Wangfu Shenyuan

With Director Fu's intercession, Xia An and Manager Han were only punished for returning late with five boards, and the matter was hastily settled.Guanshi Han had an old friendship with Meng Yuanyi from the punishment hall, and after being beaten, he stood up and talked to his beating master for a while.Xia An was standing in the hall of the punishment hall, accepting Cheng Dafang's inspection of him up and down. If there was any real gaze, it was like a blade, making Xia An feel pain all over his body.

After the two finished talking, Meng Yuanyi took Xia An's hand and told him to take good care of his wounds when he came out, and also stuffed a bottle of medicine for removing blood stasis and relieving pain.Naggingly asked about his age, place of origin and father's name.Xia An picked out something unimportant and kept wondering what Meng Yuanyi's intention was for asking so many questions.

Back in Wutong Courtyard, Xia An, who had learned a lesson, hid the medicine tightly.After a few beatings, it was not enough to take medicine.He is penniless, so medicine is naturally extremely precious to him.Save it, just in case.

About one month later, the prince wanted to build another courtyard in Baoding Mansion, and the wives of Si'en Courtyard and Wutong Courtyard were conscripted to cook in Baoding Mansion.As for the men working in the two courtyards, because the project of Tingfengyuan was not completed, they still stayed in the palace.

A Fu and Xia An were lucky enough to accept the work in the kitchen. The workload increased, and they had to be responsible for the meals of the people in the two courtyards.But compared to the heavy work of building a house, Xia An felt that it would be no problem for him to cook meals for three yards.

What made Xia An the happiest was that since the time when the prince offered a reward to accept the concubine, Baimibai Nian never cut them off.Ah Fu's reluctance to eat made Xia An laugh several times.

A year passed without incident.By the end of the summer of the second year, Xia An was able to steam delicious steamed buns and porridge with a proper thickness by himself.Because the dishes in the small courtyard are also enriched, he can also cook a few ordinary home-cooked dishes.

During this year, I saw the prince quite a few times, but it never happened that I was called over for questioning.The prince only regarded him as an ordinary slave, and he was not even willing to pay him a glance.Xia An was even more willing to do so, wishing that the prince would not remember him.If he hadn't heard what he shouldn't have heard, he had hoped that the prince would give him a better job when he returned home.

But even though the prince doesn't remember Xia An anymore, the palace is just as Xia An thinks.

One day, news came from above that people from Wutong Courtyard and Si'en Courtyard were going to be separated and sent to different courtyards.Steward Han inquired for a day, but he couldn't find a credible reason. He only said that it was the general manager's order, and the two courts would cease to exist in the future.

No matter which yard you go to, the treatment in the future will definitely be better than the present. Everyone was very excited when they heard the news.Ah Fu took out the good things he had saved for a long time, and made a table of noodles for everyone to have a breakup meal.Although they are all vegetarian dishes, Ah Fu's cooking skills are really good. This table contains flavors from all over the world, and it is extremely delicious, which made Xia An recall it for several months after eating.

That night, after eating and drinking, Xia An lay in the yard looking at the stars, and regretfully said to the people beside him: "I have always wanted to learn martial arts from you, and now I am going to separate. Didn't see it."

"Why so much nonsense, didn't I teach you how to cook?" Ah Fu drank some wine and spoke casually.

"I don't like cooking, it's too difficult." Xia An got up, picked a leaf from the tree, wiped it carefully on the clothes, and blew it.

The tune is a little sad.As Ah Fu listened, tears gradually rolled down the corners of his eyes.With a shake of his head, Ah Fu jumped up, picked up a branch, and said, "Forget it, I haven't moved for a long time, today I will let you open your eyes." After speaking, he moved quickly, and the branch in his hand waved gracefully, shadow after shadow , For a while, the whole body was surrounded by sword shadows.

Xia An rubbed his eyes to make sure that he was not mistaken. He stood up, feeling furious. He never thought that Ah Fu was such a master.Not daring to applaud loudly, Xia An changed to a passionate tune and accompanied Ah Fu.

Steward Han stood by the window, watched the two people dance happily, the music stopped, and he quietly closed the window, lit the oil lamp, and took out his pen and ink to write a letter.

After waiting idly for a few days in Si'en Courtyard, Guanshi Han's appointment came, and he was going to be transferred to the stable to be the deputy steward. It's better than being in charge now.

Before leaving, Xia An took out his cleaned clothes, the robe and Mr. Guigong's trousers lent to him by Manager Han, and quietly hid them in Manager Han's baggage.Ah Fu said that the work in the stable is very dirty, and Steward Han does not have much personal savings, and he has a large family to support, and the palace does not distribute clothes to the steward, so he needs to bring his own.This was originally to show the difference in their status, but it was a huge expense when it came to Manager Han.

When he came back last year, Xia An wanted to return it, and Mr. Gui's trousers made up for the one he lost. I hope Manager Han doesn't mind.But Manager Han didn't want it, he insisted on giving it to Xia An so that Xia An could have a change of clothes.Moreover, his clothes are thick and bulky, and in winter, wearing them outside can somewhat keep out the cold.It is impossible for Si'an Courtyard to have a charcoal fire to keep warm in winter, and Xia An has a thin body.

At that time, Xia An was moved and accepted it gratefully.Now Xia An thinks, when he also changes the yard, he should be issued another servant clothes, even with his clothes in Si'en Courtyard, it is finally enough to wear, and he shouldn't be greedy to keep Manager Han's clothes.

After Guanshi Han left, a servant came to take Ah Fu and Xia An away.The boy was not well dressed, but there were too many strong Si'en Yuan, he said: "Si'en Yuan, Ah Fu, Xia An, you two are going to work in our Piaoxiang Yuan today, pack up and follow me .”

Fragrant House?Such a vulgar name.Not only vulgar, but dangerous.Xia An's one-year stay in the palace is not in vain, although he hasn't figured out the responsibilities of the various institutes in the palace.But just by hearing the name of the yard, one can probably guess the level of the yard, the more vulgar the lower the level.

For example, Si En Yuan turned out to be a place of distribution that was hated by the master.

Xia An felt uneasy, she tilted her head and asked Ah Fu in a low voice: "Isn't it the yard where Yexiang is poured?" From the kitchen to the hut, are they the only ones who go down?

Ah Fu smiled and said: "No, the courtyard where Yexiang is poured is called Wenxiangyuan. Piaoxiangyuan manages the swill of the palace."

Xia An blinked, that was not a level.

The things of the two of them had already been packed, and there was nothing to take away.Xia An put the medicine he had kept privately in his arms, and followed with empty hands.Ah Fu was carrying a burden, which was nothing more than two old clothes and a few corrupt snacks.

Although the work in Piaoxiang Courtyard is not very good, the courtyard is much more atmospheric than Si'en Courtyard, and the clothes worn by the servants are not patched, and their complexion is rosy, Xia An reckons that the food is not bad.

The manager here is surnamed Zhao, called Zhao Dabao, who looks in his 30s, with treacherous and greedy eyes radiating from his eyes.Ah Fu has always been sensible in the mansion, and before entering the door, he stuffed a copper coin into Xia An's hand without saying a word.After entering the door, he bowed his head and flattered Guanshi Zhao, and even pulled Xia An to bow to Guanshi Zhao.

"This is a little care of the servant. You always buy a cup of tea to moisten your mouth." A Fu put a tael of silver on Manager Zhao's table, and gestured to Xia An with his eyes. The latter understood, and put the copper coins in his hand on the table , smiled and said: "This is a slave."

"Okay, okay, it seems that you two are smart. Ah Fu, you and I are old acquaintances, why... oh, take it back." Zhao Guanshi humbly humbly.

How could Ah Fu be willing to take it back? Now that he is begging for a living under others, it is too late to fawn on him. "It's because we are old acquaintances that I have to invite you to drink tea. Could it be that you are always unwilling to sell my face?"

"Hehe, then I'll accept it." Manager Zhao happily opened the servant book, recorded the two of them, and said with a smile: "Ah Fu, you came at the right time. Ah Ping, who manages the slop of the masters, asked his family to redeem him. Go out, you take his seat."

Ah Fu thanked him repeatedly, then stepped on Xia An with his foot, motioning him to speak.Xia An said: "What is the slave going to do, but according to your orders?"

"He's also a sensible person, anyway, since you two came here together, let's work together. You can be Ah Fu's subordinate and just follow his command."

Xia An was overjoyed to be able to follow Ah Fu, imitating Ah Fu's tone and flattering her a few words.

Piaoxiangyuan added the two of them, and a room happened to be vacant, so Manager Zhao let the two of them live together, and ordered the boy named Xiao Jin who led the way to take them to collect some expenses. .

The room is not very big, but for Xia An who has slept in a room with more than 20 people, it is really spacious.Two beds are placed facing each other, and there is a table, three stools, and two large wooden boxes for storing things in the room.Xia An liked it, threw herself on the bed and moved lazily.

"Cough." Ah Fu reminded Xia An that there were outsiders in the house.

Xiao Jin is a friendly person, upon seeing this, he just smiled and didn't say much.

Xia An stood up embarrassingly, touched the back of his head: "Sorry, I like this place very much, I got carried away for a while."

"It's okay, I like it here too. Although the work is not very good and a bit dirty, it is much better than Wenxiangyuan. Moreover, this courtyard is the safest courtyard in the palace. Since the establishment of the mansion, there has never been a death. People." Xiao Jin said without fear.

Xia An was even happier, the safety he dreamed of, although collecting swill is really not a good job, and... Xia An hurriedly asked: "Do we have a monthly payment?"

"Are you a dead contract or a living contract?"

Xia An said listlessly, "Death contract."

Xiao Jin covered his mouth and smiled: "Don't dream, the death contract means that everything you have belongs to the palace, or you are the property of the palace, and it is natural to use you. Why do you still have to give you money?"

Seeing that Xia An's face turned pale, Xiao Jin felt that he shouldn't laugh at Xia An's thoughts, so he comforted him and said, "Although there is no moon silver, the treatment in our yard is very good. You will find out after you come with me to get the things."

Going to the warehouse of Piaoxiangyuan, each person got a set of mattresses, including thin quilts, thick quilts, pillows, mattresses, mosquito nets, and curtains.Xia An was so full of hugs that she was forced to raise her chin and ask, "Isn't there a set on the bed? Why are you still posting, and there are so many?"

"It was left by the previous people. It hasn't been used for a year. It's so dirty. We use it, and every newcomer can get a new one." Xiaojin said generously.

The two carried the bedding back to the room first, and then went back to get the clothes. They were divided into three seasons, spring, summer and winter, and each season had two clothes, both inside and outside. (Two bodies in spring and autumn) Although the clothes are not very good, they have no patches and can keep warm, which already makes Xia An very satisfied.

It's best to come back and pick up the toiletries and other sundries.

After Xiaojin helped clean up, it was almost time for dinner, and someone in the yard had already called his friends to eat.Xiao Jin still cleaned in a hurry, Ah Fu didn't say much, Xia An was young, a little impatient, and asked: "Don't we have to eat quickly, and then go pour the slop?"

"No need, they are dumping people's swill. There are many courtyards to go to, and the meals are different in each courtyard, so we have to eat early and have been busy for a long time. We are in charge of each master's courtyard, and the masters usually run out of food. , the maid will eat some of the leftover meals, and then the servants with status will eat some more. It will be too late after eating, and there will not be much left. As for the rest of the servants in the courtyard , will be put away. We can only go when it is completely dark, so that the eyes of the masters will definitely not be obstructed."

"So, you are also my subordinate." Ah Fu asked.

Xiao Jin giggled: "Of course, otherwise why would I help clean up, just to curry favor with you."

"Haha." Xia An laughed.Everyone in Si'en Courtyard joked with vulgarity, but Xia An smiled but didn't want to listen to it.On the contrary, Xiao Jin's liveliness and humor in front of him made Xia An not reject it in his heart.

The three cleaned up the house, and Xiao Jin took them to dinner.The kitchen was full of people, and as Xiao Jin said, the team in charge of the master can indeed eat later, so as to spread the crowd and avoid crowding.

When everyone saw two strangers coming in, they all looked over.Xiao Jin introduced Ah Fu and Xia An to everyone, and everyone stood up and met the captain.

The rules of Piaoxiangyuan are very strict. When speaking to superiors, subordinates must call themselves "slaves" and salute.Unlike Si En Yuan, everything is casual.

Ah Fu casually said a few polite words, then went to the inner kitchen to get the meal.The cook heard the commotion outside and knew that this was the new captain and was in charge of the master's yard, so she had a very good attitude and put an extra chicken leg on Ah Fu's meal, which made Xia An almost starve to death.

The food Xia An received was also good, with several large pieces of meat, fat and oily.After eating to his heart's content, Xia An took time out of his busy schedule and said to Xiao Jin: "The treatment in Piaoxiangyuan is too good, it's more than a hundred times better than Sienyuan."

"Actually, the food we used to eat was not very good. It was probably in the early autumn of last year. The palace gradually improved the treatment in our yard. Now, the food we eat and use is much better than before. This is just ordinary food. Yes, if it’s a festival or something happy, the kitchen will set up a table for us.” Xiao Jin licked his lips, wanting to eat again soon.

Xia An muttered, "Early autumn last year."

The three ate and rested for a while.Xiao Jin said that it was almost time, so Ah Fu directed people to collect slop in the courtyard of the palace's concubines, favored emperors, and men and women.

The two masters of the palace have regular swill pourers.The princess was led by a dark man, leading four or five people, and pushing a small cart.

Xiao Jin was the leader who went to pour slop in the prince's yard. Xia An didn't understand anything for the first time, so Ah Fu arranged for him to fight with Xiao Jin.Ah Fu followed suit.

Pouring swill and pouring Yexiang took the same route, with the basic principle of not meeting the master, they both took the path with few people.Xiao Jin babbled about the route in the palace to Ah Fu, and explained other taboos, such as going through the back door of the courtyard, all clearly.

Several people pushed the trolley to the back door, and Xiao Jin stepped forward and patted it three times. This was a signal, they were strictly prohibited from making loud noises in the master's yard.

Soon someone came to open the door and led them into a small room in Tingfengyuan, where several barrels of swill were placed.Xiao Jin directed everyone to move out all the swill buckets, and then untied the cleaned buckets that had been placed in the car, and took them to the small room for Tingfengyuan to use.Move the filled swill bucket to the vacated cart and tie it with a rope.Xiao Jin bowed to thank the servants of Tingfeng Yuan.That's the end of it.

After that, it was pulled back to Piaoxiangyuan and placed in the warehouse for storing swill.After all the swill is retrieved, the third team—the one responsible for disposing of the swill—takes it to the pigsty to feed the pigs.

This matter also made Xia An very curious: "Why are pigs still being fed in the palace?"

"The palace not only feeds pigs, but also feeds chickens, ducks, fish, sheep and cattle, a lot. There is no need to buy ordinary meat in our mansion." Xiao Jin stayed up at night and went to their room to answer questions.

"Think about it, no matter how much the prince's salary is, it is very difficult to support so many people. So of course the leftovers should be used rationally. What are the businessmen who feed the pigs cheap?"

Xia An thinks about it in his heart, the prince does not have a specific official position, does not do anything, and only receives the prince's salary. It is not difficult to support such a big mansion, but the difficulty is to provide for the prince and the general manager to eat, drink and have fun. That's a lot of money.But raising pigs and chickens was beyond Xia An's acceptance.

"Where are those pigs and chickens raised? Why have I never seen them?" Xia An has been in the mansion for a long time, not to mention seeing the pigsty, but he has never heard of it.

Xiao Jin looked at Xia An with contempt "You're an idiot, you don't need to think about it": "Of course it was raised in the back mountain, so why not raise it in the mansion so that the masters don't want to see it."

The back mountain is very big, and there are really many hidden things.Xia An bit her finger, wouldn't the dog in the back mountain steal pork?

Xiao Jin lived next door, and his roommate was A Ping, who used to manage the slops of his masters.After Aping left, Xiaojin was the only one left in the room.He was already a young man in his early twenties, but he was surprisingly timid. Ever since Xia An and Ah Fu lived next door, he would come to sleep with Xia An with his quilt in his arms every night.

After a few days, Ah Fu couldn't bear Xiao Jin's noise, and offered to change rooms with Xiao Jin.So, Xiao Jin lived happily with Xia An.