Chapter 3 It's Him
Chongwenmen belongs to the East City. Because it is adjacent to the canal port, wealthy merchants gather nearby. On the other hand, the West City is mostly the residence of noble families, so there is a saying that "the east is rich and the west is noble".
The Mansion of Duke Chengguo is located at the end of Ping'an Street in the west city. Two huge and majestic stone lions stand on the left and right of the mansion gate, with pine, cypress and bamboo planted on both sides.
This place is not difficult to find. Even if the coachman has never been to the capital, he can just ask any passerby and almost no one will not know about Duke Cheng's Mansion.
The carriage drove all the way to Wutong Alley, which was on the side of Ping'an Street, where the back door of the Duke's Mansion was.
Nanny Zheng went to the gatehouse to report her identity, and Xu Shuyao and her brother also got off the carriage and stood under the porch waiting.
Although the driver had collected the money early, he did not leave immediately.
After Xiao Mo came back from meeting the Holy Lord in the palace, he looked up and saw a familiar carriage parked there. He glanced at it with some surprise.
In stark contrast to Xu Shuyao's behavior, the steward in the concierge office opened the door attentively upon seeing him, and then stood in the porch with a respectful attitude, watching his back.
At this moment, the person who had just reported the news came out with a housekeeper.
When he saw them, he hurried over to greet them.
Xu Shuyao followed the housekeeper forward and inexplicably felt that the young man who had just entered looked familiar.
The man was dressed in black, and the servant beside him was holding a raincoat with jade needles in his hand.
Xu Shuyao suddenly had an idea and immediately thought of the young man who she had met briefly at the city gate when she came to Beijing with Wang Shaowei.
who is he?
Why did he appear in Duke Chengguo's Mansion at this time?
The doubt lasted only a moment, but the steps did not stop.
Mother Wu was the housekeeper of Second Madam Chen. She was surprised to see that although the woman in front of her was dressed simply, her face was extremely delicate and fair. When she looked up at her, her upturned peach blossom eyes were full of autumn water.
This cousin who grew up in Huzhou is surprisingly good-looking. Not only is she better than the pampered daughter in the Duke's Mansion, she is even as pretty as Miss Liu, who is praised by everyone in the mansion!
Earlier, the second wife received a letter from Huzhou and had not yet sent anyone to pick it up. Not long after, she received a reply saying that her niece had already set off on her own.
At that time, the lady just frowned and didn't say much.
While greeting, Mother Wu looked at the slender girl beside her, and felt relieved in her heart.
The Duke's Mansion covers a very large area. After entering, you will first be greeted by an ochre-brown screen wall, then turn around and walk through the fragrant flower garden, pass the rockery, walk through the corridor, go up the arch bridge, go down the pavilion, and walk slowly along the bluestone paved path. In the distance, you can see several courtyards with lights on.
Across the walls of flowers and trees, winding paths connect to each other, emitting a dim light under the drizzle at night.
Xu Shuheng was being held by his elder sister. A thin layer of sweat had formed on his palms, and even his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.
Compared with the vastness of the Duke's Mansion, their previous home in Huzhou was just one of these dotted courtyards.
Although he was shocked, he knew that he could not show his fear. He just glanced at her secretly a few times and then lowered his head to let his sister lead him.
But he was just a child after all, and his tightly clenched hands betrayed him.
Xu Shuyao gently squeezed those hands to comfort them.
Xu Shuyao was only a fourteen-year-old girl, but her mother passed away when she was eight years old, and her father was busy with political affairs in the days that followed.
The responsibility of managing the inner house and taking care of her younger brother fell on her.
So at this time, she became A-di's backbone, and her tenacity was reflected in her every word and action.
After walking for about a moment, they saw a small courtyard. Xu Shuyao looked up and saw that the words on the courtyard were a little mottled, and she couldn't see clearly what was written on it.
Mother Wu took the lead and pushed open the courtyard gate. A kind smile graced her face. "Come in, my dears! Second Madam knew you were coming, so she had the place specially decorated a while ago. It's not a big place, but it's quiet and peaceful. Take a quick look. If you find anything wrong, please let me know."
After she finished speaking, her eyes turned to the girl opposite her, as if she wanted to secretly observe the temperament of this cousin through her words and actions.
There are two masters among the three, and the boy is too young, so the attitude of the young lady is crucial.
Xu Shuyao was a little surprised. She thought she would go to visit her aunt first, but she didn't expect to come to her residence.
So he smiled and looked around and said, "You're welcome, Madam Wu. Please tell my aunt that Shu Yao likes this place very much. I'm sorry for the trouble, and thank you Madam Wu for showing us the way so late at night."
Nanny Zheng hurriedly took out the prepared reward money and gave it to her.
Mother Wu declined for a while before accepting the call.
The smile on his face was obviously more sincere. "Then I will go and tell the Second Madam. You guys can rest for now. Madam should send the servants over soon. As for food, the young lady and the young master should not have had dinner yet, right? I will ask the servants to prepare it for you when the time comes."
Xu Shuyao agreed with a smile. From what Mother Wu said, it seemed that her aunt was not in a hurry to meet them.
She looked at the swaying lantern outside and knew that it was indeed getting late.
Xu Shuyao didn't dwell on this matter. The two families hadn't been in contact for many years. Who would feel good about it if they came to her only when they were at their wit's end?
They originally came for the protection of the Duke's Mansion, and were what people called begging relatives.
But when facing her younger brother who needs her care, she really can't be tough.
Xu Shuyao and Nanny Zheng looked at each other and began to pack their boxes. They didn't bring many clothes.
Fortunately, she had already had all the things moved to her own pen and ink shop, and she believed that they would be transported to Beijing along with the manager soon.
After a while, I heard footsteps. I looked up and saw four maids wearing scarlet bodices coming in a row. They lined up and greeted the room: "Your servants greet Miss and Master! We pay our respects to the two masters!"
Xu Shuyao hurriedly invited people in with a smile and asked their names one by one.
He temporarily let Yuzhu and Molan take care of A-di, while Qiaowei and Huixiang stayed with him.
After they washed up a bit, the food was brought over.
After dinner, she was busy again before she could rest under the care of the new maid.
The courtyard consists of one main house, one flower hall and two side rooms, and Xu Shuyao and her brother each live in one room.
Next to the wing room are two side rooms, which are used for maids to rest temporarily, and the back room is used to accommodate servants and maids.
Before going to bed, Xu Shuyao went to the right wing to see her younger brother and came back, then asked Zheng Ma to go and rest.
Now that there is a new person around me, it’s hard to say much at this time.
She lay on the bed, closed her eyes for a few breaths, then turned around and met the eyes of a little maid.
The maid looked a little shy, but still asked in a low voice: "Miss, are you feeling hot? How about I fan you?"
Xu Shuyao shook her head and asked, "Your name is Huixiang? How long have you been here?"
"Yes. I...I have been in the mansion for just half a month. The young lady wants to ask you something, so I will go and call Sister Qiaowei." She spoke haltingly.
Qiao Wei is now resting in the ear room.
Xu Shuyao hurriedly stopped Huixiang, "No need. I'm just asking casually, just tell me what you know!"
From Huixiang, she learned that Qiaowei was a second-class maid serving her aunt, and Yuzhu was a third-class maid.
Huixiang and Molan are newcomers who have just entered the mansion.
Having just arrived in a strange place, she thought she would not be able to sleep, but she fell asleep quickly amid the chattering of the maid and the sound of rain outside.
In Xu Shuyao's dream, the lanterns of the Lantern Festival were as bright as day, and the surroundings were bustling with noise. Someone covered her mouth and nose and carried her away, but she heard voices calling from the crowd behind her: "Taotao! Taotao..."
She shouted until she was hoarse. The voice was so familiar. She thought and thought but could not remember who it was.
Huixiang, who was on night watch, went to the side room after seeing her cousin fall asleep. She didn't know that the girl on the bed was frowning, with sweat on her forehead, as if she was trapped in a nightmare.
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