Chapter 296: An Old Friend

Eleven Niang remained silent.

At first glance, my aunt's words sounded very frank, but when I thought about it more carefully, there were traces of defending myself everywhere.

Why did Aunt Yang entrust Shi Niang to the two of them? What did they have to entrust to Aunt Yang?

Shi Niang went to Beijing, married Wang Lang, and became a widow. Now there is no point in pursuing those matters. What she is worried about now is Lu Yongfu's visit. The two aunts have criminal records. What about meeting old friends in a foreign land?

My mother didn’t believe it.

But what if I don’t believe it?

She just happened to encounter this incident. If there is really any problem in this, if she continues to investigate further, she will only alert the enemy.

She stood up: It's getting late, I have to serve the madam for lunch. I won't disturb the two aunts' cleaning.

The second aunt nodded, but the eldest aunt smiled and sent her to the entrance of the hospital.

Jining was not here, but a young master was left to serve him. With the young master leading the way, Mother Song accompanied Eleven Niang back to the courtyard.

Amber is looking forward to it.

Madam, she came over in a hurry and saluted, and saw a silhouette, which was most likely Manager Lu. But no one could be caught.

You chased Eleven Niang and her expression dropped slightly. Why did you chase her?

At first I didn't dare to recognize him, so I squeezed in with the boy. Just when I saw his face clearly, he turned around and walked towards the Main Hall. I didn't dare to say a word and followed him. Who knew that he would quickly walk straight into the crowd. I saw

When I couldn't catch up, I tried to shout. Who knows, it was better if I didn't shout. When I shouted, he walked faster. By the time I caught up to the mountain gate, he had disappeared.

If you are not guilty, why should you avoid it?

Eleven Niang's face was solemn, and she told Mother Song: Call me Lu Yongfu as soon as you get back.

Mother Song bowed in response.

Over there, a little maid came out of the wing and saw Eleven Niang and others standing in the yard. Her expression relaxed, and she smiled and came forward to salute: Fourth Madam, Madam is awake.

Eleven Niang winked at Song's mother and Hu Hu, and quickly entered the house.

The middle meal was arranged in the side room. At the end of the day, no trace of the Xiang family was seen. Mother Du, who was ordered to meet Mrs. Xiang by chance, came back and forth several times, thinking that she had missed someone.

Although the second lady's face remained as usual, her brows could not hide the awe-inspiring look: Mom, you came out early in the morning and have only drank half a bowl of white porridge so far. It's better not to wait any longer.

The madam was silent for a moment and smiled: I'm afraid something might have delayed her. Tomorrow Eleven Niang and I will go to Uncle Zhongqin's Mansion to see Lanting. Then we won't wait.

March 19th is Yuanniang’s third anniversary. Yesterday, Mrs. Tai also said that she would not go to Zhongqin Bo’s Mansion until Yuanniang’s third anniversary. This was just a step down for the Second Madam.

Eleven Niang turned around and ordered the little maid to pass on the fast food.

After dinner, we headed back home.

The second lady still rode in the same car as the dowager. The eleventh mother leaned on Mother Song and fell asleep. The carriage entered the lotus and was woken up by Mother Song.

After getting off the carriage, Xu Lingyi greeted him at the door.

The madam smiled and said: "Everyone is tired today. We will have our own meals later in the evening. There is no need to say hello. Let's go."

Xu Lingyi glanced at Eleven Niang after hearing this.

Eleven Niang gently shook her head towards him.

Xu Lingyi didn't ask anything and just bowed.

The second lady didn't say anything, but helped the lady get on the small oil truck with green curtains.

The three of them watched the madam leave.

The second lady immediately turned around and looked at Xu Lingyi: Lord Marquis, for some unknown reason, my sister-in-law did not go to Ciyuan Temple today. Then her eyes fell on Eleven Niang. I have to go back to my parents' home tomorrow, and I would like to invite my fourth younger sister.

Help me prepare the carriage and horses and said to Xu Lingyi, I want to go back and see what happened to my brother.

A strange look flashed across Xu Lingyi's eyes, but she quickly smiled and said: Maybe Mr. Xiang is about to take office, and Mrs. Xiang has too many things to do, so there is no need to worry.

The second lady did not answer, but nodded, bowed with her knees bent, and took Yuexiang to another small oil truck with green curtains and returned to Shaohuayuan.

Xu Lingyi and Eleven Niang then got on the Qingwei small oil truck.

He asked his wife in a low voice: What is going on?

Eleven Niang told what happened.

Xu Lingyi returned to Fishing Water Pavilion in silence all the way. When Eleven Niang came out to freshen up and change clothes, Xu Lingyi waved to her, and the two sat on the big Kang by the window and talked.

Looking at it like this, I'm afraid that Brother Yu's marriage will have a recurrence.

Maybe there really is something. Eleven Niang said with a smile, we will find out when the second sister-in-law comes back. Let’s not make random guesses. But she knows in her heart that Brother Yu’s marriage has probably changed. She has to say words of comfort. After all, this matter is still

There is no conclusion. It is safe to say that the marriage will not happen, but the second lady is not good-looking. If it happens to Xu Lingyi, but Xu Lingyi has a knot in her heart, I am afraid that it will not be good to the second lady of the Xiang family in the future.

Xu Lingyi said nothing. Seeing Eleven Niang's face looking tired, she stood up and said, "You have a rest first. I'll go to Mr. Jiang's place."

Eleven Niang was shocked: At this time

It's almost time to have dinner.

I won’t come back for dinner. Xu Lingyi nodded. Brother Yu has to go to the academy to see him, so I have to say hello to him in advance. If he doesn’t have any objections, I’ll send him to Le Yuan after Yuan Niang’s ceremony.

install.

Eleven Niang hesitated as to whether it was too impatient.

Xu Lingyi went from coming up with an idea to making a decision in just a few days. This was not a march to war, just giving orders.

Brother Yu is not young anymore. There are some things that the sooner you explain them to him, the better. Xu Lingyi mused, the longer you delay, the worse it will be.

This was the father's arrangement for his children. Eleven Niang couldn't say anything, so she sent Xu Lingyi out. After turning around and going back to the house, she told Mother Song to go to the outer courtyard and call Lu Yongfu.

Lu Yongfu and Lu Yonggui have similar facial features, maybe because of different experiences. Lu Yongfu's expression is simple and honest with a bit of careless laziness, but he looks like Lu Yonggui's brother.

He knelt at the door as soon as he entered, bowing his head, with a hint of trepidation in his humility.

Eleven Niang was sitting on the Taishi chair, gently brushing the tea leaves floating on the tea cup with the lid of the cup.

The soft sound of clinking porcelain made the silent room seem even quieter.

Seeing Lu Yongfu twisting his body uneasily, Eleven Niang said: I called you here for nothing else. I just want to ask you something.

Her voice was neither high nor low, neither urgent nor slow, and seemed very calm. But in this environment, it also had a bit of majesty, which made Lu Yongfu very panicked.

As soon as Eleven Niang finished speaking, he couldn't wait to say: Madam, please tell me everything you know.

I heard that you and your brother relied on the care of Manager Niu, and then they became servants in the mansion, and then became the companions of the eldest sister. But is there such a thing?

After hearing this, Lu Yongfu's face flashed with astonishment, as if he was surprised by such remarks. He said: After my father passed away, I did have to take a lot of care from Mr. Niu. However, my father also served as the steward of the Luo family's accounting office.

, has always been loyal to the eldest wife, so he asked the eldest wife to send him to Yanjing.

Eleven Niang sighed when he heard this: In this way, you can be regarded as having a family background. Then he asked him, can you read and do abacus?

Lu Yongfu thought of Yang Huizu.

I heard that he went to the comprador office because he was attracted by the Fourth Madam. That was a fat job.

He stooped even lower: he knew a few words when he was young, and he also practiced abacus with his father when he was young.

Eleven Niang hummed softly, and suddenly said: Do you know how Manager Niu’s nephew died? I heard from people that he was also very smart and capable during his lifetime.

Lu Yongfu sneered after hearing this: No matter how smart and capable he is, what's the use? He just gave his wife to someone else. As soon as he finished speaking, there was some regret on his face. No matter what, the little maid back then is still in the Luo family.

She is an aunt, and she is a servant. Madam will definitely be unhappy with such criticism. He quickly supplemented, but that was many years ago. I also heard what others said. The details are not very clear.

Eleven Niang didn't mention this topic again, and asked him about topics such as how much work he did in the stable, how heavy the work was, how many children he had at home, and whether he had enough food and clothing.

Lu Yongfu answered them one by one.

After talking for about two-quarters of an hour, Eleven Niang served tea to see the guests off.

Amber said in confusion: Madam, I think this Lu Yongfu is not half as good as his brother. He speaks very casually. Why don't you ask more questions?

One of them works as a second-class servant in the stable, and the other is entrusted by the eldest sister to take care of the property of the stable. They are both high and low. Otherwise, I would not have called him in for questioning. Eleven Niang stood up and went to the inner room.

Go, as for asking more questions, he may not know. Even if he knows, the answer may not be reliable. And I don’t want to ask anything from him.

Amber was stunned.

Eleven Niang didn't explain it clearly to her, and told her to call Mother Song in: No matter whether the wife's statement about going to Uncle Zhongqin's house tomorrow is true or false, we should make preparations early.

Amber didn't dare to ask any more questions and invited Song's mother to come in.

As usual, Eleven Niang chose a pair of blue and white porcelain plum vases for Gan Lanting to add to the box at the standard of eighty taels of silver. She also discussed with Song's mother about Yuan Niang's third anniversary.

I have never experienced these things. Mom, let me know what to prepare.

The people at the office will take care of this matter. Mother Song said with a smile, Madam, there is no need to prepare anything special. It is just to go to the grave to worship, to invite Taoist monks to come to the water 6 dojo, etc. It is just a month after the ceremony.

, the young master and the young lady are going to change into their regular clothes. The madam is going to prepare new clothes for the young master and the young lady.

I have already asked the sewing people to make the clothes. Eleven Niang said, mother only needs to go to the business office and ask. See if there is a charter there, so that I can follow it here.

Mother Song smiled and said yes.

Xu Siyu and Brother Zhun came over from school to greet Eleven Niang. Nanyong's wife brought Xu Sijie over again, and then Sister Zhen also came.
To be continued...