Chapter 5

For this trip to the north, although enough time on the road has been reserved before departure, in order to ensure that we can catch up with the 60th birthday of the old lady of the Pei family next month, the itinerary is still quite compact, starting from Quanzhou Port and walking on the sea route. After passing through Fuzhou and entering the south of the Yangtze River, it turned into the inland canal, and then went straight to the capital.

A few months ago, Mrs. Song sent two confidantes to Zhen's house in Quanzhou to walk together.

Although the Song family is the in-laws of the Pei family, but when the Zhen family married a daughter, why would his family send someone to go with him?

The daughter of the Song family used to marry Pei Xiuzhi, the second son of Pei's family. Mrs. Song has only this direct daughter under her knees. After her daughter unfortunately passed away, she was very sad and cherished her whole brother like her life.

Feng Shui turns. After the young emperor died and King Shun'an became the emperor, the Song family was reused by the emperor because of his support. In the past two years, his status has skyrocketed, and his power is overwhelming. In stark contrast to this is the defeat of the Duke of Wei. .

Mrs. Pei from Duke Wei's mansion has been reclusive for the past few years, and she doesn't care much anymore. The eldest son, Duke Wei, passed away many years ago, and the second master took an idle job. The Song family inevitably became arrogant and began to neglect the etiquette. Mrs. Song often came to Duke Wei's mansion to see Brother Quan. Mrs. Xin was dissatisfied with the slave calling her maidservant, but her son had to rely on the support of the former Yue family, so he could only swallow her anger and respond with a smile.

After his son lost his wife, Mrs. Xin began to discuss his continuation, but the current Pei family is not as good as before. The new emperor dislikes the Pei family, who can't see it? The powerful family in the capital, who is willing to marry their daughter, let alone be a successor.

Mrs. Xin picked and choose, and finally set her eyes on the Zhen family.

Because of the relationship between the Zhen family and the Erfang Meng family, they have been around since the early years. Except for the lack of family, the rest of the conditions seem to be more suitable. The son is also satisfied with the daughter of the Zhen family. Great help, but the wealth of the Zhen family is exactly what the Duke of Wei’s government urgently needs right now. There is really only an empty shelf left. To maintain a good-looking outside, it will be deficient every year, not to mention, marrying low and high. Marrying a daughter-in-law who wants to see her face by herself, it is better to marry the daughter of the Zhen family. After all, no matter how bad the Pei family is, the status of the prince's government is there, and no matter how rich the Zhen family is, they have to respect their own breath.

Mrs. Xin was thinking about the marriage, and naturally she couldn't hide it from the Song family. Although Mrs. Song was unhappy with her ex-son-in-law's remarriage, no matter how long she was, she couldn't handle it. She inquired about the Zhen family and determined that the daughter of the Zhen family would be disadvantaged to her grandson in the future, so she acquiesced. After being persuaded, she proposed to recognize Jiafu as her goddaughter and give her an identity, which was not only a win over the Zhen family, but also a sale of personal favor to the Pei family.

Mrs. Song wanted to recognize Jiafu as her goddaughter, and the Zhen family should be grateful to Dade. Both of them are Madam Song's confidants, and one of them is Madam Ye, who is also Madam Song's wet nurse. After arriving in Quanzhou two months ago, he put on a pretence to "teach" Jiafu's female ring and female training.

Mrs. Meng herself came from a family of officials, and her father had also been a local high-ranking officer. How could she not understand this? In Mrs. Meng's eyes, how could her daughter's appearance and character be inferior to those of the aristocratic ladies in the capital? Knowing that Mrs. Song was just taking the opportunity to show her prestige, so that her daughter would understand that even if she married in the future, she would never be able to overwhelm her original partner. He was unhappy in his heart, but he didn't dare to show it on his face. He only paid tribute to these two women as bodhisattvas, and served them with delicious food and drinks every day.

On this trip to the north, in addition to the birthday gift for Madam Pei, Madam Song also prepared a generous gift, rhino horn, ivory, jade, pearls, as well as silk satin and spices, all of which are top treasures. As for these two Madam, after boarding the ship, will arrange to live in the best cabin and send a girl to serve, so don't dare to be slighted.

A few days after I came out, this day, the boat sailed to Fujian, and the wind and waves were slightly strong. That old lady Ye couldn’t take a boat. When she went in, she saw a dog skin plaster on her forehead, lying there, her lips were white, her eyes were staring blankly, she immediately showed concern, she sat close, took Madam Ye's hand, and said with tears, "It's all for the sake of It's because of me that you have to endure hardship, mama, and I'm really sorry, I'd rather suffer this hardship on me."

Ye Momo just vomited out all the fish meat she ate, and all the yellow gall water she vomited came out, she said weakly, "It's good that the little lady knows that it's not easy for me. It's really for your own good that I came all the way here. I went to the south, and the crime I suffered, I can’t add up to it in my entire life.”

Jiafu kept blaming herself and said a lot of good things. Before she left, she stood up and said, "Mammy, you are resting. I won't disturb you. You can eat and drink whatever you want, even if you tell the girl, it's all on board. I've seen the world, and I'm looking forward to teaching me some more truths when Mammy is in good health."

Madam Ye saw that she had a humble attitude and took herself first, and was satisfied. She gave a hum in her nostrils, which was regarded as an answer.

Jiafu didn't take it seriously, and told the little girl sent by her family to serve the mammy well. After she got up, accidentally, the purse fell to the ground. .

Wearing the auspicious amulet requested by the temple, it was normal, but Jiafu seemed to be a little flustered. Seeing that something fell out, she hurriedly bent over to pick it up, quickly turned her back, stuffed it back into her purse, and held it tightly. In the palm of his hand, he turned his head, pleaded guilty as if nothing had happened, and left the cabin.

Madam Ye's eyes are so sharp, although people who are seasick can't get up, but the yellow talisman and abnormal behavior that Jiafu fell out can't escape her eyes.

She worked tirelessly on this trip to the south. In addition to Li Wei, she also shouldered a heavy responsibility, that is, to secretly observe the daughter of the Zhen family for Madam Song to see if she has another scheming. In the past, Jiafu had always been obedient, and she didn't have the backbone. In addition to the weakness of her family's status, such a woman, even if she married into Pei's family and became Brother Quan's stepmother, she would not be able to do anything in the future. Madam Ye was already relieved. But at this moment, he was suspicious again. He stared at her back and exited the cabin, so he called the girl from the Zhen family out, and called Su Xin, the girl she brought out, whispered a few words, Su Xin nodded, and followed out.

Mrs. Meng also came to visit Mammy Ye, and when she met Jiafu in the aisle, Jiafu said, "Mother just fell asleep, mother doesn't need to disturb her anymore."

Madam Meng knew that her daughter had just visited, so she nodded and said, "Alright, that mother will come to see her later."

Jiafu turned her head slightly, and out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Su Xin sneaking her head behind her, pretending not to see it, holding Madam Meng's arm and leading her to a porthole, where the mother and daughter spoke.

Mrs. Meng felt that her daughter was a little abnormal, and said with a smile, "What's wrong? But do you have something to say?"

Jiafu accepted the smile, raised her voice slightly, and said, "Mother, there is Fuming Island in front of you, and you can arrive tomorrow. I heard that there is a Guanyin Temple on the island, and I want to go and worship."

In Guanyin Temple, Guanyin is merciful and has a good reputation. Although it takes half a day to cross the sea, there are good men and women landing on the island every day, or making wishes or repaying their vows. Every year, during the incense meeting period, countless women go to Guanyin across the sea. The temple burns incense and worships, mostly for the purpose of begging for a child. The legend is very effective. Mrs. Meng has also heard of it, and she was startled when she heard her daughter speak, and then she understood.

She was satisfied with her son-in-law Pei Xiuzhi, but every time she thought that her daughter would have a stepson waiting at the door, she found out that the child was a little naughty, and the Song family's wife was very powerful, so she was worried, and she privately hoped that her daughter would be able to pass the door smoothly. Giving birth to your own son early will help you gain a firm foothold. Since I want to pass by, my daughter said so, how can there be a reason not to agree? Said: "Alright, mother, let's go and say, tomorrow we will stop at Fuming Island, and mother will accompany you up there. It's just..."

She looked behind her, screened the girl who was following her, and said in a low voice, "It's best not to let the Song family know, to avoid more trouble."

Jiafu nodded: "I listen to my mother."

Mrs. Meng sent her daughter back to the cabin, and went to the steward to explain the call to Fuming Island tomorrow. Su Xin had just hid nearby, and had already heard the mother-daughter conversation clearly, and went back quietly to talk to Mrs. Ye. Madam Ye pondered for a while, then guessed it, and said with a sneer: "What a scheming girl, she didn't show any signs in front of me, but she turned around and started thinking of having a son! It's really shameless, it's not over yet, let's think about it first This is what happened! Since she urged her mother to go to the island, she naturally won't let us know tomorrow, let's watch."

On the next day, the Zhen family's ship really docked at Fuming Island, saying that it was going ashore to replenish some food and water. Mrs. Ye ordered a clever little servant of her own, and ordered him to stare at the Zhen family's mother and daughter secretly to see their movements. One line reports to itself. The servant took the lead and quietly got off the boat following Madam Meng and her party.

Madam Meng worshipped Buddha sincerely, took her daughter to the Guanyin Hall, made a devout wish, donated a large amount of incense money in exchange for a lighted amulet, put it in her daughter's purse solemnly, and told her to take it with her. Turned out of the hall, returned to the boat, and continued on the road.

The servant also returned to the boat and told Madam Ye what he saw: "I saw them entering the Guanyin Temple, and they asked for a begging talisman, and then they came back."

Mrs. Ye's heart was like a mirror, and it was bright. She rewarded the servant with a few coins and sent it away, and said with another woman who was traveling with him: "Look, the tail of the Zhen family fox is finally exposed. It is also a loss that I have foresight, Otherwise, you will be deceived by this girl!"

The woman was full of flattery. Madam Ye was proud of herself and was no longer seasick. She was very energetic and said, "We have to let the lady know quickly. This girl from the Zhen family seems to be loyal and kind, but she is really a fox, full of scheming. Brother Quan fell into her hands. Is there anything better?"

The next day, Mrs. Meng brought Jiafu to visit Madam Ye again. Madam Ye didn’t reveal the slightest on the surface, but she was paying more and more attention to Zhen’s daughter in secret. used to be kind and polite, just wish could arrive in the capital earlier.

Mrs. Meng was completely kept in the dark and didn't know the mystery at all. She only saw that Mrs. Ye had a good attitude towards her daughter. She thought she was moved by her daughter's diligent visit, and she felt relieved.

Jiafu remained calm, but became more and more sweet to Mrs. Ye, so they lived in peace all the way, and finally arrived today, and will be able to go ashore tomorrow.

That night, Mrs. Meng brought her daughter and went to see Mrs. Ye, screened her back, and after a few gossips, she handed out a purse and said with a smile: "These days, I really have to work on my mother, be careful, it is not respectful, and I hope my mother will accept it with a smile. There is a big one, and my mother took it herself, and the rest, please ask my mother to do it for the little ones. The big guys have worked hard."

Jiafu followed behind her mother, blushing and bowing her head, and said shyly: "When I get to the capital, I hope that Mammy can say a few good things to me."

Mrs. Ye took the purse, pinched it, knowing that it contained silver notes, she agreed, and sent out the mother and daughter of Zhen's family affectionately. After closing the door, she opened the purse and took out the two silver notes inside. Zhang Shiliang, greatly disappointed, sneered, and pouted: "I also said how generous the shot is, and you want to seal my mouth at twenty-two? You can also take the shot at a loss. There are only small households left. Get to know this."

Mrs. Meng never dreamed that the two silver notes she had kept in her purse had been quietly exchanged by her daughter. She only said that the old woman had accepted her five hundred taels. In front of Mrs. Song, even if there were no good words, at least not. It will be unfavorable, send Jiafu back to the cabin, and then leave with confidence.

The next day, Zhen's boat gradually docked.

In the late autumn of the third year of Yongxi, the Zhen family arrived in the capital.

This is also the first time after three years that Jiafu has stepped into the capital again.

The wharf was full of traffic and bustling. Not only was the Zhen family's steward dispatched to the capital in advance with a group of servants to pick up the mistress and the young lady, but also the Duke of Wei's mansion.

Madam Meng was overjoyed when she learned that Pei Xiuzhi had come to the pier in person to pick him up early in the morning. She was holding her daughter to get off the boat, but she felt that her hand was a little cold, so she squeezed one of her daughter's small hands and whispered, "Don't panic, Everything is arranged, it will go smoothly, you just wait for the peace of mind to get married."