The Moon Over Tang Dynasty

 Chapter 5 Favors such as this to establish a family

 Did he send someone to inform Kudi Yanzhong? Liuli hurriedly turned back to look at the sky and saw that it was already dusk. She couldn't help but smile and said, "Thank you for your understanding, cousin." Every shop in Chang'an must be closed after sunset. If you are still wandering on the road outside the shop after that, then He broke the night ban and was discovered by the Jinwu Guards who were patrolling the night. He was beaten to death and ignored. Looking at the weather, even if Kudi Yanzhong got the news, he would not be able to come over and force him to go home. Naturally, Sanlang deliberately chose this time to send the news.

When Sanlang heard this word of thanks, his eyes showed a bit of smile, and his beard rose even higher: "My cousin was lost. Fortunately, I met my mother. I have to keep you here for a few days. Tomorrow is the first day of the new year. As soon as the gate opens, you can accompany my mother to the Daci'en Temple to burn incense and pray for my aunt."

Liuli responded hurriedly, raised her eyes and looked at this cousin who looked a bit like Afanti, and sighed in her heart: He must be too thoughtful! She had heard of Daci'en Temple. It was located in the south of Chang'an City. To burn incense, you had to go out through the south gate of Fangli early in the morning. However, the Kudi family lived in the west of Huaiyuanfang, so they naturally entered through the west gate. With this time difference, even if Kudi Yanzhong found Anjia early in the morning, he would not be able to stop him, let alone chase him to Daci'en Temple and shout in public that she would not be allowed to offer incense to her deceased mother and that she would be asked to participate in the election of the church. dial! In this way, no matter how things develop, what I do will be impeccable, and my uncle's family will be in an invincible position...

She nodded secretly, but heard Liu Lang mutter, "Brother is a lot of spendthrifts! How much care do you have to deal with someone who wants to send his daughter to a school?"

Liuli finally understood the reason for the voice she heard just now, and couldn't help but laugh. But she felt her hand tighten, and her second aunt stretched out her hand to pull her to her side. She looked up and down several times and sighed, "Akang is really good at dressing up. How can I let them mess with my son who is so good-looking? Don’t worry, your uncle and aunt will definitely make the decision for you!”

Her palms were gentle, and her blue eyes were probably a little red from crying just now. Liuli felt sour for some reason, and her eyes were a little warm. The second aunt's tears suddenly came out again. It was Mi who came up quickly and said with a smile, "The food table has been set up. My cousin has been worried and frightened this day, so she is naturally hungry. Can we go over now?"

Auntie quickly wiped her tears, stood up with a smile, pulled Liuli towards the east room, and said, "Auntie is confused! You are so thin, you should use more."

Liuli also had a smile on her face again. When she walked into the east room, she was surprised. I saw a rectangular table in the middle of the room, with long and wide benches on all sides, and a table of hot food. It looked almost the same as the dining tables of later generations. At Kudi's house, Liuli accidentally When she was called to the dining room, everyone ate their portion at the table. She had thought that people in the Tang Dynasty would sit down and share their meals while eating, but she never expected to see such a familiar and friendly scene.

Auntie pulled Liuli to sit down next to her and began to serve her food diligently. Liuli glanced around and noticed that the four large bowls on the table were filled with roasted lamb, steamed lamb, steamed goose and stewed fish. The four small plates were filled with pickled vegetables. The staple food was placed in the middle of the table. There was a large pancake that was more than a foot long, and it was filled with steam. It had obviously just come out of the oven.

Liulang stood up and cut the cake into pieces, and Kang took a piece for Liuli first: "This is the most popular ancient building nowadays, let me have a taste, sister." Liuli took a small bite, but it was layer by layer. The thin and crispy noodles are filled with mutton and seasonings. The taste is really fresh and strong, so I nod my head and praise it.

 Different from the Kudi family who have lived in Chang'an for several generations and pay attention to "eating without talking and sleeping without talking", the An family is very lively at the dining table. The men drink from large bowls and eat large pieces of meat, while the women chat and laugh happily. The familiar atmosphere of the dinner made Liuli gradually relax, and she was almost full without even realizing it. Seeing that Mrs. Kang wanted to pick up some food for her, she hurriedly waved her hands and said with a smile, "I can't eat any more."

My aunt frowned: "Why do you eat so much?"

Mi's eyes have been wandering around Liuli in a nonchalant manner, and now she smiled and said, "But it's not to my cousin's taste? I wonder what my cousin usually eats at home?"

Liuli smiled and stroked her chest: "Auntie, I'm really full." Then she smiled at Mi and said, "These dishes and cakes are very good. I just want to ask you how to cook this ancient restaurant." But there was something in her heart. I was surprised, this must be the first time I met this sixth sister-in-law. Where did the vague sense of temptation in her eyes and words come from? Is it because the sixth cousin was too enthusiastic about me just now?

Kang took over the words with a smile: "What's so difficult about this? Just chop a pound of mutton into stuffing, mix it with butter, spread the biscuits layer by layer, add black pepper between each layer, and bake it in the oven. Just don’t bake it for too long, the meat will be cooked until it’s more or less cooked.”

 Liu Li nodded and accepted the instruction. Mi raised her eyebrows and smiled, "You haven't seen my cousin before?"

Liuli smiled and nodded, "I've never done this at home, and Liuli doesn't go out much on weekdays. It makes Sixth Sister-in-law laugh."

Mishi wanted to say something more, but Sanlang on the opposite side interrupted and said with a smile, "Ami is really enthusiastic today." Mishi suddenly became a little embarrassed, and turned around to talk to Qiniang.

Second Uncle An also glanced over, frowned slightly, thought for a moment and said to Sanlang, "If you have some free time tomorrow afternoon, go visit the historian's house and settle things about Shishilang. You must choose four-color gifts." Okay, Ami knows the Shi family best, just ask her if you are unsure."

Saburo responded with a smile. Eleven Lang was startled, with a suspicious blush on his face, and he lowered his head and took a sip of wine. A happy smile appeared on Mi's face, and she glanced at Liuli again, her eyes becoming much gentler.

Liuli thought about it twice, and she suddenly guessed that Shiyilang had probably planned to get engaged to Shi Jia, who was familiar with Mi, but when he came to Anjia, Mi was worried that his parents-in-law had changed their minds. Seeing Mi's eyes showing her kindness, she also smiled slightly at Mi, but she couldn't help but smile bitterly in her heart: This person is really worrying too much!

If a woman's biggest career in ancient times was to get married, she was destined to have no future in this era - the Hu people valued profits, so men would naturally choose women of the same race who could help in business; while the Tang people valued names and married wives. Considering family status, taking a Hu girl as a concubine can barely be considered a romantic affair, but marrying someone as a wife is really outrageous. Besides, even if someone was willing to marry her, would she dare to hand herself over? Now, she was grateful to God for not being betrayed by that cheap dad and Mr. Cao. If she really had anything to do with Shiyilang, wouldn't she have committed suicide? Therefore, she had already made plans: she would stay in Jiaval Shop to be a painter, and after saving money, she would open a small business, set up a female household, and earn a living. Now is the Yonghui period, and there is still a full hundred years before the Anshi Rebellion. Although the court will not calm down, the current rebellion case of Fang Yiai will soon make a number of people's heads fall to the ground, and there will be more in a few years. A **** storm. But all this has nothing to do with a commoner like her. Anyway, her goal in life is just to live to old age and die without cavities...

 As soon as the meal was over, Sanlang and Liulang and his wife said goodbye and went back. Only then did Liuli realize that the customs of the Li Te people were different. Although the second uncle was still in his prime, Sanlang and Liulang had already established their own business early. Even the youngest Shishilang also bought himself a small yard. After getting married, they moved out. The east wing room that Kang took him to was the residence of Guining, the married fifth lady, so it was exceptionally well-equipped with clothes, hairpins, rings and other items. However, the west wing room was occupied by the second uncle's three concubines, but they were not qualified to come out to meet guests. of.

Seeing that it was getting dark, her aunt called a maid named Xiaotan to take Liuli to the guest room to take a bath and rest. After finishing cleaning up, Liuli was lying on the soft and fragrant box-style bed. She thought she would be tossing and turning, but who knew Within a moment he fell asleep.

Before it got dark the next day, Xiaotan came in to help her wash up. He took a tight-fitting narrow-sleeved jacket with a white background and pine-colored Fangsheng pattern and dark-colored fine-lined trousers in his hand. He also braided her hair into several patterns. Braided hair is the perfect way to go out. When Liuli arrived to go to the room, Qiniang had also arrived. She was wearing a set of clothes with white background and moxa green pattern. Aunt Shi held their hands and smiled and said, "You look like biological sisters." Qiniang was a bit shy at first, but now she looked Liuli up and down and started laughing.

By the time the morning drum sounded, the An family had already eaten vegetarian food in the upper room. Liuli followed the An family's female relatives into a cart pulled by two strong donkeys and headed all the way to the south gate of Huaiyuanfang.

At the same moment, the Kudi family’s ox cart also entered the west gate of Huaiyuanfang and headed straight for An’s home.

In the oxcart, Kudi Yanzhong looked depressed and sighed one after another. Mrs. Cao's expression was not good-looking either. Hearing Ku Diyanzhong sighing incessantly, he couldn't help but said lightly: "If you find it difficult for me to speak, just let me negotiate with the An family!"

Kudi Yanzhong frowned, and then said in a low voice for a while, "Go and tell me, don't open your mouth."

The oxcart stopped leisurely at the door of An's house. Kudi Yanzhong got off the car and knocked on the door. It took a long time before an old man stuck his head out and asked, "What's your guest's name? What do you want me to do?"

Kudi Yanzhong said hurriedly, "I'd like to report this to the Fourth Master of your mansion. Mr. Kudi will come to take my daughter home."

The old man saluted and said, "Please wait a moment." He slowly turned around and walked inside. After more than a cup of tea, only the sound of footsteps inside was heard. Second Uncle An appeared at the door with a smile on his face, and said with cupped hands: "It turns out that Da Lang is here, please come in quickly."

Kudi Yanzhong looked a little hesitant, and smiled politely and said, "I won't disturb Shiro anymore. I came here early this morning because I have something to do at home. I want to pick up my daughter. I would like to trouble Shiro to call her out and come back to disturb me another day."

Second Uncle An raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, "Why are you in such a hurry? Dalang also knows that Zhuojing and Siniang are the best, and I haven't seen Liuli for several years. When I saw him on the street yesterday, he seemed to be overjoyed. He thought Is it possible that a certain servant didn’t explain it clearly yesterday to keep her here for a few more days?”

Ku Diyanzhong was a little speechless. Mrs. Cao hurriedly smiled and took a step forward: "I would like to teach Uncle An's family to know that my daughter Liuli was originally scheduled to go to the slave's brother's place today, but she was afraid that she would be late. Brother was anxiously waiting, so before Come and disturb me.”

Second Uncle An looked at Mrs. Cao, and then looked at Kudi Yanzhong with some surprise, "Da Lang, who is this lady?"

Kudi Yanzhong forced a smile and said, "It's a lowly Nei Acao."

Second Uncle An frowned, "But I have never heard that Da Lang married a bride."

Mrs. Cao couldn't help but blush, and managed to hold back the smile on her face: "It's indeed our family's fault that we didn't tell Uncle An, but we really have something to do today, and we hope that Shiro will let his daughter go back with us. "

"Is there really something going on today?" Second Uncle An nodded and repeated, his eyes turned on the two of them, a smile appeared on his face, "I see, please come in, Da Lang and Madam Cao."

  /a>

 (End of this chapter)