Chapter 356: Midterm Filial Piety

Borrowing the name of Manager Bai

As the saying goes, there is a seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister. Manager Bai is the chief manager of the Xu family. Even if the official of the feudal border meets, he still has to give him some face. Is it possible that he is overqualified and underused?

Eleven Niang wanted to refuse, but then she thought of Xu Lingyi's face just now, and her words changed again: With Manager Bai coming forward, it would be natural to get twice the result with half the effort.

As soon as she finished speaking, Manager Bai asked to see her.

Xu Lingyi asked him to come in. The little maid placed a small spoon at the door, and Manager Bai half-sat on the small spoon. Xu Lingyi told him the reason for calling him, but did not mention the money.

Eleven Niang breathed a sigh of relief.

She did not want her dowry to be confused with the property of the Hou Mansion, lest it be spread that Xu Lingyi had given her the wedding shop.

Manager Bai knew the purpose of his visit. Although a surprised expression flashed across his face that could not be concealed, he quickly showed a sincere smile: This is because the Marquis and Madam think highly of me. Madam's shop must come down.

I went to say hello to the people from the Five Cities Military and Horse Division of Shuntian Yin Mansion to ensure that no one would cause trouble.

Xu Lingyi nodded, and Manager Bai retreated.

Qiao Lianfang is here.

The weather has been dry these past two days, so I personally made some water chestnut pear soup to clear the fire for Madam. As she spoke, she turned around and took a sweet white porcelain stew cup from the plum blossom red lacquered gold tray held by the embroidered citron to the eleven mother.

This is my first time making it in front of you, and I don’t know if it suits Madam’s taste. Then I picked up the lid of the stew pot with my hands and tiptoed, and gently stirred it with a long ginkgo flower spoon. Madam, please try it.

Eleven Niang looked at her with earnest eyes and was speechless for a long time.

Why did Qiao Lianfang suddenly become so attentive?

She glanced at Xu Lingyi, who was sitting opposite her, and saw a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.

I just drank a few cups of tea at Master Jian's place, and drank another cup with the Marquis. Eleven Niang smiled and called Hu Hu, and took it to the kitchen first, and brought it to me to drink later.

Amber answered the question.

Qiao Lianfang sat there and chatted with Eleven Niang.

Madam is so good at nvrou, and she still takes time out to learn nunrou from Master Jian every day. Madam, if you don’t think I’m stupid, take me with you when you go. I can also take the opportunity to learn nunrou from Master Jian.

Eleven Niang said with a smile, Master Jian may be a little busy these days.

And I will be even busier in the future, so I probably won’t have time to teach you.

She cursed in her heart.

Qiao Lianfang looked disappointed: I don’t know when I will get Master Jian’s advice. I am also planning to make a small coat for Madam.

Eleven Niang sweated as she listened: Master Jian won't leave for a while, we'll talk about it later when we have the chance.

Just as he was talking, Aunt Qin came over.

She saw a flash of surprise on Qiao Lianfang's face. Then she quickly lowered her eyelids and bowed respectfully to Eleven Niang and Xu Lingyi. She took a baggage from the hands of maid Cui'er and handed it to Eleven Niang standing behind her.

Lu Yun: These are the six pairs of shoes and a heddle skirt that I made for my wife these days. I lowered my eyebrows and spoke like a mosquito, making me look very humble.

Thank you Aunt Qin. Eleven Niang motioned to the little maid to bring her a brocade dish.

She thanked her and carefully sat down on the brocade stool.

Aunt Wen is here.

When she saw the room full of people, she was stunned for a moment, and then said after a moment: Madam, it's really lively here today.

When Eleven Niang saw that the maid behind Aunt Wen was holding a hand stove made of Xiangfei bamboo, she directly asked someone to bring her a brocade teacup to sit on, and said: Why are you holding a hand stove?

Aunt Wen quickly put the hand stove on the Kang table and said with a smile: "Look at the workmanship."

It's oval in shape, no bigger than a sea bowl, and it's painted with varnish. The purple spots are clearly visible, and it's small and exquisite, very cute.

Not bad. Eleven Niang looked at her puzzledly.

The purchase of hand stoves and the like is the responsibility of the stewards of the outer courtyard. The inner courtyard only needs to report the required quantity. The outer courtyard will replenish the hand stoves according to the quantity before and after the beginning of winter.

This is Li Ji's new style this year. Aunt Wen smiled and said, I want to buy a pair for the eldest lady, but I am afraid that my uncle will be too shabby when the time comes, so I will show it to you and ask for your advice.

Anyway, I have several hand stoves. You can help her prepare a few of various kinds. Eleven Niang said with a smile, Zhu is a gentleman, maybe my uncle still thinks it is elegant.

Madam, I felt at ease with these words. Aunt Wen smiled all over her face and asked me to buy five of them and let Li Ji have them carved with good fortune, longevity and good fortune.

Aunt Wen never forgets her auspicious words

Eleven Niang suppressed her smile and said: I think this is good

But before she finished speaking, someone in the room burst into laughter.

Everyone looked around and saw Qiao Lianfang with her face flushed and covering her mouth.

I, I saw her face flushed in the eyes of everyone, and she looked at Xu Lingyi helplessly.

But he saw Xu Lingyi holding the Xiangfei bamboo hand stove and looking at it.

This is Li Ji's new look this year. He looked up at Eleven Niang, let's order a few, so he didn't pay much attention to the other people.

The Eleventh Mother is here.

Xu Lingyi had already said to Aunt Wen: What kind of words should be carved on bamboo? That's it.

Aunt Wen saw that although his words were displeased, her tone was quite calm, and she made a decision about Sister Zhen's dowry. She immediately agreed with a smile and left the hand stove at Eleven Niang's place: This lady keeps it for use.

Well, since the Marquis said that our house should also buy a batch, this is just a gift for us to try to see if it works well.

Anyway, it is public money, so there is no discount, but the person who orders something can get one for free.

After all, he is a businessman, and he has figured out all the tricks used by businessmen.

Eleven Niang couldn't help but laugh.

Xu Lingyi told Eleven Niang: Remember to give the money for this hand stove to Li Ji when the time comes.

Aunt Wen's smile froze on her face, and the air in the room became stagnant.

A slap in the face rather than a slap in the face, Xu Lingyi really didn't give any face to Aunt Wen.

Eleven Niang sighed in her heart and said: I know the Marquis doesn't want to compete with the people for profit. It's just that we want to order something for Sister Zhen from Li Ji. Li Ji knows about it and has to give one as a gift.

We never agreed, and they were sincere in their gift. So Aunt Wen finally reconciled their friendship. But since Mr. Hou has said it, we will make clear the money for the stove with Li Ji when the time comes.

Only then did Aunt Wen come back to her senses and forcefully smiled and said: Yes, Mr. Hou. We will calculate the money for the stove with Li Ji clearly when the time comes. However, she glanced at Eleven Niang with some gratitude.

Xu Lingyi chinned slightly.

Eleven Niang smiled and told Lu Yun: You and your aunt will go and see how many hand stoves we want to order, and then you can talk to the steward of the outer courtyard.

Just buy a few for your mother and your five younger siblings. Xu Lingyi said calmly, this kind of hand stove is okay to hold and play with, but when it comes to keeping warm, ceramic ones are better.

Aunt Qin, who had been sitting silently next to her like an invisible person, suddenly raised her head when she heard this, glanced at Eleven Niang in fear, and then quickly lowered her head.

No one in the room noticed anything strange about her.

Eleven Niang was confused by Xu Lingyi's repeated thoughts.

What happened today? First I refuted Aunt Wen, and then I refuted myself

But she still smiled and agreed.

Xu Lingyi stood up and said, "I have something else to do and I'm going out for a while."

After hearing this, Eleven Niang and others bowed and bowed before sending him out.

Xu Lingyi went to the small study behind the outer study, sent the waiter in the room, took out a rosewood box from the secret compartment of Duobaoge, and took out ten silver notes.

A pair of eyes that twinkled like morning stars suddenly appeared in my mind.

Why did Li Ji insist on giving something as a gift? Why did Li Ji go along with the situation to complete their friendship? It's just nonsense.

But for some reason, when he thought of her speaking in a serious manner, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved into a happy arc.

Xu Lingyi drew ten more banknotes, then put the box back, found a purse to put the banknotes away, took out a book, and lay on the drunkard's chair to read.

Reading on the drunkard's chair, your eyes will be dazzled and you can clearly see that you are thinking.

Linbo, who came in to serve, saw this and smiled as he served Xu Lingyi a cup of red cannon.

Xu Lingyi sat up and drank tea.

Linbo thought for a moment and laughed in a low voice: Mr. Marquis, do you want to open a shop, madam?

Oh, Xu Lingyi responded.

When Linbo saw Xu Lingyi's gentle and casual expression, he felt a little moved in his heart and laughed in a low voice: "Why don't you, Mr. Marquis, help your wife?" When Mr. Qian Juren went to announce the agreement, Mr. Fan came to ask you, "You also said that Mr. Qian Juren's family is poor"

, as long as you don’t want to do this business. Otherwise, why would Mr. Fan help Mr. Qian Juren to cash in the IOU? Now my wife is opening a shop, and it is just a small wedding shop. Why not Mr. Hou?

What nonsense were you talking about? Xu Lingyi's eyes shot over like sharp arrows. Lin Bo was frightened and his whole body was shaking. Madam is taking care of her own dowry. How could I interfere?

Linbo's forehead was covered with sweat. He knelt down in front of Xu Lingyi with a plop: Lord Marquis, I was confused for a moment. I will never dare to do it again.

Xu Lingyi's face turned slightly: Go down

Linbo then retreated tremblingly.

Xu Lingyi held it and rocked it on the drunkard's chair for a long time. Seeing that it was getting late, he slowly returned to the main courtyard.
To be continued...