The Moon Over Tang Dynasty Chapter 71

 Chapter 71: Family The deep love between brother and sister

Even though it was not the first time that he passed Chengtianmen, when the car drove up the flat bluestone of Chengtianmen Square, Liuli still lifted a corner of the car curtain and looked out for a moment. Under the clear light gray sky in the early winter morning, the outline of Chengtian Gate becomes more solemn and concise, which is breathtaking.

 In total, more than a year has passed since she first saw Chengtianmen. Over the past year or so, the things she has experienced can be described as thrilling, but looking back now, she does not feel too uneasy - maybe some things are a little far away from her after all, maybe it is because she has been busy in recent months. Luan, in addition to painting embroidery patterns, is also painting boundary paintings. It seems that I am more suitable to live a peaceful life as a painter... While I was thinking about it, I heard Mrs. Wu sitting opposite laugh and say, "Looking at you like this, is it possible that you still can't bear to part with it?" Out of the palace?"

Liuli came back to her senses and smiled, "There are indeed some. In the palace, Zhaoyi and his wife are involved in everything. Now when we leave the palace..." Of course, what she misses is not this kind of life of relying on others, but, compared to several What we will face in a few months, although the days in the palace are full of crises, may not be so confusing.

Mrs. Wu paused and said with comfort in her tone, "Don't worry, since mother has told you, she will definitely help you."

Liuli could only smile and nod in appreciation, but her heart didn't feel much relieved.

Mrs. Yang was even more wary of Wu Zetian than she was of Wu Zetian. After more than a year in the palace, she believed that Wu Zetian had some affection for her, a person who was of some use but not threatening. At least When she said goodbye this morning, the faint emotion in her eyes was probably not fake. As for Mrs. Yang, her smile is too kind, her words are too warm, and her attitude is too impeccable. Perhaps for the sake of Pei Xingjian being a close official of the Emperor, she would try to give herself some help and some dignity, but it would never be possible for her to support her in disobeying that giant family, and that family...

The carriage rumbled, and the tall yellow palace walls of Taiji Palace gradually disappeared outside the carriage window. It didn't take long before they arrived outside Duke Ying's Mansion. They entered through the side door of the main gate and stopped at the entrance of the inner courtyard.

When Liuli got out of the car, Mrs. Yang, who was in the car in front, had already gotten out of the car. The wet nurse was holding Yueniang and followed beside her. Several people waiting at the second door greeted her with smiles. Judging from their clothes, they seemed to be all dressed up. Some of the maids, nuns, and the like came over to greet Mrs. Wu, while others turned back and said, "Erlang, Madam is over here."

I saw a thin young man coming out from behind the crowd, it was Helan Minzhi. Because he was still young, Madam Yang would occasionally take him with her when she came to the palace to visit her two daughters. However, she had not seen him in the past six months. He seemed to be taller, and he was wearing a sky-blue robe, which made him look even more... Her face looked as beautiful as jade, but for some reason, her brows were somewhat gloomy. She raised her head and glanced at Mrs. Wu, then lowered her head.

When Mrs. Wu saw him, she didn't care. She took two steps forward and grabbed him, "Minzhi, why do you look so bad? It's already cold, and you're not wearing enough clothes."

Yueniang, who was yawning in her nurse's arms, saw her mother calling her brother's name. Her eyes immediately lit up, she got off the ground and ran to his side, "Brother!"

He Lan Minzhi then showed a smile on his face, touched Yueniang's head, turned around and saluted Mrs. Yang and Mrs. Wu, and returned to his appearance as a polite and elegant young man. Mrs. Yang smiled and said, "Minzhi, haven't you seen your Aunt Kudi?"

Helan Minzhi was stunned for a moment, then raised his eyes and saw Liuli, a look of inquiry flashed across his face, and then turned into a flawless salute and smile, "Minzhi has met my aunt, thank you for taking care of your mother and sister. ”

Liuli returned the gift with a smile and said, "I don't dare take it seriously." Several maids from the Wu Mansion looked at each other secretly, and also hurriedly smiled and yelled, and then they walked back all the way with a few people in their arms.

When Liuli lived in the Wu Mansion before, he came in and out several times through the corner door in the backyard. This was the first time he entered through these two doors. After looking carefully along the way, he saw that the Wu Mansion seemed to occupy an extremely large area, but the terraces and courtyards were quite large. It's not luxurious, the flowers and trees are lush, and some of the concubines look like they are quite old.

It was indeed a long way from the second gate to Mrs. Yang's yard. It took nearly an hour to arrive. When I sat down in the upper room, a maid served the newly-brewed lotus seed syrup. Mrs. Yang took a sip and said with a smile, "Liu Li" "If you don't mind living with me, why not live in my courtyard from now on?"

Liuli was slightly surprised and said with a smile, "Of course I can't ask for it. I'm just afraid that the old lady might think I'm disturbing."

Mrs. Yang squinted her eyes and smiled, "These days, there are often people coming and going here, just ladies, there are also people who come with young ladies, how can I care about it? Mrs. Shun is impatient to accompany me. I am entertaining people, and besides, Mei Niang has asked her to accompany her, if she is willing, she can help me entertain some young ladies, what do you think?"

Liuli was stunned for a moment, then bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, madam." This was to formally bring her into the social circle of the female relatives of Tang Dynasty officials. Her father heard that he had passed the civil service election and was now a clerk in the Ministry of War Yamen. Although he was considered a "low-ranking official", Mrs. Yang had her own plans.

Mrs. Wu thought about it for a while and understood, and sighed, "Mother, Liuli won't follow me to the palace?" There was a bit of reluctance in her tone. Although Liuli didn't talk much, she was a good person. Good company, Yue Niang also likes her...

Mrs. Yang glared at her, feeling a little helpless towards this daughter who didn't know her priorities. After thinking about it, she sighed, "It's not like you don't know. Liuli is afraid that she will get married next year, and there are so many things to do." How can we do this now?”

Yueniang was gesturing with He Lan Minzhi. She saw how thick an old tree was in the Wannian Palace. After hearing what her mother and grandmother said, she curiously looked up at Liuli and asked, "Are my aunt about to get married?" ? But you want to marry the Holy Uncle? "

Liuli almost didn't catch her breath, and her face turned red from holding it in. Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Yang were startled and both laughed. Mrs. Wu smiled and said, "You are so young, what are you talking nonsense about? "Yue Niang blinked her eyes, as if she didn't understand why her mother said she was talking nonsense.

Everyone looked at her expression and laughed more and more. Only Helan Minzhi didn't have a smile on his face. He whispered a few words in Yueniang's ear. Yueniang's face showed a sudden expression, and she said to Liuli. She smiled sheepishly and whispered a few words to Helan Minzhi. Liuli felt that Helan Minzhi looked at her with a gentler look.

Mrs. Yang then said, "Shun Niang, you should go back and tidy up. Tomorrow is the first day of October. I have prepared all the cold jackets that should be distributed in your yard for you. I have also prepared a set of sacrifices for tomorrow." "Look at what's missing and send someone back to tell me."

Mrs. Wu stood up with a smile, "With mother taking care of things, what can be missing? I'm afraid I have to go to the Helan Mansion tomorrow..." She said with a slightly gloomy face, "Mother, please rest for a while, Shun Niang will go back and clean up first." ”

Minzhi and Yueniang also retired. Just as Liuli was thinking of finding something to say, Mrs. Yang asked, "Liuli, are you going home tomorrow?"

Liuli nodded hurriedly, "It's time for Liuli to go and pay homage to her dead mother." The first day of October is the December Festival, when everyone from the emperor to the common people pay homage to their deceased ancestors. It is also the Winter Clothes Festival, because winter begins in October. The imperial court will give brocade robes to civil and military officials, and the masters of each family will also send winter clothes to their slaves. Furthermore, if there are relatives and friends traveling far away, they will also send winter clothes. She did have things to do.

Mrs. Yang said thoughtfully, "Why don't I send someone to your house today to report a message, and then send a car to take you back early tomorrow morning. How many days do you want to stay at home?"

Liuli thought for a while and then smiled and said, "It's not urgent. I'll go back tomorrow. I'm afraid the house may not be vacated. I'd rather trouble the old lady to send someone to inform me in advance."

Mrs. Yang smiled and nodded, "That's good. I've tidied up a room for you. Can you go and see if it's still suitable for you?"

Liuli thanked her with a smile, and then a maid of twelve or thirteen years old came over with a smile and led her to the east wing of the courtyard. She saw that the room had two entrances, with elegant furnishings. There was a picture in the back room. With a bed more than three feet wide, a silver-plated flowered bird curtain hanging on it, and a red brocade soft mattress, Mrs. Contest's residence is not bad at all.

The little maid smiled and said, "My name is Ni'er. If you have anything to do from now on, just tell me to do it." Liuli hurriedly took off a twisted gold and silver bracelet and put it on her hand with a smile. , "I will never bother you again."

Ni'er saluted and thanked her with a smile, and told Liuli that the one next to the two rooms was a small warehouse. The boxes and cages brought back the day before were all put in it. Is there anything that needs to be taken out now?

Liuli nodded and said, "I want to pick out some gifts when I go home tomorrow. Can you take me over to see them?"

As expected, the next door was an empty room with four white walls and floor-to-ceiling walls. There were about a dozen boxes and cages, which were the rewards Liuli had received over the past year or so. They were nothing more than clothes, silks and other items. Liuli opened the box, selected two bolts of thick silk and two bolts of brocade, then opened the box with a red base and Baoxiang pattern, and took out a fur robe and an outer robe. Ni'er knew the goods and asked, "Is this a sable fur?"

Liuli nodded. The most common winter clothes at this time were furs. Rich and wealthy families wore fox furs and leopard furs, while ordinary people wore sheep furs and deer furs. The mink fur she got was also considered good. It was rare in pure color and full body. There is no mottled color, and it is much stronger than ordinary mink fur.

Seeing Ni'er's expression of admiration, Liuli smiled and said, "They are all gifts from Zhaoyi." In the past two days, the palace had distributed cold clothes, and she had a share, but Wu Zetian specially called her over and rewarded her with two pieces. Give her the mink fur, and she will understand after she goes back and unfolds it. At this time, holding this soft mink robe in her hands, she couldn't help but sigh again and said, "There are some pieces of furoshiki in the box over there. Please help me get two good ones." ”

Ni'er smiled and said, "My aunt is so pure and filial."

Liuli was startled and couldn't help but laugh.

  p.s. Thank you dear Qingyao, Shantaoji, anymm, shanyueshan and Jiuquan Jushi for the pink tickets. I will make up for last month's update tomorrow.

The first day of October is a legal holiday in the Tang Dynasty.

 (End of this chapter)

Chapter end