Chapter 81: Eating the Whole Family
Old Madam Huo felt heartbroken. She felt especially sorry for the pair of children who were stranded outside. Such a young child, following a mother who was barely able to even tie a chicken, she must have endured so much hardship.
Madam Huo shook her head: "I don't know what happened back then. Maybe there was some misunderstanding. The boss is not the kind of irresponsible person."
Xiaohui lowered her head and said nothing. It was obvious that she did not agree with what Mrs. Huo said.
She whispered, "My mother said the same thing. She waited for him all her life and suffered all her life, but she still said that he must have some difficulties and left without saying goodbye.
But what is your reason? Can't you settle my mother first? At least give my mother a token so that she can find your family when she comes to the capital..."
Xiao Congzi asked quietly beside him, "So after father returned to the capital, did he get married and have children?"
This question made Xiaohui and Wen Ling focus their attention on Madam Huo.
Madam Huo shook her head firmly: "No, absolutely not. When the frontier needed support, the eldest brother led the troops directly after returning to the capital. Before leaving, he had never married any lady in the capital.
And once he left, he never came back..."
It's not too much that he hasn't married or had children. Judging from the current situation, he doesn't seem like a completely unfaithful man.
After a moment of silence, everyone calmed down a little.
Judging from the information we have so far, it can be basically confirmed that the siblings Xiaohui and Xiaocong are the flesh and blood of the eldest son of the Huo family who were left behind.
Because the handwriting on the wooden hairpin was indeed that of the eldest son, and Mrs. Huo recognized it.
In addition to Huo Lei's nickname, which outsiders don't know, the two children look exactly like Huo Lei when he was a child...
She didn't know about the existence of these two children before, but now that she knows, there is no way that Mrs. Huo will let these two children go.
Mrs. Huo said immediately: "Children, no matter what, this matter is the eldest brother's fault. You have eaten too much outside and cried too much in recent years. It is too late to compensate your mother.
But I can't let the only bloodline of the Huo family be lost outside like this. Children, now that you are back, stay.
My old bones are still useful. I will raise you to adulthood and let you inherit the Huo family. This will be my compensation to you. ”
Old Madam Huo spoke sincerely, her cloudy eyes staring at the two siblings eagerly.
Xiao Cong looked at Xiao Hui. His sister didn't say anything, so he also looked at his toes and didn't say anything.
Xiaohui did not agree immediately. Although she knew that she would have a better life if she returned to the general's mansion, she still felt uncomfortable when she thought about how her mother had waited for so many years without any status.
If it was really the father who wronged the mother first, then by returning to the general's mansion now, aren't they just disregarding the mother's feelings and enjoying themselves at the expense of her suffering?
If this is the case, they would rather not return to the General's Mansion and would rather live a hard life working outside. After all, they have hands and feet, and they can grow up by working hard in Prince Chen's Mansion.
After Xiaohui thought it through, she made a decision: "I'm sorry, Grandma Huo, my brother and I will not come to the general's mansion until we find out why my father left my mother without saying goodbye.
My mother has suffered so much over the years..."
The twinkling light in Mrs. Huo's eyes gradually dimmed. It was actually quite unpleasant to see such a white-haired old lady so disappointed.
But Madam Huo expressed her understanding: "I understand, I understand everything. I will immediately send someone to check what happened in Dongzhou at that time. After I find out clearly, I will send someone to Prince Chen's Mansion to find you."
Xiaohui and Xiaocong looked at each other and nodded.
Mrs. Huo then said to Wen Ling, "Princess Chen, it seems that I will have to trouble you with these two children during this period of time."
Wen Ling still has great respect for Mrs. Huo, whose husband and son both sacrificed their lives for the country and whose whole family is full of loyal heroes.
She nodded: "It's not a problem. These two children are very sensible. I just provided them with a place to sleep and eat. They also helped with the work in the palace. They are very sensible and worry-free."
Despite this, Mrs. Huo still asked the old butler to bring over a wooden box. The top layer contained a rare jade hairpin, and the bottom layer contained a thick stack of silver bills.
He just wanted Wen Ling to take care of the two children more, fearing that the children would suffer. He also wanted to thank Wen Ling and not let her worry in vain.
People become more experienced as they grow older. Madam Huo has lived to such an old age that she is naturally very knowledgeable about the ways of the world. Princess Chen is just trying to help out of kindness, so there is no reason for her to cause trouble.
Unexpectedly, Wen Ling did not accept the wooden box, but pushed it back to Madam Huo.
She said seriously: "I don't need these as a thank you. To be honest, I brought Xiaohui and Xiaocong back not just because I am kind-hearted.
I do have something I want in your General's Mansion, but since the matter has not been completely resolved yet, I will not say it for now. ”
Old Madam Huo understood, it seemed that he had something to ask of her family.
That's fine. Knowing what he's after, she feels more relieved.
Only then did she take back the wooden box. Since Wen Ling didn't say anything, she didn't ask. She would know the answer when the time came.
Wen Ling also decided to be a good person to the end. After counting with her fingers, she said to Madam Huo: "The eldest young master of the Huo family must have been tricked by a villain in Dongzhou, which led to his wife and children being stranded outside.
The villain's surname should be Miao. You can follow this clue to look for him. It shouldn't be difficult to find him. ”
Old Madam Huo's eyes lit up. She no longer had any doubt about Wen Ling's abilities.
Being able to bring her grandchildren back to her side, she is the god of the entire general's mansion!
Madam Huo thanked her repeatedly: "Thank you, Princess Chen, thank you, Princess Chen!
Princess Chen, it's getting late. You've worked hard this morning. Please stay for lunch. I've asked the kitchen to prepare lunch.
The chefs in our house all come from the desert. They are excellent at cooking Northwestern cuisine, which is very different from the flavors in Beijing. ”
When Wen Ling heard this, he immediately turned to Ting Yin and said, "Go back and inform the prince and tell him that I will not be back for lunch and will come back for dinner."
Listening: “…”
This is the second time that you refuse to go home for dinner as soon as someone tells you that they have prepared delicious meals!
Wen Ling urged: "Go quickly, report it quickly, and you can have some hot Northwest-style dishes when you come back!"
"Okay!" After hearing the sound, he immediately ran away as if his feet were greased.
I was afraid that if I went there too late, I wouldn’t be able to eat hot food.
Xiaohui Xiaocong: "..."
You two, master and servant, are obviously the same!
Mrs. Huo was not lying. The Northwestern chef in her mansion was simply amazing at making noodles.
I don’t know how they knead the dough, but the steamed buns are big, soft and chewy inside, and the noodles are also very rich and delicious.
There are also some beef and mutton, which can be stewed, fried, or roasted. In short, each one is delicious in its own way.
Wen Ling wanted to be reserved at first, but later gave up and ate with her mouth full of oil.
But her eating movements were not rough, but neat and tidy, which was actually very cute.
Old Madam Huo originally felt a little distant from Wen Ling, thinking that she was both a princess and capable.
But after seeing Wen Ling eating lunch, the loving smile on her face couldn't be stopped.
It can be said that the way Wen Ling eats is the most favorite way among all the elders, the way he eats like the grandson in a dream.
Xiaohui and Xiaocong were a little reserved at first, but when they saw Wen Ling eating so heartily, they gradually relaxed.
Old Madam Huo took turns picking up food for the three of them and was busy all the time, but in fact she was very happy in her heart and she couldn't stop smiling.
She said to Wen Ling with emotion: "Our general's mansion hasn't been so lively for a long time."
Wen Ling was just about to comfort Madam Huo. Once the matter was resolved and Xiaohui and Xiaocong moved back to the general's mansion, every day would be so lively.
Then he heard the old housekeeper's voice coming from outside: "Second Master Huo, the old lady is really entertaining guests in there, you can't go in!"
An impatient male voice came from outside: "Why can't we come in? You guys have been making excuses many times before and refused to let us in. Do you still treat us as a family?
What's wrong? My eldest brother died, and my sister-in-law doesn't even recognize me as her second brother, right?
This entire general's mansion was conquered by my eldest brother, and the mansion belongs to the surname Huo! ”
"That's right!" Another sarcastic voice came, "Besides, my sister-in-law is so old and has no relatives in the capital. Now the general's mansion has fallen into decline, so there won't be any distinguished guests coming. This is just an excuse for not wanting to see us!"
Mrs. Huo's face, which had been smiling just now, gradually turned cold and tense after she heard the noisy noise outside.
Wen Ling and the others also stopped eating and looked at Old Madam Huo curiously, trying to find out what was going on.
Madam Huo sighed: "Originally, family disgrace should not be made public, but now there is nothing that cannot be said.
After my husband and three sons failed to come back, my husband's younger brother would come to my house every once in a while to make trouble.
They said that the Huo family's eldest wife must be left alone, and they wanted to adopt their eldest grandson to me as their grandson, so that I could not only shoulder the responsibilities of the eldest wife, but also take care of me in my old age.
I know they are just saying nice things, but they actually want to inherit the general's mansion and all the family business that my husband and sons have built.
Their eldest grandson is neither good at literature nor martial arts, and is even mediocre. He once took advantage of our general's mansion to bully decent women and was punished by my husband.
If I really adopted the eldest grandson of the second wife's family, I would destroy the foundation laid by my husband and sons. ”
When Mrs. Huo talked about the latter part, her face was as cold as ice, and she was obviously extremely angry and impatient.
Wen Ling asked in confusion: "If you don't want to be adopted, it's useless to make a fuss, right? Can they really force you to agree by making a fuss?"
Madam Huo smiled bitterly: "You will know in a moment."
As soon as she finished speaking, the commotion outside became even louder.
The knocking sounds didn't sound like they were coming from two people, but more like a group of people making noise.
Madam Huo said to Wen Ling apologetically, "I'm sorry to make the princess laugh. I'm going to go out and take care of some housework first and will be back soon. You guys continue eating here now."
Wen Ling was full, so she couldn't continue eating. She stood up and said, "I'll go out with you to take a look."
Old Madam Huo did not refuse. Since things had already gotten to this point, there was no point in avoiding it.
Xiaohui and Xiaocong hurriedly followed Wen Ling and went out to watch the fun.
As soon as we got outside, we saw a couple dressed in silk and satin standing in the front, followed by a group of people dressed in fine cotton, holding a spirit tablet in their hands.
Several people were holding bronze drums in their hands, beating them to increase the volume in unison with the couple in the front.
In the crowd there was an old man with white hair and beard, leaning on a cane, who was shouting at the old housekeeper, cursing particularly harshly.
When they saw the old lady come out, the crowd fell silent at first, and then their eyes revealed greedy looks like hungry wolves seeing meat.
Old Madam Huo seemed to be used to this. She asked calmly, "Second brother, second brother's wife, why did you come here today?"
Huo Lao Er showed a fake smile on his face: "Sister-in-law, don't you know why I come here every time?"
"I'm not saying anything wrong, sister-in-law, you've really done a poor job. You've taken over such a huge general's mansion. When you die, who knows who will get it.
My eldest brother risked his life to build such a huge family business. You want to monopolize it all by yourself. You would rather give it to outsiders than to us, his clan members and brothers.
Aren’t you afraid of being criticized and criticized, and then being too embarrassed to face my brother in the afterlife? ”
A woman with triangular eyes and high cheekbones next to Huo Lao Er also said, "That's right. You said before that you were very sad about losing your husband and son. If we give you a grandson so soon, it will chill the hearts of your sons.
So many years have passed now, right? Has it been long enough? What do you mean you're still unwilling? !
Let me tell you, today we have invited all the heads of the Huo family, as well as the ancestral tablets of the Huo family. You have to agree today even if you don’t want to!
Our eldest grandson can’t delay this any longer. If he delays any further, it will delay his marriage! ”
The head of the Huo family, who was leaning on a cane and had a gray beard, also said in a reasonable manner: "Yes, you are from the Huo family. Outsiders respectfully call you the old lady. You can't really think of yourself as the old lady of the Huo family.
You are just a woman, to put it bluntly, you are an outsider. The general's mansion belongs to the Huo family. In the final analysis, it is not your turn to be the decision maker when you have no descendants.
We have been very polite and respectful to you over the years. ”
They all sang the same tune, talked about benevolence, righteousness and morality, and became aggressive towards Madam Huo.
Old Madam Huo didn't say anything. Instead, she turned to look at Wen Ling. Her eyes seemed to say: You see, this is how they make trouble.
Wen Ling was also stunned by the shamelessness of this group of people.
I originally thought that this was something that would only happen in the countryside, and I never expected that such a righteous thing would happen in the general's mansion in the capital.
Wen Ling's fists were clenched after hearing this.
She couldn't imagine what Mrs. Huo would have to face in the next few years if Xiaohui and Xiaocong had not been found.
Today, Madam Huo was particularly calm. She waited until they had almost finished speaking before she slowly said, "Have you said enough? I do have something important to announce to everyone today."
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