Chapter 54：

Four or five days later, Mrs. Xiao finally recovered from her illness and completely recovered. She invited her daughter to the Lou family as a guest. The clan's wife, Mrs. Lou - it is impossible for Lou Yao to run to Cheng's house three times a day. He has also been drunk, and has been sent by the food and medicine government doctor, but the Lou family still does not know whether the young businessman is round or flat.

The building covers an area similar to that of the Cheng Mansion, but its location is only one lane away from the Miyagi. However, Mrs. Lou is far more strict than Yin Yan'e's mother. Shaoshang came all the way, and saw the servants coming and going, bowing their heads respectfully, but couldn't hear a single word. When she officially met, she thought she would meet a serious and thin mistress, but after meeting, she realized that Mrs. Lou had a face like a full moon, kindly and peaceful, and she looked like a good-natured auntie.

Mrs. Lou took the hand of the young businessman and scrutinized it carefully. There was an indescribable emotion in her eyes, and she turned to the second lady with a smile and said, "Brother, your bride chose very nice!"

The second Mrs. Lou was triumphant: "That's right! I also liked it as soon as I saw it, and compared all the new women in our family! It's rare that she is filial and kind, and she takes great care of Ayao. , it couldn't be better!"

Mrs. Lou, who was sitting next to Mrs. Lou, covered her sleeves and chuckled, looking submissive. Mrs. Lou smiled and said, "You and Ayao both like it, so I can rest assured."

The second lady of Lou said happily: "Sifu, then you agreed?"

As soon as these words came out, Mrs. Xiao and Shao Shang who were sitting on the side frowned and looked at each other. But the pair of concubines in the Lou family didn't realize it. Mrs. Lou smiled and said, "If I don't agree, I'm afraid that Ayao will never pay attention to me again. Tomorrow I will ask Wu Zhu to divination the auspicious day!"

Mrs. Xiao is a character who is willing to suffer, she also smiled: "It's not in a hurry, just take it slowly. My family and Ayao's father are people who promise a lot of money, and they exchanged a month ago. I received the token. Before I left Yanzhou, I heard that many people from Dong County and Shanyang County have paid a congratulatory ceremony to the Loucheng and the two. It is a virtual ceremony that cannot be decided. "

Hearing this, Mrs. Lou's expression changed slightly, and Mrs. Lou's young lady seemed to wonder why her aunt and aunt looked different.

Mrs. Lou Er smiled innocently: "I know that the jade jade that Ayao's father ordered was still my dowry when I got married. !"

Mrs. Lou smiled and said, "The second brother of the jade jade has been wearing it for many years. Now it was once given to the Cheng family as a token. Be careful I tell the second wife that you favor one over the other."

The second lady hurriedly said, "Sister, don't talk about it, I'm talking too much..." She was in a hurry and seemed to be very afraid that her bride would be dissatisfied.

Mrs. Lou smiled and stroked her brother-in-law's back, comforting: "Okay, I told you to be anxious. When did I say this kind of provocation to the boss and bride. Don't worry, don't worry about it. Hurry up." The tone seemed to coax a child.

Mrs. Lou Er was relieved.

Mrs. Xiao frowned slightly.

This kind of combination of grace and power is what she used to win over people outside. I didn't expect to see such a scene at Lou's house today. She was not only at ease with Lou Yao's mother's straightforwardness, but also worried that Mrs. Lou would not be easy to deal with.

What's more, in this hall, besides the servants, they are the only five of them eating and chatting. If the bride of the second son of the second floor is unhappy about this, wouldn't it mean that his mother and daughter will be implicated. She was unhappy, but it would be a big deal to walk away just for this matter, and she was willing to fight back verbally.

Shao Shang suddenly said: "Auntie, don't worry, I bet you, the second young lady will definitely not care about that jade."

The second lady of Lou stayed for a while, and said in disbelief: "Shao Shang, are you serious?"

Mrs. Lou looked over in surprise.

When the young master was out, although there was a handwritten letter from Uncle Lou's consent to the marriage, but he had no long possessions, he polished a silver mirror with his own hands, which means 'this heart is like a mirror, white heads do not doubt each other'. I am afraid it is all in the world Yu Jue added up, in the second young lady's heart, it can't compare to this mirror."

Mr. Lou Er was surprised and delighted: "...you're right, you're right! I forgot about it."

Mrs. Lou Dashao showed a bit of envy on her face, afraid of being seen by Jun-gu, so she quickly got up and greeted the maid to continue the fruit juice and snacks.

Shao Shang smiled and lowered his head - nonsense, compared to Lou Yao for a few months, it is impossible that Chengdu is used for romance, how can there be so many ideals in life, stars and moon to talk about, naturally want to Lou Yao The interpersonal relationship of the family and even every grass and every tree have been interrogated clearly!

Mrs. Xiao was satisfied with this gentle but firm response to her daughter. Then I thought to myself: That is to say, the marriage of the second son born by Mrs. Lou Er was decided by Lou Ji herself.

Mrs. Lou also smiled slightly, and did not seem to be unhappy at all, and then ordered the maid to call Lou Yao outside.

Lou Yao had been waiting in the outer courtyard of the corridor. At this time, Le Dian Dian stepped into the hall and almost forgot to take off her boots.

Mrs. Lou smiled as she watched her nephew get dressed up and sit in a hurry, and said, "Ayao, the bride you're looking for is really amazing, just now..." Before she finished speaking, the young man She said with a face full of madness: "Yes, auntie, you have such good eyesight. Shaoshang is smart, smart and capable. She knows everything! Father has praised her several times!"

Mrs. Lou's expression froze.

Shao Shang pretended to be unhappy, and whispered softly: "Ayao, why are you like this, the eldest lady hasn't finished talking. If you continue to do this, I will tell my elder brother and let him also Arrest you to read and write! Auntie, you go on to say, don't pay attention to Ayao..." Then she turned her head and smiled, "Auntie, don't blame Ayao, he is usually very polite. He doesn't take it seriously. Aunt is an outsider!"

Mrs. Lou Er smiled and said, "What you said is that we, Yao, know good manners, but it's better for our children to be cautious about their elders."

Lou Yao scratched his head and smirked. He felt that even when his fiancée blamed him, she was gentle and lovely, purely out of caring.

Shao Shang had a lovable smile on his face, but he was disdainful of Mrs. Lou in his heart. He is not as good as Director Xiao. You can drop ten times with one force, but this one in front of you will only secretly apply eye drops!

Mrs. Lou was silent for a moment, then smiled again: "There is nothing to say. Ayao, hurry up and find your uncle back, getting married is not a trivial matter, and many things have to be done by him. Woolen cloth."

Lou Yao's eyes lit up, he glanced at his fiancée with a smile, then bowed his hands, and quickly backed out.

After saying a few more words, Mrs. Lou asked her eldest daughter-in-law to take Shao Shang to the side hall, and their sister-in-law was going to discuss the engagement with Mrs. Xiao. Shao Shang got up slowly, his posture was supple and elegant (Sang's emergency training), Mrs. Lou Er was satisfied, and smiled almost from ear to ear.

. The sons of the two houses of the Lou family are very average, they are all four males and four females, half descendants.

With the introduction of Mrs. Lou Da Shao, Shao Shang met everyone one by one, behaved appropriately, and spoke modestly. When it was the last Lou Zhang’s turn, she glared at Shao Shang for a long time, full of anger He turned his head away, refusing to show courtesy to Shao Shang. Mrs. Lou Da Shao was embarrassed, he smiled and skipped, and then let Shao Shang sit down, and everyone started gossiping.

The women here are gentle, and even if there is something in their hearts, they will never reveal it. Everyone you say something, or joke or gossip, is very speculative. Shao Shang noticed a young woman sitting on the right, with slender brows and a dignified expression, she was the second daughter-in-law of the Lou family, the eldest daughter-in-law of the second room, and the heroine of the story of Shicai's Silver Mirror.

When Shao Shangfu saw her, he felt strange. I thought that this unsmiling young woman should be the wife of Mrs. Lou, and the eldest daughter-in-law, who was kind and even a little timid, should be the second lady's room.

Lou Zhang endured for a long time, and when he heard the female relatives praised the young businessman for being beautiful and demure for the 18th time, he finally couldn't help but sourly said: "I really can't think of it, Mrs. Cheng was in Wanjia that day. For being so vicious to Sister Wang Ji, today she is acting in a serious manner."

"Ah!" Mrs. Lou Dashao exclaimed, her eyes widened.

The girls in the hall either shouted to stop the building, or remained silent, watching the situation.

"Yeah, I didn't expect it either." Shao Shang didn't lift his eyelids, he was fighting with a girl in junior high school.

Lou Zhang saw that Shaoshang did not respond, and continued: "It is a great luck that you can marry into our family. If it wasn't for Aunt Zhaojun's marriage, where would it be your turn? You don't? I know, my grandmother loves Zhaojun's sister..."

"Ah! Say one more word, and I'll ask my aunt to come and clean you up!" Lou Yao's sister was furious and got up.

My cousin, I love you especially on weekdays.

The seventh son is only two years older than Ayao, and three years older than He Zhaojun, why didn't they get married in the first place?"

As soon as these words came out, a young woman with a light crimson robe on the left side of the hall turned red, and the rest of the people also had different expressions. But Lou's eyes lit up, and he didn't seem to dislike having a woman with strong words.

Lou Zhang was choked to death and said loudly, "That, that's because...because..." How could she know the reason at such a young age, since she was sensible, He Zhaojun and his little cousin got engaged , "Because my aunt loves Aunt Zhaojun more!"

"Oh, is that so? It turned out to be like this." Shaoshang stretched his voice and looked like he was being taught.

Lou Zhang blushed, and she felt guilty for saying this. Not to mention the inside of the Lou family, there are many people outside who know that the second lady of the Lou family is dissatisfied with the arrogant and arrogant only daughter of General He. But then again, which mother-in-law would like a bride who yells at her son, and bullies her fiance at every turn.

"Okay!" Mrs. Lou Da Shao shouted, "Ah, shut up! Hurry up and apologize to Shao Shang!"

"I don't!" Lou Zhang's whole face flushed, and he shouted, "Sis, you don't know, this Cheng Shaoshang is such a hateful person. I said that…"

"What are you talking about?!" With a stern voice, Mrs. Lou led many maids into the side hall, followed by Mrs. Lou Er and Mrs. Xiao.

Mrs. Lou's stern gaze swept across everyone's face one by one. Seeing her anger, the girls all bowed and sat down, while Mrs. Lou Da Shao murmured and did not dare to speak.

Only Mrs. Lou Er stood up leisurely and said, "Auntie, you are here just in time, A Zhangshi was just talking about the dispute between Mrs. Cheng and the concubine of the Wang family that day. He also said that young merchants are hateful people."

The faces of Mrs. Xiao and Mrs. Lou Er were ugly at this time. Mrs. Lou had sharp eyes, and when she saw Mrs. Xiao's lips move, she hurriedly took a few steps forward. With a 'pop', she reached out and gave it to her daughter A slap in the face.

Lou Zhang covered his face, not daring to believe: "Mum, you...are you...?" Although her mother was strict, she was quite lenient towards her old woman, and she was in full view at this time. Hit yourself below! The more she thought about it, the more sad she became, and tears suddenly welled up in her eyes.

Mrs. Lou was decisive and said solemnly: "Ayao and Shaoshang have already engaged, and today is her first time to come to Lou's house, yet you humiliated her like this! You will have face to face in the future. What is your cousin? Ah Yao has always treated you kindly in vain!"

Look at less business.

Lou Zhang's dissatisfaction can be seen by everyone.

The second young lady of Lou smiled lightly, took a few steps forward slowly, bowed and said, "Mrs. Xiao forgive me, please don't feel bad for Ling Ai and prevent her from marrying her. Now, Ai will get married sooner or later, so I will rarely see her in the future."

These words were bold and explicit, Mrs. Lou looked stunned, and Mrs. Lou hurriedly said: "Ayan, why do you say that!

Mrs. Lou was speechless, and her face turned red.

The second young lady of Lou smiled coldly, and said: "Auntie forgive me. Just now, Ahang also told Mrs. Cheng how auntie loves sister Zhaojun. I know that my aunt loves the younger generation, but I don't know. You actually love little sister Zhaojun so much. If I knew this earlier, I wouldn't let Ayao steal beauty, why not let the seventh brother marry Zhaojun two years earlier."

The Seventh Young Lady, who was kneeling at the back, looked embarrassed and trembled with anger. Mrs. Lou Er was embarrassed. Mrs. Xiao's face was cold and she went over to look at Mrs. Lou, her eyes clearly wanting to explain.

Mrs. Lou resisted her anger: "What are you talking about! Ah, it seems that you haven't been locked up enough in the past three months, and you are still full of nonsense, then you should face the wall and think about it. stop!"

Lou Zhang was about to speak when he was shoved by the four maids.

Mrs. Lou turned around and apologized to Mrs. Xiao and Shao Shang again and again, and repeatedly assured that she would properly discipline the building.

While the elders were talking, Mrs. Lou Er suddenly turned to Shaoshang's side, and said happily, "I don't like to be called a woman, so I will call you Shaoshang in the future, that's fine. ?"

She smiled sweetly: "Well. Then I'll call you Sister Yan too."

The second young lady of Lou smiled and shook Shaoshang's hand. I don't know when, the other two concubine brides in the second room gathered silently and stood quietly beside them, forming a trend of echoing from all directions.

When Mrs. Lou saw this situation, and then looked at her gentle and kind eldest daughter-in-law, she felt irritable.

…

On the carriage returning to the mansion, Mrs. Xiao screened the servants away, leaving only the mother and daughter in the carriage, and asked Su Se, "You already knew about the troubles of the Lou family, so you still agreed to the marriage. So happy?"

"What did you say?!" Mrs. Xiao was furious.

Shao Shang said sternly: "Mom, in life, there are often waves of torture. Eiqi and I told me the story of Uncle Wan choosing a son-in-law for more than a dozen daughters. The family background is good. A person is shallow and romantic; a person with outstanding character has too many burdens in the family; a good family background is a good person, but most of them have no talent and ambition, and they have to spend their whole life under the shadow of the family. He has a good family, is honest and honest, and never has the habit of being a prostitute. Although his talents are not obvious at present, he is self-motivated and willing to endure hardships and struggles. Mom, tell me, is this marriage very good? "

Mrs. Xiao thought to herself, if you just say that Lou Yao is obedient and willing to work, it would be better for his family.

"You have taught my brothers very well. You don't know that many people with women outside are secretly thinking about my brothers." Shao Shang smiled and fluttered. A few times of the sleeves, like a little bird flapping its wings.

How could Mrs. Xiao not know, she waved her hand, numb to her daughter's whimsy: "...Talk about you, don't talk about it."

Shao Shang was silent for a moment, then smiled: "Actually, my aunt asked me a long time ago, if someone like me who is impatient with red tape, would you not be bored to a room of brothers and sisters after marrying into Lou's house? , and wait for Ayao to get a foreign official to get the year of the monkey and the month of the monkey. I said, it won't take long. The sky will be high and the sea will be wide, even if it is not as comfortable and refined as in the capital city, but it will be much more comfortable."

"I still remember that day when I was cured, Ayao came to see me. He said that he would be a parent in the future. Because of his own temperament, he prefers to lead a small group of people in his father's work. Then, who taught him the phrase 'being a parent'?" Shao Shang smiled mischievously, "Ayao's mother, you have already I see, she will never say this. I guess, this is what Lou Juncheng said to his son. "

Mrs. Xiao looked at her daughter for a while, and said slowly: "General He sacrificed his life to save Taigong Lou. Taigong Lou has two sons, Lou Jing and Lou Ji. Later, General He proposed a conclusion. When I became a son-in-law, I thought the building’s father was kind and generous, and he deliberately gave up such a powerful in-law as the He family to the second room, but later I heard about He Zhaojun’s arrogance and arrogance, and I also suspected…”

Ever since the emperor ruthless usurped the throne in the previous dynasty, it has become a big taboo for people of the same family to live high in temples. Even for the great credit of the Yuhou family, except for Yuhou himself, His Majesty only grants wealth and honor, and does not allow heavy power. Moreover, it was not Lou Taigong who made great contributions to His Majesty at the beginning, but the deceased Lou Taigong. After Lou Taigong passed away prematurely, Lou Taigong took the title and was promoted by His Majesty. Ayao's father was unwilling to be a leader in the capital. A small official, I just went to a foreign state to be an official."

Mrs. Xiao sighed and said, "Your aunt told you everything."

Shao Shang continued: "Outsiders say Lou Tai servant is capable, but uncle said, in fact, Ah Yao's father is not inferior to his brother, he just looks gentle and does not argue, and he will rise quickly in a few years. The prefect of the county. Oh, but this thing, the bad thing is that the two brothers are evenly matched, the temple is high, and the emperor is an important minister, why can you do it, I can't do it. "

"There are even worse." Mrs. Xiao nodded, trying her best to get used to the seemingly strange situation of 'talking about politics with her daughter', "Although the Lou Taipu brothers are evenly matched, they still They can help each other and be humble to each other. But when it comes to the sons, the weakness of the eldest family can no longer be concealed. Ah Yao's elder brother, who is the number one person in the Lou family's generation, can be called both martial arts and martial arts. Ayao's two concubines have already gained some fame in Guozijian."

Shao Shang nodded: "Ayao told me... ah no, he praised his brother. Such a powerful person, but he never entered the officialdom."

Mrs. Xiao said: "Second son Lou has great ambitions and does not want to be an official in the locality. His Majesty can often read about the local experiences, customs, army and grain storage, and even policy policies.”

"Could it be that the servant of Lou will suppress his nephew? Ayao told me that his uncle treats his nephews like parents and children."

Mrs. Xiao shook her head and said: "Lou Taipu is not so dead. They are all children of the Lou family. She is from Shangshutai, but she forced Lou Taipu to appoint officials to her two sons. But there is no family where all the sons are appointed officials. The second son of Lou couldn't bear this anger, so he went out to travel."

"The eldest brother helped me to find out that several sons of Lou Taipu do have the name 'Wenhui'. But two of them did not even enter the Guozijian, saying they wanted to study with famous teachers outside The other two are really good at reading, but unfortunately they are pedantic and honest, and they don’t know how to change things. They are only worthy of being a proofreader in the writing desk. The emperor does not want such people to be magistrates. Then…”

Shao Shang smiled and clapped his hands, "Let me guess, Mrs. Lou must have said, 'Nephew, you are so capable, you will be able to be an official by yourself in the future, But your cousins ​​can only rely on the appointment of officials, you let them! But in the end, did the officials fail?"

Mrs. Xiao wanted to laugh, but said with restraint, "I heard that Mr. Lou is constantly urging his nephew to come back."

Shao Shang disagreed: "Ayao's elder brother is too arrogant. As the saying goes, too rigid and easy to break. If the aunt is unhappy, she will be unhappy. The family is prosperous, why? Can you tolerate an ignorant woman?!...Ah, grandma, I didn't mean you, you are a great contributor to the prosperity of the Cheng family!"

Mrs. Xiao frowned and instinctively wanted to reprimand her daughter for being rude to her elders, but she felt that her daughter was right, so she had to say: "Mrs. Lou was not like this before. It's very difficult. Ayao's mother can't be trusted at all. In order to support the Lou family, the eldest lady has been around, doing her best, and she is a very capable and wise person."

The best child in the clan fights for the clan?"

Mrs. Xiao was shocked and looked at her daughter in a daze.

Shao Shang saw that her eyes were drawn, he quickly coughed twice, and returned to the topic: "So, you see, the sons of the eldest lady want to raise officials, but they can't, but the eldest lady has not Giving up, I still hope that one day my son will be enlightened and become an official. Ayao's elder brother avoids the face of the long house. Isn't that our opportunity?"

Mrs. Xiao nodded: "It is indeed a good time. First, Ayao doesn't plan to enter the court, but is looking for an errand in the locality. It's too late for the recommendation, Lou Juncheng is even more happy."

Shao Shang hurriedly praised: "A mother is like a god, I admire it."

Mrs. Xiao looked at her daughter and said, "You came up with all of this yourself?"

Shao Shang said: "Yes."

Mrs. Xiao's emotions were up and down, and she asked: "Then what do you think the Lou family will be in the future?"

The good prince who passed away a few years ago has incompetent heirs, and there is no talent in the family. Even if there is a title, the family can only retreat to the place. If Mrs. Lou continues to interfere with it, the ancestors of the Lou family are afraid that they will It's a seizure. The second son of the Lou will not endure it forever. Therefore, Ayao has to hurry up and be appointed as an official before breaking the game."

Mrs. Xiao said: "You are so confident that Ayao will be like the second son of the eldest lady, and was refuted when he was summoned by His Majesty?"

"I have confidence." Shaoshang's back is straight and his eyes are firm, "I have already inquired. Although His Majesty likes people who have studied the classics, he also values ​​people who are practical. Ayao's knowledge is not good. , but the martial arts are not bad, and I will tell him how to dig ditches, build deep walls, store water and flood... Ah Yao is very smart, he can not only remember what I said, but also add what he sees and feels. He is also a human being Sincerely and sincerely, I think His Majesty will like him and will be willing to give Ah Yao a chance!"

"You, think about everything." Mrs. Xiao was both proud and bitter.

Shao Shang was silent for a moment, then said, "I always think about things myself."

Mixing society or studying, choosing liberal arts or science, how to allocate study time, how to fill in volunteers... She has always planned her life by herself.