Chu Lingyu was of medium height, with a decent appearance. He was only twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, but he was already showing signs of gaining weight. He wore a jacket with a dark honeysuckle pattern and mink fur, and a small jade seal and a purse hung from his waist.
There are people like this all over the streets of Beijing. If they were seen walking on the street, Kang Hongda would not even take a second look at them, and would even be too lazy to socialize with them.
Kang Hongda didn't recognize Chu Lingyu, but he had a vague guess about his identity. Sure enough, the Chu family's doorman's respectful shout from the back confirmed his guess: "Second Master."
The corner door of the Chu family was opened wide, and the doorman and several maids came out to welcome Chu Lingyu back home.
Chu Lingyu glared at the doorman, signaling him to shut up. When he turned to Kang Hongda, he smiled flatteringly: "Master Kang, how come you have time to come to my humble abode? Would you like to come in and have a seat?"
Chu Lingyu smiled and stretched out his hand to Kang Hongda as if asking for permission.
Kang Hongda on the horse pulled the reins, and the tall and agile white horse snorted, and the breath sprayed on Chu Lingyu's face.
Kang Hongda sighed and said, "Someone just told me that the mansion is full of women and children and there is no one to entertain guests, so I will not be invited in."
Chu Lingyu: “…”
Chu Lingyu's expression changed instantly, as if someone had slapped him in the face in public.
Everyone in the capital city knows that Kang Hongda is a big shot in the emperor's favor. He came to the house in person, but their Chu family actually drove away such a distinguished guest!
Chu Lingyu's heart suddenly shrank, he was shocked and frightened, he quickly bowed his hands and said flatteringly: "Sir Kang, my eldest sister-in-law is now in charge of our house, this woman's family..."
He stopped at that point and did not directly say that the Shen family was bad, but there was obvious contempt in his tone.
Kang Hongda just said "Oh" lightly, with a smile on his lips.
Chu Lingyu's heart immediately rose to his throat, and he was panicked: All the civil and military officials in the capital knew that Kang Hongda was narrow-minded and would bear grudges! Chu Lingyu swallowed his saliva and explained dryly: "Lord Kang also knows about my brother's matter. Because of this, my sister-in-law has been depressed and neglected Lord Kang. Lord Kang is magnanimous, so don't bother with my sister-in-law."
Kang Hongda only said "Is that so", his voice was so calm that no emotion could be heard.
There are so many officials in the court, and whoever sees him does not bow down and be polite? Kang Hongda has seen many people like Chu Lingyu and can see through what the other person is thinking at a glance.
Kang Hongda is more accustomed to and familiar with communicating with such people.
The corners of his lips curled higher and he smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes. He calmly brushed his cloak, with a sense of composure and condescension.
Chu Lingyu took another step closer to Kang Hongda, almost bowing his head, and asked tentatively with a smile: "Lord Kang is very busy with official duties, how come you have time to visit my humble home today?"
Kang Hongda opened his folding fan. It was so cold, but he fanned himself from time to time. He said, "Today, the Ministry of War went to the Imperial College to select the best students for the spring military exercise. Your eldest son did not show up. I heard that he was sick, so I came to check on him."
Is Chu Yunyi sick? Chu Lingyu was startled, showing a hint of surprise.
He really didn't know anything about Chu Yunyi.
Chu Yunyi studied at the Imperial College, and from time to time went to the Xuanjia Camp for training, leaving early and returning late every day.
Besides, Chu Yunyi is just his nephew. Chu Lingyu can't even take care of his own son, let alone his nephew. Now that he thinks about it, he finds that he hasn't seen Chu Yunyi for several days.
Chu Lingyu didn't think much about it. Since Shen had someone go to the Imperial College to ask for sick leave, Chu Yunyi must be really sick, and there was no need for Shen to help Chu Yunyi lie.
Chu Lingyu coughed twice and said ambiguously: "The weather has been cold these days, and Brother Yi is too diligent. This child is too stubborn and never listens to advice..." He seemed to mean that Chu Yunyi caught a cold because he was too busy with his homework.
Chu Lingyu said a few vague words, and then smiled flatteringly: "Master Kang, you came to see him specially. It's really an honor for this kid!"
"Since Lord Kang is here, why don't you follow me in and have a seat to see Brother Yi."
Kang Hongda turned his eyes and wanted to agree, but when the words came to his lips, he turned them into rejection: "Forget it, since he is sick, I won't bother him."
He smiled, fanned his folding fan twice, looking very elegant, said "goodbye", put away the folding fan, and rode away.
Only a graceful back was left behind, with his cloak fluttering in the wind.
"Kang..." Chu Lingyu opened his mouth to call out to Kang Hongda, but was afraid that if he forced him, he would anger him instead, so he just stood there and watched him leave.
The curtain on one side of the carriage was lifted from the inside, revealing Liu's plump face, which was full of confusion.
"Master?" Liu called out, "Who is this Lord Kang?"
Liu had just quietly lifted the curtain in the carriage and looked at Kang Hongda for a while. From her master's attitude, she could tell that he was either rich or noble. It was a pity that the two of them were standing a little far away, so Liu didn't hear clearly what they were talking about. She only vaguely heard Chu Lingyu calling him "Master Kang" several times.
"..." Chu Lingyu didn't say anything and got on the carriage without saying a word.
After Liu pulled his sleeve, he said unhappily, "How many people in the capital are surnamed Kang?" He felt that Liu was really stupid! Liu thought about it for a moment and thought of a famous name. He gasped, stunned, and stammered, "Could it be Kang..."
She suddenly felt a little dry in the mouth, so she swallowed her saliva and asked in a somewhat fearful manner, "Master, what is Kang Hongda doing here?"
The carriage they were riding in continued to move slowly towards the corner gate.
Chu Lingyu touched the short beard on his philtrum and said in a deep voice, "He said he came to see Brother Yi, but he couldn't even get in the door. My sister-in-law had someone send him away."
Liu: “…”
Liu's eyes had already moved away from Chu Lingyu's face, and she was rubbing her handkerchief thoughtfully.
She thought of Uncle Jingyong's Meng Mingsi.
Chu Lingyu frowned deeply and could not help but complain to Liu: "As expected, she is a woman who has no sense of propriety!"
"Don't you think that we can afford to neglect Kang Hongda?!"
"That's Kang Hongda! He's a distinguished guest that other families can't even invite, but he can't even enter our Chu family's door." Chu Lingyu became more and more panicked. "Kang Hongda is a well-known person who haggles over every penny. I don't know if our Chu family will be punished later."
"Our family is already in chaos enough now. If we offend Kang Hongda again, wouldn't that be adding insult to injury?"
“…”
Liu endured it again and again, but finally couldn't help interrupting Chu Lingyu's words and asked pointedly, "Come to see Brother Yi? Master, why do you think he suddenly wanted to come to see Brother Yi?"
"..." Chu Lingyu raised his eyebrows and was speechless. How could he know? He couldn't ask Kang Hongda about it. Wouldn't that make him dislike him? !
Liu was speechless about her master's slowness. She pulled his sleeve and whispered in his ear, "Could he be interested in Yi'er?" Her voice was so low that only she and her husband could hear it.
“……” Chu Lingyu’s eyes suddenly widened, as if he was struck by lightning, and he was shocked beyond words.
He had not thought about this at first. When he saw Kang Hongda just now, he only thought that it was a rare opportunity and he should make friends with the other party first. He had no time to think about anything else.
After hearing Liu's reminder, no matter how slow Chu Lingyu was, he began to understand and remembered some rumors in the capital.
There have always been rumors in the capital that Kang Hongda is fond of both men and women, especially handsome boys in their teens. He is a person who easily gets tired of the old and loves the new. Once his male favorite is over 15 or 16 years old, he will discard him.
Next year Chu Yunyi will be thirteen years old, which is exactly the age Kang Hongda likes the most. Could it be that he really likes Chu Yunyi?
Thinking of this, Chu Lingyu's heart began to beat wildly.
"Could it be true?" Chu Lingyu seemed to be talking to himself.
Liu nodded affirmatively: "It must be, otherwise why would he come to our house when he has nothing to do?"
Given Kang Hongda's status, it was too condescending for him to specially greet the eldest son of a marquis who had no official position or rank.
Besides, although their Chu family is a marquisate, everyone in the capital knows that their Chu family has long been disliked by the emperor.
The Chu family now has no status at all in the court. The most they have is the plaque "Marquis Yongding Mansion" outside the mansion. It is simply a joke that only has the title of marquis, but there is no one to inherit the title.
Liu squeezed Chu Lingyu's sleeves tightly, and a light flickered in her eyes, becoming brighter and brighter, like two lit lanterns.
Chu Lingyu quickly recovered, pulled back the sleeve that was wrinkled by his wife, stroked it, and sneered sarcastically: "The habit of homosexuality is not worthy of being in a refined hall!" Chu Lingyu looked down on Kang Hongda's habit, and could not hide his contempt even when talking and laughing.
However, Liu was not like that.
"Master," Liu grabbed Chu Lingyu's sleeve again, her eyes grim, "This is an opportunity."
"Opportunity?!" Chu Lingyu raised his right eyebrow suspiciously before he could react.
Liu pulled his sleeve and pulled him over to whisper, "Think about it carefully. This is a 'good opportunity' for our Chu family."
Chu Lingyu: “…”
Liu continued, "I heard that Kang Hongda would take good care of the family of someone he liked, such as the Meng family, the Qian family, and the Tian family... You should have heard about this, Master, right?"
"Our Chu family..."
"My uncle has already been convicted, and there is absolutely no possibility of overturning the verdict. Even the Imperial Concubine and the Second Prince are powerless to do anything about it."
"But someone has to inherit the title of the Marquis' Mansion, and my sister-in-law is too selfish. She wants Mu Ge'er to inherit the title, but Mu Ge'er is only a little kid, and when he grows up and inherits the title, there will be too many variables."
"What if the emperor doesn't admit it?"
"Taking the title in hand as soon as possible is the best choice for the Chu family."
Liu's words were righteous and justified, but in fact her thoughts were obvious to everyone.
Chu Lingyu began to think seriously, and his eyes lit up like Liu's.
He understood what Liu meant. If he could make Kang Hongda fulfill his wish, with his support and his intercession to the emperor, then it would be a sure thing for him to get the title.
Liu was so happy that the corners of her lips couldn't help curling up. She sighed and said, "I didn't expect that Yi Ge'er, a boy who is neither good at literature nor martial arts, would have such luck to be favored by Kang Hongda. This is his blessing. Kang Hongda has never treated those who followed him unfairly. This is good for him and the Chu family!"
The more Liu spoke, the happier she became, as if the title of marquis was within her grasp.
It has to be said that Chu Lingyu was also moved by what his wife said.
In his opinion, since his elder brother was stripped of his title, the title of the Marquisate should have belonged to him, but the lady dowager was partial to him, and he was overwhelmed by the word "filial piety" and there was nothing he could do.
But if Kang Hongda persuaded the emperor to issue an order directly, then the matter would be done and no one would be able to object.
Although his heart was moved, Chu Lingyu was still somewhat rational. He pursed his lips hesitantly, rubbed the wrinkles between his eyebrows with one hand, and said with a headache: "Brother Yi has been willful since he was a child. He has been spoiled by his mother and eldest brother. He will not agree."
He could also imagine that no good man would be willing to be submissive to another man.
Liu had already let go of Chu Lingyu's sleeves, and leaned lazily against the carriage, giving Chu Lingyu a sidelong glance in annoyance: "Of course Brother Yi won't agree."
Isn't this obvious?! If Chu Yunyi easily let Kang Hongda succeed, would Kang Hongda still be so condescending as to come to the Marquis's residence to "visit the patient"?! Men are all cheap, how can they cherish something that is offered to them on their own initiative? That's why there is a saying that a wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a secret lover, and a secret lover is not as good as not being able to steal.
Things that are hard to get become more precious.
This is called first suppressing and then praising.
Liu smiled and said, "Master, it is precisely because Lord Kang cannot get what he wants that if you let him have a taste of what he wants, he will definitely remember your kindness."
Liu felt very happy: she had been holding a grudge against the eldest house for a long time, because of Chu Lingxiao, because of Shen, and because of Chu Qianchen... In her opinion, the existence of the eldest house was blocking the way of their second house.
Now if they could let the son of the eldest house make profits for their second house and help them get the title, wouldn't that be the greatest pleasure!
"It's not up to him." A meaningful smile appeared at the corner of Liu's lips, and her eyes flashed with complex light, a mixture of sympathy, joy and coldness.
Chu Lingyu hesitated for only a moment before he was suddenly overwhelmed by his desire for the title.
After all, Kang Hongda is a person who likes novelty, and his love for Chu Yunyi will probably not last for a few months. If this small sacrifice can be exchanged for such a huge benefit, it will be worth it.
The more Chu Lingyu thought about it, the more excited he became. His heart was burning with passion, and the way he looked at Liu became even more passionate. He praised her as his good wife, and then said, "For the sake of the Chu family, this title should be decided sooner rather than later."
Chu Lingyu pretended to be doing it for the Chu family.
As a couple for more than ten years, Liu knew what he was thinking. She softened her tone and tried to comfort him, "Master, our Chu family has now been marginalized in the court. This is all because of the things that my uncle caused."
"Brother Yi is the eldest brother's son. Now is the time for him to do something for the Chu family. This can be considered as him atoning for his father's sins. This is also a good story, isn't it?"
"Besides, this is not a bad thing. If the Chu family can rise again because of this, Brother Yi'er's efforts will be worth it. Our ancestors in heaven will also be pleased."
"Think about it, if your title is really revoked, how will you face your ancestors in the afterlife?"
Liu spoke a lot of sensible words, just because she was afraid that Chu Lingyu would be soft-hearted.
Chu Lingyu listened to Liu's words and nodded repeatedly, agreeing deeply: "To achieve great things, there must be sacrifices."
The couple didn't know whether they were convincing each other or themselves.
As they were talking, the carriage entered the mansion and stopped at the outer ceremonial gate.
The old woman called out from outside, and the couple got off the carriage one after another.
This topic was also temporarily suspended.
As Liu got on the sedan chair, she urged Chu Lingyu, "Master, Brother Yi is ill. Go and see how he is doing and find out what he has to say."
Chu Lingyu was still very excited at the moment, and didn't feel the chill at all. He nodded and said, "I'll go over to see him now."
Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived at the gate of Qingfeng Pavilion, he was stopped by a servant in blue and was turned away.
"Second Master, the eldest master has caught a cold. We just asked a doctor to see him today. After taking the medicine, the eldest master went to bed and is now sleeping."
"Besides, it would be bad if the disease spread to the Second Master."
The servant's implication was that Chu Yunyi was unable to entertain guests, and asked Chu Lingyu to go back.
How dare you! Chu Lingyu was a little annoyed at first. He wanted to push the servant away and force his way in, but when he raised his right arm a little, he changed his mind: Chu Yunyi was sleeping. Would he just sit by the couch and wait for Chu Yunyi to wake up after he broke in? ! Chu Lingyu cleared his throat and said pretentiously: "Let your young master have a good rest. When he wakes up, tell him that I came to see him."
The servant nodded in agreement.
Chu Lingyu turned around and walked away again. This time, he went towards the inner courtyard, but he did not go to the courtyard of the second house, but to Rongfu Hall.
His purpose was naturally to seek an audience with the lady.
In Rongfu Hall, not only the lady was there, but Chu Qianhuang was also there.
There was a faint smell of incense in the room. The lady was lazily leaning on the kang. Chu Qianhuang used a hot towel to apply hot compress to her eyes and asked her softly whether the temperature was appropriate.
Seeing Chu Lingyu coming, Chu Qianhuang took away the still warm cloth covering the lady's eyes, then stood up gracefully and bowed to Chu Lingyu: "Second Uncle."
Chu Qianhuang had a smile on her lips, but Chu Lingyu frowned and subconsciously wanted to send her away.
However, before he could speak, Chu Qianhuang took the initiative to leave: "Second Uncle, Grandmother has a poor appetite these past two days. I want to ask Grandmother to make some food that is easier to digest, so I'll take my leave first."
The lady opened her eyes, and sat up with the help of Chu Qianhuang, with a relieved expression on her face.
Chu Lingyu absentmindedly praised Chu Qianhuang with a few polite words like "filial piety, good child" and so on.
Chu Qianhuang smiled, bowed to the lady, and then walked out.
After walking around the screen, she slowed down her pace and listened attentively to what Chu Lingyu wanted to say to the lady.
Chu Qianhuang's eyes moved slightly, and her eyes were deep.
She had noticed at a glance that Chu Lingyu looked so excited when he came over. He walked like the wind and his eyes were shining. He seemed impatient to get rid of her. He must have something important to say to the lady and didn't want her to hear it.
It was not until Chu Qianhuang lifted the door curtain and walked out of the warm room that she heard Chu Lingyu's anxious voice: "Mother, did you know that Kang Hongda is here today? He has taken a fancy to Yi Ge'er."
What do you mean? Chu Qianhuang was confused and reluctant to leave.
So, Chu Qianhuang stopped outside the door curtain and waved to a little maid guarding the door.
The little maid walked towards her, and Chu Qianhuang whispered, "The Madam has not been resting well at night these past few days. Be careful not to give her refreshing tea during the day."
Chu Qianhuang whispered the instructions while pricked up her ears, trying to listen to the movements inside.
Chu Lingyu inside had no idea that Chu Qianhuang was still eavesdropping outside, and said in an excited voice: "Mother, our Chu family's chance has come!"
Chu Qianhuang's eyes narrowed.
外面猛然吹进了一阵穿堂风，寒风更猛更紧了，吹在小丫鬟裸露的脖颈上，凛洌得如刀锋般，冻得她下意识地缩了下脖子。
呼呼的寒风声反而衬得屋子里分外的寂静，枝叶摇曳的声音，怦怦心跳的声音，太夫人一掌拍在茶几上的声音……还有那白雪飘落的声音。
天空中又下起了一场雪，白茫茫的一片。
天气更冷了，京城中的年味也更重了，所有人都在数着手指盼着除夕夜的来临。
大概也唯有暂居在楚千尘那间陪嫁宅子里的静乐对新年毫无期待了。
本来静乐是打算就这么凑活着过接下来的这个春节的。
不想，楚千尘忽然跑来找她，一开口就是：“静乐，我们要不要一起去置办年货？”
虽然楚千尘自己是几天没来这宅子了，但是，她每日都会让琥珀过来问问，看看静乐恢复得怎么样了。
本来楚千尘今天来这里，也只是想看看静乐，来了后，瞧这宅子里委实冷清得紧，她临时起意才有了这么一问。反正静乐是肯定不想回公主府过年了。
跟九皇嫂一起去置办年货！！！静乐的脑子没反应过来前，身体就先反应过来了，连连点头。
她足足慢了两拍，才开口重重地补了一个字：“好。”
“那我们就出门逛逛去。”楚千尘笑吟吟地在静乐的手上轻拍了一下，看似姑嫂间亲昵的小动作，但是琥珀一眼就看出自家王妃的手在长公主的腕间轻轻地探了一下，然后扬了扬唇。
不用问，琥珀也能确信，静乐差不多是痊愈了。
过去这几天，静乐的状态是肉眼可见地一天天好了起来，脸上也有了红晕，只是额头还留有撞伤留下的青紫痕迹，让她看来犹带几分柔弱的病态。
眼看着静乐就这么跟楚千尘上了她的马车，她的大宫女欲言又止。
静乐这些天宅在家里，打扮与妆容都很随意，此刻她只是挽了一个松松的纂儿，鬓发间除了一支玉簪没有半点首饰，身上穿的也是一件素净的常服。
因为静乐排斥公主府，甚至到了不想让大宫女回公主府收拾行囊的地步，所以，她现在穿的衣裳要么是楚千尘没穿过的新衣，要么就是直接从成衣铺子买来的，比如她身上这件，到底不比从前那些内务府供应的衣衫。
从前的静乐是绝对不会以这副轻便的打扮出门的。
想着主子最近眉眼明显比前几天疏朗多了，大宫女终究是闭上了嘴。
就这样，才刚驶进宅子没多久的马车就调转方向，又驶出了大门，沿着宽阔的街道悠然徐行。
琥珀也在马车里，请示道：“王妃，您想和殿下去哪里？”
静乐目光晶亮地看着楚千尘，一脸的期待，她还从来没置办过年货。
楚千尘：“……”
严格说来，楚千尘也不曾正经地置办过年货，唯一的一次经历就是前几天和顾玦一起逛了次街，还买了些红纸。
她一边随意地在一个首饰匣子里挑挑拣拣着，一边道：“那就去金宝路吧。”
还可以顺道去一趟多宝斋。
静乐在一旁频频点头。
于是，马车在下一个路口右转，往金宝路方向驶去。
楚千尘终于从匣子里拣出了一个两指宽的丁香色镶边珠绣抹额，对着静乐的脸颊比了比，道：“静乐，我看这个抹额与你今天的衣裳很搭配，我给你戴上试试吧。”
静乐就乖乖巧巧地往楚千尘那边凑了凑，把头微侧，后脑对着她。
楚千尘轻手轻脚地帮静乐把抹额戴在了额上，静乐眼帘半垂，眼睫如受惊的蝴蝶般轻颤不已，似喜还羞。
楚千尘又从正面调整了一下静乐额头的抹额，这才收了手，满意地点点头。
琥珀把一面铜镜凑到了静乐面前，让她看。
抹额的宽度恰好挡住了静乐额头尚未痊愈的伤痕，又不显得突兀，端庄明丽。
静乐轻抚着抹额的边缘，露出温温柔柔的笑，眼眸变得更明亮了。
九皇嫂可真好！
静乐的心跳砰砰加快，等在金宝路下了马车后，她勇敢地上前一步，挽住了楚千尘的胳膊。
楚千尘身子微微一僵。
她活了两世，习惯了独处，也很难去全然信任一个人。
她还记得前世王爷前世曾戏谑地说，她就跟毛栗似的，那会儿她还天真地想着栗子不是挺好，又香又甜，直到有一天她看到了长在树上跟刺猬似的毛栗是什么样的。
楚千尘的身体放松了下来，唇角也微微向上弯起，她能感受到她身侧的静乐比她还要紧张，似乎屏住了呼吸。
她随便往前一指：“我们去那家铺子买些干果吧。”
临近过年，今天的金宝路比上次楚千尘与顾玦一起来时还要热闹，每个人的脸上都喜气洋洋的。
买东西这项技能不用人教，伙计稍微一吹嘘，两人就是买买买。
瓜子、坚果、蜜饯、腊肉、香肠、烟花、爆竹等等，凡是看着还不错的，两人都买了一些，买下的年货就让伙计往马车上搬。
等两人来到多宝斋外时，马车都装了一半的年货了。
“我在多宝斋定了一些银锞子、金瓜子，今天正好顺路取了。”楚千尘拉着静乐往多宝斋里走，两人言笑晏晏。
楚千尘如今已是多宝斋的贵宾了，多宝斋上下都认识这位年轻漂亮的顾夫人，知道她与她夫君出手阔绰。
因此，多宝斋的伙计招呼起她们来，那是殷勤极了，好听的话滔滔不绝，把她们引到了二楼。
掌柜亲自把楚千尘定的东西捧了过来，客客气气。
这些银锞子和金瓜子是楚千尘专门为过年给压岁钱准备的，银锞子组成了各种猫儿的姿态，每个都不超过龙眼大小，十分精致可爱。
静乐一看到就，爱不释手了，抓在手里把玩着。
“给你，算是提前给的压岁钱。”楚千尘随手抓了三四个银锞子塞给静乐，顺口问了一句，“你猜这银锞子的样子是谁画的？”
楚千尘要是不问，静乐也不会多想，可她既然问了，静乐的思维便发散了开来，摩挲着一只银锞子，她猜画样子的人不是楚千尘，就是——
“九哥？”
静乐弱弱地问道。
哪怕是心里觉得这个猜测十之八九了，她的语气中依然没什么底气。
“就是你九哥！”楚千尘一边把银锞子一个个地收入荷包里，一边乐不可支地笑了。
静乐突然就觉得手上的银锞子沉甸甸的。
她很喜欢这精致的银锞子，可是一想到这是九皇兄画的样子，就有种恨不得把它给供奉起来的感觉。
楚千尘本来是打算拿了预定的银锞子与金瓜子就走人的，可看着静乐素净的发髻，又改变了主意，对掌柜道：“掌柜，拿些发钗珠花出来，我们瞧瞧。”
掌柜见生意上门，唯唯应诺，赶紧令伙计去取了些首饰出来，热情地介绍道：“顾夫人，这些首饰都是当季最新的样子，您看这些珠花，上面的累丝工艺也是我们的师傅改进过的，是不是很精致？”
随着那些嵌满各色玛瑙、珊瑚、翡翠、珍珠、宝石的金饰一样样地摆出来，屋子里珠光宝气。
楚千尘拈了支累丝莲花的发钗，顺手就把静乐插上了，大方地说道：“静乐，你尽管挑，都记你九哥账上！”
一听静乐是那位顾九爷的妹妹，伙计也来劲了，把自家的首饰吹得天花乱坠。
片刻后，另一个伙计来了，附耳跟掌柜说了几句，掌柜就走了过来，对楚千尘道：“顾夫人，您定制的发冠差不多成形了，还差嵌宝，您可要先看看？”
这是楚千尘给顾玦定制的发冠，她自然不会轻慢。
她跟静乐打了声招呼后，就与江沅一起随掌柜去了后头的贵宾室。
静乐继续挑着珠花，偶尔往贵宾室的方向望一眼。
少顷，楼梯的方向传来了上楼的脚步声，夹着少女娇滴滴的声音：“三哥，你对菱姐姐可真好！”
“那支累丝金凤发钗真是好看，尤其是金凤吐出的一串以红宝石为花蕊的花枝，别具一格。”
就算静乐不看来人，她也能听出声音的主人。
大宫女循声望了过去，一男两女出现在了楼梯口。
走在最前面的是一个二十来岁的青年，身材高大挺拔，眉目端秀，仪表堂堂。
他穿了一件紫色五蝠捧寿暗纹直裰，腰束绦带，配着荷包小印，整个人玉树临风，是京城有名的美男子。
大宫女差点就脱口喊了“驸马爷”，但见静乐纹丝不动地坐在那里，便闭上了嘴，嘴角紧抿在一起。
卢驸马也看到了正在挑首饰的静乐，虽然他们看到的只是静乐的背影，但夫妻几年，卢驸马自然能认出静乐。
再说了，静乐的大宫女就站在一边。
“静乐！”卢驸马脱口喊道。
他那入鬓长眉深深地皱在一起，眼眸中闪动着不悦的光芒，那张俊朗的面孔也随之变得有些阴鸷。
(本章完)