Ring Lord of the Red Chamber

"The villain kowtows to the young master, and kowtows to the aunt." The woman who came to see the ceremony was about [-] years old, dressed and behaved like a peasant woman, and first bowed to Jia Xiaohuan's mother and son, but then Before anyone could speak, he stood up again.After getting up, I didn't know what to say, I just stood there timidly.

Their place is really remote, since it was designated as their own farm by the Rongguo Mansion, no master has ever set foot there for decades.The woman is the daughter-in-law of the manager of the farm. People in the village call her Mrs. Liu San, because of her man—the manager of the farm is called Liu San.Mrs. Liu San was born and raised in this place, and she seemed to be a little afraid of the master who came from the Shangguo Mansion.

The place where Jia Xiaohuan and Aunt Zhao are staying now is a courtyard on the Zhuangzi, where the masters who came here were resting.But it is said to be another courtyard, but in fact it is just three tiled houses of green bricks, one bright and two dark.At this moment, Aunt Zhao was sitting on the chair in the open room, looking around with disgust.

I'm afraid this will be their residence in the future, but compared with when they were in Rongguo Mansion, it is really different.Although the mother and son lived in a remote and simple courtyard in the mansion, it was much better than this place.Sitting here, Aunt Zhao couldn't help but think of her yard, not to mention the grievance and resentment in her heart.

Besides, they came in a hurry, and this place hadn't been lived in for a long time, although someone would clean it regularly, but they didn't pay much attention to it.Therefore, even the chair that Aunt Zhao is sitting on now has to be wiped back and forth countless times before Aunt Zhao can sit on it.

"Mother, I think it needs to be cleaned up here, and it's already noon now, why don't we think about having lunch in the living room, and then ask someone to tidy up here in the afternoon, so that we can have a place to rest at night. "Jia Xiaohuan snuggled up to her mother, stopping her complaining words.

In the future, the mother and son are afraid that they will stay in this village for a while, and they will have to deal with Liu San and his wife a lot, so there is no need to offend them just because of trivial matters.If they are kind and honest, that's all. If they harbor bad intentions, he will always have a way to deal with them.

"Well, what else can we do? Just do as you say. Let's go, our mother and I must have a good meal. We haven't had a good meal since yesterday. Look at you little Your face looks thinner." Aunt Zhao curled her lips, pulled her son to stand up, and said to Mrs. Liu San, "Don't just stand there stupidly, hurry up and find a place. It takes so much time to prepare meals for us, it’s impossible to starve to death.”

Hearing the master's order to do something, Mrs. Liu San breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly took the mother and son out, and said: "Our head said, let you take a look at the house here, and we will see it later. Ask someone to clean it up. Also, I heard that housekeeper Zhou brought you and the young master here, and the head of the house specially asked someone to prepare meals, which are all freshly made, and no one has touched them."

"Why did he bring us here? It's obvious that our Huan'er is going out, and the old lady just asked him to accompany him." Aunt Zhao was very unhappy when she heard that, she gave Liu San a pair of eyes, and said: "Our When the master wants to eat, it should be a well-prepared meal. Why do you even have to bring it out? Could it be that you originally planned to let us eat the leftovers? I said you can't do this, you have to know the rules..."

Jia Xiaohuan was dragged by Aunt Zhao, but her mind was not on the pair of women, she let his mother gossip, and Mrs. Liu was obedient.What he cared more about was the location of Zhuangzi and the surrounding environment.

In his calculation, the two of them would stay in this farm for at least two or three years, so naturally they had to get a good feel for the environment.In addition, Jia Xiaohuan didn't plan to be idle during these days away from Rongguo Mansion, and it was time to make plans for herself and her mother.

In fact, he didn't intend to let his mother go back to Rongguo Mansion, and when he had some savings, he was ready to discuss with his mother so that she could leave Rongguo Mansion and Jia Zheng completely.Based on his understanding of his mother, the key to persuading her is money, and... his third sister, Jia Tanchun.

No matter what, Jia Xiaohuan must persuade her mother well.In that mansion, no matter how mother-in-law is, she is just an aunt who was born in a family. She is called a half master, but she doesn't even look down on some decent servants, and she has to be tortured by Mrs. Wang all day long. Well, Jia Zheng is not a man who can be entrusted to him for life... Why did he come to stay in that unlucky place where his house will be ransacked later.

But if one day, the mother can escape, Jia Huan will definitely let the mother turn over and become the master, and live a good life of eating sweets, drinking spicy food, wearing gold and silver, and serving slaves.Don't think it's so superficial, for his mother, such a life couldn't be better.

The mother and son are going to have dinner here, and Zhou Rui is having wine and dinner with Liu San on the other side.But Zhou Rui's family didn't want to get close to Aunt Zhao and the others, so they simply sat by their man's side.In addition, she also wanted to hear how her man explained things to Liu San, and whether he took what his wife ordered to heart.

"...The matter is probably like this. In the future, we will have to bother Zhuangzi for a while, please forgive me. In addition, the sick little hoof, please find a place to avoid it as soon as possible. Let's set her on fire, so as not to infect her with such a disease, which would make the whole Zhuangzi unlucky." Zhou Rui raised the wine glass in his hand and made a toast to Liu San.But he didn't wait for Liu San to raise his glass, and he drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.

I think Zhou Rui is the housekeeper of the Rongguo Mansion who is in charge of the land rent. The stewards of these small villages usually bow their heads and flatter him when they see him. They are afraid that he will be dissatisfied with something and find a place to embarrass them.Not only that, when the land rent is given out in two seasons every year, the mansion can receive a large amount of money, but Zhou Rui can also receive a small amount of money, and he is a fat job.

But...Zhou Rui glanced at Liu San without a trace, with impatience and boredom flashing in his eyes.This Liu San was an exception, every time he was stupid and unable to speak, and he never remembered his part.Every time the rent was collected, Zhou Rui had to sulk with him, but there was nothing he could do.

There is no other reason. This Zhuangzi in Miyun is too remote, too small, and too poor.Sometimes Zhou Rui couldn't understand why the old masters built such a farm in this place, it was simply a burden!

Because of this, none of the more than a thousand slaves inside and outside the Rongguo Mansion were willing to come here, not even to be in charge.He was so tired that he had no choice but to endure Liu San, and he had to get angry with this guy every year.

"Hiss—smallpox, this is really a big deal, it's amazing. I said why didn't you call that girl, it turned out to be such a disease." Liu San didn't even touch the wine glass, and slapped him on the thigh , suddenly said: "Housekeeper Zhou, since you have ordered this matter, you don't need to intervene anymore. I will ask someone to carry her to the mountain depression and leave, and burn her quickly."

"Well, Old Liu, I'll leave this matter to you, and I can rest assured that you will handle the matter." Zhou Rui was quite satisfied with Liu San's answer, and took another sip of wine.He wasn't worried about Liu Sanhui's obedience, and he didn't intend to personally supervise anything, wishing he could be far away.After all, that's smallpox. Does this old guy still dare to keep that hoof, so he won't be afraid of disasters for his family?

"There are also Brother Huan and the two of them. After arranging them to live in, you have to find someone to watch over them, but don't tell them to go out and run around. You know, those hooves are for them. Who knows if they have been dyed?" Come on. The old lady asked them to be sent together. That is to isolate them and wait for a while to see. You have to be careful about this. Why does your village have dozens of people? , a negligence, if not done well, it will become..." At this point, Zhou Rui dipped his hand in the wine and left a word 'dead' on the table.

"No, no..." Liu San seemed to be terribly frightened, and he waved his hands in a hurry, his wrinkled face wrinkled together, "Don't worry, don't worry, we have the old lady's order, we will definitely arrange it Third Master Huan and Auntie Huan. Nothing will happen, nothing will happen... Amitabha, Buddha bless you, Bodhisattva bless you!"

Seeing his cowardly look, Zhou Rui felt that most of the anger he had held in his heart for many years was gone, and he looked at Liu San with disdain and contempt in his eyes.If he had known that this old guy was such a frightening person, he would have punished him well, so why would he be so frustrated for so many years.

At this moment, Housekeeper Zhou completely forgot how trembling and pale he was when he found out that there was smallpox.

Filled with a sense of superiority in his heart, Zhou Rui confessed another errand, and Zhou Rui couldn't help but get drunk, and he didn't need Liu San to persuade him to drink, so he killed a pot by himself.When he was about to ask Liu San to drink more wine, the belt under the table was pulled down, so he looked over impatiently and saw his wife winking at him.

Zhou Rui's family had already filled their stomachs. Although the food in this village is not as expensive as the ones in the house, it is better than the fresh ones. Eating it once in a while does not dampen her appetite.However, after rushing here overnight, she was extremely tired, and now that her stomach was full, she was looking forward to having a bed for her to sleep well.

But it's been a while, and she didn't see her man continue to say this, so she couldn't help being a little anxious, so she tugged on the man's belt.When she saw her man looking over, he quickly opened his mouth and made a "dwelling" mouth shape.She is really exhausted, no matter what important matter, let's wait until she wakes up.Maybe, when she got up to sleep, that damned little hoof would really be dead.

If Zhou Rui's family didn't mention it, Zhou Rui didn't think much of it, but when she reminded her, Zhou Rui's laziness was also picked up.The drunkenness that was still in full swing was instantly wiped out by drowsiness.

"Old Liu, let's not talk about other things. It is serious to arrange a place for us first, so that we can rest well. You don't know, you drove this road all night, and walked in this mountain again, with bumps and holes. Bump, my whole body is about to fall apart. To tell you the truth, although I am also a slave, I have never suffered such a crime." While talking, Zhou Rui stretched his waist and beat He yawned, but stared at Liu San with his slightly squinted eyes.

What Zhou Rui meant was very clear, it was a reminder that Liu San wanted to arrange a "suitable" residence for the couple.For example, Zhuangzi's other courtyard prepared for the master is barely suitable. Although it is far inferior to their house in the back street of Rongguo Mansion, it is at least better than the adobe houses next to it.

As for the mother and son who were supposed to live in the other courtyard, don't be blinded by the green brick and green tile house.I don't even know if I'm infected or not. I should choose a remote place, shut myself up in a room, and observe him carefully for ten days and a half months.Come to think of it, even if this old bastard Liu San is not clever, he should know what to do in order to guard against that day's flower!

"You see, I forgot to mention this. The accommodation has been arranged for you, so I will ask someone to take you there to rest. It has been a hard journey, so you should rest first. If you have a place prepared in a hurry, if you have If you’re not satisfied, we’ll buy more for you tomorrow.” Liu San got up quickly after hearing this, and called a ten-year-old boy from outside, ordering him to take Zhou Rui and his wife to the residence.

Liu San stood at the threshold, watching Zhou Rui and his wife being taken away, and he straightened his back and put his hands on his back when they turned a corner and disappeared.I saw him frowning tightly, and he didn't know what he was thinking about. After a long time, he sighed, shook his head and went back to the room.

In the room, his wife, Mrs. Liu San, was already there, bent over to clear away the cups, dishes and dishes on the table.At this time, when he saw his man coming, he smiled innocently and asked, "How is it? Why did you come this time? There is quite a lot of noise. Not to mention a brother and an aunt, why did Zhou Rui's two men come here?" They have all been sent here. Also, the maid on the carriage looks like to me..."

Before Mrs. Liu San finished speaking, Liu San snorted and said, "That's right, it's smallpox. That maid is Aunt Zhao's personal servant girl. She got this disease, but it happened to take advantage of the second wife's wish. Isn't it true?" So I got Mr. Huan here. The maid will not go, who knows what will happen to the mother and son? Maybe, it's also a come and go. "

Mrs. Liu San put down the tray in her hand, and couldn't help but spit angrily, "Bah, I don't know what kind of god I offended, why did I remind them of this place. They don't care about it on weekdays." , When there is bad luck, I can't forget our place. They have all hid here, why do such annoying things still come to the door. What do you say, the head of the house, really let the couple Are we treating this place as a cemetery?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Liu San glared at the words. His daughter-in-law is good everywhere, but she has no taboos and dares to say anything.Fortunately, she is also a measured person, and only when she is in front of herself can she speak so loudly.

"Pfft..." Mrs. Liu San was not afraid of her man blowing his beard and staring. She laughed and said: "Just now, I also saw the mother and child. They are not very difficult people to get along with. Especially that aunt, although He speaks openly, and people look at his abacus carefully, but in fact he is careless. Just now, he planned to teach me how to embroider."

"There is also the third master Huan, who is not like the usual rumors. I didn't see any ugly appearance, wretched behavior, and rough manners. On the contrary, I think the young man is very sensible, and his appearance is also a mess Delicate, but very attractive. And..."

Mrs. Liu San's voice pondered for a while, and said again: "I always feel that the third master Huan is too calm, as if he is not worried about contracting smallpox at all, but he is not like ordinary children who are ignorant. I don't know how serious smallpox is. Even Aunt Zhao, an ordinary woman who has no experience, doesn't look too frightened. The head of the family, why do you think this is?"

"I don't know why. I probably felt that we were too close, so I just broke the pot. You know, the two of them came in the same car with that maid. The Rongguo Mansion is so big, can it be said that even I couldn't find many carriages, so I let my young master and Xiaohua ride in the same carriage, this is really... well, even Zhou Rui and his wife took another carriage." Liu San said while speaking. , the tone was rather disappointed.

"Forget it, don't worry about the other things. You go and arrange a room for that maid first, and you and Erya will take care of it. Let's see how her life is. If we can survive, we can count as saving someone's life. Turn around Arrange for a farmer to marry; if you can’t make it through, it’s bad luck.” But I don’t know who he’s talking about, the maid Xiaoque, or the farmer who didn’t get a wife?

Liu San knew very well that no matter whether Xiao Que survived or not, she was already a dead person in Rongguo Mansion, and she would never go back.It happened that it was difficult for a man in his village to marry a wife. If the little magpie could survive and raise her for another two or three years, he would be able to find a farmer to match him with, and everyone would be happy.

"I knew it, you have to order our mother and son again." Mrs. Liu took a look at her husband, picked up the tray angrily, and walked towards the back of the house.

Erya is her daughter, she suffered from smallpox two years ago, fortunately, the child survived, but now there are still a few small holes on her nose.Of course, when her daughter had smallpox, she took care of her day and night, precisely because she also had smallpox back then.

Aunt Zhao, who had finished eating, personally led the women from the two farmers' families and her maid, Xiao Jixiang'er, rolled up her sleeves and wrapped her hair, and cleaned the three rooms with enthusiasm.In order to prevent the dust from choking her precious son, she sent Jia Xiaohuan out after dinner and told him to find a place to play by himself.

This fell right into Jia Xiaohuan's arms, and when he came to the front yard, he grabbed a little boy who wanted to run away when he saw him.After stuffing the two rock candies, Xiaowazi immediately ran away without thinking, and followed Jia Xiaohuan's buttocks as a follower.The little boy's name is Zhuang Zhuang, and he is the youngest son of Liu San, the manager of the farm. He is six years old this year.

"Brother Huan, I will take you wherever you want to go. But, you can't tell my father, or he will have to spank my ass. My father just told me that you are from the capital. Master, I can't run and play with you, I don't understand the rules." Zhuang Zhuang curled his lips, and muttered: "What are the rules, you won't even be allowed to play, Brother Huan, you are too pitiful."

This little boy is obviously a year older than him, and even half a head taller than him, but he yelled at Brother Huan one after another, and Jia Xiaohuan didn't intend to correct him when he heard it.He just said in his heart that your father loves you so much, he is afraid that he will catch smallpox for you, so he taught you a rule that is not a rule.

He quietly watched Zhuang Zhuang put a piece of rock candy to his mouth and lick it, then put his hand down, but probably couldn't hold back, he raised the rock candy and licked it twice.After doing this for two or three times, the little boy couldn't completely put away the rock candy.

If he had never had the experience of being reborn from the ashes, he would probably look down on this little kid right now.Jia Xiaohuan hooked the corners of her mouth, tiptoed and patted the top of Zhuangzhuang's hair, took out a small purse from her bosom and handed it over, "Eat it, there's a lot of it in here, enough for you to take to the side People tasted it."

Zhuang Zhuang was overjoyed when he heard that, took the purse and opened it carefully, then smiled at Jia Xiaohuan with a grin.After he hid the purse, he took Jia Xiaohuan's hand and ran out, "Come on, Brother Huan, I'll take you to the stream. There are chestnuts we hid there. I'll roast them for you. Tell you Ah, the chestnuts here are sweet and delicious."

Jia Xiaohuan followed behind Zhuang Zhuang, casually looking at the scenery of the farm.There didn't seem to be many fields on Zhuangzi, but there were two hills with many trees standing on them.According to Zhuang Zhuang, chestnuts and plums are planted there.Every July and August, plums will be harvested, and after September, plums will be harvested.Now this season is the time when chestnuts are harvested.

Zhuang Zhuang took him around Zhuangzi, and Jia Xiaohuan had a rough idea of ​​the place.The farm is not big, except for the two hills, there is less than a hundred acres of land, and because it is in the mountains, the output of the fields is not high, probably just enough for the farmers to live on.Therefore, Zhuangzi pays the rent every year, relying on those plums and chestnuts.

Fortunately, it is said that the plums here are of the same variety as the tribute ones, and the chestnuts are also sweet and delicious, and they are all fruits that can be bought at a high price.Jia Xiaohuan arrived just in time, and was taken by Zhuang Zhuang to taste his roasted chestnuts, which was really delicious that he had never tasted before.

It's ridiculous to think about it, Jia Huan is the young master of Rongguo Mansion after all, but he has never even eaten chestnuts from his own village.I don't know who's mouth is cheap for those New Year's goods that the village sends every year.

After getting a general understanding of the farm, Jia Xiaohuan saw that it was getting late, so he hurried back to Zhuang Zhuang who had a good time, and couldn't help laughing all the way.Obviously it was the little boy who said it, and he couldn't tell his father to play with him anymore, but it happened to be him, who wanted to hold his hand life and death, skipping and throwing his father's instructions to the sky.

Before Jia Xiaohuan returned to the gate of Zhuangzi, he heard someone calling him, "Huan'er!"