It was dark the next day.

Lai Wang was dazzled by the candlelight in his sleep. He turned over and sat up, muttering to himself about what time it was. When he turned his head, he found Mrs. Xu looking at the mirror.

He couldn't help complaining: "It's Mrs. Xue's birthday, not yours. I don't know what I'm doing with this waste of candlelight."

"Why are you just messing around?"

Mrs. Xu turned around and glanced at her husband, and said angrily: "Isn't this just for the sake of the family's face? It's you, Brother Shun, because he's afraid that you'll be tired, so he's entrusting you with that, what..."

"Master Zhao Yanzhao."

"Yes, this is Mr. Zhao! Didn't he already introduce his own age to take over the job of the Zhang family? But you are still working hard every day, rain or shine, and you are even busier than Brother Shun, a serious official!

"

"What do you know?"

Lai Wang stood up from the bed and retorted: "Master Li has just arrived and is not familiar with the official affairs of the yamen. Moreover, it is not yet known what his character is - this is the first-class department in the Ministry of Industry."

If I don't keep a close eye on an important place, if something is discovered, my brother Shun will be the one to be punished."

"Besides, if I don't set an example, the newcomers will definitely follow suit. Then won't all the four hundred taels of salary every year be wasted?"

"Hmph~"

After hearing most of what he said, Mrs. Xu only curled her lips and muttered: "What you say is not what you mean."

Immediately, he ordered Wu'er beside him: "I don't need you here. Go and wait for the master to change clothes and wash up first."

After saying that, I started working in front of the mirror again.

Under the service of Wu'er, Lai Wang quickly dressed up and neatly dressed. Before going out, he suddenly thought of something and asked quickly: "By the way, Miss Shi will probably go to Xue's house today. Have you prepared a meeting gift?"

"

Mrs. Xu replied without turning her head: "I have prepared it for a long time. I am waiting for you to remind me that the day lily is already cold!"

As he said that, he couldn't help but sigh: "It's a pity that the wife here hasn't married yet, otherwise it would be more honorable to take her there."

Lai Wang had already guessed that she was motivated by vanity and wanted to show off in front of her old childhood master, so after hearing this, he didn't bother to say anything to her. He took the toothbrush and tooth powder for mouthwash and went straight to the corridor outside.

Seeing that the east wing was still dark, he couldn't help but sigh to himself: It turns out that the emperor is not in a hurry and the eunuch is.

Jiao Shun naturally was in no hurry.

Because he worked too hard last night, he slept until three o'clock in the morning before getting up under the service of Xiangling and Hongyu.

After washing, I went to the east wing, where I thought I would make up a few lies to make up for what happened last night.

When he didn't want to go in, he saw his mother pulling Xing Xiuyan to greet her.

"Where did you go fooling around again yesterday?"

When Mrs. Xu saw her son coming in from outside, she said angrily: "Xiuyan is about to give birth right before our eyes. You must not bring anything unclean back!"

"do not worry."

Jiao Shun chuckled and said, "I'm just afraid of this. Every time I come back in the middle of the night, I always stay in the west wing. I have to wait until I see the sun the next day before I come here."

After saying that, he took two steps forward, looked Xu up and down, and said in a loud voice: "You look more like a birthday girl than a birthday girl. I almost gave you a birthday greeting when I walked in."

"Stop being so glib!"

Mrs. Xu was heartbroken, but her face sank, and she scolded: "Hurry up and change your clothes and put on more stuff, so we can go to Xue's house to celebrate your birthday."

Jiao Shun sat next to Xing Xiuyan, put his arms around her bulging belly and said, "I'm not in a hurry to go. After all, it's a widow's birthday. How many serious male guests can come over? It would be embarrassing if I went early."

When Mrs. Xu thought that this was indeed the case, she simply stood up and said, "If I had known, I wouldn't have waited for you - then I'll take the first step to avoid the Xue family picking on us."

Seeing that Xing Xiuyan was also about to get up and see him off, he quickly said, "Sit still and don't move. This monkey cub is enough."

Jiao Shun sent her out alone. Just as he was about to turn around, he suddenly remembered something and hurriedly rushed forward with three steps and two steps at a time. He also repelled Qingwen and Wu'er with his eyes.

"Is there anything else?"

Xu asked in confusion upon seeing this.

"It's nothing."

Jiao Shun rubbed his hands and laughed and said, "Just wait until we meet Miss Lin. Mother might as well get closer to her - we are just thinking about taking care of both. It is better to make a pit in advance and be prepared than to have to worry about it later."

Mrs. Xu opened her mouth and was stunned for a long time. She wanted to say something but couldn't. Finally, she gave her son a hard look, turned around and walked away.

Although the two maids didn't know why, they followed him hurriedly.

…………

When Mrs. Xu rushed to Xue's house, there were not many guests present. Only Wang Xifeng came early in the morning to help. As a result, when the old master and servant met each other, they felt a little uncomfortable with each other.

Fortunately, Xue Baochai smoothed things over in time and asked Wang Xifeng to patrol around, leaving her mother alone to entertain the Xu family, thus avoiding an embarrassment.

Although they were also masters and servants in the past, Mrs. Xu and Aunt Xue were much more harmonious together.

Let’s talk about the past and the present and talk about our children. As long as we avoid mentioning regrets about our marriage, we will be very close to each other.

While chatting, the outside gradually became lively. The two stood up and looked outside, but it turned out that it was Mrs. Wang, and everyone in the Grand View Garden led by Li Wan had arrived.

Aunt Xue hurriedly cheered up and went out, but as soon as she went out, she saw Xue Pan standing in front of the door, laughing crazily at the girls.

Even Aunt Xue was startled by her drooling innocence, not to mention the crowd of warblers.

Even the laughter and laughter subsided for a while, and they avoided and hid. Baochai, who was leading the way, saw this and his cheeks were red with anger. He shouted loudly: "What are you dreaming about, brother? Come and see your aunt and sister-in-law soon."

!”

Xue Pan just woke up from a dream. He stepped forward and bowed, and asked without any words: "Why don't you see Brother Bao?"

Although Mrs. Wang didn't like his lack of status just now, she was still partial to her natal relatives, so she followed his words and sighed: "I was originally going to come, but I didn't want to be summoned by the palace as soon as I left home."

On the surface, he looks sighing, but in reality, anyone can see the meaning of showing off.

Xue Pan felt quite uncomfortable when he heard this, and forgot to answer for a while.

Aunt Xue hurriedly continued: "It is Baoyu's blessing to be valued by the emperor - he will be successful in the future, which is better than giving me a hundred birthdays!"

This chat and laughter barely covered Xue Pan's rudeness just now.

Afraid that he would cause trouble again, Xue Baochai took the opportunity to pull Xue Pan aside and ordered: "Since Brother Bao didn't come, please don't follow him in. Just wait outside to welcome the guests."

"How did this happen?"

Xue Panniu's eyes widened and he said excitedly: "If I wasn't there, how would I know if you were coaxing me?"

"With you by the side, how can we talk?!" Xue Baochai said angrily: "Do you have to disturb my mother's good life before you are satisfied?!"

Seeing that his sister was annoyed, Xue Pan reluctantly agreed.

After dealing with this hidden danger, Xue Baochai entered the hall and caught up with Li Wan handing the gift list to Aunt Xue.

Baochai hurriedly walked a few steps to her mother's side. She only waited for her mother to take a quick look before she naturally accepted the gift list.

She turned around and was about to put the gifts on the long table, when she suddenly saw a line of small words, and her heart suddenly moved.

Then while everyone was talking, he quietly rummaged through the gift box.

After a while, I found what I needed, secretly put it in my sleeves, and returned to Aunt Xue as if nothing happened.

After everyone had been chatting and laughing for a while, the woman in charge outside gave the playbook and asked the birthday boy to order a play.

Xue Baochai laughed and said, "Mom almost made a joke last time she ordered a play. Let's ask my aunt to order a few to suit the occasion."

With that said, he handed the playbook to Mrs. Wang and winked at her mother.

Aunt Xue stood up quickly: "Sister ordered two for me. Baochai and I just went to see how the banquet was being prepared."

The mother and daughter then moved to the side hall.

Just listen to Baochai say: "Mom, don't worry, we already have a ready excuse."

As he spoke, he took out a small, delicate wooden box from his sleeve.

Aunt Xue wondered: "This is?"

"A birthday gift from Sister Lin."

Baochai opened the box as he spoke and took out the ivory comb from inside: "This carving is extremely exquisite. It is definitely not an ordinary craftsmanship. I don't know where she got it from - later we will only say that it is an old comb in her home."

I don't dare to accept the things I have, so I come to her and return them quietly."

While explaining how Aunt Xue should respond, he also ordered Ying'er to invite Lin Daiyu to come alone.

Not long after, Lin Daiyu was indeed invited, but she was accompanied by Zijuan - looking at her posture, it was obvious that Zijuan was worried about Sister Lin entering Longtan alone.

Ying'er pouted and wanted to explain, but Baochai quickly dismissed her with a look.

Immediately he took out the ivory comb and said seriously: "My sister stays at home all year round. She spends all her food and clothing in the house, but where do you get such things?"

Lin Daiyu raised her eyebrows when she heard this and said coldly: "What, Sister Bao is trying to interrogate me?"

After saying that, he looked at Aunt Xue again: "Or are you saying that Aunt Xue wants to interrogate me?"

She had a cold look on her face, and Zijuan beside her voice puffed out her cheeks and clenched her little fists, almost ready to start a fight if she disagreed.

Aunt Xue was afraid of this and hurriedly explained: "You misunderstood. Your sister Bao thinks this thing is rare. I am afraid it is an old thing in your home. If it is really left by your mother, I will take it.
To be continued...