Bastards

The ancestors of the Cui family did not have any great personalities. They are not considered a powerful family, but they have developed steadily. In each generation, there are small officials scattered around. Even if you don't have a number, in a small place like Yicheng, you are actually a big family.

In Yicheng County, the Cui family's house is located in the best location, with a wide base and a wide base, facing the street and facing the sun, it is very popular.The main branch is divided into the east and the west, and the families are not separated. Each house has a door to the outside, and the housewives of each house take care of themselves.

Cui Yu's carriage was parked outside the side door of his house.The door was tightly closed. At first, Lan Qiao called the door, and there were voices inside to respond, but later he simply remained silent, and no matter how much Lan Qiao took pictures, he refused to open it.

Naturally, the mansion has more than one door.

There is a gate in the atrium, but this gate is usually not opened, and it is always closed unless there is an important event; there is a side gate at the side, where housewives, young masters and young ladies, good family friends and acquaintances all come in and out, and Cui Yu is here now. Outside the Taoist gate; on the other side there is a corner gate, through which servants and servants enter and exit; at the end there is the north gate, where morning and night night incense is transported, and goods purchased during the middle of the day are all here.

Not all the doors of the house are closed.Lan Qiao went to see it, the corner door for the servants to enter and exit, and the north door for the goods to pass through were all open, and there was a porter guarding the side door, but there was no one at the side door.

As soon as Cui Yu heard it, he understood that this was deliberately blocking him.

After the autumn banquet, it was easy for him to find out about Cui Jiazhen. Cui Jiazhen became Lin Zhiyan's handkerchief, and of course Lin Zhiyan's most convenient gun.But Cui Jiazhen and her mother just took a break in Chang'an to rest and recuperate, and they couldn't stay for long. Afterwards, the two returned to Yicheng, so they didn't participate in the subsequent drama of the Lin and Li families... It's a pity and luck.

Now that the mother and daughter are at home, Mrs. Zhang is in charge of the middle cabinet, and the side door is not open, apparently under Mrs. Zhang's orders.

When he returned to his home, Mrs. Zhang didn't open the door. It's impossible that he wanted to drive him away, and he couldn't. After all, he was connected by blood, and he was a member of the Cui family. She should just push him down.If he can't stand other people's instructions, and the door can't be opened, he has to enter the house through the corner gate or the north gate... the meaning of the two gates is slightly shorter, and his figure will naturally be shorter. Can't get up.

If Mrs. Zhang sarcastically beats him up and down, his face will be even more ugly, and even his servants will look down on him.As for other things, such as being discovered by his heartless father, Mrs. Zhang can avoid it by simply explaining that he was busy and negligent for a while, but he can't even wait for a little time, the young master has no momentum, his father will be more disappointed.Even if he was reasonable, he couldn't win the argument against Mrs. Zhang's deliberate quarrel. The topic turned to 'short stature', plus what happened before leaving home, one disappointment, two disappointments, the latter... don't worry about it.

Zhang's method is not serious, but the aftereffect will be profound.

But Cui Yu would not let her wish.

He wouldn't be so stupid as to go to the middle door, and he wouldn't be able to give in to the other two wide-open lower doors. He just blocked the side door, so he could take his time...waiting.

There was no response from the door, and he also stopped Lan Qiao's door-calling, and sat in the carriage peacefully. No one on either side spoke, and the atmosphere was eerily quiet.

"Master, do we want to wait for guests at home?" Lan Qiao looked into the distance with disappointment on his small face, "It's almost noon..." At this time, it is impossible for guests to come to the door.

Cui Yu put down the scroll in his hand, his smile was as gentle as ever, as if his emotions were not affected at all: "Lanqiao hungry?"

Lan Qiao quickly waved his hands: "I ate three big steamed buns in the morning, the younger one is not hungry, and the younger one is worried that the young master is hungry."

"Well...then go to the restaurant next door and buy some food." Cui Yan couldn't get home, so he was not in a hurry, and even started to order slowly, "Wang Ji's roast chicken, Li Ji's dried pork, Qian Ji's Mix three silks, Sun Ji's sweet-scented osmanthus cake...and Xiao Wang Ji's shochu."

Lan Qiao's eyes were wide open, with a look of astonishment on the face of 'Master is sure you're not joking': "Is this...a bit much?"

"Isn't it hard to find?" Cui Yu shook the scroll in his hand and smiled slightly, "The latest county food list is said to be in this street."

"...Okay. Let's go buy the little one!" Lan Qiao knew that he hadn't connected with his master, but this didn't affect his admiration and trust for him.Anyway, he doesn't understand anything, it's right to listen to the master!

Lan Qiao is a servant of the Cui family. He was born in Yicheng. When he was a few years old, he worked as an official with his master in other places. He rarely came back. I have long forgotten what Yicheng is like.He talked about the shops and dishes that Cui Yu mentioned, and he searched all over the street, and asked when he couldn't find them.When others asked a few questions out of curiosity, he answered honestly, saying that he was also from Yicheng, and he came home with the young master...

When he made a big circle and came back with the food ordered by Cui Yu, he knew all the streets. The concubine of the Cui family came back, but for some reason, he shut the door and refused to let in. People are so hungry that they are dizzy, so they have to buy food by themselves.

Ordinary people are full of curiosity about high-ranking and powerful families, especially about the length of the inner house, disputes between the concubines, and unworthy mistresses.Soon, people came to watch Cui Mata's carriage, Cui Mata's people.

Of course Cui Yu didn't get off the car, but Lan Qiao had to wait up and down. When everyone saw this familiar boy, they immediately gave each other winks, there was a big show!

At this time, Lan Qiao understood what the master was going to do, and asked Cui Yu a little ignorantly: "This way... it will not be good for our family's reputation."

"It's okay." Cui Yan was not afraid of embarrassing the Cui family at all.

Speaking of which, he has read too much about Hei Xue, and his face has long been thickened. The last thing he fears is losing face.And reputation is a thing that can be brushed. If you choose the right time and means, turning your hands into clouds and turning your hands into rain is easy.Furthermore, it was the Cui family who lost face this time, the Zhang family, not him.

……

Cui Yu was lucky this time. The first people to hear the rumors outside were his own father Cui Xing and the next-door uncle Cui Qian from the East Mansion.Although Cui Xing and Cui Qian are cousins, they have separated from each other. In front of Cui Qian, Cui Xing's ears turned red when he heard that "the aunt deliberately oppressed the concubine" in his family. Feeling very shameless, he cupped his hands and sighed: "Third brother is laughing at me... the housewife is just ignorant."

"The matter of the inner house can be big or small. You and your elder brother are both officials in the court. Your official is smaller, but your elder brother is in Luoyang. Reputation matters." Cui Qian looked at him meaningfully, "No major incident happened. Everything is agreed, if the publicity is too big, the house will be unsettled, family affairs will be difficult to settle, and personal morality will be damaged...you understand."

After a few words, Cui Xing thought more, couldn't hold back the anger in his heart, and went home with the wind on his feet, and carried Cui Yu to the study.

"Why don't you come in when you're home!" Cui Xing glared at Cui Xing, and immediately sprayed.

Cui Xingnian is not confused, he has a short beard, narrow eyes and long eyebrows, good bones, even in ordinary home clothes, he looks suave and elegant.But now the anger is burning, the face is dark, and the eyeballs are about to pop out, which damages the image very much.

Seeing his father again, with such a dramatic expression, Cui Yu wanted to laugh for some reason.But he held back, and replied quietly with his hands tied up obediently: "It's not that my son doesn't want to come in, it's really that I can't come in."

The husband brought the concubine into the house, and Zhang, who is the mistress, was the first to get the news, and hurried over: "Master, calm down! This is all my fault, and I was just busy with accounts. I'm busy, so I didn't dare to disturb you right away, so... In short, it's all due to my negligence, the master is careful not to make a real fuss!"

Seeing Mrs. Zhang saying this, Cui Xing didn't let go of his anger: "I asked you to host Zhongwei, and that's how you host it!"

Mrs. Zhang didn't make any excuses, and lowered her eyebrows pleasingly: "It's my concubine's fault..."

"Father, I can't blame my mother for this matter, it's my fault."

A clear voice sounded, and Cui Yu just saw that there was another person behind Mrs. Zhang.At the age of eighteen or nineteen, his face is like jade, he walks in the wind, and his eyes are extremely beautiful. It is a replica of Zhang's family, soft and moist, black and white, with light in it... This is his biological elder brother , Zhang's son, Cui Shuo.

Cui Shuo reads well, and has always been Cui Xing's pride and hope. Seeing him, Cui Xing's anger slightly eased.

"I'm going to ask my mother what kind of New Year's gift I should prepare for the teacher. Mr. Bai has a different identity, so I think it will be safe to prepare in advance. If you are satisfied, please recommend me to Chang'an White Horse Academy in the future. Maybe I will have a chance to enroll." , if I can meet Wang Fu, the old mountain chief, and get favored by the aristocratic family...the official career will be hopeful." Cui Shuo's eyes flickered slightly, and his voice paused, "I was busy with my mother, and I didn't know that my sixth brother was back."

Having said that, he cast his clear eyes on Cui Yu, and personally bowed his hands: "I'm sorry for the sixth brother this time, please forgive me."

Cui Xing snorted coldly, his eyes slid past Cui Yu in disgust, and looked at Cui Shuo: "He's just your brother-in-law, he should be disciplined no matter what, why is this so? Don't be too soft-hearted, kiss everyone you see, are you As the eldest son of the father, he should have the demeanor of the eldest brother."

Cui Shuo glanced at Cui Yu apologetically, raised his eyebrows and saluted Cui: "Yes."

"How have you learned from Mr. Bai recently? Is there any progress? Is Mr. Bai satisfied?" Cui Xing began to ask the eldest son about his homework, "Mr. Bai came from the White Horse Academy. They are all very good, if he is willing to support you, it is a great opportunity."

Cui Shuo smiled and said: "Don't worry, my son has made a lot of progress recently. He wrote a policy commentary. Mr. Bai was very satisfied and said that he would give it to the seniors to read. If he can get a 'good' word, his son may be supported by him... My mother also thought carefully and prepared a lot of things for me, and once the opportunity comes, I will definitely not make mistakes."

"Okay...okay!" Cui Xingyuan kept his short beard, and the more he looked at his eldest son, the more satisfied he was, and his wife was also satisfied, "From now on, I will treat my son more attentively."

Mrs. Zhang saluted slowly: "My concubine knows." Her eyes slipped away to Cui Yu, she bit her lower lip lightly, "Here, today's concubine is really wrong..."

Cui Xing directly waved his hand to block her words, and looked at Cui Yu with cold eyes.

No matter how outstanding the eldest son is, the bastard will make him feel more distressed.

With a cold temper, she stays at home all day long, shuts herself in the room and reads those messy books, it's fine if she doesn't do business, and she doesn't make trouble, but she actually learns to run away from home!Whose bastard is so disciplined!

Cui Mata almost couldn't help laughing again.There is too much contrast between Cui Xing's eyes before and after, and the meaning couldn't be more obvious.But is the 'bright future' described by Cui Shuo really so bright?Mr. Bai... He has never heard of it.Mr. Wang Fu is the head of the mountain, and he teaches too many people. If he doesn't accept his own disciples, but is just a student in a class with many people, it is impossible for him to have an impression. How can the status relationship be good?Mr. Wang Fu's temper... tsk tsk.Even if this Mr. Bai is good at business, he probably won't catch his eye.

The two fathers and sons want to climb up along this level of relationship, I am afraid that the road will block and it will be difficult.

Cui Xing saw Cui Yu's innocent face, and became angry again: "Kneel down!"

This is to teach the child?

Cui Yu snorted coldly in his heart, and didn't ask himself if he was at fault, why he kneeled, but just looked at him quietly: "It's not that my son doesn't want to kneel, it's just that my son's leg injury hasn't healed a few days ago, if he kneels here today, it will be broken." Don't come, people will know tomorrow..."

The corners of his eyes curled up, and he seemed to have a sly smile: "How can it be good?"

Fighting in the house, oppression by the mother-in-law, the fact is not distorted if you don’t want to, and family ugliness can be kept from being publicized if you don’t want to. Outsiders prefer twists and interesting stories.

Cui Xing thought of the people pointing and pointing at the door today, and his heart became even more angry, and when he recalled the past, he almost wanted to spit fire: "You still have the face to say that your leg is hurt! If it weren't for your gloomy temper, secretly pushing your sister-in-law, You will not do evil and get hurt yourself!"

Mrs. Zhang hurried to help Cui Xing, her voice was soft and earnest: "Master, don't worry, Ma'er didn't do it on purpose, and Zhen'er didn't mind. Ma'er is still young and ignorant..." It seemed comforting, but in fact everyone The words all have special accents, which are especially hot in the ears.

"Unreasonable!" Cui Xing was even more angry, "He is too old to be sensible! Disrespecting his mother and sister, and now he has even learned to run away from home! If you don't say anything, you will die outside someday. Even the father doesn't know!"

Cui Yu resolutely opened his eyes wide, and interjected at the right time: "Don't say anything... run away from home? What does father mean by that?"

"Ask me about what you did yourself!" Cui Xing's eyebrows almost flew out.

Mrs. Zhang caressed his chest to give him comfort, sighed softly, and looked at Cui Yu tenderly: "Acknowledge your father's mistake, your father is just out of breath, and won't let you kneel for too long, what kind of family?" Have an overnight feud?"

Cui Yu ignored her, and looked at Cui Xing in shock: "Didn't Father see the letter I left you?"

"What letter?"

Not only Cui Xing, but Zhang Shi was also surprised.

Cui Yu clenched his fists, and there seemed to be water in his eyes: "The son knew that he had made a mistake, and there was no way to make up for it, so he wanted to make up for it. My father was demoted and returned to Yicheng to become an official. Vulgar, he should have been promoted! The father honored the family, and when he returned, the son felt very sad, so he thought... Then he thought about going to Luoyang to beg his uncle. The uncle and aunt have always loved their son, so maybe they will give him some face, son So I wrote a letter to leave with you, and left quietly at night...how come my father didn't receive it?"

Cui Xing doesn't like Cui Yu, but his father succeeded in doing it, and his son has trained him so far. Knowing that he loves him, the pride in his heart is uncontrollable, and his voice can't help but soften a little: "No, where did you put it?"

"I was afraid that people would find out, so I put it in my room, thinking that if I wasn't here, someone would always come to see it..." Cui Yu looked at Mrs. Zhang, "Doesn't your wife know?"

"No..." Mrs. Zhang just wanted to reply that she didn't see it, but then she thought about it again, she is so strict and has many ways to train servants. Wherever there is a mouse hole in the night, servants dare not If you don't report it, how could she not know about such a big thing as a letter?So it must be—

"You lied! You didn't write at all!"

Of course Cui Yu didn't write it, but Zhang's words became very suspicious when he forced them out: "How does my wife know that I didn't write it? Could it be—"

Seeing him coming?Watching him go, not talking, not stopping him, and destroying the letter by the way?Is he ignorant and she ignorant?Is everything intentional!

Cui Xing's eyes on Zhang Shi became sharp again.

He doesn't mind that the woman in the back house has her own petty thoughts, but if it's about him, about his reputation and official position, he won't allow any small tricks!

"I remember that it should be at the post station," Cui Shuo looked at his mother worriedly, "It's not as good outside as at home, and it's hard to control. Did you lose your trust? Or did something happen to the people below?" After speaking, he was worried again. Look at Cui Yu, "Is there anything confidential in the sixth brother's letter? Does it matter if it falls into the hands of outsiders?"

Mrs. Zhang immediately came to her senses, frowned and said, "It seemed to be raining that night, and the people below were busy, maybe they lost it by accident, but what did you write in your letter?"

Cui Xing was also anxious, with threatening and oppressive eyes: "Don't you do something stupid unintentionally!"

Cui Yu sneered: "What stupid things can I do? And what secrets do I know? If one day, father, your secrets are leaked, it is the people around you who should be investigated, not someone like me who is dispensable and can hardly even get out of the yard."

"You...rebellious son!" Cui Xing pointed at Cui Mata's nose and wanted to curse again.

But Cui Shuo stopped him: "Father, the sixth brother just came back, the journey must have been hard, some past matters, don't worry too much, let him go back and rest."

Mrs. Zhang is a little anxious, is she going to let this sharp-toothed and sharp-mouthed kid just like that today!

Cui Shuo shook his head slightly at her from an angle Cui Xing couldn't see.

Mrs. Zhang suddenly understood that the filth in the inner house should not be contaminated by this son-in-law who was all her pride.Her son should be honored and honored, instead of helping her deal with the internal quarrels, she is also reluctant.

Besides, in the past, she could do this kind of thing easily, without the help of her son at all, but today——

She stared at Cui Yu fiercely, her eyes were very sharp, as if she wanted to peel off a layer of skin from Cui Yu's body.

This bastard, the least promising, the most humble and the least courageous, when did he give her the impression of 'sharp teeth'?As soon as today's scenes happen, if he has something to say, he will blur the focus of the matter, abduct her husband's attention, make him suspicious of her, and have to help her son to remind her to deal with it...

This bastard has changed!

Is it a different person... or has he been pretending to be low-key, just to let her ignore it?

Zhang's eyes narrowed slightly.

Cui Yu seemed to notice her gaze, tilted his head slightly, and smiled brightly at her.

Mrs. Zhang's heart was pounding.

This is intentional?Do you want to provoke her!

Emotions fluctuated, Cui Xing was also a little annoyed, and his desire to teach him a lesson faded away, so he asked Cui Yu directly: "Do you want to admit your mistake here, or do you want to go back and rest?"

Are you asking if he wants to kneel or not?

Cui Yu's answer was of course: "Son is indeed tired all the way, and wants to go back to his room to rest."

Mrs. Zhang saw Cui Xing's intentions, and said in a tone: "But Yu'er came back and hasn't met the elders of the clan—"

"He already wants to rest, so let's go back and rest! It won't be too late for him to rest when he meets the elders!" After Cui Xing finished speaking, he squinted his eyes and looked at Cui Yu, "The previous one is fine, this one Come back next time, if you cause trouble again... don't blame the father for being unreasonable!"

Cui Yu was taught with a smile: "Yes."

Mrs. Zhang helped Cui Xing to sit down: "The concubine is going to arrange a yard for Yu'er."

Cui Yan thanked politely: "Mrs. Xie."

Zhang smiled softly: "You're welcome."

This smile is fake and fake, as if to say, you didn't win, and my wife didn't lose either!I have a lot of tricks, there are plenty of ways to deal with you, a bastard!

Cui Yu didn't comment, just smiled indifferently, turned around and walked out of the study, calling Lan Qiao to pick up the carry-on luggage.

When they arrived at the yard allotted to him, Cui Yu immediately knew what Zhang's last move was.

Zhang's personal mother walked in front, with an apologetic expression on her face: "The sixth young master came back in a hurry. The wife didn't receive the news, and she couldn't clean up the place for a while. Right now, the yard is empty at home, so I wronged the sixth young master. Waiting After tidying it up in the future, the wife will arrange a big yard for the sixth young master. If the sixth young master feels bad, he insists on going to the master to complain, and our wife admits the mistake and accepts the punishment, and I will not feel wronged at all."

Cui Yu walked into the most remote place with the blue bridge, facing the street outside, the small courtyard farthest from the main courtyard, and said coldly: "No need."

Mrs. Zhang had figured it out a long time ago, Cui Xing was angry with him, if he wanted to make a fuss, he would have to force him to kneel.

The concubine has nothing to rely on, no one has no money, no other means, as long as the ration is pinched, he can be cured of crying father and mother, but Mrs. Zhang is wrong, he is not the original little idiot.

Lan Qiao put down his things and looked around the empty courtyard, his eyes were red: "Master... this yard is too small and dilapidated! Although there are no weeds, there are not many around, and there are not many utensils in the house. , the tables and chairs are missing corners, even the quilts are old, and the cotton inside is ruined! How can my wife...how can this be done!" How bullying!

"What are you panicking about?" Cui Yu also walked around the yard, and found that the south wall of the yard was facing the street, and at the junction of the east side and Dongfu, there was a small alley gate, which was very narrow and only allowed one person to pass through.Going out is the deep alley, which is also very narrow, and there is no room for two people to go side by side. Turning a corner and heading south, you can walk to the street in a short while.

Looking again, the west wall connecting the main house, the place he just passed, is actually a solid door with a lock on it, and there are mottled and rusty spots on it, which means it has not been opened for many years.

I don't know how long this small courtyard has been idle, and it's hard for Mrs. Zhang to find it out for him to live in.

But for him, it is much more convenient.

Cui Yu was quite satisfied, patted Lan Qiao, and smiled brightly: "Isn't there a bank note? If she doesn't give it, let's go outside and buy it!"