As the New Year approaches, the house is obviously a lot busier. The stewards of various farms are busy delivering the annual farm rent and serving fruits and vegetables of all kinds. The shops have also packed up all kinds of New Year's goods and are rushing to deliver them. There are people coming and going in the concierge, some of whom have different identities.

The lower ones are not even allowed to enter. You have to leave after putting down your things and registering.┗2326nbsp;┛

The stewards in the mansion were also so busy that they never touched the ground and walked at a trot.

Although it was still early, Yu Zhu had already put some important things on his mind. For example, cleaning up the ancestral hall, wiping several cases of gold and silver offerings, and the bronze tripod and Yi on the platform, etc.

In addition, it is extremely tedious to clean and decorate. It seems easy to give a huge mansion a new look for the New Year, but in fact it is not easy inside. From the main door, the ceremonial door, the inner hall to the inner ceremonial door, the inner hanging door and the main hall, it has to be done all the way.

Red lanterns are interlaced with glazed lamps. During the day, the furniture is festive, and at night, it is brightly lit and the brocade curtains are on display... But compared to these trivial matters, the most troublesome thing is yet to come.

According to the rules, clan members, regardless of whether they are separated or not, must come to the ancestral hall to worship their ancestors during the New Year. This is also an opportunity once a year for the Cheng family members to return to their original family. Since a few days ago, there have been many visits one after another.

The young people came to the house in advance and were still far away, so they settled in without any pressure.

"...We have to eat ducks for three meals a day, two for each meal, one roasted and one stir-fried, but the bones that the maid picked up are only one... I dare to bet that if I go here this time,

If you search the baggage, you will definitely find at least five ducks." This was said by an old uncle who had turned a few corners.

"... I often go to the kitchen to ask for soup and snacks, and Qianer asked for bird's nests. At least the kitchen can make them. Yesterday, he was clamoring about purple lingzhi and leopard fetuses... and even deducted two of the slaves' men as gifts.

Cai Xiaoya

The servant girl has spent enough money on the eldest lady. If it weren't for someone's persuasion, she might have called the tailor of Jinxiu Tower to make clothes." This is about a cousin girl named Yingxiu, who has a watch of three thousand miles.

It's almost touching the edge.

…

After listening to Gan's mother's nagging complaints, Yu Zhu put down the pen in his hand and smiled a little weirdly. They are quite knowledgeable. This kind of legitimate taking advantage is really something that others can't stop. It's rare for relatives to come to visit. As the leader, you

I can't even bear to eat a few meals at home? Isn't it a shame to say that it's still in the Duke Cheng's mansion?

"Madam?" Gan's mother looked at Yu Zhu expectantly, waiting for the master to give them an order to give them a good face. These servants are usually respectable, but now they are being slandered by a few poor people from remote branches.

Instructing her to do this and that, even though she smiled at her because of her status as a slave, how could she be convinced in her heart?

"Is such a big thing worth being so angry?" Yu Zhu said with a smile: "There are only a few days left, so the coaxing will be over." This little money should be used to buy peace.

Seeing what the mistress had said, Mother Gan had no choice but to agree even though she was not happy.

Hua Ruo was polishing Yu Zhu's ink and kept silent. He waited until Gan's mother came out of the house and said, "Madam, why do you want to indulge those people? They are not serious relatives at all. In the past years, the old lady was not so polite."

Yu Zhu changed a thin tube to draw vines, and glanced at her in the air, "Why don't we blast her out without coaxing her? Have you forgotten how Aunt Sun's nephew made trouble before?"

"Those people are just shameless. They are so courageous when they see the old lady doing nothing." Zaoyuan came in carrying a purple-gold glaze sprinkled with blue jar and said angrily. If several rules of the originally orderly courtyard were broken, they would be punished.

People cause trouble.

"They may be bullying me for being young and not as good as the old lady. Even if I know in my heart, I have to pretend not to know, otherwise I will be happy for a while, but trouble will be inevitable later." Yu Zhu finished the last stroke and picked up the warm wet towel.

Wiping her hands with a handkerchief, "In the end, it's all my fault. No matter what reputation you have, it's always a bit bad if it reaches the old lady's ears."

He tilted his head and said again: "Just this time, I don't seek merit but seek no fault."

It's a pity that Yu Zhu thought so beautifully, but the reality is a bit cruel.

Originally, all the relatives were wary of the cold-blooded Mrs. Xie, but they restrained themselves for a few days and inquired about the situation. It turned out that the huge Duke's mansion was actually owned by the second wife, who had been here for less than a year.

Guan, he suddenly became excited, and the smarter ones observed for a few more days. Seeing that the lady just turned a blind eye, they let go of their courage, and their hands and feet began to become unclean.

Yuzhu had many eyes and ears and knew exactly what they were doing, but he still watched with cold eyes, unable to help but have some mischief in his heart.

A few days later, relatives gradually came to visit me. When the old man saw the eldest man and the second man, he inevitably had to drink again.

Unfortunately, when he got up from his hangover the next day and went to Guanglu Temple to receive the annual reward, he was no longer happy. He opened the yellow cloth bag of "Huang En Yongxi" and found that there was one thousand taels in it.

In the past, it should have been two hundred taels of silver. Why has it changed so much now?

Although he was a little confused about the general affairs, he still had a bright mind when it came to important matters. He immediately stopped drinking and ignored his brother. He got into the sedan chair and hurriedly went to the house of his old friend Zhongqin.

"You should think of something to do." He rushed to the house and ran to Uncle Zhongqin's study with a familiar face. When he caught someone, he said impatiently: "What do you mean by this, Your Majesty? Are the rumors true?"

Uncle Zhongqin was a skinny old man with an immortal spirit. Hearing this, he stroked his gray beard and smiled: "It's not that you don't know what's going on in your heart, why do you have to ask me to tell you."

After hearing this, the old man sighed, "My family is unfortunate... What will happen to the boss?"

"When I get old, I have a princess daughter-in-law. If I were to laugh out of my dreams, you still wouldn't be happy, tsk tsk. Besides, weren't you the most disgusted with your former eldest daughter-in-law's family background? The status of a princess is the most noble.

Haha." Uncle Zhongqin took a sip of tea and leaned back on the chair comfortably.

"You old man, you are still making sarcastic remarks right now. If you are so envious, I will immediately go to the palace to ask for your youngest son's hand in marriage." The old man irritably slammed the table and threatened.

Uncle Zhongqin couldn't calm down anymore and hurriedly said with a smile: "Goodbye, after so many years, why are you still such a fiery character? It's not like you don't know about Kuan'er's bad things, and you still want a princess to come back.

Isn't this harmful?" Seeing that his old friend softened his expression, he continued: "Originally it was just a rumor, but now it has increased five times every year, which shows the emperor's guilt... Don't be impatient, listen.

I'm done."

He stood up and walked a few steps towards the gold-plated enamel brazier in the room. Finally, his face showed some seriousness, "Now that you have accepted this money, the best way to quickly find a wife for your boss has been cut off."

...Then let’s think about how to deal with the princess of Zhuyi.”

"...How do I know?" The old man sat down slumped and said angrily, "Besides, who dares not accept the reward?"

After turning around again, Uncle Zhongqin stopped and narrowed his turbid old eyes, which were filled with light. He was no longer as old as before and said in a low voice: "Since this is the case, then you might as well be more courageous. You are just a person on the left and right."

She's just a princess with nothing to rely on. As long as she sees the opportunity, it won't be difficult..."

…

On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, the door gods and couplets were changed, and the Cheng Guogong Mansion was crowded with various relatives and clansmen. Yu Zhu was wearing a pure red hibiscus, golden snow, folded branches of magnolia and a satin mat, and she was smiling.

My face almost froze, and I once again praised the ancestors who specified the rules for dividing families. They were so wise. If they didn't separate families, why wouldn't these piles of people turn this house upside down?

When the time comes, the old man will lead the clan members to the ancestral hall.

The ancestral hall of Guogong Mansion is located in another courtyard to the east. On the five gates inside the black oil fence, there is a plaque "Cheng's Ancestral Hall" hanging on it. The bluestone corridor in the courtyard is always clean, and evergreen pines, cypresses, and rain bamboos are planted on both sides.

Only enter the ancestral tree after marriage

I went in once and was shocked by the densely packed memorial tablets. I didn't pay much attention to the decorations inside. Now that I think about it, it's a bit regretful. After all, the female relatives cannot enter and leave the ancestral hall at will. Even when worshiping during festivals, there are many rules.

The others all entered the ancestral hall and stood in rows according to the direct lines from the Neiyi Gate to the main hall corridor. There were five main halls, inner corridors, outer eaves, stairs and terraces, and there was no open space at all.

After the dishes were served, the old man burned incense and bowed down, and everyone behind him knelt down. The only sounds in the air were the slight sound of clothes being blown by the wind and the crisp buzz of jade pendants shaking.

It was so solemn. After the ceremony, Yu Zhu helped Xie stand up and breathed a sigh of relief. The atmosphere just now made her dare not even breathe loudly.

After exiting the ancestral hall, Mrs. Xie and her husband were surrounded, and baskets of auspicious words were thrown out for free. Maybe this happens every year, but Mrs. Xie dealt with it calmly, not at all impatient.

Neither.

Yu Zhu glanced at Yin Lian, who was probing her head, and winked at her. Yin Lian smiled evilly, and nodded fiercely...

Now that we have finished worshiping our ancestors, there is no reason to stay any longer. Before dark, the Duke's Mansion returned to peace.

After Cheng Xunxun saw off the last group of guests, he returned to the room and saw Yu Zhu pounding the kang with a smile on her face. The maids waiting next to her also had smiles on their faces that couldn't be concealed.

"What's going on?" Cheng Xunxun raised his eyebrows. She was always so lively. Seeing her smile always made her mood better.

Yuzhu waved the maid off, then he sat upright, poured a cup of tea from the kang table and handed it to Cheng Xunxun, his eyebrows arched: "I tell you, you are not allowed to tell the old lady."

After receiving the guarantee, Yu Zhu held back his laughter and explained how he had allowed his relatives to steal things, how he had found out where they hid their things, and how he had finally asked people to take advantage of the worship service when no one was in the room to take away all the stolen goods.

When I came back, I replaced it with a pottery flowerpot of similar size. I added or reduced the amount of soil in it according to the weight. I even omitted the small items and even the flowerpots filled with vases and antiques...

"Only the seven and a half roast ducks in the shortest old uncle's bag remained untouched. What others carried back happily were not the original things." Yu Zhu suppressed a smile: "Someone also noticed it and wandered around the door of the house.

For a long time, I wanted to ask for an explanation but didn't dare to come in." The girl raised her chin proudly, "I don't want to suffer. When I was in the house, I complied with any request that was not excessive. The old lady also gave me a red envelope. How could they be so nice?

Stealing things..."

Cheng Xunxun laughed, but seeing that her eyes were bright and cunning, he didn't tell her that the pottery flowerpots in her house were actually custom-made in Tao Town. They came in different sizes and the prices were not as high as hers.

As cheap as imagined... (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to subscribe and reward. Your support is my biggest motivation.)
Chapter completed!