Flowers in full bloom

When she was free, she took Xiaoyuan to several private schools nearby to find out more. She found a private school called "Qingyun Academy" for him to study in. This was because the school had already started for a month and a half, and other academies were not recruiting students. Hualei had no choice but to send Xiaoyuan there. The tuition was not cheap, only two taels per month.

It was about 35 minutes away from our house by mule cart, so Xiaoqun had to send him in the morning and Xile picked him up in the afternoon. It was very troublesome, but there was nothing we could do, after all, Xiaoyuan's studies were the top priority.

After thinking for a few days and asking Xiaoyuan, Fu Bo and others for their opinions, Hualei finally sent a visiting card to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion. She didn't receive a reply, so she sent it again a few days later. After sending it three times, she still didn't receive a reply, so she stopped sending it. She concentrated on her own life and stopped thinking about it. Life finally began to go smoothly.

During this period, the three brothers Fang Youcai brought their mother Aunt Fang to the courtyard once. The four of them respectfully paid homage to Grandfather Hua, and then knelt in front of Hua Lei and Xiao Yuan to express their gratitude. After Hua Lei avoided them, she also chatted with Aunt Fang and the three brothers Youcai. She learned some recent news about the Fang family.

At that time, Aunt Fang took the three brothers away from the Hua family and went to a distant relative in the capital. The relative's family was a sixth-rank official under the Ministry of Justice. Although the family had some assets, it was impossible to support the three brothers of the Fang family for a lifetime. So Aunt Fang lived in the distant relative's house for a few years and let the three sons learn a few words. Then they rented a house in the north of Dongcheng District and moved out. The three sons were able to learn to read because of Grandfather Hua's guidance at that time.

After Aunt Fang moved out, she used her relatives' connections to get Fang Youtian, the eldest brother of the Fang family, a job as a yamen runner in a small government office in the East District of Shangjing City. Although the income was not very high, it was relatively stable, with two taels of silver per month, and occasionally some extra income. The eldest brother of the Fang family was already married and had a family. His daughter was three years old, and his wife was at home. He took on odd jobs for other people, such as mending sewing, embroidering silk handkerchiefs, and making lace, but he did not have any other regular business.

When Fang Youdi, the second brother of the Fang family, was about the same age, with the help of his eldest brother, he went to work as a clerk in a dental clinic owned by a friend. Since he could read, which was relatively rare, he did quite well in the clinic, with a monthly salary of about 1.5 taels plus commission, and lunch was provided. He was also married, and his wife was five months pregnant.

The youngest, Fang Youcai, is the same age as Brother Xile. When he could almost recognize the words, he went to work as a waiter in Zuiyuelou Restaurant with the help of his eldest brother. The work was busy and tiring, but he could get one or two taels of silver a month, which was considered good. He has not married yet.

Aunt Fang was worried. There were only three people working in the family, but there were seven mouths to feed. They were going to have another baby soon. Although it was a good thing, she didn't have enough money, which was also worrying. Moreover, her youngest son was already seventeen years old, and it was time to get married, but the betrothal gifts were not there yet. The house was still rented, and the pressure was still great. So Aunt Fang went out from time to time to help with short-term work in rich families, bring back some clothes to help wash, and help buy some rice and flour for the family. Hua Lei and everyone else were also moved after hearing this. It was not easy for everyone in this world to live.

Time passed quietly. Everyone in her courtyard was busy, except Hualei. Although Hualei wanted to help when the bun shop was busy, she was always driven out by Aunt Song. When she helped to hold Yaya, she was snatched away by Aunt Luo and put in the cradle, saying that she should not be spoiled. Xiaofei was taken to the bookstore by Brother Ping'an, who said that he would personally open his eyes to him. Hualei had more time all of a sudden, and had nothing to do all day. Another half a month passed in a flash, and it was the end of March. Hualei had been in Shangjing for one and a half months.

On this day, the bookstore welcomed a special guest. Ping An led him to the main hall. When Hua Lei came down from upstairs, she saw someone sitting in the main hall drinking tea.

The man was over fifty, with a little gray hair on his temples and a thin face, but he was energetic and his eyes were bright. When he saw Hua Lei coming down, he put down the teacup in his hand, stood up, leaned slightly in the direction of Hua Lei, and asked with a bow, "This lady is Miss Hua Lei from Wan'an County, Hangzhou Prefecture."

Hua Lei slightly dodged and leaned forward to return the greeting, "Yes, I am Hua Lei. May I know what is the name of this father-in-law?"

“Miss Hua, I am Pei Zhong, the housekeeper of the Dingbei Marquis’ Mansion.”

Hua Lei was a little surprised, but she didn't show it. She raised her hand and said, "Butler Pei, please sit down and have some tea."

Butler Pei sat down and looked at Hualei calmly. She was wearing a long fish-white dress with ripples on the waist, which made her waist look slim and graceful. She was wearing a loose robe of the same color. Her black hair was not tied into a bun, but tied with a plain hairband behind her head, with a plain silk flower pinned on it. On her slightly pale face, she had a pair of almond eyes, which drooped slightly at this time, without makeup. She looked gentle and soft, without any aggression.

Butler Pei couldn't help but praise in his heart, what a beautiful color.

Butler Pei cleared his throat and said sadly, "Miss Hua, I heard that Mr. Hua passed away last month. It's a pity. Please accept my condolences." Hua Lei lowered her eyes. After a pause, Butler Pei said, "I came here today on the orders of our old lady to take Miss Hua and Young Master Hua to stay in the Marquis' Mansion. What do you think?" Hua Lei was startled, obviously surprised by what Butler Pei said.

Butler Pei saw Hua Lei's surprise and continued, "Two months ago, Master Hua sent a letter to our Marquis stationed in Mobei, telling us about the situation of Miss Hua and Master Hua.

But because our Lord is often on border patrol, he received the letter a little late. After receiving the letter, he wrote back to the Marquis' Mansion to tell the old lady about it. On the other hand, he asked the two guards around him to take the letter directly to the old house of the Hua family in Wan'an County, Hangzhou Prefecture to pick up Miss Hua and Master Hua. "

Hua Lei was shocked. "Did Pei's grandfather send people to Wan'an County?" Butler Pei nodded. "Yes, but when the guards arrived at the Hua's house in Wan'an County, it was empty. The house had changed its owner. The guards asked around in the town for a few days and found out that Miss Hua and Young Master Hua might have come to the capital, so they followed them back to the Marquis' Mansion.

However, when they returned to the Marquis' Mansion, they found out that Miss Hua and Young Master Hua had not arrived, so the old lady sent guards to search along the official road, but still could not find Miss Hua and Young Master Hua.

I think I may have taken the wrong road with Miss Hua. Miss Hua should have already arrived in Shangjing City. So while I was waiting for Miss Hua and Young Master Hua in the mansion, I sent people to Shangjing City to inquire about them. I finally found out the whereabouts of Miss Hua and Young Master Hua two days ago. So I sent this old man here today to take Miss Hua and Young Master Hua to stay in the mansion for a while."