Chapter 166 Night Visit
166 Night Visit
At noon, Baoju went to the water pavilion to report to Xu Junying that the foreign affairs officer Dong Neng was waiting for a reply in front of the front hall.
Xu Junying nodded and said to Mei Niang, "It's time for you to have lunch. I can't accompany you today. You don't have to wait for dinner. I may be back very late. Don't rush to Cen's house tomorrow. Let's talk about it after I go out in two days... Take good care of Heng'er. I'll trouble you to take care of the madam. The imperial physician will come to see her every day. I have told my sixth brother that when Jingyun is free, I will ask him to see her. You should stay away from them to avoid being talked about..."
He avoided Mei Niang's dissatisfied eyes. Tomorrow, I can't accompany you to the Qin family's three-day baby baptism ceremony. Bai Zhan will follow. Remember to prepare double gifts. In addition to yours and mine, you must also prepare gifts for the elders in the mansion. The old lady is old, so it doesn't matter if she doesn't go. The madam is ill and can't go. If the second wife and the sisters-in-law want to go with you to congratulate and watch the ceremony, let them go together."
Mei Niang said nothing: Who cares about the Xu family visiting relatives at Qin's house? They run away before dawn, and don't want them to follow them.
Xu Junying said nothing more. He looked at her deeply, then walked out of the water pavilion and left with Baoju. When he passed by where Cuixi was standing, he stopped to give her a few instructions, then turned around the rockery and disappeared.
Cui Xi walked into the pavilion and said to Mei Niang, "Grandma, why don't you give your clothes to Lord Hou?"
Mei Niang was stunned for a moment, then she remembered that Xu Junying's outer robe was still sitting there. She stood up and took a look. He said that he was going on official business, so he still had to go back to his room to change into his official uniform. I wouldn't let him wear this one, it's all wrinkled, and it's embarrassing for me to sit like this. I'll wash it, iron it, and put it away. It's best not to let him wear it in the future."
Cui Xi couldn't help laughing. Fortunately, Lord Hou was wearing a tight suit inside, otherwise he would have insisted on wearing this one."
Xu Junying walked out of the rockery and paused for a moment, waiting for Baoju to come up and reply. When he heard Baoju say that the old lady had entered the palace, he raised his eyebrows slightly: Grandmother and Meimei cooperated well, one looking for an excuse and the other delivering it to the door. After all, grandma was old, and he could not blame her. Meimei, she would understand his feelings, but she still ignored him, which made him worried and sad.
After thinking for a while, he said to Baoju, "Tell Xiao Chengzhi that everything is ready and that he will wait for me ten miles outside the city. I will go to the palace first. Ask Dong Neng to follow me and report back on the way."
After lunch, Mei Niang played happily with Heng Er on the couch. Seeing Heng Er rubbing his eyes with his two little fists, she stopped him and said, "It's not good to do that. It will hurt your eyes."
Xia Lian said that Heng Ge'er is sleepy and should take a nap."
Mei Niang nodded and said, "I am a little sleepy too. Bring some hot water and wash his hands and face. I will take him to rest for a while."
The mother and daughter slept soundly, and Mei Niang would not allow anyone to wake them up. When she woke up, the sun was setting. Cui Xi said it was already the afternoon, and Xia Lian took Heng'er away. Mei Niang washed herself simply, and took Cui Xi and Lian Si to Qiuhua Courtyard. Although Zheng always suppressed her, and besides, he fulfilled her ambition for Heng'er and let her take over the management of the household. Without Zheng's secret consent and approval, the housekeepers who had been under Zheng's command for twenty years would not obey her so easily. Zheng cultivated her wholeheartedly, and the housekeepers helped her with all their might. She hardly encountered any major problems. Only when she grasped the power of the housekeeper did she have the confidence to give it a try when the opportunity came. The situation between Qin Mei Niang and Zheng was the same before. She, Cen Meimei, had to admit that she owed Zheng a favor. Now she was paralyzed by illness, so she should try her best to do what she could for her.
Fourth Madam Gan was still in Qiuhua Courtyard. She was really good. She served the sickbed from morning till night. Second Xu Xiaorong came in the afternoon and sat by her side, watching Dongmei embroidering. Mother He stood by the bed with a gloomy face. When Fourth Madam moved, she ordered Chunyue and Dongmei to come forward, or she would go to take the medicine bowl, and said with a fake smile that it was better to let the servants come. Fourth Madam was tired all day and needed to rest. Zheng also cooperated with Mother He. When Chunyue and Mother He were beside her, she would open her eyes. When Gan or Xu Xiaorong came near, she would close her eyes and pretend to sleep, ignoring them. Mei Niang stood by for a while with her hands folded. Seeing this scene, she couldn't help but shake her head and sigh.
There is a difference between legitimate and illegitimate children, perhaps it is the same in any family. Zheng Ping is usually arrogant in front of concubines and illegitimate children, and he is unwilling to accept their seemingly pitying service in this paralyzed state. Thinking about it carefully, it is understandable. Although she does not agree, in order to make the patient feel good and better for recovery, Mei Niang plans to fulfill He Ma's wish and free Fourth Grandma and Xu Xiaorong.
She held Gan's hand, walked a few steps away from the bed, and said with a smile, "Take a break. Look at the maids in the room. They are all the Madam's regulars and can best guess Madam's intentions. We may not be able to do better than them, so let them do it. You and Er have been working hard these days, and you should take a break."
Gan's eyes were slightly red. How could she be willing to do such a thankless task? Her daughter had caught a cold these days and was always coughing at night. She couldn't take care of her. Her mother-in-law, Aunt Lin, took her daughter away so that she could concentrate on serving her wife. Her husband, Xu Junting, also asked her to be filial and guard his wife's bedside with all her heart and soul and make sure to serve his wife well.
Aunt Lin said that she was doing her filial duty for you and the master. The poor master went out early and came back late every day, busy with official duties, and I don’t know if he can have a peaceful meal... I am useless and have failed us and the master’s mother in vain. The current eldest wife is very powerful. She didn’t even let us get close to him since he was a child, and we couldn’t do anything for him. He grew up so fast... Now she can still take care of your future and make plans for you. He is a dear brother, and his heart for you is the same as that of the old marquis. You should share as much as you can, and let him worry less about the affairs of the mansion. It is the right thing to do not tire him."
Xu Junting's words were brief, but they nailed her down. My brother is busy outside, and my sister-in-law is in charge of the affairs of the mansion. I am not at home most of the time during the day, so you don't have to do anything. Just stay in Qiuhua Courtyard and serve the lady."
Gan knew very well that Mother He hated her being here, but she could only grit her teeth and stay here shamelessly. During the days when the eldest lady was ill, her eldest brother had come a few times, but the eldest sister-in-law never showed up. If she, the sister-in-law, did not come, then there would be no one from the eldest house guarding the eldest lady's bedside. If this got out and people laughed at and scolded her, it would be the eldest house in the Xu family who would lose face, not other people. But the eldest grandson of the eldest house would be laughed at, and then Aunt Lin and Xu Junting would blame her.
When she heard Mei Niang say that you guys won’t be needed from now on, just rest in the house.”
She couldn't help but look at Xu Xiaorong, with a hint of joy on her face. Upon hearing this, Mother He next to her turned around and looked at Mei Niang with surprise on her face.
Xu Xiaorong was clever and pretended that her sister-in-law was busy and couldn't be by her side every day. We have nothing to do, so why don't we serve her?"
Mei Niang smiled and said, "I do have things to do, so I can't stay by the Madam's bed every day. I just need to find time to see her. It's enough if Madam He and Chunyue are here. You still have to greet her every day, just like before, just say hello at the door. It's hot and humid in spring, and the air in the house is not very good, and the light and shadow are dim. If there are too many people in the room, it will not be good for the patient, so there is no need for everyone to stay here. Madam He will make arrangements, and only one or two people will be left in the room on duty when there is nothing to do. I will teach Chunyue and the others a set of massage techniques later, and they will massage the eldest Madam at the appointed time every day, while chatting with her. She can't speak now, but she can listen. Say more, what she likes to hear, and try to make her happy, so that it is conducive to her recovery."
Mother He looked at Zheng and saw that she had opened her eyes. She hurried over and said with a smile, "Madam, did you hear the big * aunt? The big * aunt said she wanted to massage your body, madam, are you willing?"
Zheng closed his eyes and opened them again, doing it three times in a row very quickly. Mother He almost shed tears and leaned over to Mei Niang. "The old slave will follow the instructions of the big * grandma and take good care of the madam."
Mei Niang nodded and said, "From now on, you will have more trouble. If the Marquis is not busy with official duties, he will come to visit and ask how he is sooner or later. But I am a little busy. Recently, the Queen has often summoned me to the palace. The affairs of the mansion are handled by the Second Madam, and she has to ask about it from time to time. I will tell everyone that the monthly salary of all the servants and maids in Qiuhua Courtyard will be doubled. Madam He and the others in the upper room will be doubled. You must take good care of my wife and not be careless. If my wife suffers any grievance or sadness, everyone in this room will be severely punished and will not be forgiven easily."
Ever since the first wife fell seriously ill, Mother He's face has been filled with worry. Only when she heard Mei Niang not letting the fourth grandmother and the others come close to serve her did she relax. Now when she heard Mei Niang say this, she simply wanted to kneel down and kowtow to her. This first wife was really different. In the morning, she was keeping people at a distance and seemed unwilling to care about or pay attention to the wife. But now she suddenly changed her mind completely and wholeheartedly protected the wife and did not let her suffer any loss. After all, the wife was really amazing. She had not made a mistake before and had supported the right person. The first wife finally knew how to be grateful.
After persuading Gan and Xu Xiaorong to leave, Mei Niang called Chunyue, Dongmei and others and taught them some massage techniques carefully. There is a set of corresponding massage techniques for preventing joints and muscles from twisting and deforming after an acute stroke. She had learned it in her previous life. She went home during the holidays and did it for her grandmother several times a day. She was very proficient in it. While teaching, she also talked about some nursing knowledge of stroke symptoms. The maids were different in cleverness and their receptive abilities were also uneven. After teaching for half a day, only Dongmei could do the whole set, the others still lacked some. After Mei Niang confirmed that Dongmei's movements were completely correct, she asked Dongmei to teach them slowly, then got out of bed and put on her shoes. She said something to the madam, asking Mother He to take good care of her, feed the madam medicine on time, help her eat, and pay attention to cleaning. Then she went back to Tsinghua Courtyard. It was getting dark and she had to see Heng'er.
As expected, Xu Junying didn't have dinner. Mei Niang was happy and relaxed. She pulled over a soft rattan chair, and tied Heng'er inside with a soft cloth with Cui Xi and Cui Lian, and pulled him to the table to eat together. Heng'er was very happy and didn't care at all about being "tied" up. He sat down and looked around in the rattan chair, then stood up quickly by holding the armrests of the chair or the edge of the table, stretched out his hands to grab the food on the table, and stuffed it into his mouth. While taking care of him, Cui Xi said with some concern:
"Grandma, you'd better not chew the chicken leg in front of Heng Ge'er, he's imitating you."
Mei Niang tore off a piece of chicken and stuffed it into Heng'er's mouth, while trying to stop him from snatching the chicken leg from her hand. She smiled and said, "Are you afraid that he will break the rules and manners? You should be less influenced by those old ladies. Don't worry about it. Eat happily. It's really not easy to live these days. You can be simple and happy when there is no one around. If you always care about the opinions and ideas of outsiders, wouldn't it be tiring?"
Cui Si took a hot towel to wipe Heng'er's hands and said with a smile, "Yes, I think what Big Breast said is absolutely right."
"Little hoof, do you understand? You are just talking nonsense here."
Mother Wang brought Xia Lian in from outside, and Cui Si quickly lowered her head and stood aside.
Mei Niang had no choice but to put the half-eaten chicken leg on the plate. Heng Er saw this and started to scream. Mei Niang smiled and said to Mother Wang:
"Mom, please sit down and have dinner together."
Mother Wang said that things are different now. Lord Hou can't decide when to eat. You still have to follow the rules in front of others and behind their backs. Cuixi and the others can't eat at the same table with you anymore, and neither can I."
Mei Niang lowered her eyes. She was halfway through her meal and didn't want to argue with her. Okay, I'll just pay attention next time."
Mother Wang looked at Heng'er again, asked Cuixi to untie the soft cloth strips, frowned and said, "What are you talking about? Tie up Heng'er, you are so ignorant. Xia Lian, hold Heng'er and let grandma eat well."
Mei Niang drank the soup slowly, and waited for Mother Wang to go out before she continued to gnaw on her chicken leg. Heng'er also rubbed against Xia Lian's arms, so Mei Niang had to hold him. Cui Lian wanted to feed him but he refused and insisted on sharing a chicken leg with Mei Niang. The mother and daughter took turns eating, and did not stop until they had finished eating all four chicken legs, big and small.
After dinner, several people teased Heng'er and carried a large wooden basin to the upper room, pouring hot water for him to take a bath. Heng'er liked playing with water, and like Nezha making trouble in the sea, he splashed out most of the water in the basin. Cui Xi, Cui Lian, Cui Si, Xia Lian and Mei Niang liked the chubby, tender and delicate little baby the most, and they all rushed to wash him, kneading and kneading him, treating Heng'er as a toy. The big and small ones had a lot of fun and laughed. Fortunately, Mother Wang was not there, otherwise she would have lectured her again after seeing this situation.
It was exactly 11:00 p.m., Mei Niang had taken a bath, but Xu Junying had not yet. Mother Wang urged Xia Lian to take Heng'er downstairs. Mei Niang refused to give in this time and insisted on keeping Heng'er to sleep with her. Mother Wang's repeated attempts to persuade her were in vain, so she had no choice but to ask Cui Xi to be more alert when on night duty and pay attention to Heng'er's movements at night.
After sleeping longer during the day, Mei Niang sat on the couch and read the account book. Heng'er didn't sleep either. He sat aside and slowly flipped through the literacy cards that Mei Niang had made for him. Xia Lian followed Mother Wang downstairs to rest. Cui Xi and the other three maids still sat around as before, doing their own things and occasionally looking after and teasing Heng'er. After Mei Niang finished reading the account book, she stretched her body and turned over. Heng'er was surprised to see his mother suddenly change her appearance. He stared at her for a while. Mei Niang winked at him mischievously and stuck out her tongue. Heng'er then curiously reached out to touch Mei Niang's face. Mei Niang couldn't stand it and quickly flipped through the cards. Heng'er looked at Mei Niang sitting upright and heaved a sigh of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders. Several people couldn't help laughing. Mei Niang hugged Heng'er in her arms with heartache, kissed him and said:
"Be good, your mother is exercising, are you worried? Don't be afraid, it's okay."
The mother and son were laughing and joking when they heard the grandmother outside the door announce that the second grandmother had arrived.
Mei Niang was stunned: It’s so late, and Bai Jingyu is here to do it?
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