Bend Over [ 折腰 ] - Chapter 42

[Chapter 42]

Zhongshan Country is about four or five days away from Yuyang.

Early the next morning, Xiao Qiao went out with Madam Xu.

Wei Yan was already waiting at the door. Behind him were two columns of guards of about a hundred people.

Wei Yan did not go with him because of the responsibility of staying in Youzhou. They were escorted by these escorts along the way. These guards were all from Hu Ben’s personal soldiers of the Wei family. Wei Yan selected them, not only trustworthy, but also good at fighting.

Seeing Madam Xu and Xiao Qiao coming out, Wei Yan immediately greeted him and grabbed Madam Xu who was in front of him.

Four double carriages have been parked outside the gate. The foremost car has a brass top cover, white jade inlays on the rafters, green oil on the outside, brocade on the inside, and four windows on both sides, two of which are transoms and two of which are viewing windows. extravagant.

Wei Yan helped Madam Xu down the steps and walked towards the carriage. Madam Xu looked up and saw it, she couldn’t help shaking her head and said, “I asked you to prepare a car, why did you get such a car here? It’s too extravagant.”

Wei Yan said, “How can the grandmother’s precious body be extravagant? The riding of the nobles in Luoyang is nothing. Besides, I have to walk for a few days on the road, and my grandmother is very old. I am afraid that my grandmother will get tired of riding the car, so I prepared a car that is a little more passable.”

Madam Xu said with a smile . “That’s all you can say. Well, the car is ready, can’t I sit yet? It just so happens that your younger brother and sister are walking with me. I have nothing to do with my old bones. She is pretty, and she needs to be looser on the road. You It’s also thoughtful.”

Wei Yan smiled and helped Madam Xu to board the carriage, then took two steps back to make way for Xiao Qiao, smiling, “Brother and sister can get in the car.” The

maid next to Xiao Qiao gave her hand slightly , she raised her skirt slightly with her other hand and stepped on the pier. When he didn’t want to step on the panel of the carriage, the soles of his feet slipped a little, he didn’t stand firm, and his body swayed. Wei Yan, who was a few steps away, came up with a quick stride. Before Xiao Qiao could react, he had already reached out to support her side. Lower back, he whispered in his mouth: “Brother and sister be careful.” Then he released his hand.

After a little bit of a shake, Xiao Qiao was actually able to stabilize herself, just not as quick as Wei Yan’s reaction.

She had a very bad impression of this person at first, but she later learned about his identity. These days, she hadn’t met him very much. Even if she met him in the Wei Mansion, she was polite and respectful when she saw him. Demeanor, demeanor, no disrespect, and the feeling of disgust at first because he was too rude to him when he first met gradually faded away.

At this moment, I was suddenly helped by him like this. Although I felt a little awkward in my heart, I still turned around, smiled at him, thanked him, bowed my head and bent over, got into the carriage, and sat beside Mrs. Xu.

The accompanying Zhong Ni, Chunniang, etc., and Yi Ying’s belongings all got into the first few carriages and got ready. The cavalryman opened the road ahead with his sword, and the guards rode on both sides to support. After sending him away, he kept sending him dozens of miles away, and Mrs. Xu repeatedly told him to go back, but Wei Yan stopped.

He stopped in place, and after watching the train and horse in front slowly disappear from sight along the gallop, he couldn’t help but squeeze the palm that had just touched her waist.

As soon as she held her waist, he could almost cover it with one palm, although it was only a brief touch, through the layers of clothing, the lightness and softness that touched the bottom of the heart seemed to still remain on the skin of the palm at this moment, Did not retreat.

…

After hitting the road, Xiao Qiao knew the reason why Mrs. Xu had to go to Zhongshan in person at her age.

Now the mother concubine Yuan Shi, the concubine of Liu Duan, the king of Zhongshan, is the handkerchief friend in Mrs. Xu’s boudoir, and she is like a sister. In recent years, because of the old age and the long journey, there have been fewer contacts, but the old love is still there.

Yuan Shi got seriously ill last year, and now his body is getting more and more lingering. Yesterday, Mrs. Xu received news from Zhongshan, and she learned that Yuan Shi might not be able to survive. at a glance.

“Clothes are not as new, and people are not as old.”

Madam Xu looked at the boundless wilderness outside the carriage window. She was fascinated for a long time, and finally sighed.

…

A few days later, Mrs. Xu arrived at Lunu with Xiao Qiao.

The Zhongshan Kingdom was built in the year of Jianwu. The first generation of monarchs was originally a son of the Emperor Jianwu at that time. At first, he was named Duke of Qinghe, and later became the king. He changed the fief to Dingzhou, the capital of Lunu, and now the current King of Zhongshan, Liu Duan, has been passed down for ten years. Several generations, more than two hundred years.

Just like Langya Kingdom, Jiyin Kingdom, etc., these feudal kingdoms that once represented the supreme imperial power, although the cities and lands are still in existence, their titles have not been determined, but their status has already plummeted. Zhongshan Kingdom is not bad, Dingzhou is now actually owned by Wei Shao, and the royal family can still maintain the original food and treatment. Unlike some other feudal states, the city has been squeezed by the local predators who have real power, or even completely seized.

But even so, when the carriage drove into Lunu City, Xiao Qiao looked out through the window and saw that there were still dark and dilapidated scenes on both sides of the street. The glossy lacquer leaves only a little mottled residue, which can also make people recall the glory of the past in time.

The King of Zhongshan, Liu Duan, learned yesterday that Mrs. Xu was coming, and went out of the city to meet him today, welcoming Mrs. Xu and Xiao Qiao into the palace.

Liu Duan’s seniority is lower than Mrs. Xu, not to mention now that she relies on Wei Shao’s breath to survive, she is respectful to Mrs. Xu and Xiao Qiao, enters the palace with red tape, and the reception is meticulous. , and immediately took Xiao Qiao to visit the bedridden Yuanshi.

Yuan Shi and Madam Xu were of the same age, but now the sun was setting and they were lying on the sick bed with extremely poor spirits. When Mrs. Xu held her hand and called her boudoir name, Yuan Shi no longer recognized her, her dull eyes strayed out of her puffy eyes, and she stared at Mrs. Xu without moving.

Liu Duan said that her mother has been like this since last year. She knew her originally, but now she doesn’t even respond when she calls her. Although he has been treated in many ways, he is still powerless. Thinking of her mother’s old friendship with Mrs. Xu, I was afraid that she would blame herself for not telling her, so she went to the letter.

Mrs. Xu only left Xiao Qiao, and then held Yuan Shi’s hand and sat beside the bed for a long time, talking to her a lot as if she was talking to herself. Xiao Qiao listened carefully to Mrs. Xu’s words, mostly reminiscing about her boudoir when she was young.

Mrs. Xu’s tone was calm, her tone was soft, and she didn’t show any affection. She recalled that when she was young, she sneaked out to watch the lanterns with her family during the Lantern Festival when she was young, but she ran into a handsome man who made both of them feel heartbroken. When she was a teenager, there was even a hint of joy in her tone. But for some unknown reason, after Xiao Qiao heard it, her heart slowly became sad, as if she was blocked by something.

Mrs. Xu accompanied the unresponsive Yuan Shi to talk for a long time, and it was only when the sun was setting that she brought Xiao Qiao out.

When she came out, her eyes were slightly red.

Liu Duan led the royal family to stand outside. Seeing Mrs. Xu coming out, she hurried forward and invited Mrs. Xu to the banquet. Mrs. Xu did not refuse and brought Xiao Qiao to the banquet. During the banquet, starting from Liu Duan, the guests of the royal family were all flattering to Madam Xu and complimenting Xiao Qiao repeatedly. After the banquet was over, she sighed at Xiao Qiao: “Liu’s family has been around for more than 400 years, and now it has declined so far, good luck!”

Back at the place where she stayed, Mrs. Xu seemed to be immersed in the daytime relationship with the Yuan clan before her death. Seeing the mood at the time, he has been sitting in front of the lamp, and his figure is motionless. Xiao Qiao stayed beside him silently for a long time.

Zhong Li entered and asked Mrs. Xu to change and rest, but Mrs. Xu did not move.

Xiao Qiao thought that she had worked hard on the road a few days ago, and today she was socializing again during the day, and she was about to open her mouth to persuade her when she suddenly saw Mrs. Xu looking at her and said, “I’m chatting with Yuan Shi during the day, I’m afraid you’re going to laugh. When I get older, I like to recall all kinds of things when I was a teenager. The flash of white hair is like a dream.”

Xiao Qiao said, “How dare you laugh. It’s just a grandmother, although the beauty in the mirror is spent and the years are not left, but there is also a nest. When the chicks grow up, they spend their time with each other. The grandmother is just reminiscing about the old days, and that’s all I feel.”

Mrs. Xu repeated “the nest grows up as a chick”, smiled, raised her hand and patted the back of Xiao Qiao’s hand lightly, She turned her head to Zhong Lin and said, “What this child says will always enter my heart.”

Zhong Li smiled and said, “The lady is afraid that the old lady will be too sad and will not spare her body, so she coaxed the old lady a few words, and the old lady just So happy.”

Mrs. Xu said, “Forget it, I’m tired today, so let’s go and rest early.”

Zhong Li replied. Together with Xiao Qiao, they helped Madam Xu up.

Speechless that night.

The next day, Mrs. Xu asked the imperial doctor and learned that Yuan Shi’s time was short, so she decided to stay for a few more days. On that day, many of Mrs. Xu’s clansmen came to pay their respects, and there was a lot of flattery in their words. Turning to Xiao Qiao, seeing that she looks like a heavenly man, and her demeanor is dignified and elegant, she is all overwhelmed.

The Wei family is now on the rise. Although she is young, she is the future mistress of the Wei family. She seems to be quite pleased with Mrs. Xu. She must be with her when she goes out. Countless favors. Xiao Qiao naturally refused to accept it, and returned all the way, and did not meet people in private at the request of others. After three or two days like this, Xiao Qiao returned from visiting Yuan Shi with Mrs. Xu in the evening.

Yuan Shi had difficulty breathing today, and the meaning of seeing an imperial doctor was one or two days.

When Mrs. Xu came back, her mood was inevitably low. Xiao Qiao stayed by the side to solve the problem, when suddenly there was a maid outside knocking on the door: “Old Madam, Mrs. Zuo Fengyi, the first daughter of Su’s family, knew that the old lady was in Zhongshan and came to see her.”

Xiao Qiao’s eyes moved slightly, but she quickly covered it. .

She knew that in the life trajectory of Da Qiao in the previous life, there had always been such a person.

It was just a vague, lifeless name that remained in his memory before. Now suddenly alive, it is about to appear in front of him.

Mrs. Xu seemed to be startled, and said to herself, “She was a new widow last year, isn’t she still in Luoyang? Why did she come here?”

Xiao Qiao hurriedly got up to leave, and Mrs. Xu said, “You can stay, it’s fine. In terms of seniority, I’m her mother’s aunt, and she also called me grandmother. It’s a close relationship.”

Xiao Qiao lowered her eyes and agreed. The sound is, as she just sat back to Madam Xu’s hand.

After a while, she heard a ding-dong from the ring on the door from far to near. It was slight at first, but gradually became clearer, like the rhythm and beauty of music. It is conceivable that the walking woman’s posture should be like a weak willow and wind, swaying.

A young woman in plain clothes appeared at the door.

Joe looked.

This young woman looks older than Wei Shao. At the age of 24 or 25, her blue silk is combed into a fallen horse. She has an excellent figure, and a plain clothes can’t hide her familiarity, which adds a little extra flavor to her.

Before the young woman reached the threshold, she slightly lifted her skirt and walked to Mrs. Xu under the guidance of the maid, and bowed respectfully. After the ceremony, he said: “Grandniece E Huang, I heard that my great-aunt and grandmother arrived two days ago. I haven’t seen her for many years, and I am very happy. I originally wanted to come early. I just thought that my grand-aunt and grandmother must be busy, and E-huang was afraid of disturbing my grandmother. My grandmother was on business, so she endured it. Today, I was really longing for it, and I came here rashly, regardless of the weather, but I didn’t disturb the peace of my grandmother.”

After saying that, he kowtowed again.

As soon as she opened her mouth, Xiao Qiao was a little surprised. His voice was slightly hoarse, as if he had suffered some damage.

It’s just that her words are full of rhythm, so not only is it not harsh, but it has a different charm compared to the voice of ordinary women. Mrs.

Xu seemed to be a little surprised, and looked at her with one eye: “I haven’t seen you for many years. I remember that you had a good voice in the past, how did you become like this?”

I have had an illness, but my voice has been destroyed.”

Madam Xu nodded, “It’s a pity.” She added, “Zuo Feng Yigong passed away unfortunately last year, and I also heard about it. You have to mourn, don’t be sad. Too much to hurt the body.”

Su Ehuang deeply bowed to her: “Emperor E thanks my great-aunt and grandmother for her care. I must remember the words of my elders. Emperor E originally settled in Luoyang with her husband. It is impossible to live in the country. Some time ago, my aunt and grandmother had a birthday, and the emperor E did not have the period of filial piety, so I was afraid of collision, so I could only worship my aunt and grandmother Shouji from afar. Thinking about the young emperor E, my aunt and grandmother’s love for the emperor. Taking care of me is hard to forget to this day. I hope to have the opportunity to be filial to my aunt and grandmother, so that I can repay my kindness.”

Mrs. Xu showed a faint smile: “Your filial piety has been accepted by my aunt. Now my aunt is by my side. Having a grandson to serve is very considerate, you don’t have to worry about it.”

Huang Su E finally looked at Xiao Qiao who was sitting next to Mrs. Xu’s hand, her eyes fixed on her face, and then she showed a kind smile: “She must have Is that the newlywed wife of Brother Zhonglin? I heard it two days ago, and people in the city were saying that Mrs. Yunyanhou has a beautiful face. As soon as I saw it, it really made me fall in love. The talk is mine, not my sister. My sister is here to apologize to my sister.” After speaking, he went to Xiao Qiao to show the etiquette of women meeting for the first time.

Xiao Qiao bowed slightly and bowed.

It stands to reason that Mrs. Xu should be the grand-niece who introduced her to Xiao Qiao at this time, but Mrs. Xu did not say anything. With only a faint smile on his face, he watched Su Ehuang and Xiao Qiao greet each other.

Su E Huang said: “I am fortunate enough to meet my immortal sister today. I am very relieved. If there is a chance in the future, I hope to have more contacts with my sister, so that I can live up to my love.”

Since Mrs. Xu is not for herself When introducing her, Xiao Qiao didn’t call her “Sister” as she had just said, but smiled: “Madam is very praised. I am also of the same mind.” The

smile on Su E’s face was not less than the slightest, and his eyes were fixed on Xiao Qiao’s face. After a last glance, he said to Mrs. Xu: “I finally got to see the face of my kindness. Emperor E is satisfied. My aunt and grandmother must be tired today. Emperor E does not dare to bother anymore. I will retire first, and come back to serve at another day.”

Xu The lady said: “You have a heart.” After that, she looked at Zhong Li and asked her to send it out.

Madam Xu of Su E Dynasty finally kowtowed and got up and left.

The ringing sound gradually disappeared. Madam Xu was distracted for a moment, then smiled at Xiao Qiao: “Today you are also tired, go to rest early.”

…

Xiao Qiao returned to her place of stay. Sit in the tub and take a bath.

Chunniang was behind her, rubbing her long hair gently, and slowly made a fine and white foam. Rinse with water, and the foam floats on the water surface, like a white lotus flower that is slowly getting smaller.

Xiao Qiao was a little dazed, and suddenly turned around, her two lotus arms were lying on the edge of the tub, her chin rested on the back of her hands, she looked at Chunniang and asked, “Chunniang, it’s been a while since we’ve been here, you Have you heard of the name Su Ehuang?”

[End of This Chapter]