Because I was tired from shopping last night.

The next morning, Jiao Shun took Xiangling and two jade bracelets in his arms and slept until three o'clock in the morning before getting up.

While they were washing up, Liu Wu'er came over and reported that the Xue family's uncle had just sent a bear's paw, saying that it had just been hunted outside the city yesterday and that it was bloody and fresh.

When he went back to the valley to hunt last time, Xue Pan was thinking about those old bears. He didn't expect them to be hunted by him!

To say that this guy doesn't know how to behave, those bears were originally a gimmick in the hunting ground in the valley. If they happened to run into them, it wouldn't be a big deal. If they were so persistent in hunting like him, they would probably become extinct before spring.

Even in the Duke's Mansion, fresh bear paws are rare - there are only three or five cooked ones on the plate every year.

Therefore, after Jiao Shunyong rinsed his mouth with tea, he led Xiang Ling and the others over to see what was going on.

Because it was a bear wintering after the new year, the bear's paw looked smaller than expected, weighing only six or seven kilograms, and the joints were obviously not fat.

When Xiangling saw the bloody flesh on the bear's palm, she immediately dared not look at it anymore and lowered her head to recite Amitabha.

"I'm afraid Sister-in-law Li [the cook] hasn't taken care of this thing before, right?"

Yu Chuan looked at it curiously, but couldn't help but said worriedly: "How about sending it to the house and letting the chef help with the cooking? Anyway, the old lady is hosting a banquet in the East Palace Flower Hall today, and they are at home

Being idle is also idle.”

In fact, this thing is just for freshness. It may not be as delicious as venison. If you do it casually, it will be a complete waste.

"Let's forget it."

Jiao Shun shook his head and said: "The few bosses in the Duke's Mansion all like the old lady to eat the soft, glutinous and bland food. It is just a waste to send this thing here - let's take it to Qinghong Tower and follow it.

Their method of roasting duck makes it crispy and delicious."

With that said, he summoned Shuan Zhu, who was bragging with the coachman in the gatekeeper's room, and ordered him to take the bamboo basket and carry it to Fenggong Market.

By the way, I gave him five taels of silver so that he didn't have to rush back and could just stroll around and have fun on the street - he could keep the money and spend it, but just don't forget to bring back some gifts for Granny Hu.

And because the post also specifically invited Jiao Da, Jiao Shun went to the east room of the hall to inquire.

After this winter, the old man became more and more depressed. But when he heard that he was going to Dongfu for a banquet, he immediately held his neck and cursed: "Whoever wants to go will go, but Uncle Jiao is too lazy to look at those turtles."

Lamb!"

So Jiao Shun went to the stove and asked him to get him something festive and easy to drink, so that the old man could feel the New Year atmosphere to some extent - but the wine should be less, so as not to let him get drunk again and hurt his health.

Seeing that it was approaching noon [eleven o'clock], Jiao took Xiangling and Yuchai out of the house and rushed along the inner wall to the front yard of Rongfu. Along the way, there was a big lantern hanging three to five steps away.

, there are bright red butter candles inside.

No wonder they all send lanterns to their own homes. There are so many sentimental arrangements. Even a remote place like the inner wall is covered with lanterns.

The lanterns are just returned, at least they can be put away and used again next year, but the butter candles are purely consumables, and they are quite expensive. If you light these countless lanterns, you will probably burn hundreds of taels a day.

silver.

After four or five days, it will be two to three thousand taels!

This is just the money for lamps and candles, the other expenses are probably more than twenty times!

Jiao Shun couldn't help but secretly marveled. He was not so extravagant in the first month of last year. This year, in order to build a separate courtyard, the family should have been more frugal, but instead they became more extravagant and extravagant.

When we walked through the hall and arrived at the Ningguo Mansion, the situation changed slightly - of course, the large flower hall was still decorated with flowers, after all, both the east and west mansions would hold banquets and festivals here.

Although the old lady was treating her guests in the evening, by noon the younger generation had gathered together.

Jiao Shun first sent the Xiangling and jade bracelets to Youshi's house, and then entered the flower hall alone.

At this time, the monkey show was being performed on the stage, and Jia Rong, Jia Huang, Jia Qin and other close relatives were patrolling back and forth in the large flower hall.

Seeing Jiao Shun coming in from outside, everyone came forward to greet him.

Jiao Shun returned the bow and asked curiously: "Where are Uncle Zhen and Second Master Lian?"

"this……"

Jia Rong said with a smile: "My father and second uncle heard that a famous actor came to the family, so they went to the back to praise them."

These days, except for domestic troupes that deliberately select women, the actors in operas outside are basically men. Generally speaking, there is no such thing as a wealthy gentry raping a female actor.

But when encountering masters like Jia Zhen and Jia Lian, even male actors cannot escape disaster.

Jiao Shun was feeling unlucky, and the posing monkeys in the stands felt that they were gay inside. It happened that Baoyu and Xue Pan came over with Jia Yun, and the gathering became more and more lively.

As expected, Xue Pan attracted the attention of the audience with his bear hunting experience. After he finished speaking with gesticulations, he realized that Jia Zhen and Jia Lian were not there. It was said that they were playing roles in the background.

At that moment, I was eager to join in the fun.

Jia Rong quickly stopped him.

It wasn't that he was afraid that Xue Pan would see something he shouldn't have seen, but that he was worried that the three of him wouldn't be able to share the spoils.

Everyone gathered at the table, Hu Xi from the mountains and the sea, chatting in the court and the market, and somehow they came up with the story that Lieutenant Wang was in the south and was ordered to meet with the envoys of the Western Yi.

"Listen to the newspapers."

Jia Rong then asked Xue Pan: "Your uncle also boarded the iron-clad steamship of Xiyi?"

"What else is going on?!"

Hearing this, Xue Pan glared at the bull's eye, stamped his feet and said sternly: "If I had known, I would have gone to the south to have a look! Last time when the Westerners came to Jinmen Mansion, I wanted to have a look, but I didn't

My mother kept crying and making trouble and refused to let me go."

He usually only read some "Chong Er Essays". Jia Rong asked him about these things, but it was obvious that he was blind.

"That's such a pity!"

Jia Qin gestured at the side: "My nephew heard that the steamer can spit fire from the top, and there are two big wheels below. It can run faster than a horse-drawn carriage against the wind!"

"It's strange that the navy of the imperial court was no match for it. It ran so fast that even a direct collision with iron armor would sink it!"

Jia Huang also helped, but his boasts became more and more mysterious.

"Actually, it's not as mysterious as rumors say."

Jiao Shun laughed and said: "The so-called fire from above is actually just the smoke from the boiler's chimney - just like the ones we use for heating - the two big wheels have the same purpose as dragon boat paddles, but they are just

It was replaced by a steam engine, which is far more durable than human power."

Xue Pan also glared and said: "If you ask me, no matter what, it's just a hero on the water. If we really want to fight face to face, then the Westerners are not our size!"

Although he was curious about what the steamer looked like, he couldn't see others bragging for Xi Yi and glaring at them, which made Jia Huang and Jia Qin very upset.

Jia Rong was just watching the fun, and Jia Yun couldn't interrupt.

Jiao Shun hurriedly interrupted and asked about the whereabouts of those bear paws, and then he began to boast again.

Men were chatting in the big flower hall.

Wang Xifeng also led Ping'er to find Youshi's courtyard. When she entered the door, she saw Youshi and Li Wan sitting side by side. They bit their ears and said something. Li Wan, who was teasing, blushed and became angry.

It is rare to see this widowed sister-in-law look so lively.

When did Youshi become so close to her?

Wang Xifeng felt a little vigilant in her heart, waved her handkerchief and said bitterly: "Hey, what are you talking about, sisters-in-law? You have to bite your ears when you are in the house - how about I stay away first and wait for you?

Come back after talking?"

There is nothing new in Youshi's mouth, it's just about love between men and women.

Li Wan had long been tired of listening, and it was hard to keep pretending to leave every time. Today, he endured listening to a few more words, but he was bumped into by Wang Xifeng.

She felt guilty and embarrassed, so her words naturally became sharp: "We are not carrying anyone, we are only carrying you."

"OK!"

Wang Xifeng put her pink fists on her slender waist, shook her golden head and cursed with a smile: "Listen to what my sister-in-law said, I really exposed the scandal! Come on, let me sit on the top and give you a good trial!"

"

Seeing that the two of them were hiding needles, Youshi hurriedly tried to smooth things over and said, "You're finally here. Has the old lady made a decision on when to leave? I've sent people to ask over and over again but I can't get any accurate information. I'm afraid that something will happen at once.

Something went wrong!"

"What are you panicking about?"

Wang Xifeng didn't take it seriously: "It's okay for the old lady to pick me, but she can also pick you, my nephew's wife, right? It's a good thing that the big flower hall in our house has been demolished, otherwise I wouldn't have these few days to spare."

After that, he asked Jia Lan again: "I heard that Brother Lan will go out to study after he turns 18? His sister hasn't been seen for a few days, and she is thinking about her. She doesn't want to leave home soon."

"I have four or five days off every month, and it's not like I won't come back."

Li Wan smiled and said: "Besides, before I leave home, I will always go to your place to talk to you. Then I will ask him to go there early and play with his sister - and by the way, I will also ask you for some good stationery to support his appearance.

"

"Then I decided to take out the bottom of the box. When our brother Lang wins the first prize, I will get it back for my children and grandchildren!"

Wang Xifeng said, then turned back to Ping'er and said: "Please remember, if I get drunk and forget everything, please remind me quickly."

Ping'er was about to agree, but Wang Xifeng caught a glimpse of someone poking his head at the door, and couldn't help shouting: "Who has no rules and is pretending to be a ghost at the door?!"

Li Wan and You Shi also followed the sound, but saw the jade bracelet walking closer.

Seeing that it was her, Wang Xifeng's face softened slightly, and she scolded with a smile: "You really have to learn from whoever you want. I've only been to Jiao's house for a few days, and I'm just like the skinny monkey I learned from Brother Shun - tell me, but what's going on?
To be continued...