Making money, taking exams, and raising a family in rural imperial examinations

Chapter 138

Xiao Qiao went upstairs carrying melons and fruits full of anger, feeling very unconvinced.

For other servants, the Lin family is indeed a very good host family, but for Xiao Qiao, if it wasn't for fear of being left alone by Abi and going to an unfamiliar place to be bullied, and later knowing that the host family The future is boundless, she really can't hold on.

Because the life of the Lin family is really too ordinary. It is better in a private school, at least surrounded by young masters and wealthy masters and wives. Now in the village, when you go out, you will see mud and poor villagers. The backyard is the pigpen and cowshed .

In addition to Lin Zezhang's orders, father Lin and others also have to order them around. These people are just country mud legs, even if they become "old masters and old ladies", they don't look like masters.

There is also Lin Xiaolian, she has heard about the status of the other party, with Chen Shuju as a mother, Lin Ze may turn against her at any time, why does Lin Xiaolian order her around, a vulgar girl, Miss Huan Lian, it is really difficult for her to hold her expression !

Thinking that when she was in the mansion, she was not as good as the young lady but she was superior to others. Now that she is like this, Xiao Qiao is really unwilling.

But no matter how unwilling she is now, she still has to hold back, because the maid is a slave.

Holding the melons and fruits, Xiao Qiao secretly made up her mind that she must take advantage of these two years when she was in full bloom to make a good future. If she can be liked by the master, it will be good, but if the master doesn't like her, she can't be assigned to the rough man in the village. ...

Walking to the door of Lin Xiaolian's boudoir, when she was about to knock on the door, a few words like 'Master' and 'Young Mistress' came from the room.

With Xiao Qiao's many years of sensitive experience as a maid, she can easily tell what gossip must be in it.

With a heartbeat, she put down her hand knocking on the door, and quietly put her ear on it.

In the room.

As Xiao Qiao thought, it was indeed a few girls who were gossiping in private, but it was nothing special.

All the sisters of the Liu family sat in the room. After Lin Xiaolian arranged them to leave, the girls looked at the 'luxury' room, their eyes lit up and they couldn't help but put down their embroidery and began to talk.

To Xiao Qiao, the Lin family may be ordinary, but to the villagers, the Lin family's house can really be described as luxurious.

The spacious and bright room, the floor covered with ceramic floor tiles, the exquisite decoration details, the slightly fragrant wooden furniture and the whole set of silk bedding are all enviable.

As mentioned earlier, Lin Ze is a person who pays attention to the enjoyment of life. Although he doesn't usually wear silk clothes to go out, the whole family uses silk and satin bedding for sleeping.

Lin Ze still loves Lin Xiaolian, his younger sister, mainly because the little girl is sensible. He used to have a very cute and cute younger sister, but now that he can't see her, he has the feeling of transferring his feelings to Lin Xiaolian.

Knowing that the little girl loves beauty, Lin Ze also made a copy for the little girl when she ordered a bronze mirror for the dressing table for Zhang Yu. The price is not cheap, and the low-key style can also be seen from the material.

The sisters of the Liu family saw it at a glance, not to mention being envious.

"Second Sister, the Lin family is really rich. Let's not talk about it in the house. You can see that the cabinet and bronze mirror are so beautiful. You are fine. You are so beautiful that you can be a young mistress. I really envy us..."

The Liu family sisters looked at Liu Yanzi with envy and hatred.

The second sister is the most beautiful among the sisters, and she is also the most suitable age. When the mother made the arrangement, the second sister naturally took the best one. It is also the second sister's luck that the family made friends with the Lin family at the age of marriage. With the elder brother's in-law relationship, it's not a problem for the second sister to marry into the Lin family. It's a custom to marry each other.

Now that she can be a young mistress, when Lin Ze is admitted to Juren, she will be Mrs. Juren, even more beautiful, how can they not be jealous and envious.

"What's there to be envious of? When the second sister becomes Juren's wife, any husband's family I can point out to you will be no worse than the current Lin family."

The envy of the younger sisters made Liu Yanzi flustered, and waved her hands in a big breath, as if it was a certainty that she would marry into the Lin family.

From the perspective of the villagers, it is indeed true that Liu Yanzi looks good in the village. Coupled with Ruo Lin Xiaolian's in-law relationship, it is really possible that Zhang Yu only gave birth to a younger brother now.

But this is because the villagers don't know Lin Ze's status among the high-class people in Nanyang Town. If they understand, they will know that Liu Yanzi is too clumsy to be a maid for the Lin family.

But now, it does not prevent these people from fantasizing.

Looking around Lin Xiaolian's room, Liu Yanzi was very angry that Lin Xiaolian complained to her brother about the awkwardness.

"Hmph, this Lin Xiaolian is really disgusting. She just used her pearl powder, and she even complained to my elder brother, which made my mother scold me so I couldn't hold back. Wait, after the marriage is completed, see How can I ask my mother to clean her up!"

"Second sister, Lin Xiaolian is just like us. Just now, she looked like her tail was up to the sky. She really thinks of herself as a young lady. After she gets married, she will be nothing. She dares to fight with second sister, you are ignorant... "

"Second sister, you can hurry up, marry in early and have a son to inherit the incense of the Lin family so that you can stand on your feet. It's not as good as Zhang Yu and Lin Ze are a couple in need after all. Lin Ze is a talented man, and he can't get married easily. If you It will be different after giving birth to a son, so we can tell us about the marriage, otherwise we will not be able to wait until we are old..."

"It's the second sister, don't forget me."

For the sake of their own future, no matter how envious and jealous the Liu family sisters are, they still try their best to flatter the second sister.

"Don't worry, Mom asked a fortune teller to do it for me. I was born to be the young lady's fate."

Liu Yanzi was very pleased with what he heard, and couldn't help but laugh.

outside the house,

Xiao Qiao was amused and contemptuous. She had seen Liu Yanzi before, and she knew the taste of big red flowers when she dressed with rough hands and feet. She was even inferior to the maids who did odd jobs in the mansion before, and she even wanted to marry into the Lin family.

It's just that she doesn't have that much confidence, okay? I really don't know where these country girls get so much confidence.

But this is good, she is still worried that the relationship between the master and the husband is so good that she doesn't know how to start, so it's better to let this Liu Yanzi test the water first.

Thinking so, Xiao Qiao knocked on the door.

"Excuse me, is the girl from the Liu family here? I'm Xiao Qiao, the maid, and the master asked me to bring melons and fruits to the girls..."

There was a silence in the room, and then there was a movement, with a faint sound of joy.

The door opened, and Liu Yanzi looked at Xiao Qiao, who was holding something with a low eyebrow, and said with a suppressed joy in her voice, "Master asked you to send melons and fruits? Which master?"

Xiao Qiao smiled respectfully,

"Of course it's Mr. Lin. The master said that the girls are future in-laws, so they must be entertained well. He also said that Miss Liu Er likes to eat citrus the most. Today I happen to have them, so I sent them up. The fruits are nourishing. It's delicious."

"Brother Lin knows that I like oranges?"

Liu Yanzi was overjoyed when he heard that, and even changed his address to be intimate.

Xiao Qiao despised the cold in her heart, but she still kept a smile on her face, "Yes, Second Miss Liu has lived with us for a long time, so the master naturally remembers you, and said that Second Miss's embroidery is better than Fu Lang's." ..."

Most peasant girls supplement their family income by embroidery and knitting, and female red is one of the skills to marry a difficult person, and being praised is the happiest.

But what does Lin Ze mean by boasting about his good embroidery?Obviously Lin Xiaolian is better than her... Liu Yanzi pondered a little shyly.

She's just a village girl who hasn't even been out of the village a few times. She's not used to seeing Xiao Qiao's opponent in the inner house. After a few words, she starts to think wildly. Besides, she was already thinking wildly. It's just a handful of extra firewood at the moment.

Looking left and right to see if there was no one, Liu Yanzi boldly stuffed her handkerchief into Xiao Qiao's hand, along with a few copper coins.

Then he said, "Little Qiao, Master Lin is very familiar with the town. The girls in our village will be deducted every time they go to sell embroidery. Please show Master Lin this handkerchief for me, so that he can help me see how it looks. Which one should I get for sale..."

This point of bribery and bribery is basically not too stupid to understand, and the villagers are the same, they always give benefits when they ask for help.

Xiao Qiao glanced at the handkerchief stained with women's rouge, and a few old copper coins, and her contempt for being funny almost reached a peak.

Sure enough, it's the pettiness of the village, who still wants to entrust someone to do things for a few copper coins, and send the beggar away.

But she still kept a smile on her face, took the things,

"Miss Liu Er is good-looking and ingenious. This handkerchief is really well embroidered with mandarin ducks. The master will definitely appreciate it. Then I will go and ask the girl."

"Then thank you. In the future, my sister's prosperity will be indispensable to your benefits."

Seeing this, Liu Yanzi was overjoyed.

Xiao Qiao backed away with a sneer in her heart, and went back to the house to change clothes, dressed up carefully, and was ready to strike while the iron was hot, and throw bricks to attract jade.

……

That night.

Lin Ze, who was sitting in the study to settle the accounts and prepare the lesson plans for tomorrow's class, heard a knock on the study door.

He frowned a little impatiently, because he was in a bad mood to be interrupted because he hadn't finished his work.

Lin Dongdong was so attached to him and Zhang Yu that he would not be carried away until he fell asleep. Zhang Yu had no choice but to put this little ancestor to sleep at night before letting go.

So Lin Ze can only help at night if the account book is not finished during the day, and Lin Ze has to adjust the original plan according to the students' learning situation every day. There are many things, and a little delay will make it happen. Can only sleep late at night.

Therefore, as long as Lin Ze enters the study, no one in the family will bother him if there is no special emergency. Even Zhang Yu takes the children to play in the bedroom.

The knock on the door was obviously not urgent. Lin Ze was not happy to put down his pen, and closed the important documents before calling out.

"Come in……"

*****************

There was not enough fiber optics at night, but Lin Ze knew who it was when he saw the color of the clothes when he opened the door.

Only the girl named Xiao Qiao likes to wear the bright pink color at home. This girl has a flamboyant personality, and so do some of her hobbies.

He was holding a cup of coffee in his hand.

"The master is busy with his affairs, and I ask the master to forgive me for disturbing the servant girl. It's just that Xiao Qiao has something very important to report to the master. Please drink coffee first to relieve the fatigue, and then the servant girl will report to you in detail..."

Walking over slowly, Xiao Qiao put the coffee on the table, and made a gesture of blessing while talking.

She has a graceful posture, and her movements are full of ladylike feeling that can only be found in a wealthy family. The specially dressed appearance is more beautiful than usual, and there is a hazy beauty in this dim light. Men who lack concentration will definitely be attracted.

Especially the master has been abstinent for a long time...

But it just so happens that Lin Ze is a man with sufficient concentration and only likes men, so he doesn't feel the slightest bit.

He even couldn't help frowning even more fiercely because of the fragrance of the powder that hit his face. He couldn't bear the greasy smell of powder. Ah Yu never used these, it was refreshing.

"Coffee is refreshing. I don't sleep late. I don't stay up late. Don't make up your own mind if you haven't told you. What do you want to report? Just say it."

Lin Ze's patience is very poor when he is upset, and he had some opinions on Xiao Qiao's potential in the private school Flower Butterfly before, and now he is naturally teaching him a lesson.

As a modern person, he does advocate equality for all, but this kind of thinking can only be in his heart. It is impossible in this era. Since he is a master, he should have the majesty of a master, otherwise he will sooner or later be bullied by his subordinates.

The harsh and unceremonious lesson made Xiao Qiao's face stiff, feeling a little aggrieved, and secretly scolded Lin Ze for being incomprehensible.

But he didn't dare to show it, Nuonuo responded, adjusted his posture, raised his head slightly, with a charming expression, and handed Liu Yanzi's handkerchief up,

"Master, Miss Liu Er asked me to show you this handkerchief. Although she asked the master to help you see the handkerchief and ask the master to introduce an embroidery shop owner who can't discount the price to sell things, but this kind of thing is often seen in the inner house by slaves. , it is ambiguous for a woman to give a handkerchief, Miss Liu Er may have some ideas, and the servant overheard her saying something..."

"What?"

Lin Ze became serious when he heard the words, but he didn't expect the girl from the Liu family to be so courageous.

Directly bribing the maid to give the man a handkerchief, if the man is not interested, if this kind of thing gets out, does the girl still want to marry?

Seeing his attention, Xiao Qiao stretched her neck forward calmly, revealing her snow-white and alluring neck,

"Miss Liu, she said that after Miss Lian married her brother, she would help her match with the master, and then she would be able to marry the master and be his young mistress. After giving birth to a son, she will almost be a younger brother, she is a girl who is easy to bear, and she will definitely give birth to a son for the master in the future."

"The servant girl was very angry when she heard it, but today the servant girl did not dare to cause trouble at the banquet. It is not pleasant to say these things, so she quietly told the master late at night, and also prevented the husband from getting angry with the master when he heard it."

This one word is enough to attract people's hatred.

Not only did he sue Liu Yanzi and defend Zhang Yu overtly, but he actually tricked him secretly by saying that Zhang Yu was a jealous husband.

If it was someone else today, I might believe it, but Lin Ze always felt that something was wrong.

Looking at the make-up and clothes that the maid in front of him seemed to have specially dressed up, as well as the charming posture and expression, if he still couldn't see the little maid's thoughts in front of him, he had been fooling around for so many years.

Lin Ze picked up the handkerchief and looked at it for a while before throwing it into the trash can beside him. He said coldly,

"These words are really all said by Miss Liu Er?"

Looking at the handkerchief, Ms. Liu probably really wants to cling to her, but I'm afraid I can't believe all of Xiao Qiao's words. He has already seen that this maid is serious in her private school.

But at that time the other party was quite peaceful, although he had thoughtful plans, but seeing that the other party was a little girl, a person always needs experience to mature, and he didn't think too hard, so he just planned to find an opportunity to send her away, but he didn't expect this The maid's mind was heavier than he imagined.

"It's all from Miss Liu Er, what does the master mean by asking Xiao Qiao like that..."

Xiao Qiao didn't quite understand the meaning of Lin Ze's words. Seeing that his expression turned cold suddenly, but it didn't look like it was because of Liu Yanzi, she felt a little uneasy.

But it’s already here, so I still bite the bullet and go on, showing my pitiful expression of grievances. Instead of being a maid for the rest of my life and marrying a village man, she might as well have the courage to win a job. Her beauty is a beauty here. Level, few men can resist the temptation of beauty.

Xiao Qiao took two steps forward, with tears on her face, "Master, do you suspect that Xiao Qiao is lying?"

"It's not doubt, it's certainty."

Lin Ze felt uncomfortable from the strong fragrance of the other party's powder, stood up and took two steps back, and at the same time pulled a string beside him.

The function of this wire is to replace the modern "telephone" and "pager". The wires of different colors are connected to a copper bell in a different room of the next person, and the sound is pulled, which saves the trouble of having to go downstairs to call someone when you get up.

The brass bell of Hulala rang in the servant room on the first floor, and the servants were woken up. They realized that it was the master calling for someone, and they hurriedly put on their clothes and rushed to catch up.

Before Xiao Qiao could react at all, she was dumbfounded when she saw the crowd filing in.

"Old, sir..."

Having seen so many men, this is the first time she has seen Lin Ze who is not tempted and calls people to watch without saying a word.

When Abi saw Xiao Qiao dressed up specially, she knew what was going on almost instantly. It must be that Xiao Qiao couldn't bear the ordinary life now and committed the problems of the inner house before. No wonder Xiao Qiao never went back to sleep in the house.

Sure enough, when the servants arrived, Lin Ze directly ordered Lin Fu,

"Lin Fu, Xiao Qiao lied to the master, chewed her husband's tongue, forgot her identity and family rules, locked her in the woodshed, and took her to sell tomorrow. I will take care of Yazi. I don't want to be in Qingshan County again. see her."

Everyone was stunned, they didn't expect to hear such a sudden thing, but after thinking about it, they figured it out.

Xiao Qiao is indeed not very peaceful on weekdays. He does a good job, but he is always a bit unwilling to accept the status quo. In his private school, he attracted several male employees of the dessert shop to run to the backyard every day. Everyone has noticed it for a long time. It's not normal for the charmer's affairs to be kicked out.

Anyone with eyes can see the master's love and love for Fu Lang. Didn't you see that Fu Lang gave birth to a little brother, not only did he not fall out of favor, but was even more favored by the master? If the young master makes noise, the master will definitely listen to the lesson The young master who doesn't understand, not the master of the husband.

Lin Fu immediately took orders, "It's the master."

After finishing speaking, he winked at the two male servants and asked them to go up and drag Xiao Qiao down.

Now Xiao Qiao finally panicked, she was really wronged and cried, "Master, don't betray my master, Xiao Qiao didn't lie to the lord, it's obviously the second girl Liu who has evil intentions, and Xiao Qiao didn't chew her husband's tongue, master you I wronged Xiao Qiao, woo woo..."

"Wrong? You really have a good idea. Use Miss Liu as a shield. Even if I look down on you, you will not be affected. It not only tested whether I have the intention of taking a concubine, but also has enough excuses to explain that I ran away from me at night. The study room. You said you were afraid that Fu Lang would get angry if he found out about it, didn’t you imply that Fu Lang is a jealous husband?”

Lin Ze sneered,

"Little Qiao, you are very smart, and you have learned the methods of the mansion very well, but I am not a mansion here, and I can't tolerate half a grain of sand in my eyes. I said when I bought you that I want to keep my law and order, and I can't do anything. Don't waste my food here, Lin Fu will take her down!"

The words hit the nail on the head and hit the heart of the mind.

Xiao Qiao's face turned pale. She really didn't expect that Lin Ze, who is usually generous to others, would not be tempted by the beauty. If you say to send her away, she will be sent away without any sympathy. Anyway, she usually works hard. How about master How can you be so heartless!

She couldn't hold back her knees and knelt down on the ground, and quickly admitted her mistake and begged for mercy.

"Wuuuu, master, please forgive me, Xiao Qiao knows I was wrong, please don't sell Xiao Qiao... Sister Abi save me, sister Abi, please help me to plead for mercy, wuuu, I know I was wrong, ah Miss Bi, help me."

The Lin family can't compare to the real big family now, but Lin Ze is the county magistrate's brother-in-law, and he is capable and has a bright future. It is definitely not bad to be a maid in the Lin family for a few years.

But if she was sold again, Lin Ze also told the dental clinic not to allow her to show up in Qingshan County. She would definitely not be able to meet a better master than the Lin family again. One can imagine in the future.

While struggling and crying, Xiao Qiao begged Lin Ze for mercy, while crying to Abi for help.

But where did Abi dare to save her? Lin Ze made it clear that he wanted everyone to scare the monkeys and scold everyone. Xiao Qiao even dared to slander Fulang in front of the master.

She has a good relationship with Xiao Qiao, and she takes care of her as a younger sister on weekdays, but she is not really her own sister. She has already mentioned her to Xiao Qiao. If Xiao Qiao doesn't listen, there is nothing she can do. She said, let the master point her to a good family to get married and take root.

Abi didn't dare to intercede, and could only watch Xiao Qiao being taken down in fear.

Lin Ze looked around at the servants and warned with a cold face,

"Listen, all of you. Let me say it one last time. The Lin family doesn't need restless people. If anyone commits another crime next time, they will not be sold, but will be executed!"

The cold and stern voice carried a strong murderous air.

"Yes, master."

Abi and the others were so frightened that they all knelt down on the ground, their faces full of panic.

No one expected that the usually benevolent and kind-hearted master would be more ruthless and cruel than those vicious-looking masters when angry.

"Everyone go down..."

After killing chickens to warn monkeys, Lin Ze waved everyone out, sat back on the stool, and thought about the affairs of the Liu family.

After a toss.

When he finished his work and returned to the bedroom, not only Lin Dongdong fell asleep, but Zhang Yu also fell asleep leaning against the head of the bed with his son in his arms. He didn't even take off his clothes, obviously waiting to fall asleep.

The candles on the table were almost burned, and the dim light printed on the profiles of the father and son on the bed, full of warmth.

Looking at his sleeping lover and son, Lin Ze smiled, then lightly took off his clothes and went to bed, and carefully hugged the two babies, one big and one small, to rest.

"Cuckoo..."

Sensing his father's breath, Lin Dongdong, who was sleeping soundly, giggled as he dreamed of something.