When the female envoy handed the letter to her, she was on her way to greet Mrs. Yao with her brother Yao Gui, but she did not open it immediately.
When they arrived at Mrs. Yao's courtyard, they saw that their aunt Pei and her mother Zeng were already sitting in the hall. Their cousin Yao Ran was also there.
Mr. Pei, who was sitting under Mrs. Yao, heard the movement and turned his head slightly to take a cool look at the late brother and sister.
Yao Xia and Yao Gui subconsciously wanted to shrink their necks, lower their heads and enter the hall to salute.
The silence in the hall was a bit eerie, and the atmosphere was unusually tense. Yao Xia quietly glanced at her mother, Zeng, and saw that her lowered eyes were a little red, and her lips were slightly pursed, as if she was holding back tears.
Looking at the eldest aunt Pei again, I saw that in addition to her usual cold and stern expression, there seemed to be a trace of suppressed cold anger between her eyebrows, as if she was about to explode in the next moment.
What's going on here?
Yao Xia felt uneasy, but did not dare to ask.
"What is A-Xia holding in her hand?" At this time, Mrs. Yao's smiling voice sounded: "Which girl is the letter from?"
Yao Xia knew that her grandmother's words were meant to make fun of her and lighten the atmosphere, so she just pretended not to notice anything strange and went forward with a smile on her face: "Reply to my grandmother, it's a reply from sister Chang's family."
For a person like her who is heartless and only cares about silly fun, it is best used to relax the atmosphere at home. It is a must-have product at home. Because of this awareness, the little girl has always spared no effort in relaxing the atmosphere at home.
However, what she didn't see this time was that Pei's eyes, which were originally cold and cold, suddenly became gloomy when she heard the words "Sister Chang".
She looked at the letter in Yao Xia's hand.
"From the Chang family?" Mrs. Yao, who had a kind face, asked with a smile: "Is that the girl from the Chang family in Xingningfang that you have been talking about for the past ten days?"
"Exactly!"
"Second sister is not just talking about it." Yao Gui sighed: "Second sister now dreams of becoming a family with the Chang family girl, so that we can see each other from time to time, so we have to trade our grandson for the Chang family girl."
"Brother has a great idea. Even if he wants to change, the Chang family might not be happy to have him. Who would be willing to do such a costly business?"
"Second sister, are you calling me ugly in a different way? Mom, you are the one to judge!"
Looking at this pair of living treasures, Mrs. Zeng, who had red eyes, couldn't help but cover her mouth and smile, and said angrily: "Okay, what are you talking about?"
Mr. Pei, who was sitting beside him, had his folded hands and fingers clenched silently.
"However, Sister Chang's health is not good and she has been recuperating in the mansion these days. I have written several times to invite her to come out, but I have not been able to do so." Yao Xia said, then opened the letter with a smile: "Reply at this time, or
I can now go out and walk around."
Mrs. Yao nodded her granddaughter's forehead and said with a smile: "You are not willing to leave any of the girls in the capital behind. How could you pay it back if you were born a boy?"
"Grandma doesn't understand. If I were a boy, these beautiful sisters wouldn't pay attention to me!" Yao Xia was full of joy: "Fortunately, I am a girl!"
Mrs. Yao, Mrs. Zeng, and Yao Gui all laughed when they heard this.
But Mr. Pei still had a cold expression and his eyes were not squinting, as if he had cut off all the excitement.
Yao Ran looked at his mother quietly, straightening the corners of his lips with a complicated mood.
In the mother's eyes, having a lively temperament like the second sister's is out of character, and saying playful things is considered immodest.
Since she was a child, her mother had disapproved of her getting too close to her second sister. She grew up obediently under her mother's instruction, so she could only watch from a distance as her lively and funny second sister got closer to her grandmother... Even if her grandmother was fair, she would never
She is biased, and often praises her for being knowledgeable, sensible, calm and dignified, saying that she and the second sister have their own strengths, and often even asks the second sister to learn more from her, but she knows that there is a difference between liking and liking.
But this is human nature.
If she could choose, she would be willing to stay with her second sister, relaxed and comfortable.
On the contrary, who would be willing to deal with someone like her who is restrained and boring and has nothing to say?
She had never blamed her mother - she had only thought that it was understandable that her mother had grown up under strict etiquette instruction since childhood and had a stubborn temper and a repressed temper.
But now, it is no longer as simple as being stubborn and repressed...
Ever since Mrs. Zheng Guogong came back from her flower party, her mother has become increasingly difficult to get along with, and she has become extremely depressed.
Yao Ran knew clearly that this was related to the fact that her mother wanted to facilitate her marriage with the Wei family, but she did not receive an enthusiastic or "flattered" response from Mrs. Zheng Guogong, and it was also related to the origin of the letter in the second sister's hand at this time...
Yao Ran looked over and saw that Yao Xia had unfolded the letter and said happily: "Sister Chang's sister is indeed much better!"
But immediately she felt a little disappointed: "But Sister Chang said that she will accompany General Chang to Dayun Temple tomorrow to pray for blessings... You will have to wait until you come back before you can meet me."
Yao Gui laughed: "Then you can also go to Dayun Temple, right?"
"Yes!" Yao Xia hurriedly reached for Mrs. Yao's arm: "Grandma, will you take me with you?"
At this time in previous years, the saint went to Dayun Temple to pray for blessings. All officials of third rank and above were required to accompany him. Officials' family members were also allowed to go with them. They held fasts and copied sutras in the temple to show their sincerity.
Yao Yi was a third-rank minister of Dali Temple, and his mother, Mrs. Yao, had a royal decree, and because she sincerely worshiped the Buddha, she would go with him every time in the past few years.
"This blessing ceremony lasts for seven days. You have never been there in previous years, can you stay?" Mrs. Yao asked with a smile: "If you are not careful in your words and deeds, or you may make a fuss about coming back in two days.
, if it spreads to the ears of a saint, it will be a light punishment if you lose your reputation."
"Grandma, don't worry, I will definitely be obedient!" Yao Xia quickly raised his hand to make an oath and promised.
With the Chang family sister here, she can stay here even for seven days, not to mention seven days!
"Cousin, do you want to go with us?" Yao Xia asked with bright eyes.
Yao Ran subconsciously said: "I won't go, there are still family instructions that I haven't finished copying."
Yao Xia sighed in his heart.
My cousin was punished by her eldest aunt again, and she was punished by having her family disciplined?
Grandma often said that if such a sensible and outstanding cousin were her daughter, she would kowtow in front of the Bodhisattva three hundred times a day until the Bodhisattva couldn't stand it anymore and appeared in spirit and begged her to stop.
But even a cousin like this always has endless books to copy and endless punishments to bear.
But Yao Xia could only feel sorry for Yao Ran in her heart. In front of Mrs. Pei, she did not dare to say a word.
Mrs. Pei looked at her daughter at this time, but said: "It won't be too late to copy it after I come back from Dayun Temple."
Yao Ran was stunned.
Mrs. Pei immediately looked at Mrs. Yao and said calmly: "I originally planned to go with my mother this time to pray for the saint for the great success, so I will bring Axia and Ran'er with me."
Mrs. Yao smiled and nodded: "Okay."
Although I don’t know what the eldest daughter-in-law is doing, and she goes out of her way to join in the fun, but she has no reason not to agree.
Yao Ran had a chill running down his back and his mind was in a mess.
My mother does not believe in Buddhism and has never participated in a prayer ceremony in the past years. Why is this unusual?
Yao Ran's eyelashes trembled slightly and he looked at the letter in Yao Xia's hand. For a while, he couldn't hear any other sounds.
…
"Aunt... did you cry before brother and I went? But what dispute did you have with auntie?" After leaving Mrs. Yao's place, Yao Xia asked in a low voice when she returned to Zeng's residence.
.
"I don't dare to argue with her. I just sit there and let her ridicule and scold her." There was only one dowry woman in the room, so Mrs. Zeng dared to sigh.
"What's that for?"
Zeng: "It's because of Ding'er..."
"Brother?" Yao Xia blinked: "Brother, did you offend my aunt by being naughty?"
In addition to one elder brother, she also has a younger brother, Yao Ding, who is only five years old this year.
"I provoked it, but it was not because of naughtiness." Mrs. Zeng said helplessly: "Earlier, the old lady came to me to discuss with your father and asked if we would adopt Ding'er to the eldest brother's house..."
Yao Xia's eyes widened: "Adopt my brother to my uncle and aunt?"
"What else? Your eldest uncle has a smooth career, but he has no heirs so far. It's really difficult..." Mrs. Zeng said those private things in one word: "Your grandmother is inevitably worried. Seeing your eldest aunt becoming more and more depressed in recent years,
I also have quarrels with your eldest uncle from time to time... I only came up with this method to calm your eldest aunt's heart, so that she can understand that the eldest brother will not bring in another concubine and give birth to another bastard."
"Then the eldest aunt will definitely not be happy." Yao Xia sighed: "How can our second-bedroom child catch the eldest aunt's eye? Maybe she even thinks that the mother wants to use my brother to seize the eldest uncle's property."
"You really have to say that!" Mrs. Zeng glared at her daughter, and immediately thought of Mrs. Pei's cold words, her face became a little embarrassed: "Although her words were roundabout, that's exactly what she meant.
, and it’s much uglier than this.”
"If your grandmother hadn't discussed it with us again and again, I would still be reluctant to part with Ding'er! Our family is so happy, why would we be willing to send Ding'er to suffer in front of her?"
"I was originally thinking about their long-term relationship, and she just let it go if she didn't want to. No one can force anyone, but she still said some hurtful words and treated me like a thief with ulterior motives and no reputation.
…”
Mrs. Zeng said, feeling aggrieved and about to shed tears again.
"Ever since she married my eldest uncle, it seems that the entire Yao family owes her. Everyone has to look at her face and worship her like Guanyin Bodhisattva. What evil have I done? If I had known this...
"
Seeing her saying this in one breath, she was so aggrieved that she couldn't breathe. Yao Xia took over the words and spoke as a surrogate mother: "If I had known this, even if a knife was put to your neck, you wouldn't marry my father?"
"That's right!" Mrs. Zeng cried and wiped her tears with a handkerchief.
Yao Xia sighed: "But who told my dad to be good-looking?"
"That was in the past!" Mrs. Zeng said even more bitterly: "Where can I see it now? His face, like an epiphyllum in bloom, has only been handsome for a few days!"
The mother-in-law on the side couldn't laugh or cry when she heard this - or how could she say they were mother and daughter?
At this moment, a female envoy walked in quickly.
"What happened?" Seeing the strange look on the female envoy's face, the mother-in-law asked seriously.
Mrs. Zeng also wiped away her tears and looked over.
"Madam, the aunt in the west courtyard of the Changfang...is gone." The female envoy lowered her voice and said.
Gone?
Mrs. Zeng and her mother-in-law looked at each other and their expressions changed slightly.
In the end, Mrs. Zeng just let out a long sigh: "I've been sick for so long, so I don't have to suffer anymore..."
…
The death of Yao Yi's concubine did not cause much controversy.
There was no need to delay the trip to Dayun Temple. After explaining the funeral arrangements that night, everyone in the Yao family set out early the next morning.
Chang Suining also sat on the carriage heading to Dayun Temple.
At this moment, she saw the bright yellow Luan Jia in front of her through the car curtain that Xi'er had raised.
Chang Sui Ning was distracted when a young man's voice came into his ears: "Ning Ning, the sword boy has found out everything..."
Chang Sui Ning looked at Chang Sui An who was following the car on horseback.
The young man on horseback turned slightly towards her direction and whispered: "Then Mr. Pei is indeed here too."
Chang Suining nodded, feeling more certain in his heart.
No one dares to tell the identity of the murderer until it becomes clear, but Pei's move undoubtedly solidifies the suspicion.
We have already inquired before that since the Dayun Temple was built, the Holy Emperor led his ministers to go to the temple to pray for blessings every year, but the eldest daughter of the Pei family has never been there.
"Is Pei Min, the Minister of Rites, who has been ill for many days, included in the trip?" she asked in a low voice.
Chang Sui'an shook his head: "I haven't seen that the only people from the Pei clan who came this time were Pei Min's eldest son and his wife."
That is Pei's younger brother.
Chang Suining nodded: "I understand."
A group of people drove a horse-drawn carriage in a mighty manner, and with the sound of horseshoe bells ringing, everyone arrived at Dayun Temple before noon.
When Chang Sui Ning got off the carriage at the beginning, he saw Cui Jing getting off the horse in front of him.
On the day of the ceremony, he wore a purple robe with a round collar, with animal emblems embroidered with gold thread on the chest, back and shoulder sleeves, riding boots on his feet, and a sword on his waist. Although he was not wearing armor, his aura was still cold.
He turned his head slightly and looked over as if he was aware of it. Unexpectedly, he caught Chang Suining's gaze.
Only for a moment, but he took it back calmly.
Chang Suining: "?"
Why did she feel that when the other person looked over just now, the focus of his glance was her head?
It should be noted that when she focuses on other people's heads, there is usually only one possibility - she wants to unscrew them.
At this time, many officials and their families got off the carriage one after another. Chang Sui Ning saw Yao Xia secretly waving to her among the Yao family members not far away.
Chang Suining smiled and nodded in response.
Yao Ran followed Yao Xia's gaze and quickly looked away.
Ms. Pei, who was on the side, kept her eyes straight, as if she had not noticed the movements between the little girls.
As Pei walked forward, his eyes finally fell on a figure among the officials in front of him.
At the same moment, Chang Sui'an also looked at the figure and asked the sword boy in a low voice: "That's the Minister of Dali Temple, right?"
He had met Yao Yi, but only once.
After receiving a nod from the sword boy, Chang Sui An quietly cast a serious and serious gaze——
He found that Yao Tingwei was indeed average-looking. If he scored out of 10 points, he would give it five points. One point would be added because the other person's appearance has declined in middle age. Even though Ning Ning's biological mother has
It is very beautiful. If it is diluted like this, the child born will be at least seven and a half...
Therefore, Yao Tingwei will definitely not be Ning Ning's father.
After all, Chang Sui'an completely put his heart back in his stomach.
At the front, the Holy Emperor, dressed in Tuanlong crown robe, has slowly stepped down from the Luan Yu.
Chang Sui Ning looked away, his fingers tightening slightly unconsciously.
After that farewell fifteen years ago, she thought she would never see Empress Ming again.
