Chapter 8：

The warm scene outside the house was staged here, and Mrs. Pei just happened to lead the people in the house to welcome them out.

Mrs. Pei called "Master Hou", helped Ming Tan up, and said with a warm smile, "I haven't seen you for five years, Ah Tan misses Lord Hou so much, she cried like a little cat."

Ming Tingyuan touched Ming Tan's head, and laughed loudly: "I see Madam raised this little cat very well!"

The smile on Pei's face deepened. She was about to answer something when suddenly someone broke into the courtyard and shouted abruptly: "Daddy!"

It is clear.

She was still wearing the red dress, and she went up and hugged Ming Tingyuan's arm, and said coquettishly, "Father, you are back at last, you brought Ah Fu and the others with you when you entered the palace, no one will practice whipping with your daughter." !"

Mingchu's set is very useful for Mingtingyuan on weekdays. After all, he was living in a remote area, and there was only such a daughter by his side, so it was natural to see what he wanted. But now, he subconsciously looked at the little daughter in front of him.

I saw his well-behaved and sensible little daughter staring at the arm that Mingchu was hugging, startled for a moment, then lowered her eyelashes silently, as if trying to hide the disappointment in her eyes.

There was a burst of inexplicable emotions in his heart. Looking at the embarrassment that was suddenly interrupted on Pei's face, he was also inexplicably uncomfortable: "What are you doing nonsense, you don't even salute your mother!"

...?

Mingchu was stunned.

"Going to Beijing is not as easy as you can do in other places. Girls, you should calm down. What kind of whip are you practicing? Learn more rules from your mother and sister when you have time!"

When Aunt Liu heard this at the gate of the courtyard, she paused.

Earlier, she went back to her own yard to rest, so she wanted to bring Mingchu to greet Mrs. Pei, but in the middle of the journey, when the servants said that Master Hou had returned to the mansion and was going to Lanxinyuan, Mingchu sped up angrily. step.

She wanted to catch up, but Mingchu had learned three-legged cat kung fu for a few years, and she walked much faster than ordinary women. When she rushed to Lanxinyuan, she just heard Hou Ye's reprimand.

She regained her composure, stepped forward and knelt down and said, "I have met Lord Hou, and Madam."

Mingchu was immersed in the grievance that her father had scolded her, and was dragged by Aunt Liu, so she reluctantly added a blessing: "I have met my father, I have seen my mother."

"Family, don't be too polite." Mrs. Pei can best show the gentleness and generosity of the mistress at this time, "Since the Marquis is back, don't stand here anymore, let's go in and set the meal."

This lunch was served in the second room of the main room of Lanxin Courtyard, and the dishes were well prepared. Stewed deer tendon, crystal elbow, pork ribs in lotus leaf, lotus tofu... meat and vegetables are all available.

Since entering the house, Aunt Liu has been standing by the side obediently, adding vegetables to Mrs. Pei's soup. Mrs. Pei asked her to rest, but she lowered her head and said cautiously: "Serving the Lord and Madam is the duty of a concubine."

Ming Ting was far silent, but he was obviously quite satisfied with her actions. Just now he was outside thinking that he shouldn't have taken Mingchu to Yangxi Road back then, and was spoiled by Aunt Liu so much that he lost all manners. Now that he thinks about it, Aunt Liu is actually doing his duty, mainly because of Mingchu's temper. Few people can manage it.

Everyone was silent.

Even the maids in this house are all elites who have experienced many years in the deep mansion, and no one except Ming Tingyuan would take Aunt Liu's attitude seriously.

Of course, Mingchu still felt aggrieved for her aunt sincerely.

After all, in the past on Yangxi Road, they were a family of three eating together, but now it's good that they can't just sit down and eat, but they have to serve that woman who occupies the position of mistress and can't lay eggs! Just thinking of this, Mingchu felt that all the delicacies in front of him lost their taste.

But at this time, Ming Tan also gave Ming Tingyuan a piece of stewed deer tendon: "Daddy, try it."

Not to mention how the deer tendon tastes, Ming Tingyuan is very satisfied with the movements of pressing her sleeves, changing the chopsticks, and silently putting the deer tendon into the small dish beside the bowl without dipping half of the sauce when pinching the deer tendon.

He is a vulgar person with extremely limited literary talent and taste, but this does not prevent him from liking to pursue literature and appreciate elegance. If not, he would not be partial to the most talented Aunt Liu among the few concubines.

Seeing that it was his daughter who was so generous and elegant, he felt a sense of comfort and pride in his heart. After tasting the deer tendon, he nodded and praised repeatedly: "Mmm, it's soft and delicious, and it tastes good!"

"As long as Daddy likes it." Ming Tan smiled and rolled his eyes.

"Why don't you like this stewed deer tendon, but A Tan specially made it for Lord Hou." Mrs. Pei also added a piece to Ming Tingyuan, "The deer tendon is extremely hard to soften, it is said that it will be hammered a few days ago Boil, simmer with broth, and then simmer again with chicken broth that has been hanging for a day. The broth and chicken broth used for simmering are also very particular. carefulness."

Ming Tingyuan ate the piece of Pei's pinch again, and felt deeply moved: "A Tan has been well-behaved and filial since he was a child. Of course, it is also thanks to his wife's careful upbringing all these years."

As he said, he made a pearl ball for Ming Tan and Pei Shi: "Don't patronize me, this dish is beautiful, you should try it too."

"Thank you, Daddy."

"Thank you, Lord Hou."

Mingchu: "..."

Only ghosts believe that Miss Jiao, who doesn't touch the spring water with her ten fingers, will make stewed deer tendon herself! It would be amazing to be able to tell the kitchen that this dish was made for her father, and it would be a filial daughter to cook, and Pei's hen, who does not lay eggs, can really talk about it!

The atmosphere on the table was undercurrent. Some people were talking and laughing, and the rice in their bowls had been poked until it lost its heat.

Just at this time, Su Xin, who had not come to Lanxin Courtyard with attendant Ming Tan, told the maid outside the door, and suddenly entered the room quietly.

Su Xin approached Ming Tan with small steps, and pushed Lue who was standing behind her, while serving the meal, she whispered a few words in Ming Tan's ear while serving the meal.

Mingchu kept staring at Mingtan, so naturally he didn't miss this scene.

Seeing Su Xin whispering a letter to Ming Tan under the table, Ming Tan still received it calmly, she had a premonition that something was wrong, so she quickly raised her voice and said, "Fourth sister, someone sent you a letter? Who sent it, the **** is mysterious." secret."

Several people at the table followed the voice and looked over.

"It's nothing, it's from the cousin of the Bai family. I asked my cousin to do a small matter before, and I thought it had a result, so she wrote to me to let me know." Ming Tan wrote lightly.

Mingchu refused to let go: "Since the meal has to be delivered, it must be very important for the cousin of the Bai family. Fourth sister, why don't you eat after reading the letter? If she is in a hurry to return, she might as well send someone to tell her."

Ming Tingyuan felt that Mingchu's words were quite reasonable, he was in charge of the military and political power, and he was most afraid of delaying the military situation on weekdays.

Seeing that Ming Tan was in a dilemma, he thought she was afraid that she would break the rules when reading letters, so he self-righteously said: "It's okay, the family doesn't pay attention to these things, you just read, and if there are any important things, you can reply in time."

Ming Tan wanted to say something, but Ming Chu didn't give her a chance to refuse, and directly ordered the maidservant who was waiting beside her: "Not yet, Fourth Sister is the most particular, how can you read the letter if you don't wash your hands?"

Soon, the veils and clear water were delivered to the eyes.

Ming Tan seemed to have no other choice but to spread the letter with clean hands.

At first, she looked normal. But she didn't know what she saw, she paused her eyes, pursed her lips, read the letter faster and faster, and her complexion became paler.

After reading the whole letter, she read it again from the beginning without giving up. It's just that after this time, she was pale and crumbling.

"What's wrong?" Ming Tingyuan frowned.

Ming Tan didn't respond, Supa covered her lips, her eyes were full of disbelief. In just a moment, her eyes turned red and tears rolled down.

Seeing the situation, everyone panicked, and Ming Tingyuan snatched the letter from her hand.

He read the ten lines at a glance. Although he didn't know what happened to the drowning in the letter, he was not a fool. The letter clearly stated:

On the day of Shangyuan, the two people who knocked Mingtan into the water had already left Beijing, and it was difficult to find them after many twists and turns after chasing them to Lizhou.

These two people are not a thief and a stolen person who have never met before, but a pair of brothers!

According to the two brothers, it was arranged long ago to bump someone into the water. The two of them got orders from Mrs. Ling Guo, and Shang Yuanye secretly followed Liang Zixuan, obeyed his orders, and acted according to circumstances.

That day Ming Tan happened to be setting off the river lantern at the pier. If Liang Zixuan found her, he would try his best to lure her to the water's edge and sing the whole scene of the hero who accidentally fell into the water to save the beauty!

"Crack!" Accompanied by the sound of slapping the table, the delicate bowls and dishes on the table shook, Ming Tingyuan was furious, "How unreasonable!"

Seeing this, Mrs. Pei quickly took the letter and read it carefully.

After reading it, she was even more shocked than Ming Tingyuan. Shangyuan Mingtan fell into the water, and the son of the Liang family covered it up. She also thought that the government of the Duke of Ling was very kind and thoughtful, and he was a friendly family, but this matter was originally written by the government of the Duke of Ling! This is too unbelievable!

"What's wrong with fourth sister, what's written in the letter?" Seeing the reaction of the three of them, she knew clearly that something must have happened, she couldn't hold back, eager to read the contents of the letter.

But it is obviously impossible for Mrs. Pei to give it to her. The Pei family has been in charge of the family for many years, and has experienced many things. Apart from being shocked and angry, he quickly understood that nothing else matters now. The most important thing is to understand why this happened and how to deal with it.

She got up and said calmly, "I'm here for lunch today, let's go."

This is Lanxin Courtyard, if Mrs. Pei said to leave, she would have to leave if she didn't want to.

Mingchu still wanted to stay and watch the excitement, but Zhang's mother blocked her and invited her out respectfully and forcefully.

Compared to Mingchu, Shen Hua was more obedient, neither listening nor asking too much. But before leaving, she subconsciously glanced at the Supa in Ming Tan's hand.

Soon, only Ming Tingyuan, Pei Shi, and Ming Tan were left in the house. Ming Tan seemed to be tense for a long time, when the door closed, he suddenly cried.

When she cried, she cried so much that it was like a pear blossom with rain, I felt sorry for her. His eyes were red, his thin shoulders were trembling, and his frailty seemed to be broken by the wind.

Ming Ting puts his hands behind his back, the pressure of fire builds up and down, he is afraid that he will frighten Ming Tan if he opens his mouth. After a while, he asked in a deep voice, "What's going on? What's falling into the water! Why don't I know!"

Pei patted Ming Tan's back and comforted him: "Master Hou, calm down first."

Immediately afterwards, she told Ming Tingyuan about Shangyuan falling into the water.

Hearing that Ming Tan didn't have physical relationship with Liang Shizi that day, and outsiders didn't know that it was Ming Tan who fell into the water, he calmed down a little.

Ming Tingyuan: "Duke Ling's mansion must have lost its mind and went insane, planning such a lowly thing!"

This is also what Mrs. Pei thinks is wrong: "It is reasonable to say that the two governments have already made a marriage contract, and Hou Ye can put it on the agenda when he returns to Beijing. It is really superfluous to design a drowning rescue."

She paused, and then said: "Unless the government thinks that this marriage may change after Lord Hou returns to Beijing."

Change, what change? The baby-marriage that Bai had made before his death, everyone in the capital knew about this marriage. Is her son dying in a hurry to trick a daughter-in-law into the house to keep chastity and earn a chastity memorial for their family? If you are going to die, dare to go into the water in winter, then you will be clean if you die under the water early!

Ming Tingyuan's words came to his lips, but he suddenly thought of something... Wait, he hasn't been in the capital for the past few years, and he didn't know many things in time. Could it be that the Duke's Mansion is involved in some serious matter that cannot be dealt with? , must use the marriage to tie Ming Tingyuan to the same boat?

Officials can get involved in everything. Seeing Ming Tingyuan's serious face, and not knowing where he was, Ming Tan hurriedly choked up and said, "Actually, my daughter knows why the Liang family is like this..."

Word by word, she told the whole story of what she had heard in the study of Duke Chang's mansion.

"We got married with my cousin, and gave birth to a two-year-old boy?" After hearing this, the shock in Ming Tingyuan's and Pei's hearts was beyond words.

Ming Tingyuan: "Why didn't you say such a big thing earlier!"

Ming Tan shed tears as he lowered his eyes and said: "...My daughter thinks that this marriage was decided by her birth mother, and I heard that their Liang family has some roots in the official department. My daughter doesn't know the government. The promotion evaluation that affected Dad's transfer back to Beijing..."

"What kind of thing is the Liang family! It can also affect Lao Tzu's transfer and promotion!" Ming Tingyuan was furious, and even "Lao Tzu" jumped out.

"Daddy, don't be so angry."

Look, it's this time, and I'm worried that he will be blown out of anger. His daughter was born so graceful, well-educated, educated, gentle and dignified, and also understands that the overall situation is the most important thing, and filial piety is the first priority in everything. She is simply a model of a famous lady who can't be found with a lantern. How can she allow the Liang family's immoral Li Zizi to be so cruel? !

"Don't be afraid, Ah Tan, I will decide this matter for my father." Ming Tingyuan's heart was so angry that he couldn't bear it for a moment, he slammed the door and walked out after speaking.

"Lord Hou, Lord Hou!"

Mrs. Pei didn't stop, and hurriedly comforted Ming Tan with a few words: "A Tan, the Marquis will definitely decide this matter, but it is inappropriate to be so impulsive. You don't need to worry, let Su Xin Lue serve you first Go back and rest, I will go to Master Hou to have a good discussion."

Ming Tan was thinking about this, she nodded and said, "Mother, you must persuade Daddy."

Pei didn't say any more, and hurriedly chased him out.

Su Xin and Lu E listened to the cries and roars outside the house for a long time, they couldn't help worrying in their hearts, and got Pei's order, they hurried into the house.

"Miss, miss."

"Miss, you didn't—" Su Xin didn't finish her words, and suddenly stopped in place.

The house was silent.

Most of the delicacies on the table have not been touched.

Her young lady sat at the table, fanned her eyes with her hand, and refilled herself a cup of tea slowly.

"... Are you okay?" Su Xin finished the second half of the sentence subconsciously.

Ming Tan said: "It's nothing serious, it's just that the veil you dipped in is really spicy."