Xia Houyi didn't know what other punishments Xia Houyi received. However, within two days, Xia Houyi calmly packed his bags and left for a long journey. He said he was going to Mianxiang Mountain to find his master, Taoist Lingqiu.
I have to stay for a while and won't come back before the Dragon Boat Festival.
At the same time, Xia Houyi also spread the word that he would take his distant cousin Mo Zhen with him on this trip.
Xia Houshu knew without thinking that this was arranged by his parents, who deliberately separated the siblings to prevent her from pestering Xia Houyi with any bad ideas, thereby giving up her idea of entering the Evergreen Gate.
Xia Houshu thought that if he didn't allow it, he wouldn't allow it.
But Xia Houshu didn't expect that Xia Houyi would be gone for so long, and he didn't come back until the Dragon Boat Festival.
As for Xia Houyuan, I heard that the emperor was very ambitious when he came to the military camp in the western suburbs before the festival. He believed that the dynasty was about to reach its peak. After returning to the palace, he not only issued an edict of commendation to Xia Houyuan, who had served the military governor, but also issued another edict to everyone.
The border garrison generals encouraged them to practice diligently and guard the border, and also gave them material rewards.
When the world is at peace, it is difficult for generals to be rewarded for their meritorious service. The emperor issued two edicts in succession. The generals in the court were all excited. Not only did they regain their confidence, but they also determined to be loyal to the court to the death. Xia Houyuan, who was at the center of the topic,
I was also dragged out by my colleagues to eat several meals.
Xia Houshu had finished copying "The Women's Commandments" fifty times, but the time limit for the grounding had not yet come. However, Zhong Yuqing seemed to be sure that without Xia Houyi at home, she would not be able to cause any trouble by herself, so the grounding order was not as strict as before.
As long as she didn't leave the gate of the Yue Kingdom Palace, no one would care about her wherever she wandered around the palace.
On this day, Xia Houshu was feeding two blackbirds on the porch when he saw Yun Xi running in from outside in a hurry, avoiding the left and right, walked to her side and handed her a letter.
Xia Houshu put down the bird seed, took the envelope and unfolded it. He saw a few lines of elegant small regular script written on the top of the fragrant letter: "I bid farewell to the Huguo Temple and passed by the moon again. I wanted to take this opportunity to visit Qingshan Mountain."
As a support, with the flowing water as a companion, the ancient Buddha with a green lantern, I am so attached to this heart, but the worldly dust gathers around me, and I can't help myself. I haven't seen Yifan for a long time, thinking about it, looking forward to it, remembering the feelings of the past, and passing by to recount it!"
The signature is Sun Jiarou.
Xia Houshu then slowly remembered the soft and frail girl he had seen at Huguo Temple before, who seemed to be blown away by a gust of wind, and asked: "Who sent this letter?"
"In the morning, I was ordered by the princess to go to the East Street Clothing Store to pick up the newly made clothes for the girl. I happened to meet a little flower seller at the door and said that I must deliver it to you." Yun Xi explained.
"It seems that Sun Jiarou is in trouble." Xia Houshu folded the letter and put it back in the envelope, then handed it to Yun Xi. "You should keep this letter first and don't let outsiders know."
Yun Xi put the letter into his sleeve as if he didn't understand, and asked again: "The girl has only met the girl from the Sun family a few times, and has no deep friendship. Does the girl want to help her?"
Xia Houshu carefully checked whether the birdcage was closed properly, then took off the birdcage and walked to Xiahouyi's yard. Fang said: "The Sun family has strict upbringing, and Sun Jiarou is weak by nature. She doesn't know what I said to her last time."
It didn't work, but she came specifically to ask me for help, and there was nothing I could do. I have nothing to do, so I might as well go and see what's going on."
Yunxi agreed with Xia Houshu's point of view and knew that her girl was upright, but when she thought of the Sun family, she still felt a little worried and hesitated: "But this is the Sun family's family matter after all, and we can't control it."
"It doesn't matter, let's give it a try." After Xia Houshu finished speaking, he handed the birdcage to Jie Ying who was walking towards him, and told her to take good care of it. Then he said to Yun Xi, "Go ahead and prepare a generous gift for me.
Let’s go to Sun Mansion later.”
Yun Xi looked surprised and said in deep thought: "Girl, have you forgotten that there is still a ban on staying in the house?"
Xia Houshu said "Oh" in sudden realization and said: "Let's go to your mother with this letter, but don't show her the content. Just say that the Sun family girl asked you to give it to me, saying that she wanted to ask for a favor."
I'll go over to the house and see what mother means."
Yun Xi nodded and asked, "What if the princess must read the content of the letter?"
This is also a problem.
Xia Houshu thought for a while and quickly came up with a solution. She immediately took Yunxi back to her Qingfeng Pavilion, sent out all the people serving in the room, then took out Sun Jiarou's letter and imitated her handwriting with the words in the middle
The content was removed and copied from beginning to end, and it became: "We say goodbye to the Huguo Temple, and after a month has passed, we have not seen Yifan for a long time. I am thinking about it and looking forward to it, recalling the feelings of the past, and passing by the house to talk about it!"
After writing and drying, she put the letter she copied into Sun Jiarou's envelope, handed it to Yun Xi with great satisfaction, and said, "Whatever mother thinks of it now, just take it over quickly."
Yunxi didn't know what kind of medicine Xiahou Shu was selling in his gourd, but he didn't ask any more and went to Songya Hall as ordered.
Soon, Yun Xi came back and said that the princess had indeed read the letter and ordered someone to prepare a gift for Xia Houshu to take with him without mentioning a word about the ban.
According to what my mother meant, doesn't it mean that the ban has been lifted by default?
Xia Houshu was in a good mood. He quickly freshened up and took Yunxi to the Sun's house in a carriage.
Sun's Mansion is located in Shangshu Lane in the west of the city. Since it is close to the palace gate, many officials built their houses here in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, hence the nickname "Shangshu Lane". After hundreds of years, many people live in Shangshu Lane.
It was a clean place for civil servants, and everyone was proud to live here. As a result, the population in this area was increasing, but the house could not be expanded, and the alleys were long and narrow, making it difficult to make ends meet.
There were two solemn stone lions placed in front of the Sun family's house, which looked quite impressive. Xia Houshu handed the concierge his mother's greeting card, indicating his identity and purpose of visit, and then waited for the concierge to report back to the mistress of the family.
Someone came to lead her in.
Xia Houshu and Yun Xi followed a female steward who was about thirty years old and turned left and right into the Sun Mansion's inner house. The Sun family's house was not big, but fortunately, the pavilions and houses in the house were neatly arranged, and the rockeries and ponds were scattered in an orderly manner, which gave it a unique charm.
The person who received her was Mrs. Liu, the mistress. At that time, Mrs. Liu was writing with her youngest son in the small flower hall, her face and eyes were full of doting and gratification. Xia Houshu secretly glanced at the young master of the Sun family, who was white, plump and lively.
It didn't look like she was recovering from a serious illness. Indeed, as Sun Jiarou said, Mrs. Liu took her to Huguo Temple that day for ulterior motives. But she didn't expect that Mrs. Liu claimed to believe in Buddhism and actually lied about her youngest son's health in front of the Buddha.
, is also incredible.
Mrs. Liu was as cordial as ever, calling out "Xin Ke", ordered tea and cakes, asked Princess Xuanhe if she was okay, and finally talked about her youngest son's studies, but did not mention Sun Jiarou at all, as if the Sun family was
There is no such person.
The more Xiahou Shu listened, the more he felt something was wrong, so he went straight to the point: "Mrs. Liu, in the past at Huguo Temple, Shu'er and sister Jiarou had similar interests and had a great conversation. I heard that sister Jiarou had been back home for many days, and I missed her very much.
I wonder if Madam can allow Shu'er to meet her?"
Mrs. Liu's face turned gloomy. She took a sip of tea and secretly winked at Guizhi next to her. Guizhi was a clever maid. When she saw this, she hurriedly said: "It's not a coincidence that Miss Xiahou is here. My girl has always been weak."
, I accidentally contracted the wind and cold a few days ago, so it is not suitable to see guests. I hope you will take care of yourself."
Now it is mid-May, the sun is shining brightly, and the idea of catching wind and cold seems a bit false. Even Young Master Sun glanced at Guizhi in surprise when he heard this, and then continued to lower his head and write.
Seeing this situation, Xia Houshu also figured out some tricks. Thinking that Sun Jiarou's situation was indeed not optimistic, it was not easy to send someone to deliver a message to her.
It is said that family scandals should not be made public, especially since Sun Jiarou is still a girl waiting to be married. It is completely understandable that Mrs. Sun does not agree with their meeting, but since she is already here, naturally she cannot go back so easily. She must see what happened to Sun Jiarou.
.
"Sister Jiarou is sick?" Xia Houshu pretended to be surprised, "Since my sister is sick, I should go and see her."
Mrs. Liu put down her tea cup, with a smile on her face, but her tone was a bit alienated, and she said slowly: "We appreciate the girl's kindness, but the little girl is sick and it is really not suitable to see guests."
Xia Houshu pretended not to understand Mrs. Liu's polite refusal, and continued: "Madam, she is too outspoken. Although sister Jiarou and I did not grow up together, we felt like old friends at first sight, and I always think of her in my heart.
Yes, I hope Madam will allow us to meet because of my sincerity."
Yun Xi also saw that this matter was not simple, and immediately helped: "Mrs. Liu doesn't know something. My girl heard that Miss Sun was weak, and she brought a high-quality ginseng. This ginseng was specially given to her by the Duke.
My girl found it, but she kept it for a long time and was reluctant to use it. It was because our girl was thinking about Miss Sun that she ordered me to take it out from the warehouse."
"The girl is really thoughtful about such an expensive gift." Mrs. Liu looked at the gift box in Yun Xi's hand, then looked at Xia Houshu, and for a moment she didn't know how to make a decision.
"This is my feeling for Sister Jiarou. Madam, you don't have to be polite." Xiahou Shu smiled, looked at Madam Liu and said sincerely, "Madam, since the last time we said goodbye, Shu'er has often heard her mother talk about Madam and my sister.
, Today Shu'er came to your house, and my mother asked me to see how my sister is doing. If I can't see my sister in person, Shu'er won't be able to answer my mother's questions when I go back."
When Mrs. Liu heard this, her face showed a bit of joy: "Princess, does she really talk about us often?"
Naturally, I have never mentioned it. However, the truth hurts people, and it is especially inappropriate to use it here.
Xia Houshu nodded hurriedly and said: "My mother often said that Mrs. Liu is modest, polite, and charitable. She should be a role model for women. Sister Jiarou is gentle and quiet, behaves well, and has the style of everyone. She also asked Shu'er to learn more from her sister.
Woolen cloth."
Mrs. Liu was very excited when she heard this. She seemed to have put down her vigilance towards Xia Houshu. But when she thought of her daughter, she couldn't help but sigh again and said: "Young girl, you don't know something. My Jiarou has been frail and sick since she was a child. I took her there that day."
The purpose of praying at Huguo Temple was actually to let her calm down and recuperate, but she didn't listen to the dissuasion. After climbing the mountain with you that time, she made a fuss about going hiking every now and then, and accidentally broke her leg. This matter concerns my little daughter-in-law.
I hope the girl won’t blame me for hiding anything.”
"You broke your leg?" Xia Houshu was surprised again. But what does breaking his leg while climbing have anything to do with her reputation? It can be seen that Mrs. Liu must be hiding something on purpose.
Xia Houshu thought that Sun Jiarou must have listened to her words and made up her mind to defeat herself and give it a try, so she went to climb the mountain. Thinking about this, she felt a little guilty in her heart, and hurriedly said to Mrs. Liu
: "Madam, I was thinking that Sister Jiarou is weak and that going out for more exercise might help strengthen her body, but I didn't realize that it turned out to be a big mistake. Please let me see her quickly."
Mrs. Liu saw that she spoke sincerely and had no doubts about him, so she asked Guizhi to take her to see Sun Jiarou.