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"Madam, there is something I want to tell you. Today..."

Zhou Chen told Caihan that he went to the study to find him today. It was not so obvious, but Hualan was not stupid, and women are naturally sensitive to such things, so Zhou Chen just mentioned it, and she understood immediately. .

Hualan's face turned extremely ugly. Caihan had been following her for many years, and it had been two years since she married into the Hou family. Before that, she had thought about finding a good family for Caihan.

As a result, she never expected that she would secretly seduce her own officials while she was not at home.

She was extremely angry, but she was somewhat comforted because her official refused directly when faced with such a thing, and did not hide it from her.

"Officer, I will take care of the hairpin. After tomorrow, I promise not to let her appear in the Hou Mansion again."

It is true that she is kind-hearted, but Caihan did such a shameless betrayal, which no master would tolerate. She did not kill him on the spot because of past kindness. .

The most important thing is that Caihan actually did such a thing during Zhou Chen's mourning period. How could a lady like her tolerate it.

Zhou Chen didn't care about this, and just said casually: "Just handle it, let's rest."

After a while, Zhou Chen fell asleep, but Hualan did not fall asleep. She was still thinking about the hairpin.

In ancient times, there were dowry maids. Strictly speaking, the dowry maids were also dowries. When they arrived at the male master's home, they became his private property.

Do you know that the dowry maids in this world are slightly different from the dowry maids in normal history? They still have some human rights. The body contract is a living contract and is in the hands of the mistress. If you can get the mistress's permission, you can marry someone else. .

This is the case for Minglan's maid in the plot, and Mo Lan's maid. If Mo Lan hadn't pushed her too hard, she wouldn't have hooked up with Liang Liulang.

There are also several families that appear in the plot, such as the Sheng family, the Gu family, etc., who did not turn their dowry maids into concubines. Instead, many of their dowry maids eventually became the steward mothers around them, just like maids. Continue to serve the mistress.

Just like Mother Liu next to Mrs. Wang, Mother Xiang next to Mrs. Qin, etc.

Although this does not represent everything, it can be seen that in this imaginary world, the maid who is married is not necessarily the maid who is married to the bride.

Cuichan and Caihan are both Hualan's dowry maids. If Hualan allows it, and if they themselves are willing, of course they can serve Zhou Chen without even being promoted to concubines, just like maids who are married to each other.

But Zhou Chen had never mentioned it before, and Hua Lan had never told Cuichan and Caihan that she, being kind-hearted, actually had plans for these two dowry maids.

If they want to leave, as the master, she will eventually agree to return their deeds and give them some dowry, which can be regarded as consummating the relationship between master and servant.

If they are unwilling to leave, she will not object. If officials need it in the future, she will also be willing to let them serve Zhou Chen. After all, they are her dowry maids, which is easier to control than taking concubines outside.

But all this was with her permission, but Caihan secretly seduced Zhou Chen without her permission and without her knowledge. This was something she could not allow.

How could she tolerate a maid who was disobedient and uncontrollable.

Early the next morning, after Zhou Chen left Chaoyun Pavilion, Hualan immediately ordered Feng's mother to lead someone to take down the hairpin and bring it to her.

In front of Arhat's bed, Hua Lan sat upright, assuming the posture of being the mistress of the house and the eldest wife of the Hou family, with a stern face.

Looking at Caihan who was tied up and kneeling on the ground, she spoke coldly.

"Caihan, you should know why I took you down, right?"

"Girl, spare your life, girl, spare your life, I, I didn't mean it, I really didn't mean it."

Caihan was so frightened that she trembled all over and hurriedly begged for mercy. She knew that she was a kind-hearted girl, and if she acted more pitifully, she might be able to save her life.

But she didn't know that her behavior offended Hua Lan. She had been the housekeeper for two years and the hostess of the Marquis Mansion for another year. She naturally developed the aura of being the heroine of the house.

She was willing to let Cai Hao accompany Zhou Chen, so Cai Hao could do it. She didn't want to, Cai Hao would never allow her to do that. If Cai Hao did this, she would never forgive her.

And the most important point is that before the one-year period of filial piety for our officials, Caihan dares to blatantly seduce them, which is even more unacceptable.

"Spare you? I usually treat you well, why do you do this?"

"me……"

Mother Feng went up and slapped her in the face, yelling: "Madam asked you to answer, why are you hesitating? Answer me quickly."

Caihan replied in panic: "I just saw that the Marquis has not consummated the marriage for a long time, and he is too lonely, so I thought of sharing the burden with the girl and serving the Marquis for the girl. Please spare your life, girl."

Hua Lan said coldly: "According to what you say, I still need to thank you?"

Caiban shouted loudly: "Girl, I am the girl's dowry maid. If the girl is inconvenient and the Marquis needs it, I can serve the Marquis."

Cuichan couldn't listen anymore and yelled: "Shut up, you made a big mistake and you still have the nerve to quibble."

Caihan shouted: "I have no excuses. It has been more than two years since the girl married into the Marquis's house, but the Marquis has never taken a concubine. When the girl was inconvenient, the Marquis has never found another woman. The Marquis is also very energetic. , I did this because I thought about the girl and the Marquis."

Hua Lan's face turned ugly: "You mean I'm jealous and won't let the Marquis take concubines, right?"

The colorful hairpin kowtowed to the ground: "I don't dare, I don't dare."

Hualan silently looked at Caiban who kept kowtowing. She admitted that she was a little selfish. She missed the official's kindness to her and longed for the official's full love, so she never mentioned the matter of taking concubines.

But of course she couldn't show it now. Caihan's behavior was betrayal and unethical.

"It seems that you still don't really realize where you are wrong. Don't worry, I won't kill you. Mother Feng, gag her, tie her up, and take her with you. I want to go back to my parents' home."

Hualan moved very quickly, taking Mother Feng, Cui Chan, and a few guards to the Sheng Mansion, and went straight to Wei Ruixuan, and ordered several guards to guard Wei Ruixuan and not allow anyone to come in.

"Madam, the eldest lady is back and led people to surround our Wei Ruixuan."

The eldest lady was having a drink happily in her room, when she suddenly heard the maid Caihuan running in to report, she was shocked.

"Hua'er is back and has fenced in the yard? What's going on?"

During the questioning, she stood up, but before he walked out, she saw Hua Lan walking in aggressively.

"Hua'er, what are you..."

Before he could ask any questions, he saw the colorful hairpin that was pulled in by the guards and thrown on the ground.

"Colorful hairpin? Hua'er, what are you doing?"

Hua Lan ordered the maid Cai Huan: "Go down. Once you are out of the yard, don't come close."

Although Caihuan was the eldest lady's maid, she didn't dare to say a word when she saw Hualan being so aggressive and left in a hurry.

Wang Ruofu and Liu's mother both looked puzzled and looked at Hua Lan curiously.

"Hua'er, what's wrong? You're so scary."

Although she was Hua Lan's biological mother, it was the first time she saw such an imposing Hua Lan. The pressure came to her face, and she felt a little nervous unconsciously.

Hua Lan said in a deep voice: "Mom, I should have directly beaten this ungrateful bitch, but after all, she is the dowry maid given to me by your mother. After much thought, I decided to send her back for you to deal with. "

"It's unethical to betray one's master? Who, the hairpin? Does she have the courage?" Wang Ruofu looked unbelieving.

Hua Lan didn't say anything. He walked to the chair next to him and sat down: "Cui Chan, tell my mother what she did."

Cuichan immediately told Wang Ruofu what Caihan had done. Wang Ruofu listened and became furious. He rushed over and slapped Caihan.

"You little bitch, I asked you to be Hua'er's dowry maid and asked you to take care of Hua'er. How dare you seduce the Marquis while Hua'er was away? During the period when the Marquis was observing his filial piety, I hit you Damn you little bitch."

After one slap came down, I felt annoyed, so I slapped her twice more. After the slap, my hands began to shake. "Mother Liu, beat me and beat this little bitch to death."

Without thinking, Mother Liu rushed over and slapped her a few more times, causing the hairpin to scream, but her mouth was stuffed with cloth, so she couldn't make much sound.

"Okay, okay, mother, I'll leave this hairpin to you. The official is still observing his filial piety, so there must be no rumors that are detrimental to him."

Wang Ruofu understood what Hua Lan meant. In this era where filial piety is more important than heaven, if it is rumored that Zhou Chen had an incident with the maid during the period of observing filial piety, and the officials get the handle, even if Zhou Chen cannot be brought down, they will definitely Make a mess.

"Okay, Hua'er, leave it to me. Mom promises you that there will never be any rumors."

"Well, mother, then I'll go to grandma's place to say hello."

Seeing that Hualan was about to leave, Caihan struggled to squirm from the ground, crawled in front of Hualan, grabbed Hualan's clothes with her tied hands, and begged her face.

Mother Liu was not used to it at all, so she went up and pulled Caiban's hand away.

As soon as Hua Lan left, Wang Ruofu ordered: "This little bitch, beat her to death, beat her to death for me..."

Hualan came to Shou'an Hall and told the old lady about it.

The old lady praised: "You did the right thing in this matter. It would be fine in normal times, but Sanlang is still observing filial piety. This matter is not big or small. Although Sanlang is not a civil servant, if he is taken advantage of by someone with intentions, it will be a big deal." Trouble, this is the best solution."

"That Caihan is dead when she dies, but her words still make sense."

Hua Lan's face turned pale: "Is grandma talking about taking concubines for officials?"

The old lady sighed: "You are smart, kind, tolerant, and tolerant. I know that Sanlang didn't even have a maid in the same room before. After getting married, you will be the only wife. But you still have inconveniences." It's not convenient for Saburo to take a concubine in the past two years. Then, if it continues like this, there will always be some villains who will make trouble and spread rumors that you are jealous, which will also be bad for you. "

She had lived for many years and was able to see a lot of things. She didn't understand her granddaughter's thoughts, but as a grandmother, she felt it was necessary to give some advice.

Hua Lan whispered: "Actually, I have considered it before. When I was pregnant with step-brother, I also considered letting Cui Chan and Cai Hairao serve the Marquis, but I didn't make up my mind, and I didn't ask Cui Chan and the others. , and seeing that the Marquis didn’t mention it, I didn’t do it. It’s really because I have selfish motives.”

The old lady patted her hand: "How can this be called selfishness? Which woman doesn't want to be on equal terms with her officials and depend on each other for the rest of their lives, but this is not realistic, you should understand."

People who live in this era understand that monogamy is unrealistic. It is still possible for ordinary people at the bottom, but it is difficult for ordinary wealthy families to achieve it, let alone a wealthy family like the Marquis Zhongjing Mansion.

Take Sheng Hong for example. When he was a ninth-grade official in a bitter cold land, he already took concubines. It was really rare for someone like Zhou Chen who was born in a marquis mansion and didn't even have a maid to live in the same room.

"But you don't have to think about it so much now. Saburo is still in his filial piety period. You can ask him first. This kind of thing still needs to be discussed between you and your husband."

From the old lady's point of view, taking a concubine for Zhou Chen was not a big deal. A concubine was a concubine at best, but a slave at worst. Life and death were in the hands of the mistress.

Hualan was the head lady of the Hou Mansion and was in charge of the backyard. Zhou Chen, unlike his concubine Sheng Hong, would not spoil his concubine or destroy his wife.

Therefore, she felt that even if she gave Zhou Chen a concubine, it would not shake Hualan's position in the Hou Mansion, but would instead reduce the pressure on Hualan.

On the way back, Hua Lan and Cui Chan sat in the carriage.

Cuichan was not happy to see Hua Lan and asked with concern: "Girl, are you still angry about the hairpin?"

Hua Lan shook his head and said: "It has passed. I was wondering if I was too selfish. Cai Zhan's saying is right. The official is in his prime and full of energy, but I want to dominate the Marquis alone. , it’s too inappropriate.”

Cui Chan said in surprise: "I think the Marquis loves the girl. The Marquis must feel that the girl is a hundred times more important than his own temporary happiness."

She is Hualan's personal maid, and she knows Zhou Chen and Hualan's affairs best. She also knows how strong and capable Zhou Chen is, but even so, Zhou Chen has never mentioned the matter of taking concubines, which can only mean that Mr. Hou Deeply in love with the girl.

Hua Lan looked at Cuichan in surprise, and then sighed: "The official is thinking about me, so I should serve her well and take concubines for him."

Seeing Hua Lan's troubled expression, Cui Chan suddenly said: "Girl, if you agree, I am willing to serve the Marquis."

"what?"

Hua Lan looked at Cui Chan in surprise.

Cuichan hurriedly explained: "Girl, don't get me wrong. I think differently from Caihan. I just want to share the burden for the girl. I don't need a status or anything else. I am willing to serve the girl all my life. I will be a maid to the girl for the rest of my life."

Hua Lan was silent for a moment, then said: "Don't you want to get married? In fact, I have already thought about it. When you get married, I will return your body deed to you and prepare a generous gift for you. The dowry will allow you to marry in style."

Unexpectedly, Cuichan said: "Girl, I have never thought about getting married. I have thought about it a long time ago. Even if people like me get married, they can only marry those traffickers and lackeys. It is absolutely impossible to be a good family." If you want me, let me be the right lady."

"Even if you get married, you still have to serve others. Even if you meet a mother-in-law or an elder who is difficult to get along with, you will not only serve one person, but a whole family. Even if you give birth to children in the future, you may not have any future, and you will have nothing to do for the rest of your life. Instead of struggling to make a living at the bottom, it’s better to stay by the girl’s side and serve her.”

"I'm not greedy for wealth, I just feel that if I stay with a girl, she is so good and she will definitely not treat me badly. And what I need to do is to serve the girl and the Marquis well, so I am willing to serve the Marquis for the girl without asking for anything. I don’t ask for fame, wealth, or having children, I just want to be by the girl’s side all the time.”

"Really, girl, I don't want to leave your side. If you are such a good master, I want to serve you for the rest of my life."

"Green cicada."

Hua Lan hugged Cui Chan with a look of emotion on her face.

People are afraid of comparison. For her own sake, Caihan secretly seduced Zhou Chen while she was away, but Cuichan spoke her true feelings in front of her. Although they ended up serving officials, their purposes were completely different. Naturally, her views were different.

"Cuichan, if you are really willing, I will always let you stay by my side to serve you."

"girl."

When Hua Lan told Zhou Chen in the evening that Cui Chan would serve him when it was inconvenient for him, Zhou Chen was shocked and thought Hua Lan was testing him.

But looking at Hua Lan's expression, it seems normal in today's society.

With his status, who doesn't have several concubines?

He hadn't looked for it before, not because he was pretending to be noble, but because he felt it was unnecessary. He could completely control this kind of thing. Rather than enjoying it himself, he still felt that the peace in the backyard was better.

But now Hua Lan took the initiative to bring it up. He thought about it and asked, "Do you really think so? Are you not jealous?"

Hua Lan rolled her eyes and said coquettishly: "I'm not really jealous. I also know that since we got married, you have always tolerated me when it was inconvenient. You care about me so much. For my sake, I, as you, My wife, of course I have to think about you, the official."

"Cui Chan is willing to let her accompany you during this period. After the mourning is over, I can help you get a girl from a house you like, but the premise is that prostitutes like Goulan Washe will never do it. "

Although Zhou Chen has experienced the life of three wives and four concubines several times, he still has to sigh with emotion. Life in ancient times was so good. The wife of the wife took the initiative to help take in concubines. This is something that would really not be dared in modern times. Imagine.

"We'll talk about the future later. Now I just want to hold you well."

Less than a year after Zhou Chen's filial piety period, something big happened suddenly in Xixia. Li Liangzuo, the young emperor of Xixia, designed to kill Wu Zangyao Pang, wiped out the Manchu clan of Wu Zang, and officially took control of Xixia.

Of course, this is not the main thing. The main thing is that the young emperor of Xixia Li Liangzuo actually wrote to the Song Dynasty, willing to pay tribute to the Song Dynasty with a thousand good horses and some treasures, requesting the return of the two states seized by the Song Dynasty, and promised to return the land to the Song Dynasty. During his reign, he would never start a border war and was willing to sign a peace treaty with the Song Dynasty.

Because of this matter, there was a huge quarrel in the court. Some people thought that the land of the two states had already been the land of the Song Dynasty. How could they return it? They couldn't agree.

But some people think that Xixia is just a barren land between two states. Xixia is willing to pay tribute to a thousand good horses and some treasures, and is even willing to sign a peace treaty. In this way, the Song-Xia border will have peace for at least several decades. , this is definitely the best choice for Song Dynasty, and we can agree to it.

The two parties hold their own opinions and refuse to give in to each other. The official also has a headache. He neither wants to return the land of the two states, but also wants a peace treaty, but there is no such thing as such a good thing.

When Zhou Chen heard about this, he was also very surprised. Did Li Liangzuo solve the Bu Zang clan so quickly?It seems that he captured the two states of Xixia, which brought quite a butterfly effect. The young emperor Li Liangzuo actually asked for peace from the Song Dynasty. It seems that he has capable people around him.

Although he is now keeping his filial piety at home, he is really curious about what choice the court will make in the end.

Of course, as far as Da Song is concerned, he will not be surprised by any choice he makes.