As a transportation fortress, Yongzhou Prefecture is an important thoroughfare connecting Huguang, Guangxi, and western Guangdong. People and vehicles come and go all year round, making it extremely lively.
As the largest inn in Yongzhou Prefecture, Dongxing Inn is bustling with people every day, receiving guests from all over the world traveling from north to south, east to west.
Early that morning, three green oil-topped mule carts decorated with green curtains and embroidered ribbons stopped at the entrance of the inn.
Such a magnificent car cannot be used by ordinary merchants and common people, only fourth- and fifth-rank officials can use it.
A sharp-eyed person saw the emblem of the Shen Mansion on the carriage and knew it was from the prefect's Yamen. They immediately stayed away to avoid accidentally bumping into the nobleman.
But everyone can't help but wonder, what are so many cars doing parked here so early in the morning?
Soon, two women got out of the flat-top car at the back. One set up the steps and the other raised the twill jacquard curtain.
An elderly nun got out of the car first, then turned around and helped a gorgeously dressed woman out of the car.
It was Mrs. Xu and Grandma Guo.
Aunt Guo said: "Madam, this is the Dongxing Inn. Let's go in quickly. Don't keep the big girl waiting."
When the people around heard this, their ears immediately pricked up.
Although no one has ever seen it, Master Shen has been in office in Yongzhou Mansion for five years, and the reputation of Miss Shen's beauty has long been spread to the outside through the deep-walled courtyard.
How could a lady who was supposed to stay close to home come to stay in an inn and be picked up by her family with great fanfare?
Everyone's curiosity was aroused.
Aunt Guo used her peripheral vision to see more and more people watching, and she suddenly became more enthusiastic. She walked to the counter and asked loudly: "Sir, which room is our girl in? Hurry up and report it, we don't have time to follow." You're delaying!"
Before the shopkeeper could say anything, someone on the stairs said: "The servant is rude and neglectful of discipline. I will apologize to everyone here first."
The person who came had a gentle tone, and his voice was even more melodious, making everyone who listened feel like they were taking a breath of spring breeze.
Everyone's eyes instantly moved away from Grandma Guo and turned to the second floor.
I saw a young girl wearing a curtain hat, being supported by a maid, slowly walking downstairs.
Although she was obscured by a curtain and couldn't see her appearance clearly, her figure was graceful and her gestures showed her grace.
When he came up, Shen Tianshu called him rude and disrespectful, and both the master and the servant of the Xu family couldn't help but darken their faces for a moment.
Aunt Guo reacted faster, immediately put on a smile on her face, took three steps and two steps at a time, and rushed upstairs, reaching out to help Shen Tianshu.
"Girl, you have been away for more than ten days, and your wife has been so anxious that she can't eat or sleep every day because she is thinking about you! No, as soon as I heard that you were staying at the inn, and you didn't even bother to eat breakfast, I hurriedly called you. A car is ready to pick you up!"
Shen Tianshu stepped down, causing Grandma Guo's hand to fall away.
She lightly glanced at Grandma Guo's wrinkled face and knew what the other party was planning.
But it's not that easy to ruin her reputation in public.
"It rarely snows in Yongzhou in winter, but this year it has snowed heavily one after another, causing disasters, and my father is out on business. I just hate that as a daughter, I can't share my father's worries, so I reported this to my mother more than ten days ago and personally I went to the temple on the outskirts of the city to pray for the people, hoping to do my little bit."
This year's snowstorm in Huguang is indeed serious. It can almost be said to be the worst snowstorm in the history of this dynasty. The number of people affected by the disaster is unknown. There are also many guests in the inn who were stranded in Yongzhou because of the heavy snow on the official road and were unable to continue their trip.
More than ten days ago, when the wind and snow were at their peak, Shen Tianshu, as a rich young lady, went to the temple in person to pray for the people despite the wind and snow. Everyone felt very happy after hearing this.
Mingyu noticed Shen Tianshu's hand tapping her wrist twice, and immediately said as she had been taught before: "Amitabha, thanks to the kindness of the Bodhisattva, who can't bear to see the people suffer, the girl just copied the scriptures in the temple for a day , the snow became much lighter, and stopped completely on the third day, and it has not fallen again to this day.
"It's just that the mountain road is slippery and difficult to navigate, especially going down the mountain. Even if the girl wants to go home, she has to hold back temporarily. As soon as the mountain road can be passed by carriages, she will immediately ask someone to prepare a car to go home.
"Unexpectedly, there were falling rocks blocking the road in several places, so I wasted time. I hurried and hurried slowly. The general entered the city before the city gate was closed and did not sleep in the wilderness. Unexpectedly, when he arrived at the door of his house, he found that everything was locked inside and outside. .
"Our girl thought that maybe the master was not at home, and the wife had specially moved the locking time earlier to keep the door strictly guarded. If she knocked on the door, it would definitely alarm the whole family, so she decided to stay at the inn for one night. I won't wait for a moment today. If you dare to delay, I will send my slave back to the house early to deliver the message!"
Shen Tianshu was quite satisfied with Mingyu's performance. Although there was still some inconspicuous stiffness, he was able to say such a large number of words completely and his emotions were quite well controlled.
Although this little girl usually seems a little timid, she is loyal to protect her master and has a lot of aura. If she is trained and trained well, she should be an effective helper for her.
Aunt Guo frowned and said, "There are no rules. When the master is talking, do you have the right to interrupt!"
Shen Tianshu ignored Grandma Guo and turned his attention to Mrs. Xu, who had been standing there silently.
Xu felt that Shen Tianshu's sharp gaze passed through the curtain and fell on her threateningly, making her feel vaguely bad.
Sure enough, Shen Tianshu lowered his head slightly and said in a lower voice: "It is my daughter who has not thought well and made her mother worried. I hope my mother will not anger Mingyu. After returning home, my daughter is willing to confine herself to the courtyard, copy scriptures and worship the Buddha. Cultivate your moral character. ”
Most of the people in Xu's Dunjue Inn focused their attention on herself, questioning and accusing...
She glared at Aunt Guo, and sweat began to appear on her forehead.
Suddenly someone in the crowd shouted loudly: "Miss Shen went to the temple to pray for the people. She stayed at the inn temporarily last night because she didn't want to disturb the elders in the middle of the night. Where can I find such a good girl? Please spare her this time, Mrs. Shen!" "
Once one person starts, the others immediately start chatting.
"Yes, actually speaking of it, Miss Shen doesn't seem to have made any mistakes, right?"
"Miss Shen, thank you for praying for the people. You will definitely be blessed!"
People have a herd mentality. The more people shout, the onlookers will get excited and start talking for Shen Tianshu.
At this time, unless the government officials were called in to get someone, the situation was no longer under Xu's control.
However, she still has some sense and knows that if she does this, the consequences will be disastrous.
Not only will it damage Lord Shen's official reputation, but it will also destroy the gentle and virtuous image she has been pretending to the outside world.
"Look at what you said." Mrs. Xu could only push Grandma Guo out at this time and said, "Grandma Guo is getting old, and there are many inappropriate things she says and does. It's because of my lax discipline. I will punish her well when I go back! "
Aunt Guo wisely apologized and stepped aside.
Shen Tianshu then walked down the stairs slowly, came to Mrs. Xu, knelt down and saluted: "Let mother worry about it."
"There is no need for us to be so polite between mother and daughter, hurry up and go home!" Mrs. Xu smiled fakely and stretched out her hand to help the person up. Listening to the compliments of the people around her, she acted like a loving mother and a filial daughter.