Prime Minister wanted to celebrate his birthday in person, and telling others about it would bring honor to the family. Jiang Wenhuan was overjoyed and hurried forward to lead the way.
The people in the box were extremely surprised. They had finally invited Lu Changji out, but before they could even enjoy their meal, he was intercepted by a low-ranking judge.
Since the birthday person had left the house, the companions naturally could not start the meal, so Jiang Shu chatted with Yang in a random manner.
Jiang Rong was a man of few words and didn't want to say a word unless necessary, but thinking that she would have to deal with people after getting married, she forced herself to talk to Yang. Although she didn't say much, she didn't show any timidity.
The three were chatting quietly when the door was pushed open. Jiang Wenhuan came back again. He was full of joy and stood sideways beside the door to welcome Lu Changji into the house.
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