Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 30 Returning home
The ground in front of the gate is paved with bluestone, with horse posts on both sides in pairs. The gate is two meters high, with big red lanterns hanging high. The copper nails on the red door are dazzling. There are majestic stone lions about ten meters on both sides. The white walls and green tiles stretch for a long time. The screen wall inside the gate is exquisitely carved with pine trees, stones, mountains, bamboos and sea of ​​clouds.

The gate of the Gao Mansion is really magnificent. What a great Gao family.

This scene, set in the dilapidated Yang County, is like flowers falling into the mud, so out of place, so out of place.

Seeing this scene from a distance, Chen Xuan's impression of the Gao family became even higher.

Just judging by the visual inspection of the courtyard in front, the building area is definitely not smaller than a standard football field!

However, what is the origin of the Gao family and why is it so dazzling and glorious?
Although he was not dazzled by the scene in front of him, Chen Xuan noticed that this magnificent mansion was too new. It was obviously built not long ago, probably only in the past one or two years.

Could it be that the Gao family is a newly rising wealthy family? Chen Xuan speculated in his heart.

It was evening and the rain was drizzling, but in front of the Gao Mansion, a large group of people had already gathered, waiting to welcome them. Maids and servants were lined up on both sides, and many guards were strictly guarding all sides. A quick glance showed that there were no less than a hundred people. If the dozens of people including Chen Xuan who had returned were added, the number of people in the Gao family would be close to two hundred, not counting those who didn't show up.

There were many people, both men and women, gathered in front of the gate. Two pretty women standing quietly at the front gate were particularly eye-catching. Their looks and figures were not much inferior to Mrs. Gao, and they were younger. Beside the two women, there were three or two children, the oldest was about six or seven years old, and the youngest was two or three years old.

So many people were watching the convoy and waiting to welcome them.

In the returning convoy, in the inconspicuous but most exquisite carriage, Mrs. Gao appeared, supported and surrounded by her maids, with an exquisite oil-paper umbrella shielding the rain from her head.

As she appeared, everyone in front of the door saluted and said in unison: "Welcome Madam back home."

Pausing slightly in the carriage, Madam Gao said gently, "No need to be so polite. Has the mansion been peaceful while I've been away?"

"Madam, everything is fine," everyone answered in unison again.

Nodding, Madam Gao left the carriage with the help of her maid and walked towards the gate with dignified manners. When she reached the door, two pretty women who were waiting quietly squatted and saluted, saying, "Welcome home, sister. Did your journey go well?"

"Everything is fine. Thank you for your hard work, my two sisters," Mrs. Gao looked at them and smiled.

The two girls immediately said: "It's not hard. It's hard for my sister to be away from home. When my sister comes back, the family will have a backbone."

As they finished speaking, the four or five children around the two girls, big and small, all said in baby voices, "Welcome home, mother!"

"Well, good kids, have you been good recently?" Mrs. Gao touched their heads one by one and said with a smile.

Several children immediately smiled and said, "Mom, we have been very good during this period and have not been naughty."

"You are all mother's good children. It's windy outside, don't catch a cold, go back to the house," Mrs. Gao said with a smile, and then walked towards the yard.

This scene caught the eyes of Chen Xuan, who was standing a little behind, in awe. He thought to himself, are all wealthy families like this? They make such a big fuss just to go home.

What puzzled Chen Xuan the most was why four or five children all called Madam Gao "mother"—three boys and two girls, all of similar age. Madam Gao only gave birth to one child a year, so how could she have so many in two or three years? She wasn't a baby-making machine.

The key is, which one is the young master that he needs to serve?

Just as Chen Xuan was daydreaming, the maid Guoguo whispered a reminder: "Xuan'er, the ones talking to Madam this time are the Third Madam and the Fourth Madam. The people around them who are about your age are all the young masters and young ladies in the mansion. The Second Madam is not at home, otherwise she would have come out to greet them. The master is now serving as an official outside, and the Second Madam is accompanying him to serve. At present, Madam is in charge of the mansion. Originally, the old madam was in charge of the household, but the old madam is very old and has been living in the old house. You just arrived and don't know anything. You will slowly understand in the future."

After hearing these words, Chen Xuan was almost confused. Madam, Second Madam, Third Madam, Fourth Madam, Old Madam, what a mess.

However, he soon figured it out. The old lady that Guoguo was talking about should be the Gao family's mother, and the lady was Mrs. Gao, the one who bought him. Now that the master is away as an official and not at home, she is the head of the family here.

Then the second, third, and fourth wives were probably concubines or side wives. So the children following the second and third wives were actually their own, not Madam Gao's.

In ancient society, concubines and the like had little status. If they were not favored, they were no different from slaves. Therefore, the children they gave birth to were nominally Mrs. Gao's children. As illegitimate children, their biological mother had no status, so their status was also humble. No wonder they were called mother.

But it seems that Mrs. Gao treats them well, so it should be better.

Maybe the biological mothers of those children are not even worthy of being called "mother" by their own children. They are probably called "aunt" or something like that.

Thinking of this, Chen Xuan muttered to himself that the ancient society was really fucking interesting, and men were really happy. Haven’t you seen that Madam Gao, the third Madam, or the fourth Madam? Which one of them was not as beautiful as a flower, a jade ring, or a slim swallow?
I just don't know if there is a real young master among those children who I need to serve next.

Furthermore, Master Gao was an official in a foreign country, and I don't know what position he held, but he actually had such a prosperous family, three wives and four concubines, a group of servants and maids, and even more guards. I'm afraid he must be a corrupt official, otherwise how could he afford such a family? I'm afraid he couldn't support such a family with that little salary.

I may criticize it in my heart, but it is just a thought at the moment and cannot be put into practice. It needs further observation.

As his mind raced, Chen Xuan and the others got out of the car and walked towards the gate.

There were side doors on both sides of the main gate. The returning people entered through the side doors in order, men on the left and women on the right. Only Mrs. Gao went through the main gate. Even the third and fourth wives outside the gate and the young masters and young ladies were not qualified to go through the main gate.

A bright charcoal fire had already been burning at the entrance. After stepping over, someone used a willow branch dipped in clean water to sweep the clothes on their body. Chen Xuan guessed that this was probably to get rid of bad luck when returning home, which was quite particular.

"Let's all go," Mrs. Gao in front said lightly after the group of people who returned entered the door. It seemed as if she had eyes on the back of her head. It might be that the maid next to her reminded her.

After she finished speaking, the crowd gathered at the gate dispersed in an orderly manner.

But at this moment, Chen Xuan was at a loss. Everyone had a place to go, so what should I do? Where should I go? Looking at this courtyard, he was deeply confused.

Fortunately, a familiar voice soon sounded beside him, saying: "Xuan brother, come with me, I will take you to your residence. Since you just arrived today, you should have a good meal first, as a welcome to you. Tomorrow I will arrange for someone to take you to familiarize yourself with the environment and meet the people in the mansion."

The person who spoke was Qinghe, one of Madam Gao's personal maids, who actually came to make arrangements personally.

"Then I'll trouble Sister Qinghe," Chen Xuan nodded. Never mind. He would just obey the arrangements. He couldn't sell himself again.

Qing He touched his head and said with a smile: "Xuan Ge'er has a really good memory. He remembered me after just one look. Let's go. We're already home. Don't be polite to me."

As he spoke, Qinghe led Chen Xuan towards the depths of the intricate courtyard.

Everywhere you go, you'll see pavilions, corridors, terraces, rockery, gardens and ponds, all with unique craftsmanship. It truly is a wealthy family, but if you're a first-time visitor, you might easily get lost.

As he looked around, Chen Xuan couldn't help but ask, "Excuse me, Sister Qinghe, I just heard from Sister Guoguo that the young masters and young ladies have gone out to greet the lady. Which young master should I serve?"

"Hehe, Xuan'er can't wait to meet the eldest young master. Unfortunately, it's not a coincidence. The eldest young master is not at home. He is studying in the academy and lives in the academy. He will be back tomorrow afternoon. You will be able to see him then. The eldest young master is not much older than you and is very easy to get along with. Come back and rest for two days. Next time he goes to the academy, you can go with him," Qinghe said in a light tone.

The young master wasn't here before, and he won't be around today. Is he in school? Is it far away? No, since your Gao family is so prosperous, shouldn't he be studying in a private school or hiring a teacher?

His head was full of doubts and there was too little information, so Chen Xuan couldn't figure out what was going on.

……

(End of this chapter)