Chapter 025 Chapter 25
"Jing Zhao..." The third old lady was now speechless.
Yan Jingzhao suppressed his anger, lifted his robe and knelt on the ground: "Old lady, if my mother has made you unhappy in any way, just tell me. I will make amends for her, please don't blame her."
As Yan Jingzhao grew older, especially in the past two years of getting along with Xie, Xie respected him very much and would not treat him the same way as the third old lady. It was for his own good, but more because of his status as the adopted grandson of the third house. For example, when he was sick as a child, his grandmother was the most worried, but Yan Jingzhao knew that she was worried that the adopted grandson would die and that he did not bring glory to her.
But his mother was different. If he was sick, she would take care of him. Even if he might miss the imperial examination, it would be his mother and sister who would comfort him, saying that being alive was more important than anything else.
Including what happened today, if his sister hadn't told him that his mother was humiliated yesterday, he wouldn't have known anything about it! It was also his sister who said that the old lady would definitely blame his mother for this matter, and he was still skeptical. He didn't expect that it would come to the point where his mother had to kneel down.
But the old lady was the elder and he couldn't go against her, he just wanted to take the blame for his mother.
"Good boy, get up quickly." The third old lady tried to pull Yan Jingzhao up with her own hands. For the first time, she gave in and pretended to be very righteous and said to Yan Jingzhao, "I have wrongly blamed your mother for this matter. You should help your mother up quickly."
Yan Jingzhao heaved a sigh of relief and quickly helped Xie to stand up. Xie took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears, still respectful to the Third Old Lady: "It's all my daughter-in-law's fault."
"Forget it. It's over. Let's not talk about it anymore." The third old lady wanted to analyze the pros and cons. After all, Xie's identity could not be truly publicized. It also let Yan Jingzhao know who was the person who was truly beneficial to him.
Unexpectedly, Xie said, "Old lady, there is something I should have said long ago. Although I have been managing the household for these years, I have always been powerless. Now that my eldest brother's wife has come into the family, I can finally unload the heavy burden. It would be best if we teach the housekeeping work to the young people."
It turned out to be because of the housekeeper's matter. Yan Jingzhao then clearly understood why his grandmother threatened his mother and treated her like that. Now everything made sense.
Seeing that Jie had taken the initiative to bring it up, the Third Old Lady also smiled and said, "It's good that you think this way, but she is still young after all, and she still needs your care."
"That's natural." Xie smiled and didn't take it seriously.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were in harmony again. The third old lady felt that she had achieved her goal. Xie would never see the light of day again. Men should focus on their careers. Yan Jingzhao should be very clear about this, so he showed some kindness for his grandson. However, Xie felt that the third old lady underestimated Yan Jingzhao. This child seemed to be the same as his father, but in fact he was very different. He was more rebellious, did things without any restraint, and had lofty ambitions. He could be called a man of iron and blood.
He is the kind of person who wants the ones he loves to live and the ones he hates to death. He cannot tolerate betrayal or control. The third old lady has already stepped on two landmines, but because she is used to being arrogant, she is still unaware of it at this moment.
Otherwise, it is said that one should not despise the poor young people!
"It's just that now it's almost the end of the year and the bride has just got married, so it's better to let the couple spend more time together." Xie said.
The third old lady also knew that Yan Jingzhao's offspring was the most important, so she nodded in agreement.
After coming out of her mother-in-law's room, Xie and Yan Jingzhao walked side by side. She seemed to know what Yan Jingzhao was thinking, and just said to him: "I'm fine. You just got married, so you should spend more time with your new bride, and you don't have to do anything for me. But sometimes you don't have to listen to your grandmother in everything. If you have any difficulties, I will find your father for you."
Yan Jingzhao suddenly burst into tears: "Mom, I don't know how to be filial to you."
"Silly child, why are you crying? Don't cry. Mother always wants you and your sister to be happy. Now that you are married, you should live your life well." Xie wiped his tears.
…
Of course, Zhen had heard about the turmoil in the third house. She had long expected that Xie would have a hard time, so she was in a good mood and even invited Yan Jingwen, Xin Wan and their two daughters to have dinner here.
When Yan Jingwen saw Xin Wan, he couldn't help but smile, and Xin Wan tried hard to remain calm.
Zhen wanted her son to improve himself, so she urged him in various ways: "You are already twelve years old. In Jiangnan, there are many scholars at the age of thirteen or fourteen. If you can go to school, I won't have to worry about it."
Yan Jingwen hated to hear these things. Seeing that Zhen was just perfunctory when she talked about it, Zhen said, "I heard that your elder brother is preparing to take part in the provincial examination next year. You should ask for more advice on weekdays, right?"
"Yes, son, I understand." Yan Jingwen didn't dare to act rashly in front of Zhen.
Yingniang smiled and said, "Brother, you really need to learn more about economics and officialdom, and go out and socialize more. I have seen that elder brother and Silang from the Gu family in Jinling are the two pillars of Jinling, and they are very famous among scholars."
Yan Jingwen was a little annoyed, but he couldn't get angry, so he just said, "I know. When can you make me a purse? My second and third sisters have done needlework for me, but you haven't given me anything?"
The brother and sister were arguing, and Zhen said to her daughter, "You should also put more effort into needlework."
"Cousin Xin can barely make one or two pieces in the whole year, why don't you say anything to her?" Yingniang pouted in dissatisfaction.
Xin Wan was a little embarrassed. She was in poor health and rarely used needlework, which was known to everyone in the palace. This was not her own daughter, so of course Zhen Shi would not care. Who would offend someone for no reason?
Therefore, Zhen just scolded her daughter: "You should learn some manners. In a few days, your second sister-in-law will also be married. You are still so coquettish and silly. I don't know what to do with you."
Yingniang stuck out her tongue and stopped talking, but she also found it very strange, because usually when her third sister went out with them, she was not the type to seek the limelight, and she would even let her go first if there was an advantage. But yesterday she came out directly to play the piano.
After dinner, Zhen went to prepare for Yan Jingzhang's marriage.
No one noticed Yan Jingwen quietly walking with Xin Wan. Yan Jingwen looked at her and said, "How are you, cousin? It was very busy in the mansion yesterday. It was hot inside but cold outside. I was always worried that you were freezing."
"I'm fine, but looking at your third daughter, it's true that 'a capsized boat reveals a good swimmer, a galloping horse reveals a good warrior'." Xin Wan sighed.
This means that a person's wisdom can only be truly seen when he or she is facing real challenges and difficulties.
Yan Jingwen also nodded: "Yes, the scene yesterday was really embarrassing, thanks to her playing the song "Yu Fei Yin". Normally, I have never seen her stand out like this."
"Don't worry about others. When we were reciting poems together before, I helped you check the rhymes. I also know that you have always disliked the darkness of officialdom and think that a career in politics is vain. I didn't want to advise you, but seeing that your aunt is so worried, you should pay more attention too." Xin Wan stood up holding the plum branch, and the red cloak on her body almost merged with the red plum.
Yan Jingwen nodded slowly, feeling sad.
**
Normally in the morning, Yao Niang would read after paying respects to her parents. Now that she didn't have to go to school, she could sleep a little longer in the morning. When she came in today, she found that there was another person sitting in the room. It turned out to be Guan.
Yao Niang smiled and said, "Sister-in-law."
"Third sister." Guan stood up quickly.
Yao Niang said, "Sister-in-law, you are too polite. You are my sister-in-law, how can I let you come to greet me? I just saw you briefly yesterday, and I didn't even ask you what you like to eat? Do you have any dietary restrictions?"
Guan shook her head: "I can do anything."
"That would be great." Yao Niang smiled and said to Xie: "Mother, I want to send Qing'er to buy me some new books later. My hands are very cold in winter. It's hard to do needlework, writing or painting."
Xie agreed, "Of course you can, but you are not allowed to look at it for too long or it will hurt your mind."
A few people chatted for a while, and the maids came in to have breakfast. This was Guan's second day of dining at the Yan family. There were many kinds of noodles on the table, including mutton buns, three-fresh noodles, and fried chicken noodles. There were also many kinds of snacks, including gold and silver flower dumplings, jade dew balls, transparent flower rice cakes and soft date cakes, as well as soft beef intestines, stuffed yellow sparrow, fried white goose, etc.
But Xie's mother and daughter didn't eat much, just a few bites. Even she only ate a bowl of noodles and a small basket of buns and she was full.
The remaining dishes were almost all distributed to the servants, which was completely different from the Guan family. The Guan family thought that feeding the servants would only increase their appetites. Xie and Yao Niang obviously didn't eat much, so why did they waste so much? If this continued, they would run out of money and food in the future, and how would the family survive?
But she had just walked in, so it was difficult for her to say much.
After finishing the meal, Guan went to the Third Old Lady. The Third Old Lady certainly didn't want Xie to take credit for the job, so she said straight to the point, "Yesterday I told your mother-in-law that you will be the manager of the household from now on."
Guan had just entered the house and had no idea what was going on in this family. She was a little overwhelmed and said, "Madam, the grandson's daughter-in-law doesn't dare."
The third old lady said lovingly, "Don't be afraid. In our family, I am old, and your mother-in-law is weak. Who else can take care of us except you?"
Guan was a little nervous. She was going to be the housekeeper on the second day after she got married. This made her feel a little overwhelmed but also eager to try.
Apparently the third old lady also said, "You have to serve your father-in-law at your mother-in-law's place every day. It's inconvenient for you to go there all the time. Why don't you come here and have dinner with me?"
Guan was worried, but she had to listen to the Third Old Lady, so she said, "Thank you, Old Lady, for being the grandson's daughter-in-law."
"What are you thanking me for? I'll tell you more about Jingzhao. Jingzhao grew up by my side. I'm the only one who knows all his naughty things and hobbies." Old Mrs. Guan smiled.
這讓關氏心想難怪解氏幾乎很少和她提起顏景昭的事情，原來是和顏景昭很生疏，看來在這個家中，老太太才是她的靠山。
随着關氏得到老太太這裏的消息，三日回門同她娘談起來，頗有一幅躊躇滿志：“我那位婆母，就是個面瓜，性子很是軟和。平日都不讓我去站規矩，只知道一味服侍老爺，聽老爺的話。她定然管不好家，所以老太太要把管家權交給我。”
“你也不能這麽得意，還得小心謹慎，宅子裏的女人，那都是後宅千錘百煉出來的，可不是一般人。”關夫人叮囑，還是有些不放心女兒。
關氏笑道：“這您就放心吧，我們大爺那個乳媽和我說過了，婆婆從來沒有親自照顧過我們大爺，家裏到底還是老太太作主。”
關夫人也放下心來，又小聲道：“那姑爺對你如何？”
“他婚前有個房裏人，對我畢恭畢敬。”只是關氏心裏不自在，她現下和顏景昭感情還行，心裏當然有些容不下人。
關夫人拍了拍女兒的手：“官家子弟哪個沒幾個房裏人，和她們吃味做什麽。最緊要的還是和姑爺感情好點，這樣有個孩子比什麽都強。你看你那個婆母樣樣都比不上大夫人，可她會生，姑爺比他那幾個兄弟強多了。”
母女二人又喁喁私語說了不少，關氏說起馬上要進門的二弟妹：“若非顏家看着大老太太的娘家人，怎麽可能娶那于氏進門。于氏的爹現下也不過只是個五品官，她祖母倒是系出名門，可早已落魄，她娘您也見過，是個嗓門大的婦人，家世雖然不錯，可就她那樣能教養什麽樣來。”
“也不能掉以輕心，這些私房話咱們母女倆說過就算了，對你婆母面上也要敬着，慈愛小姑，對老太太那更不必說。至于這些妯娌，反正不同房頭，不必和人家生嫌隙。”關夫人諄諄告誡。
關氏連忙點頭，可還是幽幽的道：“娘，女兒要是還在家裏就好了。”
關夫人眼淚差點苦出來了。
中午，關夫人讓族中長老們招呼顏景昭，顏景昭即便被灌酒也是笑眯眯的，他的酒量很好，又常常和父親出去交際應酬，從曾經滴酒不沾到現在十杯不醉也是練出來的。
回門結束之後，關氏算是正式融入顏家了，解氏是個不怎麽立規矩的婆婆，顏應祁一貫也在她這邊住，怕兒媳婦早上過來撞到不好，正好關氏順勢往三老太太那裏一起。
這日，關氏從老太太那裏請安回來，路上忽然聽到一陣古琴聲，她停住腳步：“這是何人在彈奏？”
她身邊的人搖頭不知，還是新跟着的寶華笑道：“是我們家三姑娘。”
“可她不是彈箜篌嗎？”關氏如此想。
寶華則道：“三姑娘彈奏箜篌，也彈古琴，現在冬日還是練的少了。以前每日至少是要練三個時辰的，很是刻苦。”
關氏暗自腹诽，她來的這幾日不是見她看書，就是見她彈琴，竟然一點管家女紅都很少做。她對身邊的人道：“我去看看三妹妹。”
她過去的時候，窈娘正在彈《漢宮秋月》，她彈完一曲，見關氏進來，有些詫異：“大嫂，你怎麽過來了？”
關氏笑道：“我是在路邊聽到琴聲，所以來看看妹妹。”
說起來很奇怪，她不怕婆母，婆母對她也非常和氣，老太太很器重她，偏偏這個小姑子有些與衆不同。
窈娘只得請她進來坐，又對下人道：“你們去看茶。”
關氏觀察到窈娘的房裏很精致，收拾的也十分雅致，她忍不住點頭：“妹妹這房裏收拾的真好。”
“多謝嫂嫂誇獎。嫂嫂是打哪兒過來的？”
“從老太太那裏來的。”
窈娘心想她之前想的都成真了，嫂子進門之後，果然和老太太比較親近，這樣的話，她就不能毫無防備了。
二人雖然是姑嫂，但也不是很熟悉，關氏倒是找了個理由：“上次聽妹妹說要學女紅，我那裏正好有花樣的冊子，可以送一本給妹妹。”
“那就多謝嫂嫂了。”窈娘也接受。
她還主動提起話題道：“過幾天二嫂也要進門了，咱們家可是愈發熱鬧了。嫂嫂，你可見過于家姑娘？”
“并未多了解。”關氏就是了解，也要說不了解。
窈娘笑道：“沒事兒，進門了就都是一家子了。唉，要我說這天天都有喜事，我們兩府忙的不可開交。要不然，我就去找二姐姐玩兒，也不必閑着無事來彈琴了。”
關氏當然又誇了幾句窈娘琴聲好雲雲，但也道：“我見妹妹如此聰穎，除了琴之外，不知道還擅長什麽？”
“別的不過胡亂學，不成氣候，就是學琴，也只是稍作勤奮，加上請名師教導，要不然也不成。倒是嫂嫂，我見你來我們家中之後，規矩極好，連爹娘都誇你，讓我多向你請教呢。”窈娘笑道。
關氏被窈娘誇了幾句，心中有些得意，也微微對顏家有些失望，在她想象中顏家如今算是顯宦名門，沒想到還不如她家，大家對她還有些衆星捧月。
她抱持着這樣的想法，只是沒想到很快就被打臉了。
顏景璋婚事的前一日，解氏帶着窈娘到三老太太這裏請安，關氏也已經早早過來了，在關氏看來，孝順太婆婆是正經，至于解氏反正沒有立規矩，她倒是不必去。
一般而言，窈娘在三老太太這裏地位也不高，但在三老太太問起她：“姑娘家還是要以女紅針黹紡線為主，至于其他的，先暫且放下。今年又有多少長輩們來，到時候祖母還要帶你出門，總得有幾樣針線奉上。”
窈娘看了一眼關氏，才笑道：“您放心，我閑暇時都跟着我母親做針線。倒是昨日我夜觀星象，見西邊昴宿升高，似乎有不好的兆頭。自古昴宿為日，為雞。是西方第四宿，居白虎七宿的中央，中西從卯，西為秋門，一切已收獲入內，該是關門閉戶的時候了，故昴宿多兇。俗話說昴宿值日有災殃，兇多吉少不尋常，一切興工多不利，朝朝日日有瘟傷。”
三老太太本人年紀越大越是信這個，又問：“這是何意？難不成今日要遭殃。”
“不，這個意思是關門閉戶，适可而止。”窈娘道。
解氏趕緊道：“窈娘，你小孩子家家的可別胡說。”
“娘，我可不敢胡說，昨天晚上我正點燈繡花，一時突發興致，推窗看到的。”窈娘說的振振有詞。
如此，連三老太太都信了，立馬對關氏道：“今日就關門閉戶，咱們在自家待着。正所謂寧可信其有，不可信其無。”
關氏淡然點頭，她沒想到這位三妹妹在老太太這裏倒是頗有分量，她還以為二人關系很是一般呢。
故而，關氏回房和顏景昭一起用飯時，提起窈娘便道：“我見妹妹讀書似乎很是聰明，連二十八星宿都知道。”
“那是，她博聞強記，聰明伶俐，又是我爹娘的掌上明珠，怕是多少男兒也未必能及她。”提起自己的妹妹，顏景昭贊嘆不已。
關氏這才對窈娘有一絲敬畏，這種有主見有學識還能出頭的人，就連她也怕被挑理。
在關氏的适應期中，于氏進了門，于氏的嫁妝看起來比關氏多，于家一共擡了八十八擡進門，關家卻是六十四擡，再者，這于氏生的頗為秀麗，想來本來是高嫁，若是長不不行，于家也拿不出手，再有就是于氏才一進門，就給諸位小姑子們都送了一個精美的梳妝匣。
就連窈娘也收到了一個螺钿牡丹的梳妝匣，東西側面的花紋則是菊花和桃花，她自然還得去大房道謝。
于氏年紀比顏景璋大三歲，現下已經快二十歲了，正是豐潤嬌媚的時候。
“二嫂。”窈娘從門簾外進來福了一身。
于氏笑道：“原來是三妹妹，這個時候過來不冷嗎？念兒，把準備好的小吊梨湯拿一盅給三姑娘。”
不管真心還是假意，于氏身上沒有那股傲氣，和人相處也很舒服，對她們這些小姑子都很照顧，甚至見窈娘喜歡一種帕子上的花紋，就直接送給窈娘了，要知道窈娘可是隔房的小姑子。
因此，窈娘就在解氏面前誇起于氏來：“我看二嫂為人倒是不錯，雖說小恩小惠不如何，但是大家又不是什麽生死之交，能夠這樣大方也是很好了。”
“做人媳婦都不容易，你還在怪你嫂子在你祖母跟前說你不做女紅的事情嗎？”解氏問道。
窈娘冷哼一聲：“我是覺得她也是個勢利眼，祖母擡舉她不錯，可您也是哥哥的親娘，她對您又是何等輕視？她又不是公主，還得都捧着她啊。”
“這輩子，誰對我好，我就對誰好。誰對我不好，我就對誰不好？”
解氏無奈：“你呀！”
下人們誇于氏的話聽到關氏耳朵裏，她當然也不是滋味，又聽說于氏到處送禮，不免道：“路遙知馬力日久見人心，她送這些三瓜兩棗又有什麽用？到了真正危難的時候就知道誰是真的了。”
關氏說完，又看着賬本，這是婆婆送過來，提前讓她熟悉的。
不過，關氏也不傻，不能讓人收買了自家小姑子，遂對身邊的丫鬟道：“喜鵲，你把我的那對藍田玉的杯子送一對過去給三姑娘。”
喜鵲遲疑了一會兒，又準備走出去拿，卻被關氏叫住了：“算了，我不必跟着別人做一樣的。”
在關氏看來，小姑子未嫁出去是個寶，嫁出去之後，以後回娘家還不是看嫂子的臉色，像她就和她嫂子把關系打的很好，哪像自己這個小姑子。大婚的時候搶她的風頭，她都不生氣了，已經是足夠寬容了。
喜鵲在一旁卻有些想勸告的話，到底沒說。
姑娘在家中是個極要強的人，進門之後，解氏夫人脾氣軟和，沒有半點為難，三老太太對她這個孫媳婦又十分器重，唯獨只有三姑娘，這姑娘年紀不大，性格獨特，為人自有一股傲慢之氣，極其難親近。
甚至她對自家大奶奶是一種不遠不近的樣子，甚至還有些生疏。
大抵大奶奶也覺得她馬上要管家了，大權在握，何必在意一個小姑娘。
随着于氏進門之後，馬上也要到年關了，窈娘這裏送了八套新衣過來，還有新打的一盒首飾，這些樣式都是如今最時興的。
莫說是她，就是倩娘和瑩娘幾個都歡喜的很，窈娘過來的時候，瑩娘拉着她道：“你的新衣裳送過去了嗎？”
“那是當然，我讓她們幫我把衣裳熏香，就是我想跟你讨一對墜角。”窈娘道。
瑩娘倒是不吝啬，帶着她過去拿了墜角，倩娘也跟了過來，她們三人在這裏聚着。窈娘突然想起顏寧馨了：“怎麽不見大姐姐？”
倩娘道：“大姐姐也不常和我們一起。”
“她是不常常和我們一起，可她和二哥哥吃酒，和三哥哥玩鬧的多。”瑩娘撇嘴。
也就是說她愛和男孩子們玩兒，并不愛和女孩兒們一起玩。
窈娘也想起一件事，她聽花房的管事向娘回報過，說顏寧馨和周陵光也說過不少話，只是這些她不會說出來，這樣也是壞了人家的名節。
和兄弟們說笑尚且算正常，和外男見面說話傳出去就不太好了。
因此，她就岔開話題說起二嫂送的梳妝匣：“我見那花兒是我喜歡的，二姐姐，二嫂看着挺好相處的。”
倩娘笑而不語，瑩娘則快言快語道：“二嫂看着也不是省油的燈。”
“噓，如今你真的是什麽都說。”窈娘作勢要捂嘴。
瑩娘才舒了一口氣，攤手道：“你看你的嫂子一進門，就當家做主，把你們擠的沒邊兒了，鸠占鵲巢。我們這位二嫂嫂呢，表面功夫倒是做的很好，結果使喚我二哥跟使喚小厮似的，半夜要吃城東的羊簽子，二哥還巴巴的跑去買。”
窈娘笑道：“這不是愛妻如寶嗎？咱們這些人聚在一起，倒像是刁鑽小姑子了。我娘還說少管人家夫妻之間的事情。”
這一點倩娘也同意：“這話說的很是，嫂嫂們一起嫁進來，家裏多了人，咱們一時不适應也正常。日後都是一家人了，大家還是多體諒對方才是。”
“二姐姐，你不是還嫌棄二嫂字兒寫的難看嗎？現在還誇起來了。”瑩娘毫不猶豫的戳穿倩娘。
姐妹三人雖然吵吵鬧鬧，但比以前的感情好了許多，窈娘又笑道：“你們下半晌若是無事，去我那兒玩兒吧，我們打雙陸去。”
二人都說冷，懶得邁步。
窈娘只好起身，又探望莘婉一回，莘婉和窈娘關系最是要好，二人甚至能說不少知心話，比兩位姐妹還要親近。
本來窈娘是怕莘婉觸景生情，哪裏知道莘婉反而勸她放寬心。
這樣游蕩了一圈，窈娘覺得困了，回去晚上多添了半碗飯。
顏應祁還笑道：“今兒是不是你娘做的鳗魚絲太好吃了，居然還多添了一碗飯。”
“爹，您別笑話我，這些日子經常吃席，人家臉都圓了。”窈娘有些不開心。
顏應祁則道：“我看姑娘家胖點才好看呢？”
“那您的意思是我娘這樣纖細就不好看咯？”窈娘捂嘴偷笑。
顏應祁一瞬間有些慌，想拉解氏的手，解氏則嗔了他一眼。
吃完晚飯，窈娘冒着風雪回房，顏應祁則問起解氏：“你真的把管家權給兒媳婦管嗎？三嬸這麽快就卸磨殺驢了？”
解氏笑道：“你怎麽關心這個？早就能夠預料到的事情。尤其是上次謝夫人說了我之後，老太太只是加快了她的步子。”
她還靠着顏應祁道：“這輩子我大概依靠的人也只有你了。”
“放心，我絕對不會讓你失落傷心，別人都要母憑子貴，你只用妻憑夫榮就好。”顏應祁心中已經有了計較。
除夕之夜，三老太太帶着顏景昭等人一起去了大房，顏景昭跟着長輩們去祠堂，進門的兩位媳婦關氏和于氏也在今年上了族譜。
窈娘拿着一根香把前面的炮仗點燃了，迅速跑回解氏身邊，解氏替她捂住耳朵，所有的人都是歡聲笑語。
連甄氏看着不遠處的煙花，也怔愣了半晌。
接着兩府各自有戲酒，關氏俨然已經是一幅女主人的姿态了，因為她能察覺解氏的身份在家裏似乎沒事，那是因為顏應祁擡舉，可在外說難聽點就是貴妾。
甚至在看到窈娘連續一日之內換了三頂冠子之後，她還半真半假道：“妹妹這樣的日子，連公主都未必能比得上，多少公侯之家都沒有咱們家富貴。”
這語氣不善，窈娘則笑道：“看嫂嫂說的，你若喜歡，讓哥哥給你買就是了。再說了，咱們家若不富貴，你怎麽會嫁進來呢？”
關氏碰了一鼻子灰，她倒也不敢鬧大。
窈娘就這麽掰着手指頭到了元宵那日，顏應祁接她們母女出去，街上已經是車水馬龍，行人也是摩肩擦踵。
四處伫立的燈籠，仿佛把暗夜照成白晝一般。
一家人口棄了馬車，下來行走，顏應祁雖然穿着常服，但是氣勢淩人，後面的護衛在不遠處跟着，他則護着解氏母女。
解氏三十幾歲了，眼睛卻依舊像小鹿一樣靈動，眼裏的水光似有一池秋波，看似無辜，實則勾人，再者她周身氣質如蘭，笑起來煜煜生輝，行動間又蹁跹袅娜，體态風流，可以說每一點都點到了男人的罩門。
她和窈娘一樣，看到街邊的燈籠還是會歡欣鼓舞，路過的男人們眼神中無不露出驚豔的神色。
顏應祁冷冷的瞥過他們一眼，那些人才收回目光。
窈娘猜對了一個燈謎，提着自己的燈籠很是高興，這裏的小吃也有許多。她原本不是很餓的，看到這些小吃攤居然肚子有些餓了。
“娘，那裏，那裏有湯圓賣，我們去吃湯圓吧。”
“好。”
顏應祁當然跟着她們母女過去，就在丫鬟準備付錢的時候，窈娘突然掏出一塊木牌給店主道：“我娘親的木牌，還可以用嗎？”
那老店主端詳了半天，才不可思議道：“可以，可以，這都是好多年前的了，還能用。”
窈娘卻道：“我們也不好占您老人家的便宜，其實我只是想看看這塊木牌還能不能用。”說完她指着解氏道：“這是我娘的。”
解氏都三十多歲的人了，頭一次覺得面皮發燒。
老店主看了解氏一眼：“難怪的。”
意思就是她娘相貌好，這比誇了她自己還高興，窈娘又指着顏應祁道：“我爹爹也有的。”
原本覺得自己逃過一劫的顏侍郎腳下一個趔趄，只恨不得有一條地縫鑽進去。
解氏還從未見過這麽糗的丈夫，也忍不住偷笑，一行三人吃了湯圓，又看了雜耍，來不及再徜徉在街市上，她們就得回去了，可即便如此，解氏和窈娘都很滿足了。
因為顏應祁是偷偷帶着她們出來玩兒的，這事兒大家都知道了，又浩浩蕩蕩一群人一起出來，還得提前部署，很是麻煩。
這一夜并非是燈美好，也并非是吃食很好吃，而是那種氛圍讓窈娘很向往。
年過完了之後，朝堂廷推，選南京禮部侍郎顏應祁為吏部侍郎，也就是說顏應祁馬上要去京中任職了。
這對于顏家而言當然是一個極其好的消息，南京的六部官員是比不上北京的，且吏部侍郎雖然和吏部侍郎同屬正三品官職，地位僅次于尚書。可禮部一般是負責科舉禮節祭祀方面的，而吏部的主要負責天下官吏的升降、調動、考課等事宜，人稱天官或大冢宰，是六部之首。
這對于關氏而言，當然心情大好，公公升官，丈夫上進，她昨天剛把對牌拿到手，簡直就是人生贏家。
Unexpectedly, Xie called her over and said, "Jing Zhao is going to change his nationality to Shuntianfu to take the provincial examination this year, so we all have to go to the capital. You should pack your luggage quickly. As for the cards, give them back to the old lady. When you go to the capital in the future, the housekeeper has the eldest lady with him."
Yan Jingzhao went to Beijing to prepare for the exam, so why would Guan follow him? How could a newlywed couple be separated?
Guan had no choice but to hand over the matching cards to the Third Old Lady, and when the Third Old Lady heard the news, she was also very upset. She had originally planned to sideline Xie, control her grandchildren and granddaughters-in-law, and become the ruler herself.
Now, Xie, Yan Jingzhao and his wife, and even Yao Niang are all going to the capital. She can't just play the empty city trick, right?
But wait, Yan Jingzhao was going to Beijing for the imperial examination, why didn't he tell her in advance? She suddenly thought of Xie's weakness these days, which was completely paralyzing them. When they thought the plan was successful and were at their happiest, she directly hit them. This woman was really cruel!