Just as Wen Yan was about to respond, the curtain was lifted and Liang Shixian's second brother, Liang Shixian, walked in.
He wore a stone-blue crane cloak with a trim of dark fox fur, and on his head was a hairpin made of sheep's fat jade, which added to his originally proud expression an air of aloofness that kept people at bay.
Liang Jimin hastily handed the child over to the mother beside him and stepped forward to pay his respects to Liang Shu.
Liang Shu nodded coldly and didn't see any warmth from his own brother, then stepped forward a few steps to pay respects to Madame Feng.
Feng gazed at him and let out a soft sigh, saying nothing.
Wang Wenxiao smiled and called out to Liang Shuxin, "Second Uncle", and warmly came forward to pay his respects. Liang Shuxin returned the courtesy. Shen Muqing also came forward and called out "Second Elder", paying her respects to Liang Shuxin.
Liang Shu Xin was very cold to both Wang Wen Xiao and Shen Mu, but when Liang You Hui paid her respects to him, Shen Mu Qing saw a fleeting smile in his eyes.
Everyone exchanged greetings, but Liang Shu Xin stood silently at the door with his hands behind his back, waiting for Ta Furen's summons. His attitude was like a flame that had been doused in water, leaving only a few wisps of smoke remaining from what had once been a lively atmosphere.
Liáng Jìmǐn asked Liáng Shūxìn: "Is Second Aunt's body better?"
Liang Xin gazed at the still, motionless soft curtain with both eyes and said coldly: "Isn't it still three or four months before giving birth? I'm afraid it can only get better by then!" The voice was filled with indifference and coldness, as if talking about someone else.
Deeply shocked and saddened.
Feng's eyebrows were furrowed and his mouth was slightly ajar, just about to say something when Zi Juan suddenly lifted the curtain and came out.
She smiled and invited those present: "Madam has asked Mrs., young lady, and young master to enter."
Feng swallowed the words that had reached his lips. He politely nodded at Zi Yan and walked in with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson.
Madam had dressed up and was sitting on a large kang by the window drinking tea. Liu Niang was waiting on her at the side.
So early?
Shen Muqing suppressed the astonishment in her heart and followed Liang Jimumin to pay respects to Old Madam.
The old lady smiled and looked at them, saying something like "A woman who is not virtuous has nothing to serve her husband with, a woman who does not serve her husband will fall short of righteousness." Shen Muqing knew that the old lady was telling him to follow the "way of women", so he listened respectfully and responded with humility.
She finished training Liang Jiemin's couple and asked about Wang Wenxuan's three great-grandchildren's homework.
When Wang Wenxiang mentioned inviting a teacher to come and live in the house, Old Madam said thoughtfully: "I think it would be better to send him to the free school opened by the Prince of Jin."
Wang Wenxiang still had a few words to say, and Yi Zhi was already on the side answering "good": "I heard that many officials have sent their children to the free school opened by King Jin. Letting the children go there to study can take the opportunity to make a few childhood friends."
Madam Ta's gaze fell on Liang Jiemin.
Liáng Jì Mǐn stepped forward respectfully and said, "I also think Grandma and Mother's idea is good. However, now that the Spring Festival is approaching and the weather is cold, why not wait until spring arrives to go?"
The old lady looked at the several children in front of her with a moment's hesitation.
Feng saw, busy laughing said: "Ji Min's words also make some sense, let's wait until next spring to send them off. Ping Ge is only six years old this year, and An Ge is only five years old. Children like Shu Xin and Ji Min who started school at the age of four are indeed rare. To think about it, I still feel sorry for myself up to this year!"
The old lady was moved, nodded and smiled: "Okay. Then so be it, wait until next spring, Pingge and Ange will go to Jinwang Yixue together to study." As she said this, she looked at Liang Jimin again, "This matter must be kept an eye on."
Liáng Jì Mǐn smiled warmly: "The King of Jin has always been very supportive of education, knowing that families like ours are willing to send their children to study is certainly delightful. Grandmother can rest assured."
Shen Mu Qing saw how happy they were talking and couldn't help but secretly notice Liang Shu Xin who was silent.
When Mr. Liang heard that Mrs. Tai had agreed to let the two children go to school at King's Academy after the spring, there was a fleeting sneer on his face.
Shen Mu Qing was taken aback for a moment, and Liang Shu Xin had already turned around to look at her.
Not big eyes, but with kind smile.
Why be kind to her?
Shen Mu Qing was startled. She thought it was very strange. But before she had time to think carefully, Liu Niang came in to ask where the meal should be placed.
Everyone's eyes were on Tai Fu Ren.
The old lady smiled and said to Feng Shi, "Today you still have to dismantle the shed and withdraw from the seat. You have a lot of things to do, take Bo Gong's wife and Ji Min's wife down to busy. Leave the children for me to accompany."
Feng nodded and took his son, daughter-in-law, and daughter back to Gui Huan's residence.
Liang Jimin and Liang Shuxin silently arrived at the Guixuan Institute, after paying their respects to Madame Feng. Madame Feng then told her two sons to return home: “...Shuxin needs to take care of Shuangrui. Jimin, you also need to calm down and focus on your studies.”
The Liang brothers respectfully responded and left. However, Liang Shu Xin swaggered away, while Liang Ji Min looked at Shen Mu Qing twice before leaving, which made Shen Mu Qing wonder why Liang Ji Min had to look at him twice.
Is it that you don't trust her? Or is there something you want to warn her about?
Wang Wenxiu had breakfast with Fengshi and Liang Youhui, while Shen Muqing assisted on the side. She carefully observed Wang Wenxiu's actions and secretly took note of them in her heart.
Feng ate breakfast, and Liang Youhui served her tea. Wang Wenxiu and Shen Muqing then retreated to the outer room and hastily ate two mouthfuls of rice. Wang Wenxiu and Shen Muqing ate very little, and quietly asked her: "Is it that the dishes don't suit your taste?"
Shen Mu Qing shook his head: "I didn't eat much this morning!"
Thanks to Li's mother reminding her, she ate some pastries to fill her stomach beforehand.
Wang Wenxiu smiled thoughtfully and didn't ask again.
The two of them had dinner and then returned to Feng's house.
Feng left Wang Wenxiang to settle the account with the housekeeper, and told Shen Muqing and Liang Youhui to return to Cuicui Garden together: "...... Don't come over to serve at noon. Also, don't disturb your brother's studies, the imperial examination is approaching..."
Both of them nodded "yes".
Feng still didn't let go and repeatedly reminded them several times before letting them leave.
As soon as they left the Guiyuan Institute, Liang Youhui was excited like a bird out of its cage: "Let's make an appointment with Third Brother to catch birds in the garden!"
Shen Mu Qing thought of his family's reminder and didn't want to directly refuse Liang You Hui, so he smiled and said: "Let's go catch birds another day - the things in my house haven't been put away yet! Do you want to come with me?"
Liang Youhui's attention was immediately diverted, and she happily returned to Diecui Garden with Shen Muqing.
Liang Guoran closed the door and read a book, Shen Muqing did not disturb him, took Liang Youhui to direct Luomei and Zhujing to clean up, put away the books that should be put away, stored the ones that should be stored, and displayed the ones that should be displayed.
Liáng Yòu Huì was curiously wandering around the house, unable to find two small items that had been given to her as part of her dowry, and she couldn't help but sigh.
Shen Mu Qing saw Liang You Hui fumbling around, it's not like she was helping, just not making a mess would be good enough. She could only call her over to sit on the kang: "Tell me some of the household rules so I don't know nothing - this morning I saw Madame drooling while eating."
Liang Youhui's face turned red with embarrassment as soon as she heard it.
Two people sat on the kang chatting, and through their question-and-answer session, Shen Muqing gained some understanding of the situation within the Liang family's household.
The Liang family does not have a separate household, so all living expenses are shared. The Old Lady's monthly allowance is 60 taels, the Mistress' is 40 taels, and the daughter-in-law's is 5 taels. The married sons, Liang Gongbo and Liang Shuxin, receive 30 taels each, while the unmarried ones, Liang Jimin and two sisters-in-law, Wang Wen and Jiang Shuangrui, get 15 taels each. Liang Youhui receives 10 taels, and Jiang Niangniang gets only 2 taels. Except for Liang Gongbo, who has an annual income of 92 taels of silver, no one else has any income. As for the servants, they receive a monthly allowance of 1 tael or less, with some getting as little as 5 cents. The maidservants' allowances are even lower, ranging from 1 tael to 3 cents, and those who don't receive an allowance get only four sets of clothes per year.
Deeply moved and ashamed, with tears streaming down his face.
When she was at the Shen's house, Chen Niang's monthly allowance was ten taels, Da She's was twenty taels, and Li Shi's was fifty taels. Her monthly allowance was also fifty taels of silver, following Li Shi's example. Once, she asked Li Shi about this, and Li Shi smiled and said: "You won't be able to save it up, you'll use it all!" Even so, when she needed money, Li Shi would give her some from her own allowance or take her account to the outer courtyard to hang Shen Zhen's account... At that time, she didn't think much of it, if only she had known earlier, she would have saved more money...
It was noon before they finished their work, and a coarse servant girl from the big kitchen brought them some food.
A clay pot of braised venison, a chicken and silver ear fungus dish, a mandarin fish punch, an eight-treasure rabbit stew, a ginger sweat fish slice, a five-spice pigeon, and a spicy white vegetable roll; four types of pastries: red bean cake, coconut bowl, swan roll, and broad bean package; plain rice, plain congee, and vegetarian noodles, three staple foods.
The feast is sumptuous, but unfortunately, when it's laid out, there's no heat left.
Liang Jiemin's eyebrows furrowed slightly, while Liang Youhui slammed down her chopsticks on the spot: "How can it be cold again? If you say that Xinzhuyuan is far away, then isn't Cuicuiyuan also far?"
The vegetable delivery old woman immediately knelt down in front of Liang Jiemin: "Third Master, we really can't spare anyone... Now we can only take care of the elderly lady, the mistress and the three young masters..."
Liang Jimin sighed and said to the old woman: "Get up!"
"Stop arguing, Mother will get angry again if she finds out."
Liáng Yòu Huì pouted her mouth.
Shen Muqing looked at him, and almost imperceptibly furrowed his brow.
The old woman knelt down and apologized to Liang Jiemin, but her face didn't show any fear...
******
At dusk, Shen Muqing went to Guiyuan House to serve dinner for Madame Feng.
Wang Wen sat beside Madame Feng calculating on an abacus and saw Shen Muqing enter. Only then did the two of them realize it was time to eat.
Shen Muqing greeted Mrs. Feng and exchanged pleasantries with Wang Wenxiu, who looked tired. Mrs. Feng said to Wang Wenxiu: "You go rest, I'll leave this to Muqing!"
King Wen departed with a warm voice.
Shen Muqing served the steamed buns and dishes to Madame Feng in an orderly manner, based on her observations at noon. Madame Feng looked at them and couldn't help but exchange a satisfied glance with Dong Mama, who was standing beside her.
After Feng Shi finished dinner, Shen Muqing didn't hurry back to Cuizhu Garden. Instead, she took the tea from the maid and personally handed it to Feng Shi: "Mother must be tired, do you want me to massage your legs?"
Feng was somewhat taken aback, paused for a moment, and smiled: "Good!"
A quick-witted maid had already gone to fetch the massage roller and Shen Muqing sat on the edge of the bed to give Feng a leg massage.
(Sisters, today there is only one update... sorry......)(If you want to know what happens next, please log in **, more chapters, support the author, support the genuine version!)
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