Chapter 031 Chapter 31
After Yan Ningxin's ball skills amazed everyone, there was nothing else to do because the most important thing for the Yan family right now was Yan Jingzhao's provincial examination. Zhen probably wouldn't take her sisters out during this period of time.
The end of June was Yao Niang's birthday. She didn't care what her birthday present was, but instead wanted to give a painting to Xie.
"Mom, please choose the most beautiful dress you wear everyday. Yes, there is no need to dress up specially. Just sit here and your daughter will help you paint today."
Xie took off her original elaborate bodice embroidered with peonies and, following Yao Niang's instructions, put on a pink gauze shirt with wide sleeves and a front opening, still wearing only a pearl pin on her hair.
The mother and daughter sat opposite each other and painted. Actually, Yao Niang's painting skills were not very advanced, but she dared to put pen to paper and was very diligent. Even after watching the polo game that day, she would paint famous horses. Even her father and her brother were asked by her for techniques.
In Yao Niang's opinion, the most important thing in drawing a figure is to capture the characteristics, just like Xie's skin is bright, she is slender and graceful, and she has a natural gentleness. Once this is mastered, the rest can be simplified. She first roughly draws the outline, and then begins to focus on the details stroke by stroke.
Mrs. Xie, who was sitting opposite, had been looking at her daughter lovingly. She felt that she could not look at her enough. The little girl had begun to grow and would definitely be better than her in the future. It was not easy for her to live in such a wealthy family and yet still persist in making progress.
Even now, Yao Niang still says that she regrets the nonsense she did when she was studying in the Northwest, otherwise she would definitely be more powerful than she is now.
"Mom, you must be a little tired from sitting. You can move a little, it's okay." Yao Niang said with a smile.
Xie shook her head: "I'm not tired. I'm fine sitting like this."
The mother and daughter did not have lunch and painted all afternoon until Yao Niang finished the work.
In the past, Xie only knew that Yao Niang was good at drawing other people's paintings, but she didn't expect that she could draw herself so beautifully. She looked at her daughter in confusion: "Is this really me?"
"Of course it's you. Why is my painting not good?" Yao Niang thought that her painting was pretty good.
Xie quickly shook her head: "No, it's just that the painting is too good. Am I really that beautiful?"
Yao Niang praised her mother: "Of course, you are the most beautiful. All the praises I gave you before were lies." After she said this, the mothers and maids around her also started to praise her.
Xie, who was always quite calm about everything, was circling around her beautiful paintings. Yao Niang understood. Who wouldn't want to see themselves at their most beautiful?
Anyway, mother liked it, so Yao Niang was happy. Later, I heard that Yan Yingqi liked her on one hand, but was jealous of Yao Niang on the other hand: "Why do you only think about painting with your mother? Where is your father?"
Yao Niang said confidently, "Because my daughter's birthday is the day of my mother's suffering, I want to draw a picture of my mother for her. As for Dad, I originally thought that when Dad is free one day, I would draw a picture of you two sitting together, but if you want to draw a picture of me alone, that's fine too."
"Of course I want to paint with your mother. I will take a day off in a few days." Yan Yingqi couldn't wait.
"Dad, you're too impatient..." It was very tiring for Yao Niang to paint a picture like this, because painting for elders was different from painting for others, and she had to strive for perfection.
Yan Yingqi knew his daughter well. He immediately said, "If you paint for me, I will teach you how to mount the painting. Not everyone can do this."
Sure enough, when Yao Niang heard that Yan Yingqi wanted to teach her how to mount paintings, she immediately agreed.
This year, when Yao Niang celebrated her birthday, Xie invited a small opera troupe to entertain her for a day, and Zhen, her sisters, her brothers and her sisters-in-law all presented gifts. Xie also set up a few tables in the flower hall, and even Yu, who was pregnant, came.
Mrs. Xie then displayed the portrait that Yao Niang had drawn for her in front of everyone. Everyone was amazed. Mrs. Zhen even said, "I have heard that the third girl is a great painter, and now that I have seen it, I am even more impressed."
Yao Niang smiled and said, "Auntie, when you are free, I will also draw a picture for you."
This kind of scene can create a harmonious atmosphere, and Yao Niang has said it many times, but Zhen really wants one. As she grows older, her originally fair and smooth face has wrinkles and spots, which cannot be concealed no matter how hard she tries.
Flowers may bloom again, but people can never be young again.
"Third sister, I didn't expect that you are such a good painter." Yingniang stared at the portrait of Xie.
Yao Niang could certainly hear the hidden meaning in her tone, which meant that she thought Yao Niang was just making a small fuss. But a sparrow cannot know the ambition of a swan, and Yao Niang was too lazy to distinguish, so she just said to her: "Here, this is the most popular grape crispy mountain nowadays. Many people are buying it, but they may not be able to buy it."
Yan Ningxin had not left the house since the polo club. She ate the osmanthus ice cream in silence, knowing that although Yao Niang was not the daughter of the eldest wife, her mother would satisfy her no matter what she wanted. So they were drinking the most popular drinks nowadays, and the dishes on the table were also exquisite and delicious.
Everyone was talking about how lively it was, but the excitement was all theirs. She had nothing to gain. No one even mentioned how good she was at playing polo.
"Thank you, Third Sister." Yingniang actually likes this Grape Mountain.
Then I heard Zhen ask Xie: "How is Jingzhao preparing? He will be here soon, and everyone in the family is looking forward to it."
Xie was very conservative: "He is still young, so he should try his best. I think we should not have too high expectations. As for Jingwen, I heard from the old man the other day that he is very talented and his poems are quite impressive."
"That child has a strange personality and loves to play." When Zhen mentioned her son, she secretly thought of how her son had refused to eat or drink for several days because of Xin Wan. Her heart was burnt, and it was not easy for him to return to normal. Now she is worried.
Little did they know that every family has its own problems. Even Xie was not very satisfied with Guan, the daughter-in-law chosen by the Third Old Lady. The relationship between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law seemed harmonious on the surface, but in fact, there were turbulent conflicts inside.
"I think Jingwen is a good guy. This boy is increasingly unable to restrain his nature." Xie said these words not because she really wanted to, but because she was playing the role of a mistress. In such a lively place, she even wanted to lie on the couch and sleep a little longer.
After dinner, Xie, Zhen, Guan, and Yu played mahjong on the side. The sisters also opened a table. Yingniang had good luck and was addicted to playing cards.
"Masturbate." Yingniang was very excited.
Yao Niang said with a smile: "Fourth sister, you are really taking advantage of the situation. Here, I will give you the money."
Qianniang was having a bad day today. She only received two taels of silver per month, and she would take out one tael of silver on weekdays to supplement her income. Yin Yi Niang was not favored, and lived on her monthly allowance. Previously, Yan Jingzhang's share was with her, and now after Yan Jingzhao got married, it was given to Yu Shi.
Her allowance was usually generous, but when she saw that half a dollar was spent on a card game, her face turned pale.
Yingniang didn't notice these things, but Yaoniang saw them. She knew that Qianniang had to attend those flower banquets and poetry gatherings. Those poetry gatherings were hosted by each other in turn and they were very grand. It would cost tens or even twenty taels of silver at a time. Qianniang should not have any spare money.
Yan Ningxin, on the other hand, didn't pay any attention to it. She just spent money and didn't care much about winning or losing.
In the next round, Yingniang won again. She was very happy: "Come on, everyone, open your money quickly."
Yao Niang handed her the money and said, "Here, let's play seriously next time."
For Yu Yaoniang, playing cards is just a pastime, but for Yu Shi, playing cards also requires feeding the cards to her mother-in-law to make the elders happy. Yu Shi's mother married down from her parents' family and was said to be very arrogant at first, but her father's career was not going well, so she had to get along well with everyone and gradually smoothed her temper.
Influenced by her surroundings, Yu was always respectful to her elders and friendly to her younger sisters-in-law.
In contrast, Guan's face slowly fell uncontrollably because she had been losing money, but Xie was normal and even talked to Zhen about the festival gifts: "I heard that the prince of Qi will not leave until after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Should we also send some Mid-Autumn Festival gifts to him then?"
Zhen nodded: "Yes, I wanted to tell you, but I think it's too early since it's only June."
The two mistresses talked about household affairs for a while, and Yu suddenly said, "My daughter-in-law is pregnant now, so it's not easy for her to serve the Second Master anymore. Nian'er, who is beside me, is ready to give birth to the Second Master, and will come here to pay her respects tomorrow."
Zhen smiled and said, "Whatever happens in your room, you guys decide for yourselves."
What do you mean make your own decision? Zhen and Yin have been hinting at her several times. If she doesn't make a decision, her mother-in-law will send someone directly, and that will be difficult to deal with.
Guan was originally still worried about winning or losing, but now seeing Yu like this, she felt that even if she was pregnant, it would only mean slightly better treatment, and she was not at all comfortable.
After getting married, there is no such thing as comfort.
In the evening, the morning glow was as bright as fire, and the third room, which had been busy all day, became quiet. Yao Niang just felt tired. When she was a child, about six or seven years old, she liked to play mahjong. Now she would rather read books alone in her free time, thinking it was boring.
After entering July, the first half of the month was fine, but the second half was so hot that it made people anxious.
Because of the hot weather, Yao Niang and her friends only needed to study for half a day and rest at home in the afternoon. This day was no exception. After lunch, she rested in her room. It was too hot at this time and it was easy to get sunburned if she went out. But she didn't expect someone to come over at this time.
"Big sister, what are you doing here at this time?" Yao Niang asked while yawning.
Yan Ningxin wanted to ask for something: "Didn't we go to the polo match last time? I want you to draw a picture of the scene at the polo match for me."
"Polo club? There were so many people that day!" The weather was too hot now and Yao Niang was too lazy to move.
卻聽顏寧馨道：“我相信你，你的畫技很好，顏料我送了過來，你若給我畫了，我必定謝你。”
窈娘笑道：“這倒是不必了，只不過畫畫也是要功夫的，再說都過去幾個月了，我還得想想，若是畫的不好，可別嫌棄。”
顏寧馨松了一口氣：“我還真的怕你不答應。”
窈娘打了個哈哈，她純粹是因為練手，所以現在什麽都畫，等将來她學成了，要再找她畫，當然就是看她心情了。
“不會，那大姐姐，你想要大概畫誰在畫裏面呢？主要是你們打馬球的場景嗎？”窈娘問起。
顏寧馨心想還能夠要求，所以她道：“可以所有人都畫進來吧？”
“不能，我也畫不得那麽多人，甚至你今天要我畫，我好些場景都記不住了，我的很多人物都只是畫出人物特質來。”窈娘道。
顏寧馨沒想到窈娘這麽利索的拒絕，全然不委婉，她只好道：“那就請三妹妹主要畫最後打成平局時，在場衆人的畫面吧，其餘的都随妹妹，我并不懂這些。”
窈娘颔首。
見大事告成，顏寧馨就先回去了，在路上她和金盞銀丹道：“表兄昨兒又送了兔子過來，是嗎？”
金盞笑道：“您上次不過随口說了一句，世子就記在心中，可不就巴巴的送過來了麽？”
“是啊，也只有表哥和我的親哥哥一樣，把我的事情放在心上，我也少不得為他籌謀許多了。”顏寧馨似有所覺。
偏回來房中，還未坐上一息的功夫，又聽說甄氏喊她過去。
顏寧馨有些奇怪，甄氏雖然對她從無克扣，人看着也溫良恭儉，但是她有自己的兒女，她那一雙兒女就不知道要操多少心，哪裏還管得了自己？
心裏是這麽想的，但她還是過去了，但是請安時，發現甄氏看着她的眼神有些同情和憐憫。
“夫人。”顏寧馨有些不明所以。
甄氏緩了一口氣，但還是說了：“我知道你和吳公子很是要好，你這孩子也難得和別人投緣，只不過……”
原來是吳羨，顏寧馨笑道：“他如何了？這些日子我沒有出去，也不知道他的情況。”
甄氏看了她一眼，決定長話短說：“吳公子定親了。”
“是嗎？也不知道定的是哪家？”顏寧馨還好奇呢。
甄氏看她神色輕松，就忍不住笑道：“說起來也不是別人，就是龔家四姑娘。”
龔四？那個和顏四一樣，性格有些刁蠻的姑娘，顏寧馨真是默默為吳羨掬一把同情淚。
見顏寧馨沒有任何感覺，甄氏心想她都聽說吳羨因為此事絕食了，這位大姑娘還沒心沒肺的。也不知道好還是不好，自然，顏應祁對長女的婚事另有安排，似乎看不上吳羨，認為他不學無術。
從甄氏這裏出來，顏寧馨才後知後覺，原來甄氏是怕她傷心難過啊，其實也沒什麽傷心的，她和吳羨與其說是朋友，還不如說是好兄弟呢。
後來，窈娘也聽說過這件事情，但解氏是這麽和她說的：“你現在的年紀，說小也不算很小了，一定要注意分寸。你看這次明說是你哥哥科考，家裏姑娘不出門了，實際上也是因為你大姐姐的緣故。”
“不就是打了一場馬球嗎？”窈娘倒是覺得不至于。
解氏笑道：“她太引人注目了，別的人就會被比下去啊？再者，她到了将笄之年，也該有些分寸了。家教若是很嚴的人家，二門都是不許出的。”
也就是說是因為別人嫉妒，才有了顏寧馨不能出門，窈娘比較關心的是：“是誰出告密的？”
“我的消息是打探到殷姨娘。不過呢，說實在的，大夫人身邊想出頭的人不少，無事還要生非，多的是見不得人好的，她們為了表忠心說大姑娘的風頭蓋過四姑娘，那又何必再去呢？”解氏自己就不知道被下人在三老太太那兒中傷過多少次。
其實一開始三老太太對她解氏也沒有這麽苛責，慢慢兒的身邊人撺掇勾起了三老太太的心思，你永遠也不要低估有些人的惡意。
窈娘聽到是殷姨娘，就明白了：“她是為了二姐姐吧，好不容易二姐姐有些才名，大姐又出了風頭。”
“雖然說都是你爹的孩子，但不少人家很挑嫡庶，若是姨娘生的，還有不要的，她要是平嫁旁人不會說什麽，若是想高嫁，恐怕就難了，這也是她們為何要名聲的原因。”解氏自己就是庶出，她長到一歲才知道生母另有其人，對這些事情體悟頗多。
“唉。”窈娘也不知道說什麽好了。
解氏就教她：“你不用和她那般辛苦，你哥哥若是秋闱中舉，你祖父是布政使，父親是吏部侍郎，比她們還強呢，再者，娘也會給你準備豐厚的嫁妝。”
窈娘聽到嫁妝兩個字臉一紅：“娘，您說什麽呢……”
“我這麽說當然也是為了你好，也不枉費我陪着你進京，都滿十二歲了。”解氏笑道。
窈娘忍不住害羞起來，又見解氏吩咐宋媽媽：“大奶奶的補品吃的太多了，你和賬上說一聲，不能超過份例。”
“怎麽了娘？”窈娘問起。
解氏不禁道：“你嫂嫂先前說要燕窩滋補，燕窩在咱們家也算不得什麽，後來又要各種貴重的補品，我找大夫替她看過，她的身子沒有問題，本來有沒有子嗣這也是緣分問題，她才嫁過來多長的功夫啊，就拼命吃補品，什麽貴就吃什麽。”
做婆婆的都覺得能夠體諒，關氏自己卻十分心急了。
若是關氏自己自掏腰包就算了，偏偏她要吃什麽都讓她的丫鬟和廚房說一聲，解氏起初還覺得沒什麽，人家嫁過來三房也不是吃不起，但關氏也是夠變本加厲的。
窈娘冷哼道：“雖說我也讨厭那些惡婆婆，可是像嫂嫂這樣的，也就是在咱們家裏了，再沒見過第二家的兒媳婦這般，晨昏定省沒有，平日針線也是難得進上，婆母說話，從未見她幫腔。”
解氏則以此教導女兒：“她沒把我放在眼裏呢。我也教導你，舉凡是大戶人家，你心裏怎麽想的人家不需要知道，也沒人要你把婆婆當親娘，就像你爹，脾氣算傲吧，可是見着上峰也得行禮，就把婆婆當上峰相處。”
這一點倒是說的很新鮮，窈娘感覺自從她過生日之後，娘就會教她很多家中細務。
母女二人又說了幾句話，窈娘則回去畫畫，她畫畫時不喜歡人吵鬧，周圍的下人們也安安靜靜不敢發生響聲。
“啪。”
關氏卻摔了個茶盞。
喜鵲吓的不行：“是宋媽媽說的，夫人那邊說好端端的吃太多補品，反而對身體不好。若是真的體虛病弱，也該讓大夫配丸藥。”
“我不過就是吃了些人參雪蓮，往年在家中，母親操持那麽大的一個家，若我多吃什麽母親必定诟病，現下好容易嫁人了，我吃補品還不是希望早日有身孕。我看是婆母看我不順眼，知曉我是老太太看中的人，所以不願意我有孕。”關氏總覺得被針對。
喜鵲默然不語，大奶奶把補品當炖吃，早上燕窩粥是必不可少的，隔三差五就要吃人參雞湯，還要一整根人參，要不就是雪蓮炖羊肉，更別提阿膠、蟲草鹿茸這些了，甚至每日都還要用藏紅花泡腳。
更別提海參、魚膠，就連關氏吃的零嘴都是茯苓糕八珍糕。
這些吃了其實也是有作用的，喜鵲也知曉關氏的心思，不由得建議道：“大奶奶，約莫是夫人覺得花費太多，要不然就咱們私下自己去買。”
“你知道什麽，那些參片才值當多少，一兩人參值三十兩銀子，一斤要四百兩。再有天生雪蓮是貢品，外面哪裏買得到。”關氏很是煩躁，她也是知曉公公幾乎住在婆婆這裏，所以什麽皇上賞賜的貢品那些家中也有。
喜鵲也是沒辦法了，大奶奶看來不會從嫁妝裏拿錢出來。于是她出主意：“這可怎生是好呢？要不然等您回娘家的時候和夫人說一聲？”
關氏心想正好她娘中秋前來京了，讓她娘敲打一下婆婆也好。
**
卻說窈娘的畫畫好之後就送去給顏寧馨，顏寧馨一眼就發現這幅圖很妙，這圖裏看起來風姿最為俊逸的是沈臨風，她表兄齊王世子的尊貴潇灑，還有她勾球的動作，簡直是栩栩如生。
“三妹妹多謝你了。”
窈娘笑道：“不必客氣，你收好就好。”
齊王世子中秋之後就離京，這輩子也許很難再和大姐姐見面，她這裏又有殷姨娘甄氏各有親娘打算，想到這裏，窈娘也希望顏寧馨看到這幅畫留一個念想，也是個慰藉。
她沒想到的是，顏寧馨其實是把畫送給齊王世子的，她還道：“表兄此去也不知曉何時我們兄妹再見面，這幅畫就作為我的臨別之禮吧。”
The Prince of Qi opened the painting. Although it was incomparable to the works of famous artists and not the work of a master, one could see the effort put into it amid its immaturity, especially the unrestrained and carefree scene on the polo field, which was clearly visible.
But when she wanted to say a few more words, she saw Yan Ningxin's governess outside coughing lightly. She didn't want to ruin Yan Ningxin's reputation, so she stopped talking.
When the Prince of Qi was leaving, he saw Shen Linfeng and his sister coming to see him off, so he took out the painting and gave it to Shen Linfeng. He originally wanted to give it to Shen Mo, but it was not allowed for physical contact between men and women.
"This painting was created by my cousin Miss Yan. I'm sorry to disgrace you all for my poor quality. I've been in Beijing for a few days and I feel like we've known each other for a long time. This painting just happened to capture our time at the polo field, so I wanted to give it to Mr. Shen as a souvenir." The Prince of Qi also hoped that Shen Mo would continue to be infatuated with him.
Shen Linfeng opened the painting. It was obvious that the colors of the painting were excellent. At least the painter had a warm heart, so the painting was also bright and warm.
The most interesting thing is that there is a little wild cat eating snacks next to them while they are playing polo, which makes the scene more interesting.
This painting is definitely a sincere work. Shen Linfeng bowed and said, "Thank you, Prince."
The Prince of Qi returned the greeting on horseback and rode away.
When the sound of horse hooves could no longer be heard, Shen Mo said to his brother, "Brother, can you show me this painting?"
Shen Linfeng gave it to her. Shen Mo has always been proud of his brother. Now, after seeing this painting, he couldn't help but say: "This Miss Yan has good taste. She painted you the most handsome brother."
Shen Linfeng smiled and shook his head.