Chapter 109: Care
Xu Junying said that Tsinghua College should remain as it is, and no one wants to move in! "
"That's fine? New..."
Before Mei Niang finished speaking, Xu Junying interrupted her and said, "I've said before, there are many courtyards nearby, you can live anywhere. When you go to report to the old lady and the madam, if it's related to Qinghua Courtyard, it's best to let me know... I won't say more. If you don't need to change clothes, go to Jinhua Hall now - you should have been waiting there long ago!"
Please serve me, your old lady is a treasure. I have been running around all day and am exhausted!
This kind of words can only be kept in the heart, and can't be spoken out. Isn't Mei Niang lowering her head to wait for you? Otherwise, I would have been here long ago!"
This reason was much more grand and it really worked. Xu Junying stopped talking, stood up and led the way out. Mei Niang smiled and patted Cui Lian on the shoulder from behind. The poor girl felt relieved and her face was so stiff that she couldn't even smile.
It was getting dark, and Old Lady Xu was still waiting for Xu Junying. The two went in and saluted the old lady. The second master Xu Xiping was also there and saluted. Xu Xiping chatted with Xu Junying, and Mei Niang chatted with the sisters-in-law. Dinner came and the dishes were served. Ning Rulan did not come, but Bai Jingyu was called by the old lady. His expression was a little stiff, but his smile was still gentle. She was still in charge of the old lady, and Mei Niang took care of the younger brothers and sisters. Xu Junying watched her serve a bowl of soup to the sixth son Xu Junxuan first. Xu Junxuan took it in his hand, looked up and smiled at Mei Niang. The two seemed very happy when they talked. Xu Xiaorong and others looked up and listened to them, and laughed happily.
Zheng Meiyu came to accompany Zhuang Yulan during the day and also stayed for dinner. While Zhuang Yulan was serving food to the old lady, she served soup to Xu Junying. Xu Junying drank it slowly, thinking to himself: Mei Niang and Lao Liu always have something to talk about. Just for Qin Boqing, they can talk so happily?
He had been chatting with Lao Liu before. Mei Niang often asked Lao Liu about Qin Boqing's recent situation, because these two people who were going to take the exam would always make an appointment to attend various literary gatherings at the same time. Qin Boqing asked Lao Liu about He Heng'er, and Mei Niang asked Lao Liu about Qin Boqing. The brother and sister were quite discerning. They found Lao Liu and told him that this one had not studied very hard since childhood, loved making friends, and traveled around. He did not like to be the first to do anything, but was known for his warm heart.
However, Xu Junying did not gossip with Mei Niang and Xu Junxuan, not only to ask about Qin Boqing, but Xu Junxuan was actually a window for Mei Niang to understand the tastes, hobbies and trends of the young masters in Beijing.
The old lady drank half a bowl of soup, and then asked Mei Niang and Bai Jingyu to sit down and eat. Mei Niang noticed that Xu Junlang sat next to his father tonight, and below him was Xu Junqiao. Bai Jingyu and Mei Niang walked to the seat next to Xu Xiaorong at the same time. Bai Jingyu lowered his eyes and said softly, "Sister-in-law, please sit down!"
Mei Niang looked at her carefully. Her face was covered with rouge and powder, and her makeup was delicate. There was no trace of being beaten. She wore a red embroidered jacket, a gorgeous pearl shawl, and a bright phoenix hairpin and a jade hairpin on her head. She was covered with jewels and gems, showing her wealth, but she didn't have the imposing momentum she used to have. Her low eyebrows were pleasing to the eyes, and her gentle and respectful appearance made Mei Niang feel a little uncomfortable. Among the peers in the Xu Mansion, she hated Zheng Meiyu the most, and Zhuang Yulan and Bai Jingyu ranked second. But no matter how much she disliked her, Bai Jingyu was better than Zhuang Yulan. At least she was capable and strong-willed. Her pride and arrogance also came from her self-confidence and self-reliance. If she was put outside, she could support herself completely, and she would never beg for mercy and take the initiative to cling to or compete for men. Of course, she also had weak moments, and needed love and protection. Her weakness was that she gave all her feelings without reservation. She loved that man too much, and her weakness was caught, and she fell to the point of being slaughtered.
Mei Niang's eyes were cold, and she subconsciously glanced at Xu Junlang. Bai Jingyu must have been fascinated by his appearance. He was indeed a good-looking man, gentle and handsome, but he was a playboy, wasting his good looks. She hated such a man the most. He captured her heart, completely controlled it in his hands, and then trampled on it at will, without any regard for the relationship between husband and wife. He was sure that Bai Jingyu had no other choice except him!
Xu Xiaorong moved a little, Ruixue put another embroidered stool next to her, Mei Niang said to Bai Jingyu, "Come sit together and drink some hot soup. I'm hungry!"
Bai Jingyu poured a bowl of soup and handed it to her, "Drink it quickly, don't starve!"
Mei Niang thanked her and asked her to sit down. She reached for a spoon on the table and took advantage of the situation to swap the stir-fried bamboo shoots with the braised rabbit in front of Xu Junxuan. She whispered to Bai Jingyu, "This is delicious and can be served with rice. Try it!"
Bai Jingyu was surprised at first, but then he couldn't help laughing. He lowered his head and laughed for a long time before picking up the bowl and chopsticks to eat. Mei Niang and Xu Xiaorong had already eaten several pieces of rabbit meat and were discussing in a low voice how the dish tasted.
After dinner, Xu Xiping accompanied the old lady, while the younger generations sat beside them and listened slowly. They all had dignified expressions and sat properly, but in fact, everyone had their own thoughts and no one else was listening.
Zhuang Yulan and Zheng Meiyu sat together, twisting their handkerchiefs constantly. Bai Jingyu lowered his head and did not move. Mei Niang was surrounded by three girls, so she could not say anything. She felt a little impatient and looked at Xu Junying from time to time. This second master Xu did not come often. When he came, he sat with his mother for a long time. If she waited for him, it would be late at night. It was still unknown whether Zheng Zhun would not allow her to go in to see Heng'er. She used this reason to get rid of them casually, but she could not say a word.
Xu Junying sat as steady as a clock. He met Mei Niang's eyes several times but ignored them without even a special expression.
It seems that this is how it will be tonight. It is really unfair that I have to sit with these irrelevant people for a whole night instead of accompanying the sick Heng'er.
As Mei Niang was thinking about this, she suddenly felt a wave of fatigue coming over her. There was nothing she could do; she couldn't muster up interest and was easily sleepy. She endured it for several times, but finally she raised her sleeve to cover half of her face and yawned.
Yawning is contagious. Soon, Xu Xiaowan and Xu Xiaomin followed her example and yawned continuously. Xu Junxuan saw it and laughed:
"It's raining a little today, so the road is not easy to walk on. I'll send you off early!"
The old lady listened and nodded, saying, "Go ahead, go ahead. You should review your lessons now. Don't stay up too late. Go to bed early and get up early. You can continue studying tomorrow!"
Xu Junxuan stood up and bowed, "Grandson, listen to your grandmother's words! Now I'll say goodbye to my grandmother, uncle, brother and sister-in-law, and take you with me!"
Mei Niang stood up with the three girls and said, "I'll take you to the door!"
Walk around to loosen up your muscles, sitting will make you feel stupid.
Unexpectedly, Xu Junying also stood up and bowed to the old lady, saying, "Heng'er has caught a cold recently, and Madam is very tired of taking care of him. Let me take Mei Niang to see her first!"
The old lady waved her hands hurriedly. "Oh! Who told me this this morning? I forgot about it! Poor Heng, he has always been strong and he was taken care of by the eldest lady, but he still caught a cold. Although the spring wind is warm, it is still very strong. You parents, please pay attention to him and take care of him. When he gets better tomorrow, bring him to me. I haven't seen him for a while. What a cute and lovely child!"
Not only did they make Xu Junying and Mei Niang leave quickly, but they also drove Xu Junlang and Bai Jingyu away. You guys, my daughter coughs every spring, remember to buy her more clothes, but my brother is being taken care of by the second wife, she is a delicate person, I won't say much. Shen'er can walk now, you have to take good care of him, don't let him go to the yard to enjoy the cool breeze on weekdays, and my second sister, I think it's okay too?"
Xu Junqiao responded with a few words, saying that Shen Ge'er was doing fine and thanked the old ancestor for his concern. Xu Junting didn't come tonight, so Mei Niang said on his behalf: Second sister is doing well, the old ancestor doesn't need to worry.
After bowing and saying goodbye to her brothers and sisters, they finally came out after a while of confusion. They had to take the annoying Zheng Meiyu with them. Mei Niang turned around and saw Zhuang Yulan looking at Xu Junying with unwilling eyes. She couldn't help but play a prank and said to Zheng Meiyu with a smile:
"Cousin Yu, you and cousin Ying were having so much fun cracking walnuts last night. I was so busy hugging Heng'er that I didn't eat any. But there are some left, right? You two can eat some tonight. Give me a few so I can taste them and see how delicious they are!"
After hearing this, Zhuang Yulan's pupils shrank and she stared at Zheng Meiyu. The dim light from the lanterns in the corridor illuminated her pale face, which showed a hint of anger.
Zheng Meiyu, it was clear that Zhuang Yulan was going to be hired first as the new wife, and it was agreed that everything would be arranged, and the wife and concubine worked together to exclude Mei Niang and prevent her from sharing the love of Lord Hou... How dare she be so intimate with Xu Junying behind his back! Is she crazy? Doesn't she want to be a good concubine anymore?
Zheng Meiyu shrank behind Xu Junying, avoiding Zhuang Yulan's gaze. She felt extremely miserable and hated Mei Niang to the point of her teeth itching. She ate a lot of walnuts last night out of joy, but she believed Mei Niang's words and was afraid that the walnuts would cause fire and get blisters on her face, so she drank a few more bowls of cold water. As a result, she had a stomachache in the middle of the night and it came several times. Her legs were weak from diarrhea, and she finally had a good sleep after daybreak. But Zhuang Yulan chose to send someone to invite her to Jinhua Hall to embroider her dowry today. She claimed to be sick and did not come, but Zhuang Yulan did not let her go. After inviting her three times, she had to come. She had not had a relaxing day. She pretended to smile on the surface, but she felt terribly uncomfortable.
Mei Niang originally really wanted to make Zheng Meiyu uncomfortable, but seeing that she was fine, she thought that she was strong and had a good stomach, or that she was not fooled at all. If she knew Zheng Meiyu's hidden secret, she would have laughed her head off.
Xu Junying always seemed to say to Zhuang Yulan, "Go in, it's windy outside, be careful not to catch a cold!"
Then he did something that made Mei Niang's scalp tingle - he took the cloak from Cui Si's hand, shook it, and put it on Mei Niang. Before he could tie the ribbon on her, Mei Niang gently broke free from his hand, tied the ribbon while walking down the stairs, and complained to Cui Si:
"It's not cold tonight, why don't you use this?"
She had a hunch that Xu Junying did this on purpose, for the same purpose as when he gave her the cloak on the night of her resurrection. Later, she realized that he did it for the sake of being a good person. But why tonight? It was probably related to the two cousins who were jealous of each other. But no matter what he wanted to do, Mei Niang felt uncomfortable. Imagine that Qin Mei Niang existed as the eldest, Zhuang Yulan was the second, Zheng Meiyu was the concubine, Xu Junying protected the concubine behind her, showed tenderness to the second, and then took care of the eldest...
How can I describe the feeling with just one word "chill"?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
