On the first day of the first lunar month, everything begins. Thousands of households replace old talismans with new ones. They get up early to greet each other before dawn, wishing each other peace and happiness. Lengxiang Pavilion is no exception, but in the joyful atmosphere that can be seen, there is always There are hidden corners that hide unsightly filth.
"My dear lady, I wish you a happy new year. I understand what you told me. They are all small matters. You can handle them yourself. It is also a matter of experience. I am relieved."
The courtesan's wife is no longer a child, and Mrs. Mo Zhang will not take her kowtow seriously. She will only count the blessings. Knowing that she will definitely be sleepy, he will not stay long. After a few words, he will ask her to go and rest on her own. On the contrary, a few people headed by Sheng Qiu Xiao were waiting eagerly in front of the stairs, waiting for the little pavilion master to show up. They all came up one after another, saying auspicious words or making big gifts, hoping to get a red envelope or some money. Blessing.
"I used to say you were considerate. Why did you make such a fuss with me when you knew I was busy?"
After all, the mistress had prepared for a rainy day, and had prepared the winnings early. Shen Yuan let Feiyue and Feiyun go to the assignments, and personally pulled Sheng Qiuxiao to the side, put away his smile, and said with a slightly gloomy look, "Don't forget , you told me about this, there really are such unruly people in Lengxiang Pavilion, and they are suppressing it now because they don’t want to see trouble on New Year’s Eve - Madam has said something, she wants me to do it myself Watch the disposal."
Qiu Xiao was still dressed in the same way as yesterday, but she changed into an autumn fragrant colored double-breasted thin brocade armor with a rust-red edge rolling on the edge. She held the oiran behind her back and laughed softly: "Sister, don't be so upset, I'm not I know you must have thought it was unlucky, so you asked them to come over to make fun and make the master happy. Sister, don’t tell me that you feel sorry for those few pockets of reward money?"
Mrs. Sheng pretended to be playful and widened her eyes in an exaggerated way, which made the court lady unable to hold back. Her expression turned from gloomy to bright: "It's a pity. Please make me happy now, but you can't make up for the fact that I didn't have a good night's sleep."
"So I made up for my mistake by making sour soup dumplings for the young lady. They won't taste good after being left out for a long time." Sheng Qiu Xiao put her arms around the oiran and turned to the women who came with her just now and said, "Quick, don't do it." It’s noisy, please quickly thank the lady for your kindness, and let’s go have breakfast separately.”
The singers and dancers kowtowed one after another. Shen Yuan was not very used to this kind of scene. He nodded half-heartedly and told them to get up and leave. Even the little master in the building might not have received such a gift from someone for a long time. Sheng Qiu Xiao Although the intention is good, it is really better to cook a few more delicious side dishes to be more considerate of the bad mood of others that I have to deal with on the first day of the new year.
Fortunately, the oiran rested upstairs yesterday, so Sheng was able to report on the spot and was not blocked from the garden. Shen Yuan had no way of knowing that Qiu Xiao borrowed the kitchen to make noodles with scallion oil. He only knew that Chunxi was unlucky and was punished and beaten. Everyone knew that the young boys at the side door were also very courageous. They thought that this girl had no way out and was just a piece of fish for them to slaughter, so they got evil intentions and secretly sneaked into her room to do something. Unruly.
The people in the kitchen heard the noise and rushed over to save her. Sheng Qiuxiao and Xu Jinshu ignored their past grievances and stayed with Chunxi by the bed, scrubbing her body clean until she fell asleep with tears in her eyes, and then they left quietly. Kitchen The mother-in-law and sisters-in-law all went back to rest, leaving only a little girl guarding the stove and looking after the door. The supper cooked by Qiu Xiao had already been left to cool down, so she asked Master Xu to help watch the fire and heat it up again before arriving by herself. I went upstairs and knocked on the door to find out that the oiran lady was not asleep yet.
At that time, Shen Yuan was leaning on the bedside, reading a volume of miscellaneous stories by candlelight, but Tu smiled, Fei Yun was guarding the charcoal basin outside, Fei Yue also scattered her hair, sat on the footrest and embroidered handkerchiefs. The night was very deep. Well, unless Mrs. Mo Zhang was in an emergency, few people would come to disturb her. Mrs. Sheng's face was full of hesitation, which almost made the oiran wonder whether she had been embarrassed by the guests and came to ask for help.
"Qiu'er, I always feel that you have changed. In the past, you knew how to be wise and protect yourself. You would avoid everything and refused to take a second look, let alone stand up for or mediate for anyone." Shen Yuan held the spoon and slowly I blew on the soup in the spoon. I had used a little more the night before, and I was not hungry at this time. The sour soup was bland, because I was afraid that the court lady would not like it. Shengqiu Xiao did not add too much vinegar, and focused on using the six-month persimmon to enhance the flavor and the bright red color. The golden egg strands are inserted into the middle, which is really beautiful.
The oiran's tone was not suspicious, but it caused Sheng Qiuxiao a little embarrassment: "This is not the case in the past... how could a slave dare to be the first when I was alone?" Qiu Xiao only really understood after the young lady gave me some advice and protected me in front of the Sheng family. , I am not without a branch to rely on. Even if life is a bit tough, I can still survive for a long time as long as we hold each other together for warmth."
She said it sincerely, but then it seemed as if some secret had been revealed, and she quickly changed the subject by saying haha: "Hey, it's selfish of me to say it. Miss, just take it as a joke and forget it after dinner. By the way, this I got up early to re-make the dumplings. I used dried bamboo shoots as the filling, which may not be as tasty as the fresh ones. My sister will make do with it. If the taste is not good, please bear with me."
"Actually, you don't need to be so cautious in front of me. Just say whatever you want." Shen Yuan thought of some words, but chose to swallow them back when they came to his mouth. He changed his pair of chopsticks to pick up a fried round and put it on a small porcelain plate. He slowly opened the door: "How is Chunxi? Who is watching her? Don't let her miss the good days and ruin everyone's luck."
Sheng Qiuxiao said: "When I came here, I met Jin Shu. She said she would go to Chunxi's place to have a look. Don't worry, sister. Chunxi has a strong temper and will never seek short-term consequences."
The oiran lady sneered lightly: "I don't know whether you are praising her or trying to vent your anger in another way. Yesterday, I complained to Feiyue and the others, why since I started watching the warbler, these women in Lengxiang Pavilion have been competing with each other. The earth can be tossed, but there will always be some waves. By the way, there is also that one called Yuanjing. It is the most abominable. I asked Mother Zhao to beat her with twenty sticks. Qiu'er, does it count for you? Unjustly accused?”
"No wonder, I heard Sister-in-law He and the others saying in the kitchen that Yuanjing is just like a grasshopper after autumn. She was so arrogant yesterday and will be in bad luck today." Shengqiu Xiao clicked her tongue and held a chopstick in her hand. Lily mixed the asparagus and forgot to put it down: "Sister, there are clear rewards and punishments, Yuan Jing is asking for trouble. Twenty big sticks, I don't think it will kill her, no matter how long it takes, this lesson, I'm afraid she will It will be unforgettable in my life.”
The little pavilion master nodded his chin and signaled Mrs. Sheng not to be too distracted and to put down the things in his hands first. Feiyun was smart and quickly took the chopsticks and placed them on the small plate: "Girls, please feel free to speak. There are slaves to serve the dishes." Already." This chapter has been completed!