The four hundred and thirtieth chapters are happy and sad (3)
Compared with the cheerful atmosphere of Mao's house, Shen Cang's house is much quieter. Although there are lights and decorations inside and outside, there is a sense of solemnity from top to bottom. Those who come to eat and drink are all close relatives and friends, and they are very fond of Shen Cang. Even though they didn't know much about the condition of the disease earlier, seeing that Shen Cang didn't show up on a day like today, they knew something was wrong, so they put away the smiles on their faces.
Others responded, either they had received the news a long time ago, or they were not concerned about their own affairs, and they just sighed in their hearts. Only the young master and young mistress of the Qiao family who came over to have a drink were very frightened.
The only backer of the Qiao family is the Shen family. Now that Shen Zhou has been sent to the outside world, but he has not yet taken office, the only person in the capital who can rely on is Shen Cang. If Shen Cang is really bad, then the Qiao family will Who can I rely on?
After the banquet, the young masters and grandma of the Qiao family hurried home to tell their parents the news.
Mr. Qiao has always been a confused person. Although he knows that "it's good to enjoy the shade under a big tree", his official career is over and now he is happy to be a squire of the peace. He doesn't care about it. He shakes his head and sighs: "Who can stop me from birth, old age, illness and death? What's the use of being anxious? Who can expect anyone to live a lifetime? From now on, let's just take care of ourselves..."
Mrs. Qiao said anxiously: "I don't expect Uncle Shen to give me advice, but what about fifth brother? Does fifth brother still need someone to help with his future career?"
Speaking of her youngest son Qiao Yongde, Mrs. Qiao couldn't help but regret: "We should have known that people's hearts are biased a long time ago. One is a biological niece, and the other is a bloodless heir. How could the Shen family not make every effort to marry a daughter? Tsk tsk, what if it was Luo Geer? Still here, I don’t believe that they are willing to prepare a dowry like this. It’s really a bargain for the Mao family. Sister Yu is the right age for the fifth brother..."
The Shen family has never revealed their wealth. This time, no one went to take a closer look at the Shen family's property. On the contrary, many people pitied Shen Rui. It was only because Shen Cang and Shen Zhou had selfish motives that they gave away most of their family property to their own flesh and blood. rather than leaving it to heirs.
People in the world are like this all the time, and it's not unusual to judge others with a villain's heart.
Not to mention relatives, Shen Li's wife, Xie Shi, saw Sister Yu's dowry. She also murmured in her heart and turned around to chat with her husband. The Xie family was a wealthy family in Yuyao. Although they were not from the prime minister's family when she got married, they were not yet prime ministers. The dowry is also generous, but it is still far behind compared to Sister Yu's.
But Shen Li believed deeply in Shen Cang and Xu's character, saying: "If I can accompany you like this, I will leave more to Brother Rui. Although the second wife has only been in Beijing for two generations, she has achieved the position of Jiuqing. It seems that My family is much wealthier than it appears, but I just don’t show it, which is in line with the temperament of the wealthy uncle and aunt."
Mrs. Xie just didn't believe it, but she knew the importance of it and didn't harp on it in front of her husband.
However, Mr. Qiao believed what his wife said and felt a little distressed. He glanced at his wife and hummed softly: "Now I think Sister Yu is fine? Who in the past disliked the concubine over there?"
The idea of two families becoming more closely related to one another existed in the early years, but that was when Old Mrs. Qiao was still alive, and she was eyeing her grandson Shen Luo, and had never set eyes on Sister Yu at all. Later, Mrs. Qiao did not care about her. Shen Zhou rejected Mrs. Qiao without hesitation. Shen Zhou was afraid of hurting the relationship between the two families, so he took the initiative to mention that he wanted to marry Sister Yu to the Qiao family. However, because the grandchildren of the right age were all legitimate children, Mrs. Qiao looked down on Yu. Sister, I refused without thinking.
Mrs. Qiao felt choked and said sadly: "It's so boring to talk about these things..."
Mr. Qiao remembered something and gloated: "We are not the ones who are most anxious. I am afraid that the third child will not be able to sleep well..."
Just as Mr. Qiao said, although Mr. Qiao San could not go to the Shen family for a wedding banquet because he had not yet paid filial piety, he was dumbfounded when he heard the news that his son Qiao Yongshan had brought him back.
Even if Shen Cang really took two months off, Mr. Qiao San never thought that Shen Cang really couldn't stand it.
"Is your cousin really ill?" Mr. Qiao San asked with wide eyes.
Qiao Yongshan nodded worriedly and said: "That should be the case. The uncle didn't show up today, so the auntie only showed up. It was my uncle and third uncle who came out to entertain the guests, but it was hard to hide the worry on their faces. …”
Mr. Qiao San only felt his hands and feet were cold, and murmured: "Then this idea of a happy wedding must be true?
Qiao Yongshan thought for a while and said: "My son doesn't look like he is happy, but he seems afraid that he will be late and delay cousin Shen. My cousin-in-law of the Mao family is the eldest son and only son of Bachelor Mao..."
Mr. Qiao San was stunned and couldn't calm down for a while.
Among the younger generations of the Qiao family, Qiao Yongshan has the most contacts with Shen Rui because they are similar in age, so his worries at this moment are sincere.
"Why is uncle going out at this time? The third uncle of the Shen family really doesn't seem to be able to support the family. From now on, cousin Du Rui will support the family. It's really not easy to think about it..." Qiao Yongshan said with emotion.
Mr. Qiao San could no longer sit still. He stood up suddenly and said, "No, I'm not worried. I want to go and see for myself..."
Qiao Yongshan looked out the window and said in surprise: "Father, did you see the curfew?"
Mr. Qiao San looked outside and sighed heavily, with a slump on his face.
Shangshu Mansion, Shangfang.
It was already time to light the lamp, and Shen Cang slept for a whole day and didn't wake up until after dinner. Everyone in the Shen family got the news and rushed over.
After using the imperial physician's prescription, Shen Cang slept soundly, but he woke up less and less. I wonder if it was because he had slept well, but the look on his face was indeed much better than before. See you some blood
But in the eyes of Shen Cang's family, they are all wary, fearing that this is a "reflection of light". Whenever Shen Cang wakes up, everyone comes to accompany him, fearing that there will be any regrets.
Shen Cang, however, just looked fine and chatted with his family about the dowry delivery today, but he felt a little exhausted. Seeing this, Mrs. Xu told everyone to disperse.
Shen Zhou and the third master were silent and went back separately. However, Shen Rui did not leave immediately, but stopped and glanced at Sister Yu.
There was fear and anxiety in Sister Yu's eyes, and there was no trace of the joy or shyness of a newlywed bride. She really didn't want to get married at this time, but she also knew that her elders were doing her best, and she had no room for objection.
Shen Rui saw this and couldn't help but feel pity in his heart. No matter how steady she was, she was still just a teenage girl.
In the past ten days, although the Shen family was planning to marry a daughter, it was clouded with sadness, and it was not the atmosphere for marrying a daughter.
Sister Yu noticed Shen Rui's gaze and asked with a little anxiety: "Second brother?"
Shen Rui said: "I'm thirsty, can you please bother me to have a cup of tea..."
Sister Yu hurriedly said: "Second brother, you're welcome, what's the point of bothering me..."
The main courtyard here is based on the three entrances from the middle road. The main room is at the middle entrance, and Sister Yu's boudoir is at the last entrance.
The maids served tea, and the scent of tea spread, and Sister Yu's uneasy mood calmed down a little.
Shen Rui was not in a hurry to say anything else. He just talked about the dowry delivery and old stories with the Mao family's in-laws in Beijing. Sister Yu's ears were slightly red, but she still listened attentively.
At the end, Shen Rui said seriously: "The eldest sister's dowry was carefully prepared by her parents and elders. Whether it is in the capital or in the south of the Yangtze River, it is decent... The eldest sister must stand up for herself in the past. Don't underestimate yourself.
Don’t forget that you are the only daughter of the second family of the Shen family. Even if you leave the court, you will still be the only aunt of the second family of the Shen family..."
This was meant to teach. Sister Yu quickly stood up and listened. She lowered her head and said, "Thank you for the teaching, second brother. My sister will definitely not lose the face of the Shen family. I'm just ashamed that the family is causing trouble for my sister at this time, so that my father can't."
Resting in peace distracts my mother from other things, and also affects my third uncle, third aunt and second brother..." At the end, I was choked up.
"As a son, parents have long-term plans. The whole family is arranging your marriage at this time, all because of the father and mother's love for their children. They hope that you and your brother-in-law will get along well and live a peaceful life in your husband's family...
...even if it is a burden
Worry, guilt, cry tonight if you need to, and start tomorrow too. Don't be a bride with a sad face... If you make your father-in-law or your wife displeased because of a momentary reveal of your true feelings, wouldn't it go against your parents' original intention?" Shen Rui said.
Even if they know that the two families are getting married just in case, the Mao family has been waiting for the bride to come into the house for several years. Now that double happiness is coming, who is willing to marry a daughter-in-law with a bitter face?
Sister Yu was ashamed and ashamed, but she knew that Shen Rui's advice was "unruly", so she agreed calmly.
Mrs. Xu stood at the door and listened to these words, with a bit of relief on her face. She came over now to persuade Sister Yu to say these words. Even if she is worried about Shen Cang, she should restrain herself after getting married.
Otherwise it is really easy to be picked on.
Now that Shen Rui had taught her a lesson, Sister Yu was obedient. When Mrs. Xu came over, she ignored this paragraph. After Shen Rui left, she took Sister Yu to the back room, took some secret play pictures, and gave them to Yu.
Sister Yu was so embarrassed when she heard her talking about the good manners of husband and wife and the courtesy of Zhou Gong.
Mrs. Xu lovingly said: "This is a great gift from human relations. There is nothing to be ashamed of. The Mao family has a decent family tradition. Mao's son-in-law has been studying in the past few years and has never heard of anyone living in the house. It would be good for you to understand more. If you are not clear,
Those who don’t know are the only ones who suffer the consequences…”
Sister Yu wrapped her fingers and didn't dare to look at Xu's hands.
However, Mrs. Xu brought it to Sister Yu's eyes and said, "Just pay back the others. You have to remember this picture well..."
Sister Yu had been with the Xu family for several years and had always respected her stepmother. After hearing this, she endured her embarrassment and looked at the picture.
That picture shows a man and a woman naked on a bed, with the woman on top and the man on top. The woman's body is supported by a high pillow, and her lower limbs are high. The man's body is half-kneeling, and the two people are intercourse with each other, and there is no gap in the intercourse.
Sister Yu took one look and immediately closed her eyes. She felt her mouth was dry and her heart was pounding wildly. She said in a trembling voice: "Mother, why do you remember this?"
Mrs. Xu stroked Sister Yu's hair and said: "This is a secret picture of seeking a child. Although you are still young, there is nothing wrong with giving birth a few years later. However, in the past few years, I have asked people to condition your body, which is better than normal."
Daughters are much stronger. If the fate of children comes early, there is nothing to worry about..."
Shen Cang has passed away, but Mao Cheng is now a bachelor at the Hanlin Academy, and often goes to the East Palace to give lectures to the prince. He has a bright future.
People's hearts are fickle, and Mao Chi is an only son. No matter how reasonable his parents-in-law are, they are just parents-in-law, not biological parents. Only if Sister Yu is obedient to her children, will her future life be more secure.
Sister Yu is not a weak girl in the boudoir. She has been with the Xu family for several years and has learned about the world. Naturally, she can hear the Xu family's unspoken intentions. The blush on her face took off, leaving only solemnity, staring at the secret drama. After drawing for a while, Fang said: "Don't worry, mother, my daughter will live a good life and won't worry her father and mother..."