He Shen

At night, the two brothers soaked their feet. Hongyan had already spread the quilt and stood beside him holding a foot cloth.

"It's getting late, Hongyan, you've been busy all day, go and rest." Shan warmly said.

Hongyan lowered her head halfway, bit her pink and tender lips with her white teeth, and said in a voice like a mosquito, "I will wait for the uncle to rest before going to sleep."

Fu Bao had never had the patience to soak his feet, so he stirred them in the basin to dry out two fat, white feet. He took the foot cloth from Hongyan's hand, wiped it with a smile, rolled over on the bed, and lay on his stomach under the quilt. The pillow asked, "Hongyan, why are you talking so quietly today, like a mosquito buzzing."

"Slave maids are not very loud." Hongyan puffed her cheeks, she did nothing else today, but was taught a few rules by the nurse next to the second wife.

Shanbao curled up his toes comfortably, squinted his eyes half-closed, and said in a soft voice, "You used to speak very crisply, like singing like an oriole. You were quite generous in the first place, but you learned to be twitchy and lost your naturalness."

"I see that the other servants keep their voices low." Hongyan asked worriedly, "Master, there are so many people at home now... Girl envoy, you, sir, you won't drive me away, will you?" They all dressed like that Beautiful and smart, Hongyan, who has always regarded herself as capable, was in a panic, and heard from the nanny that she would send another girl to the uncle.

Shanbao smiled and yawned, "What are you thinking about? You are here to serve me. You know my habits. If you come to other people in the future, I will leave everything in this yard to you. That's fine, don't worry. go to sleep."

After dismissing the red geese, Shanbao cleaned up and went to bed to rest.Wrapped in a quilt, Fubao approached Shanbao, and whispered in Shanbao's ear, "Brother, why do you think the second uncle came back suddenly? The cook at the second uncle's house is really good, and the cooking is better than Hongyan's."

"Brother, will second uncle live in our house from now on?"

"This is also the second uncle's home, so don't talk about it." Shanbao closed his eyes and warned, "I see that you don't eat much for dinner, so I thought you didn't like it."

"Hehe, I ate too much dim sum. My second aunt brought me a lot of dim sum. I wanted to keep it for you, but my second aunt said I still have more. After eating, you didn't get any." Fu Bao was innocent, Shanbao was very worried.

Shanbao couldn't sleep, he was worried that the visitor was not good.Although the family is very poor now, at least they can make their own decisions. Now that there is an uncle in the world, they will feel uncomfortable.But after thinking about it, Shanbao realized that there was really nothing worth coveting about this family.Shanbao tossed and turned for most of the night, and he would fall asleep in the morning.

Now Shanbao and his brothers have lost their parents even though they occupy the name of the head of the house, and Junbao's wife and children, the whole family is very lively, it seems that the Shanbao brothers are dependent on others.

Junbao and his wife, Dong Eshi, talked about the hardships of the Shanbao brothers. Dong Eshi wiped away his tears with a handcuff of xiangluopazi and said, "God damn it, how can there be such vicious women in the world. Sister Shanbao is gentle and blessed. Bao Lively, they are all excellent children, how can they let go. Cousin Ruoquan knows, but I don't know how to be sad."

"Let's put this matter aside for the time being, I have my own way." Junbao told his wife cautiously, "You two children, you should worry more. If you didn't meet the boy of the patriarch's family, how would you expect it? They also suffered a lot , must not treat them badly."

"I know, there's no need for you to just say it." Dong E's brows were melancholy, and sighed, "We just walked in, and I was shocked. It's only been more than ten years, how can the family be so dilapidated. Then Thinking of the helplessness of their two children, I don’t know how to get through these years.” After sobbing for a while, Jun Bao persuaded a few words, and Dong E’s tears gradually stopped, “Today I’m busy talking Yes, maybe the cook's taste doesn't suit Shanbao's appetite, and he didn't eat a lot of chopsticks. So hurry up and ask that girl Hongyan what Shanbao likes to eat, and it's like cooking accordingly."

Junbao was tired from traveling all the way, lying on the bed, every joint was sore and tired, "Shanbao is careful, if something happens, it's right to ask him more. Well, what is Jiabao's monthly routine now?"

"Xueyajiabao is ten taels of silver per person per month, and their respective nurses are keeping it."

"Fubao will follow the example of Jiabao, and Shanbao will add a little more, just 30 taels." Junbao said.

Dong Eshi didn't say much, and responded directly.

"I'm thinking, in addition to Red Goose, add another big maid, Lingque, two young maids, Bizhu, Ziyu, and four rough maids to serve. The small kitchen in your courtyard is still reserved. It’s also cheap to study or cook simple meals when you’re hungry.”

"Everything can be compared with Jiabao's younger brother. The second aunt loves me and Fubao, so don't be too partial to us."

Shanbao smiled shallowly, his watery eyes were clear and moving, Dong E also had to secretly praise Shanbao's good looks in his heart, Shanbao spoke politely and sensible, Dong E felt a little pity in his heart, and pulled Shanbao He said, "Your second uncle is stupid, and he always keeps his words in his heart. Originally, he got the letter half a year ago. Your second uncle fell ill, and even foreign officials can leave without authorization. It's a lot of trouble." Talents are called back to Beijing."

"Then Second Uncle's health is fine now?" Asked like this, Shanbao thought that Second Uncle's life is really not ordinary, if he returns to Beijing, he can go back to Beijing, and he can still take advantage of such a lucrative position as a servant of the Ministry of War. Know what kind of background there is.However, would such a powerful second uncle know nothing about their father's passing?

"I still have the old ginseng sent by my classmates, let's use it to make up for my second uncle." Dong Eshi was about to refuse, but Shanbao had already held Dong E's hand and smiled, "Second aunt, everything It’s a family, so don’t be polite. I’m still young, so I don’t dare to use old ginseng. , don’t you tell me to worry about my second uncle’s body?”

Dong E's could not refuse, and felt that Shanbao was considerate.Then he mentioned the furniture arrangement in Shanbao’s room, “When your second uncle was working in Yunnan, there were deep mountains and lush forests, and he got a lot of good wood, and he will arrive in Beijing in a few days. I was thinking, what style do you like? When the craftsmen come, you can tell them in person, that’s the best way. Also, I’ll send someone to send you some furniture in a while, and you can take out the ones you like. Originally, I wanted to help you Clean up, but Hongyan said that you like to come by yourself, just tell me if you need anything.”

Shanbao responded with a smile.

Give it to peach and give it to Li.

Dong E said, "Besides, I see that the bedding on your bed is made of Songjiang cloth, so it's better to replace it with forged ones. I have a few good horses here, which are most suitable for making bedding. It is much colder in Beijing than in Jiangxi." , I am thinking about adding a few more woolen clothes for everyone in the family, and cotton clothes. You have to rest the day after tomorrow. I will call the tailor from Qiaoyueju to avoid delaying homework. I will greet you in advance. You have to give me some time Come." At the end, Dong E couldn't help laughing.

"I listen to my aunt." Dong E thought it carefully, and it was obvious that he had put his heart into it. Shanbao said with a smile, "I don't need to change the bedding in my room anymore. My aunt doesn't know about it. I have a quirk. I like fine cotton and feel comfortable to wear. It’s just that there are many people in the school who have strong eyes, so they change to satin clothes. Just add more clothes, just add one or two satin clothes, and use Songjiang cloth for the rest, I love that. "

Shanbao and Dong Eshi chatted very speculatively, and Dong Eshi complained to Junbao at night, "In the future, Jiabao will be half as sensible as his elder brother, so I will burn the incense."

"Don't mention that beast to me. I just passed his "Wei Ling Gong Pian" the day before yesterday. If I ask again today, I will forget it. When Zicheng comes back, I think I will have to teach him from scratch again." Jun Bao was also full of resentment, "I think back then when I was studying with my elder brother, although I couldn't compare with those who raised people to Jinshi, I was not so stupid. I am a fool!"

Now that there are more elders in the family, Shanbao Fubao went to greet Junbao and his wife first after returning home from school.

Dong Eshi was the council member in the small hall, and Xueya was also by her side.

The two brothers invited Ann, and Xueya greeted her cousins ​​again. Shanbao didn't see Jiabao, so she asked with a smile, "Aren't uncle and brother here?"

Dong Eshi handed a fruit to Fubao, and murmured, "Your uncle took Jiabao to the study to check his homework just after he came back from the yamen."

The maid brought tea, Dong E smiled, "Drink some water, just came back, are you hungry? Is it going well in school? Is the boy serving you smart?"

"It's all good." Seeing that Fubao was holding an apple to eat, Shanbao reached out to take it, and said to the girl, "Bring a peeling knife."

"Let the girls do it."

Shanbao smiled, "It's a small matter, I was the one who peeled for Fubao before. He hasn't changed his teeth yet, the gaps between his teeth are big, and the skin will get stuck in the gaps between his teeth after eating apples and pears a few times."

Shanbao's fingers are dexterous, the thin layer of peel can almost transmit light and meanders down along the bright blade. Chief Shanbao's fingertips pinched the two ends of the peel with only a few spots left, and cut a flawless fruit Handing the apple to Fubao, he asked with a smile, "Do you want to eat, sister?"

Xueya swallowed her saliva, and said with a smile, "I didn't want to eat it at first, but I got hungry when I saw my brother peeling it."

Shanbao casually weighed the fruits in the fruit plate, picked out one, and said, "This one is broken inside, throw it away." Then he took another one and peeled it for Xueya to eat. Xueya saw the one picked out by Shanbao in amazement. Looking around, the same round, the same big, and the same with some lovely red, I can't tell anything unusual, so I couldn't help asking, "Brother, what's broken, it's obviously good."

Shanbao gave her the sliced ​​fruit, and held the fruit with his thumbs and index fingers on both sides. With a little force, there was a slight "pop" sound, and the apple split in two. Sure enough, the middle was already black.Even Dong Eshi was surprised, "How do you know this?"

"It doesn't look the same with the eyes, it feels different, there is a difference between bad and good." Shanbao smiled and asked the maid to clean up.Xueya asked, "Brother, don't you want to eat?"

"I always eat fruit after meals."

"What's the point?"

Shanbao teased her, "It helps to gain weight, I seem to be too thin."

Xueya touched her little baby-fat face, feeling a little shy, but peeking at her elder brother who still had an upright and gentle face, he didn't seem to be laughing at her, so she made a secret note of this idea.Then he said, "Brother, you eat too little. I think Jiabao eats more than you."

"By the way, I heard Hongyan said that they used to eat vegetable oil, but they were not used to eating meat oil, so I asked them to change it." Dong Eshi asked kindly, "I also asked them to buy pigeons for soup, which is nourishing. "

"Auntie, don't worry about it." Dong E's thoughtful arrangement, Shanbao was very moved, "Eating is the same. I read that meat and oil are too greasy, and eating too much is not good for the heart. I would rather believe it than believe it." If not, it will be changed."

Shan Baotian had a profound face, and Dong E not only believed in it, but also had lingering fears in his heart, "Oh, I don't know, should I ask the imperial doctor to take the pulse."

"Auntie, it's okay. If you eat too much meat and oil, you will get fat easily. Once you get fat, you will find all kinds of diseases, especially when you are old. Look at the rich old ladies out there. Not only do they look ugly, but they are also full of body." Sick ones. As the saying goes, "It's hard to buy old age to be thin, but old age is not thin and disease is thick." It can be seen that being thin is good for health." Out of the corner of the eye, Xueya is pouting and pinching her small round face again, be kind and patient Can't stop laughing, "Big sister, you haven't bloomed yet, and you will naturally lose weight after two years of age, and now you are cute like this. There is no fat person in our family, and genetically speaking, you will not be fat either. You When you have time, let uncle teach you a few sets of boxing, that is, to keep fit, so you won't be afraid of being bullied in the future."

Xueya curled her lips, "Amaken has to teach me that too. She just said, 'Girl, it's okay to embroider and read books...how can I learn fists and kicks?' I simply look down on my daughter."

"Xue'er, don't talk nonsense." Dong Eshi smiled and said, "Your Mama loves you so much, don't girls have to be polite."

"Jiabao said earlier that he would compete with his elder brother in bow and arrow competitions. Learning archery will be fine." Xue Ya hugged her mother's arm, clinging to her mother's arm, "Emiang, let me learn."

The people in the room were chatting and joking, Feiyan came in with small steps, with a look of anxiety on her face, "Ma'am, word came in from outside that the master is going to punish the young master." Dong E's face turned pale with fright, she stood up holding her daughter's hand and said Want to go outside, muttering, "No, I have to go and have a look."

"Auntie, there are many people outside, don't offend Auntie and Eldest Sister, I'll go and persuade you. Don't worry, Auntie will bring you back my younger brother, beard and tail."

Jun Bao was checking Jiabao's homework with a dark face. He put the wide ruler at hand and listened to Jiabao's stammering, "Zi, zi, zi said: Gentleman, gentleman...respect not to fight, group... group……"

With a bang, the ruler was slapped on the table, shaking the teacups dancing wildly, Xiao Jiabao's face turned pale, he was startled, and even forgot to say anything.Shanbao stood outside the window, stopped the servants who wanted to pass on the message, straightened his clothes, and stepped in, with three points of gentleness, three points of gentleness, and three points of gentleness, and said in a gentle voice, "The master said: A gentleman should not fight, and a group should not be party. This The meaning of the sentence is that a gentleman is dignified and self-reliant, does not compete with others, and gets along with everyone but does not form cliques." Smiling, he patted Jiabao's head and said to Junbao, "Uncle, we are out of school. "

"Why is it so much later than in the past?" Facing Shanbao, Junbao reluctantly gave a good face.

"Mr. Xueli corrected yesterday's homework, leaving me to explain it, so it's a moment late."

Jun Bao nodded, sighed again, and pointed to Jia Bao who was standing with his hands hanging down, disappointed and helpless, "Look, I ordered him to recite it yesterday, these few words of Confucius made him so worried. gone."

"Uncle, studying is not a one-time thing. You are so strict, Jiabao is so scared that he can't speak well. How can I remember the words of Confucius. I am fine at night, so I call Jiabao. I will teach him to recite. When studying, I will learn martial arts." Same, each has its own tricks, it's not that Jiabao is stupid, maybe he didn't find the right way." Shanbao persuaded with a smile.

"Don't fool me, be strict? Strict teachers produce high-quality apprentices, so it's not good enough, because it's not strict enough!" Jun Bao obviously couldn't drink the ecstasy soup, pointed at Jia Bao and cursed, "If it's not a guilty conscience, what are you afraid of? Look up! Can I still eat him?"

Shanbao smacked his lips, turned his face serious, and said seriously, "Uncle is right. If you want me to say, this kind of person who doesn't study well should be beaten with a board. It's not worth feeling bad about."

When Jiabao heard this, he immediately stared at Shanbao with rounded eyes and condemned him, big brother is good or bad.

Shanbao continued, "It stands to reason that my uncle disciplines my younger brother, and there is absolutely no place for Shanbao to speak. But I can't help but feel wronged for my younger brother. I just returned to the capital after traveling thousands of miles, and my house is in a mess. Where is there really a quiet time for me?" My younger brother is studying quietly. Before my husband arrived, my uncle would go to the yamen, and Fu Bao and I would go to the school on weekdays. Only my aunt and elder sister were left at home, and my younger brother had no one to ask for advice when he was puzzled. Besides, I Seeing that the younger brother’s eyes have turned blue in the past two days, I’m afraid he’s just changed land, he’s not used to it, and he can’t sleep well at night. Sharpening knives is not a mistake in chopping firewood. Uncle let the younger brother adapt to the environment first, take care of his body before studying, and get twice the result with half the effort. .” Turning around and pouring a cup of warm tea, Shanbao asked with a smile, “What did uncle say?”

Junbao took a sip of tea slowly, thoughtfully, looked at Jiabao's terrified little face, seemed to have lost weight, his heart softened, and sighed, "Come on, your elder brother interceded for you, so I will forgive you." Time! Let's play first, and then continue studying when Zicheng comes back."

Jiabao's eyes were wide open. This big cousin spared him a good beating with just a few words, which is really amazing.Thinking of the appointment to try the bow and arrow, he looked at Shanbao with great interest, but he didn't dare to act presumptuously in front of Ama.But Shanbao has been chatting uselessly in front of Junbao, and Junbao can't help but anxiously pluck at Shanbao's back shirt.

This little trick naturally did not escape Jun Bao's eyes, Jun Bao sneered, "What are you doing in a sneaky way! What can't be said openly! Are you shameful!"

Jiabao babbled, just now the eldest brother said that he was not in good health and would be beaten, if he said to shoot arrows, Ama would be scolded, and he didn't know how to respond, and his forehead was sweating anxiously.Shanbao took Jiabao's hand and said with a smile, "Yesterday Jiabao said that my uncle's martial arts skills are world-class, especially bows and arrows, which are even more enviable. Uncle doesn't know, but my nephew is mediocre in riding and shooting. I want to ask my uncle to give me some advice." Second, I just don't know when uncle will be free."

Jiabao nodded again and again, the original words can still be said in this way.

Jun Bao laughed, got up and took their brothers to the small school field in the garden.