Chapter 36

Two flowers bloom, one for each, Zhen Yiyun was thinking about his own affairs, and Zhen Tingyun just walked to the entrance of the main courtyard.

Speaking of which, Zhen Tingyun really didn't come to ask for something - although she hated Pei's eccentricity, she wasn't so stingy.

On the other hand, Mrs. Pei felt strange when she heard that her younger daughter came here at this time. She put on her clothes again and came out of the back room, and asked with a smile, "Why are you here at this time..." Seeing that her daughter didn't hold a hand stove or anything, it seemed that It was a little cold, so he held his daughter's hand in his palm and asked softly, "What's the matter?"

Zhen Tingyun also didn't see him outside, and said directly: "I heard from the big sister that she is going to attend the tea party of the Poetry Society of the little princess tomorrow."

Hearing this, Pei's face was a little uncomfortable, but she still comforted her daughter in a warm voice: "Aren't you planning to take the women's school, you don't have to take these things to heart. When you go to the women's school in the future, when you are older, At that time, many people will invite you to some poetry society tea party."

As she said that, she patted the back of Zhen Tingyun's hand and said with a smile, "Don't be in a hurry."

Zhen Tingyun nodded rationally, and added: "Mother is right, I think so too. So, I want to ask my mother: Last time you told me about the Zhuangzi who can run horses in the suburbs, I understand that. If I can go there, just stay for a few days, relax for a few days, run horses, and practice riding and archery. In this way, I will have more confidence when I take the women's school entrance examination in the future."

If it were in the past, Mrs. Pei had to think about it carefully. After all, that Zhuangzi had been handed over to Zhen Yiyun, and although it was never given to her, it was considered a dowry for her. It's just that Zhen Yiyun is going to go to the invitation of the little princess tomorrow, but the young girl can't follow. If she is told to stay home and study at home, Mrs. Pei will feel sorry for her.

So, Mrs. Pei only paused, then nodded and replied with a relaxed tone: "Alright, you are bored at home reading books all day, and I'm very tired looking at it. It's time to go for a walk outside and change your mood, It's not bad to get bored. I'll send someone to tell you to go down later, and get the carriage ready for you, so you can go there in the morning or noon."

Zhen Tingyun answered in a crisp voice, and after thinking for a while, he added: "I see that my grandmother is very bored at home these days, why don't I ask my grandmother to come with me to live in the village for a few days, right? "

Speaking of Mrs. Zhen, the smile on Pei's face also faded.

On the other hand, when Father Zhen heard this, he was greatly relieved. He felt that his daughter was indeed filial, and immediately responded through the screen: "That's good! It's a pity that I have to go to court tomorrow for my father, otherwise I'll be able to accompany you. Let's go together." He discussed with Mrs. Pei, "Tomorrow the weather is fine, so I'll ride a horse. My carriage is just reserved for my mother and sister Ting. It's still a little cold in the morning, you remember to ask the next person to clean up the carriage and the mattress. It's not easy to make the mother and sister Ting suffer on the road if they are thicker."

Mr. Pei hesitated for a while: "There are only two carriages at home. I originally thought that after the master goes to the office, the big carriage will be vacated for Sister Yi, and the small one will be reserved for Sister Ting..."

"Sister Yi is just here to play, and she's the only one who goes there, how can you use such a big one." Zhen's father said casually, "It's the mother and sister Ting, the big one and the small one, who should sit more safely. can rest assured.”

Pei Shi sighed and was a little worried: "I'm just afraid that Sister Yi will lose face in front of the county master and the others." As parents, they always want to give the best to their children, at least not to shame them.

"What's going on in our family? Is it possible that the county master doesn't know? Since he invited her to go, he won't care about such trivial matters as the carriage." Father Zhen is not as careful as Pei's, and he speaks very casually. , said casually, "If you want me to tell you, it is very solemn for you to buy jewelry and new clothes for Sister Yi for this matter. You don't need to worry too much about such a small fact as a carriage."

Listening to Zhen's father mentioning the jewelry and new clothes, Mrs. Pei couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Out of the corner of her eyes, she looked at Zhen Tingyun. Although she felt that everything she did was reasonable, facing her daughter, she didn't know why. Feeling a little disappointed.

Seeing that the young girl's face was the same, Mrs. Pei was relieved just now, and she took the words vaguely: "Okay, I think too much, just follow the words of the master."

After sending her daughter out, Mrs. Pei turned her head and said to Father Zhen, "Why are you saying everything?! If Tingyun knew that I only added jewelry and new clothes to her sister, she would be uncomfortable. "

Zhen's father just felt inexplicable: "Is it possible that if I don't say it, she won't know about Tingyun?"

Pei: "...I really can't tell you."

"I can't tell you clearly." Father Zhen was also a little annoyed by her, so he simply pulled the quilt and lay down.

Mr. Pei sighed, and had to go back and talk to him for a while, and managed to coax people a little bit more.

******

After leaving home, went to Zhuangzi to stay outside for a few days, and could not only bring Madam Zhen to relax, but also practice riding and shooting outside.

Zhen Tingyun came out of the main courtyard, feeling a little excited, so he walked briskly to the old lady Zhen's courtyard, thinking about telling the old lady Zhen about this.

It was so late, and Mrs. Zhen had to take a break, but when she saw her granddaughter coming, she thought it was a big event, but she was taken aback.

Fortunately, Zhen Tingyun was also neat, and immediately told the matter.

When Mrs. Zhen listened, she was also overjoyed, and said repeatedly: "Yes, we have been in the capital for several months, so it's time to go out for a walk."

Seriously, it can be seen from this that the relationship between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law is not good, and the mother-in-law Zhen is secretly suffering—if the daughter-in-law is sincere and filial, then the mother-in-law can be very good and proper; With such a filial face, Mrs. Pei provides good clothing and food. She just puts you in the yard like a Buddha, and accompanies her husband and children to say hello every few days. Just call Mrs. Zhen depressed.

After all, Mrs. Zhen came from the countryside, and even though life was hard in the countryside, she could still be considered at ease. From time to time, there were seven aunts and eight aunts who came to chat, which was quite enjoyable. But now? She was a country woman who came to the capital, but she didn't understand anything. She didn't know how to go out to socialize and socialize, so she had to close the courtyard door and stay inside so that she couldn't get out. Although Father Zhen is also a filial son, he is filial and filial, but he is busy with official business and can't take care of a lot on weekdays, so he can only come over from time to time to sit and talk for a while. The grandchildren below are also grown up. Zhen Yiyun is going to go to women's school, Zhen Tingyun is going to prepare for women's school, Zhen Hengzhe also has his own homework, and each has his own business to be busy with. There are only Liushun and Bazhen left who can talk, so don't you feel bored?

Of course, it is Mrs. Zhen who is bored. According to Mrs. Pei's thoughts: it is delicious and delicious, and there is someone waiting on the side, so you can do whatever you want. It's very good that she can live such a life now. Even Father Zhen couldn't say anything - he knew the old grudge between his mother and his wife. Seeing that his wife never treated his mother badly, he even treated them with courtesy, and he could not ask for more when he led his children to greet him from time to time. , or else there will be an accident at home.

Because of this, when Mrs. Zhen heard that she could go out to relax, she was really happy, grabbed Zhen Tingyun's hand and asked a few questions, and blamed her granddaughter: "You too, why didn't you say such a good thing earlier? You should say it earlier. , This black light is blinding fire, I am so happy that I can't sleep again..."

Having said that, Mrs. Zhen really didn't sleep anymore, so she was excited to get up and pack up the things that her grandparents and grandchildren went to Zhuangzi.

Zhen Tingyun stopped the person and comforted him: "It's my own village, we're just going to stay for a few days to relax. There should be nothing short of it... By the way, we still need to bring Ma Lantou with him. ."

Speaking of Ma Lantou, Zhen Tingyun couldn't help but think of Yuan Hui again, and secretly said: Maybe tomorrow can go to Yuan Hui to take a look. If Yuan Hui happens to be at the Xishan Courtyard, she may be able to ask Yuan Hui for some advice on riding and archery...

Madam Zhen had long since forgotten all about Yuan Hui and so on, but at this time, she was babbling about Zhuangzi with her granddaughter: "Silly girl, although this is to relax your mind, you can't be at all distracted. Previously, your mother As I said, this Zhuangzi is going to be given to you in the future, so let’s go check it out this time and plan well. I heard that this Zhuangzi in the suburbs of Beijing has a lot of promise in a year.”

Back then, Mrs. Pei was in Mrs. Zhen's yard, and she hurriedly promised "if you pass the exam, what is a Zhuangzi?", Mrs. Zhen remembered it firmly. Moreover, she had long regarded her granddaughter's Zhuangzi as her own, so she naturally had to plan carefully in the future.

Zhen Tingyun actually didn't have much confidence in taking the women's school entrance examination, but looking at Mrs. Zhen's excited appearance, she was still cruel, and directly drew a big cake: "Grandma, don't worry, I will take the test when I come back. Nvxue, mother gave me Zhuangzi, then we can go every day."

"That's the reason." Madam Zhen patted her granddaughter's head, thinking that it was getting late, and both of them were going to Zhuangzi tomorrow, so she simply left Zhen Tingyun in her courtyard to rest.

The grandfather and grandson naturally spoke a lot of private words that night, chattering, and fell asleep in the middle of the night.

It wasn't until the second day that Zhen Yiyun knew that the carriage that Pei had promised him was gone.

Zhen Yiyun was so angry that he was half dead, and immediately remembered that Zhen Tingyun went to the main hospital last night: "Okay!" Originally thought she was in a hurry to ask for something, but she didn't expect to sue her and rob her carriage!

In the end, it was the Poetry Club tea party of the little princess that was more important. Although Zhen Yiyun was angry, he suppressed his anger and turned to act like a spoiled brat with Mrs. Pei: "Mother, didn't you agree that you will leave the big carriage to me this time? I went over like this. , how bad the little princess and the others have seen."

Although Pei Shi also blamed Zhen's father last night, but the husband and wife will not change their minds about the good things, so they only say: "Your grandmother and second sister are going to Zhuangzi to relax, your father means, Your grandmother is weak, so the carriage and horses still need to be more stable."

Zhen Yiyun tilted his head and whispered: "When can't go to Zhuangzi, why do you have to go at this time?" Really intentionally adding to the crowd! Moreover, that Zhuangzi, Pei Shi originally promised her!

Pei glared at her: "Why, you can go to the banquet, but your second sister and grandmother can't even go to Zhuangzi?"

"That's not what I meant." Zhen Yiyun wanted to say more, but met Pei's stern gaze, and had to reluctantly nodded, "Okay, I see."

Mrs. Pei nodded her daughter and coaxed her with Father Zhen's previous statement: "Since the county master has the heart to invite you, he won't worry about such trivial matters as the carriage, so don't think too much about it."

Zhen Yiyun knew that Pei's idea would never be changed, so he had to answer one by one, but he hated: he was the bottom one in this banquet, but he couldn't be worse than others in everything, right? If so, how could the princess look down on her? How would you recommend the Prince of Yan for her?

The more she thought about it, the more annoyed Zhen Yiyun became. She had been so complacent last night that she had already forgotten all about her, but she was so angry that she gritted her teeth and felt that Zhen Tingyun was her nemesis. Otherwise, why would she choose to go to Zhuangzi today? Take the carriage she ordered?

But now she is in front of Mrs. Pei, Mrs. Pei has made up her mind, and she has those precedents, so she can only squeeze out a smile to be a good sister at this time.

Of course, Zhen Yiyun would still be able to say a few words from side to side. Therefore, Zhen Yiyun only paused for a while, then laughed quickly, and said, "Mother, since you are going to Zhuangzi, why don't you follow along?"

Hearing this, Mrs. Pei felt a little uncomfortable in her heart: Although it is filial piety for her daughter to bring her grandmother when she goes out, doesn't this leave her own mother behind? Originally, I just felt awkward, but when the eldest daughter mentioned it like this, I also felt that the younger daughter was really not very thoughtful.

Of course, Mr. Pei still had to say something on his face: "How can I get away from a bunch of things at home."

Zhen Yiyun knew that his words had entered Pei's heart, so he took Pei's hand and said something or not, and waited until the time was almost up, and then led the girl to get up and come. Before leaving, she also said: "Mother, wait for me to come back and have dinner together at night."

Hearing her words, Mrs. Pei felt more appropriate in her heart, but replied with a smile on her face: "You are busy with yourself, don't rush back."

Compared to Zhen Yiyun, who was sulking when he woke up in the morning, and pulled Mr. Pei to say something grunt, Zhen Tingyun and Mrs. Zhen got up late.

Of course, this is mainly because they talked in two nights, they talked happily, and they went to bed later and naturally got up later. However, staying in bed is sometimes beneficial to the body and mind, especially for Zhen Tingyun, who used to get up early to practice calligraphy, or an old man like Zhen who sleeps less, both of them felt very good when they got up in the morning . The grandfather and grandson washed and changed clothes, and soon sat down and asked someone to prepare breakfast.

After more than ten years of getting along, Zhen Tingyun and Mrs. Zhen have very similar tastes: white porridge with side dishes.

Now in March, the dishes on the table are gradually enriched. Especially now that the spring bamboo shoots are fresh and tender, people are asked to cook it and serve it with white porridge.

Madam Zhen drank the hot porridge, her stomach was relieved, and she was in a good mood. She casually chatted with her granddaughter: "Your father got up early to go to the court. Why does your eldest sister go out so early?" It's not that early to play.

Zhen Tingyun drank the porridge from the porridge bowl, and said casually: "Leave early and arrive early, maybe you can talk more with the host." She guessed that with Zhen Yiyun's current identity, she must be more attentive to the little princess. Yes, if you go earlier, you might be able to please people.

Mrs. Zhen's impression of Zhen Yiyun was not very good, so she changed the subject after a few words: "Don't talk about her, you can be quicker, and we'll go to Zhuangzi after eating."

Having said this, both grandparents and grandchildren had great appetites, and they ate a clean breakfast in no time, and they called Liushun Bazhen and the little girls Pinglan Qiusi to follow, and they sat in the carriage that had been prepared earlier. Went to Zhuangzi.

When the eldest daughter left, she knew to say, "Wait for me to have dinner together at night." When it was the younger daughter's turn, she just put on an air and said, "Mr. Pei, I will leave everything at home to you, the second girl and I. I'm leaving……"

Pei shi didn't like hearing it, so he gritted his teeth and sent the person away. Then he turned to look at his account book, and he couldn't help sighing: the child really needs to be raised by himself before kissing. The eldest daughter, Yiyun, is fine, just like the youngest daughter Zhen Tingyun, who only kisses her grandmother.

Mrs. Pei felt uncomfortable here, and Mrs. Zhen also said to her granddaughter on the carriage: "I see that you are also quick-talking on weekdays.

Zhen Tingyun lowered his head and fiddled with the tassels around his waist, pretending to be stupid: "What did you say, grandmother?"

Madam Zhen was so worried about her granddaughter, she stretched out her hand and poked her forehead, angrily saying, "You're still pretending to be stupid?! I know best about your mother—she is a person who loves face and loves to listen to good things. What if you, as a daughter, see your mother and say something nice to coax her? But you are like a stubborn donkey, you can't make a sound with a stick! Your mother's face is black."

Zhen Tingyun had no choice but to go up and act like a spoiled child: "I'm not afraid that your grandmother will be jealous."

"My mother is so jealous!" Seeing that she didn't respond, Mrs. Zhen couldn't hold back for a while, and let out a scolding, then she said in a low voice to her granddaughter, "It's because I'm a mother-in-law. Yes, I live by my son, so I don't have to look at my daughter-in-law's face. On the contrary, she, no matter how unconvinced she is, she has to pretend to be filial. But you are different, you are a daughter, and the other side will not say , If you are not filial, I don't know how many people outside are going to gossip..."

Speaking of which, Mrs. Zhen has been dissatisfied with the old and the soft for half her life, so she couldn't help but sighed, turned her eyes towards the car window uncomfortably, and said in a low voice, "Besides, you are also old, grandmother is old and useless. , when the time comes to show you the marriage, you will have to ask your mother to come forward. If she doesn't feel bad for you, it's much worse here. Girl, a daughter's marriage is a reincarnation, so it's not good to delay it. "

Zhen Tingyun listened, his heart was sour and soft, and his eyes were a little astringent, so he could only hide his nod, and vaguely replied: "Grandma, don't worry, I know what I know."

Madam Zhen didn't persuade her much.

She also hadn't gone out for a long time. She lifted the curtain of the car and looked out. She couldn't help but smile at the scenery outside. While looking at it, she asked Zhen Tingyun about Zhuangzi every sentence, such as: How many acres of land does Zhuangzi have? Plant what? Can you raise chickens? How was the harvest? Is there a place to set foot and so on.

In fact, Uehara said this last night, but Mrs. Zhen couldn't help but want to ask a few more questions. Although she had a good time at Zhen's house, she was sitting in the car now, with the curtains open and looking at the scenery outside, smelling the fragrance of the grass and trees in the air, her face felt uncomfortable. With some relaxed meaning, just feel that the whole person is much more relaxed.

Zhen Tingyun was also in a rare good mood, looking out from the side of Mrs. Zhen.

It is now March, and the suburbs of the capital seem to have been drunk by the spring breeze. The branches are green, and the spring is sprouting. Even the breeze that leaked in from the car window was gentle, as if it carried the sound of catkins and birdsong in March.

Zhen Tingyun couldn't help thinking: At this time, there must be some wild vegetables in Zhuangzi, but they can pick some and send them to Yuan Hui.

I just don't know if Yuan Hui will accept it or not?

 …

After a lot of thought, the carriage arrived at Zhuangzi smoothly.

******

The Zhuangzi of the Zhen family is actually not as big as imagined, but it is only 20 acres of land, with a small pond dug in the middle, less than half an acre, just to raise some fish and shrimp. There are several farm houses for people to live by the pond. The buildings are ordinary, and they are quite simple in the fields of others.

For the Zhen family, such a small Zhuangzi is also extremely rare. Otherwise, Zhen Yiyun would not have set his sights on this Zhuangzi as his future dowry.

Since it was already noon when they arrived at Zhuangzi, Zhen Tingyun and Mrs. Zhen had lunch in Zhuangzi.

Zhuang Tou is quite clever. heard that the old lady of the host family brought her granddaughter here to relax. Naturally, he took some thought and made several good dishes based on local materials: grilled fish, mustard greens mixed with oil, cabbage and tofu soup, and more. There are hibiscus eggs fried with shredded bamboo shoots and shredded mushrooms and steamed rice with bacon.

It’s not particularly rare, and most of them are made on the spot—the grilled fish is grilled with freshly caught fatty fish in the pond; the mustard greens and cabbage are all picked from the ground, and the eggs are also hot eggs that were touched in the morning… Mainly It is fresh and real, and it tastes delicious.

Mrs. Zhen especially liked the bacon rice. She looked at the thin slices of bacon on the white rice, and then looked at the shiny rice underneath. She took a deep breath and felt that the smell was fragrant. She told her to swallow. saliva.

Zhen Tingyun reminded her vigilantly: "You don't want to eat too much greasy food, this bacon...you can only eat one piece at most!"

Madam Zhen tutted her mouth: "It's rare to come out, it's boring for you to say this."

Zhen Tingyun hummed: "It's too much! I don't know how much oil and water there is in this meal!"

"Okay, one piece is just one piece." Madam Zhen was afraid that her granddaughter would not even give herself any food, so she waved her hand, "You have too many things to do!"

While speaking, Zhen Tingyun had already picked up a piece of steamed bacon with chopsticks and handed it to Mrs. Zhen.

Madam Zhen was satisfied and slowly ate the bacon.

Zhen Tingyun, who is on the opposite side, took a bite, and then ate some mustard greens or cabbage tofu soup, which was so greasy.

Mrs. Zhen couldn't help staring at her: I just gave her a piece of bacon, and she ate it deliciously!

Zhen Tingyun naturally noticed Mrs. Zhen's gaze, she didn't blush at all, and blinked her eyes: "I've been reading books and practicing calligraphy since morning and night, and I've lost a lot of weight, so I can only eat more to make up for it! "

Mrs. Zhen: "!!!"

Zhen Tingyun also brazenly showed off and added: "Besides, I don't eat fat, what does it matter if I eat more."

Mrs. Zhen really wanted to hit her granddaughter's head with chopsticks!

The two grandfathers and grandchildren finished their lunch talking and laughing, and Zhen Tingyun went to the kitchen again—although Zhen Tingyun had thought about taking Ma Lantou out for a run earlier, to practice riding and shooting, but she usually work at home, but when go out the door, feel that the tightness in chest has also dissipated a lot.

Therefore, Zhen Tingyun simply wrapped some mustard-filled dumplings with the mustard that Zhuangtou had just picked. Then, she packed the dumplings with the food box, and said to Mrs. Zhen, "It's a rare trip, so I packed some mustard dumplings, and just in time, I sent some to Mr. Yes, grandma, if you want to eat it, it's good to ask someone to cook it and make a snack."

Madam Zhen thought that Yuan Hui would leave, but only last time did she know that Yuan Hui was still living near the capital. Thinking about the purple jade flute that Yuan Hui had given to Zhen Tingyun earlier, she did not stop her granddaughter. The meaning is, just said: "Does your husband still lack so many dumplings? Where is it worth running around."

Zhen Tingyun said casually: "The courtesy is light and affectionate. Besides, I don't know if he is in another courtyard today, it's just a gift on the way."

Mother Zhen thought that as soon as Yuan Hui raised her hand, it was a purple jade flute, and Zhen Tingyun's diligence as a disciple was also due, she waved her hand and called her granddaughter to go.

Zhen Tingyun got on the carriage, and after thinking about it, he brought Ma Lan's head with him. Shooting or something, heard that there are many wild animals in the mountains...

Thinking of this, Zhen Tingyun was even more looking forward to Yuan Hui being in the Xishan Courtyard.

It was also a coincidence—Fu Changxi really came to Xishan Courtyard on this day.

Since returning to Beijing, Fu Changxi has been very busy, busy recalling old events, busy with the little emperor, busy dealing with the Queen Mother Zheng in the palace and a few old foxes in the cabinet, busy handling the government... After a bit of time, the eldest princesses somehow seemed to have made an appointment. They came to the palace one by one to look for him to talk to, or cried and recalled the matter of Emperor Wu's concubine, or laughed about their descendants. Interesting things, or bring a few beautiful and lively girls, in short, he is persuaded to get married as soon as possible.

Fu Changxi was really impatient to deal with them, but in terms of seniority, she was his aunt, so it wasn't too rude, she just had to respect her. On this day, he also got free time. In order to hide from people, he simply left the city early and came directly to the Xishan Courtyard.

As a result, he was stealing for half a day, sitting alone in the room to adjust the strings, and he heard someone from outside reporting—

"Your Highness, Miss Zhen is here."

Fu Changxi raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard the sound, and then nodded: "Call her in."