Chapter 339: Hospitality

The next morning, after Eleven Niang finished her work at home, she wrote a letter to Mrs. Gan and asked her to help Qiniang find a doctor.

Xu Lingyi hasn't come back yet.

Eleven Niang went to the Madam's house.

Mrs. Tai just came back from the Buddhist hall. When she saw her coming, she smiled and said: I have never seen any housekeeper come to my place every day with such leisure as you.

Eleven Niang said with a smile: "Mothers can take care of things, so naturally I have nothing to do. I helped Mrs. Tai sit down on the kang and told Mrs. Tai that she was going to visit the Lin family in the afternoon."

The madam didn't pay attention and only asked her if she would come back for dinner.

Come back for dinner. Eleven Niang said with a smile, she just went to get a painting.

Mrs. Jiang nodded and asked about the preparations for the banquet for Mrs. Jiang.

The Eleven Niangs agreed one by one, had lunch with the Madam, served the Madam, rested, and then returned to the house.

Instructing the little maid to invite Aunt Wen, she went to the clean room to freshen up. When she came out, Aunt Wen was already waiting in the room.

She wore a silver gauze shirt and a light blue Hangzhou silk heddle skirt. Her hair was neatly combed behind her head in a bun, and a gilt hairpin with a little oil was inserted in it. She saw that Eleven Niang was wearing it.

Wearing an apricot-white gauze shirt, a pink Hangzhou silk heddle skirt, a high bun, and a red gold phoenix hairpin with beads, she breathed a sigh of relief. Usually Eleven Niang dresses plainly at home, and she is really afraid of Eleven.

My mother went to Lin's house to visit relatives as usual. So I put a lot of thought into trying not to look at Eleven Niang while standing next to her.

Eleven Niang just felt that Aunt Wen was particularly plain today, even her iconic earrings were replaced with small gilt silver lantern earplugs today.

Maybe it’s because it’s the first time I went to Lin’s house.

she thought.

It’s better to hide one’s clumsiness than to show off without knowing why.

The two went to Lin's house.

Mrs. Lin was very surprised to see Aunt Wen, and calmly welcomed Eleven Niang into the main room to serve tea. Aunt Wen stood behind Eleven Niang with her head lowered, her respectful attitude comparable to that of Hu Hu and others.

Mrs. Lin said a few words to Aunt Wen, and then Shao Zhongran came.

Eleven Niang and Aunt Wen looked at each other from behind the screen.

Looking up close, Shao Zhongran has that kind of bright and gentle appearance without wind and frost.

Everyone in the Shao family has moved to the newly bought house. Mrs. Lin and Shao Zhongran asked a few questions about how comfortable the new house was, and then served tea.

After Shao Zhongran left, she handed the painting to Eleven Niang: Can it still be used?

Eleven Niang smiled and said: Let me take it back and take a look.

Mrs. Lin stopped asking questions and talked to Eleven Niang about some family matters, and then Eleven Niang left.

How was it in the carriage, she asked Aunt Wen.

Aunt Wen muttered: Mr. Shao is gentle and courteous, and he smiles with a hint of innocence. It doesn't seem like he is hiding anything.

In other words, she also thinks it is true temperament

We can’t go out. After hearing this, Eleven Niang thought and said, Mr. Li is not at home. Even if the Marquis comes forward, there must be an official reason.

Aunt Wen knew that she was talking about her meeting with Mr. Li, and she couldn't help but have a headache.

For a moment, the two of them were silent.

Back home, Aunt Wen followed Eleven Niang to Shuixie.

Sister Zhen was doing needlework accompanied by Bin Ju. Under the setting sun, her expression was quiet and as bright as pearls.

Seeing Eleven Niang and Aunt Wen walking in one after the other, Sister Zhen was slightly startled before she stepped forward and saluted.

Eleven Niang asked Binju: Has the Marquis not come back yet?

Bin Ju said respectfully.

Eleven Niang asked about Sister Zhen's situation and went to the main room.

Aunt Wen stepped forward and saw that Eleven Niang looked a little solemn, and she said comforting words in a strange way: Madam, don't worry. Mr. Hou also stayed up at night in the past, mostly because of urgent matters in the court. Before he finished speaking, his two faces

There were several expressions of surprise on everyone's face.

Really? Eleven Niang responded casually, fearing that Aunt Wen would say similar words again, and said, regarding Mr. Li, we can only wait until Mr. Marquis comes back. The Li family has been waiting for news from us and acted rashly.

, it would be troublesome if there is any misunderstanding. Since Mr. Hou is not at home, Aunt Wen should go back first

There was a hint of discomfort in Aunt Wen's eyes before, but by the time Eleven Niang finished speaking, she had returned to her natural state, bowed to Eleven Niang with a smile, and then retreated.

Xu Lingyi suddenly came back in the evening.

Eleven Niang was a little surprised.

Xu Lingyi saw it clearly, but didn't explain anything.

Eleven Niang told him what happened today.

Xu Lingyi was shocked when he heard this, and then asked: What did Aunt Wen say?

Eleven Niang relayed Aunt Wen’s words to Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi was silent for a long time without speaking.

Eleven Niang asked him to arrange a meeting with Li Ji.

Let me give it a try. He hesitantly agreed.

In the afternoon of the next day, Eleven Niang was deciding the menu for the banquet with Mama Li, who was in charge of the kitchen, when Linbo ran in: Madam, the Marquis invites you and Aunt Wen to talk to the outer study.

Eleven Niang was secretly surprised and asked the little maid to call Aunt Wen. The two met at Biyi Gate and went to the outer academy together.

The reception room of the academy has a wide open door, and you can clearly see the scene of the hall after entering the courtyard door.

Xu Lingyi sat on the imperial chair in the middle, with a young man in a green shirt standing in front of him.

He is about the same height as Sister Zhen, and has a slim figure unique to young people.

This young man should be Li Ji

Eleven Niang was a little hesitant.

Can't we just walk in like this?

The thought flashed through his mind, and he saw Linbo walking over in three steps followed by two steps. He raised his hands and saluted: Mr. Marquis, Madam is here.

Xu Lingyi stood up. Eleven Niang saw the young man in green shirt turn sideways and take a few steps back, his head slightly lowered, and he stood respectfully beside the black lacquered floor pillar.

When Eleven Niang saw this, she walked in, but she kept paying attention to Li Ji from the corner of her eye. Before Xu Lingyi could speak, she had already said: I didn't know that the Marquis had guests, so I asked the Marquis to forgive me. It's just because I have something urgent to do.

The Marquis made up his mind, so he took the liberty to barge in. After speaking, he presented the menu that Li's mother had drawn up just now.

It can’t be said that he was called here by Xu Lingyi, right?

Xu Lingyi took the order and introduced Li Ji to Eleven Niang: Mr. Li’s second son, Li Ji

He saluted Eleven Niang calmly, looking elegant and calm.

Li Gongzi and Eleven Niang greeted him with a smile, her eyes wandering around his face.

He has fair skin, trimmed eyebrows and nose, and his facial features are no worse than Shao Zhongran's. It's just that they have very different temperaments. Shao Zhongran can still see the edges and corners of his nature, but Li Ji seems very restrained at a young age and lacks some personal characteristics. So it seems

He's not as outstanding as Shao Zhongran.

He bowed and responded.

Xu Lingyi and Eleven Niang went to the east wing. Aunt Wen kept her status as concubine and stood quietly in front of the threshold.

The eleven girls couldn't help but whisper to Xu Lingyi, who was looking at the menu seriously: Why did you call Mr. Li here and what excuse did you use?

Xu Lingyi's eyes fell on the menu and replied to Eleven Niang's words: Mr. Li wrote me a letter asking me about the situation in the DPRK. Mr. Li sent it to me specially.

Eleven Niang asked pointedly: Does General Li often write to you to discuss the situation between North Korea and China?

Is that possible? Xu Lingyi replied pointedly that sometimes, people have to use some extraordinary means. Then they discussed the menu with her: Jiangxi vegetable oil is thick, the taste is fat, and they like to eat chili. It’s rare that you can find it.

Ingredients for making stone chicken.

Eleven Niang also knew that this was not the time for discussion, so she changed the topic with him: I don’t know if I can make an authentic taste by then. Let’s do our best.

Xu Lingyi nodded: That's it for the time being.

Eleven Niang bowed with her knees bent, and she and Aunt Wen retreated.

Madam, as soon as Mr. Li arrived at the Chuihua Gate, Aunt Wen hesitated and said, Mr. Li, he didn’t even look at you or the Marquis from the beginning to the end, and he stood there without moving.

Out of curiosity, most people will look twice at strange things that suddenly appear around them.

Although Mr. Li was only sixteen years old, he was very able to bear the worry in Aunt Wen's voice.

do you feel bad

There was a hint of confusion in Aunt Wen's eyes: I couldn't say that she just felt a little too calm.

Too much is not enough.

Eleven Niang also feels this way.
To be continued...