After the Rebirth of the Red Chamber

When Shi Ding packed his things and followed the army northward, Shi Nai's eldest son, Shi Sujie, was born.

Shi Nai was outside the delivery room, holding his crumpled son who looked like a little old man, feeling soft in his heart.

Although his son's aptitude was very mediocre, he never disliked him at all.In his opinion, the reason why he works so hard outside is to save his son from having to work as hard as him?

In a lifetime, he held his son in his arms again, and once again he was so generous that he asked the housekeeper's wife to seal the midwife 20 taels of silver.

Mrs. Ma was also waiting outside the delivery room, secretly lamenting Mrs. Yan's luck, that she got a boy in one fell swoop.

She subconsciously touched her slightly protruding belly, thinking about Tong Fang who was also pregnant at home, and secretly prayed: Buddha bless, this time, it must be a son!

"Master, children can't blow the wind." Tian Yu's family reminded carefully.

Shi Nai hurriedly handed his son to her, and urged: "Hurry up and take it back, let the wife see it too."

"Hey." Tian Yu's family went in with the young master in their arms, and the midwife inside had already helped Yan Shi clean up.

"Ma'am, he's a brother." Tian Yu's family put the child beside Yan.

Yan Shiren turned his head to look at it, with a happy smile on his face, "Master, have you seen it?"

"I've seen it, the master even rewarded the midwife 20 taels of silver."

20 taels is not a small sum. Yan Shi, who is familiar with her husband's urine behavior, was surprised for a moment, and her smile became even brighter.

——It seems that the master likes his son very much.

Tian Yu's family asked: "Is the wife hungry? There is ready-made chicken soup on the stove, and the servant will give the wife a bowl of noodles?"

"Okay." Yan replied casually, staring at her son with perfect eyes, "I don't know if I'm hungry or not?"

Tian Yu's family said with a smile: "Children can't eat when they are born. They have to be hungry for an hour before they can drink some water and use a pacifier."

She has given birth, and these are the experiences passed down to her by her mother-in-law.

"So that's how it is." Yan suddenly noticed that his son pursed his lips, as if he was smiling, and couldn't help being surprised and delighted, "Oh, my brother laughed."

This feeling of being connected by blood is completely different from when she hugged the big girl.

Tian Yu's family echoed: "Yes, brother also knows, his mother is watching him."

"My elder brother is Congmin." Yan Shi and Yourong Yan.

"Yes, I must follow the master. In the future, I will also be a heavenly official."

Yan knew that Tian Yu's family's words were a compliment, but it was her son who was being complimented, so she was only happy.

******

Now that Mrs. Yan has successfully given birth, Mrs. Ma also left.

Shi Nai thanked him very gratefully, and ordered the housekeeper Tian Liuhaosheng to send someone to take the third wife to her home.

In two days, it will be the child's baptism.There were no elders in the family, and Shi Nai no longer had a concubine.

Ma Shi could have been asked to help, but Ma Shi was pregnant again and couldn't work hard.

Shi Nai had no choice but to support himself. When the day came, he could just ask Mrs. Ma to help entertain the female guests.

It’s different in the past.

I still remember that when the eldest girl and the second girl were married, their family hadn't been filial piety, and the two brothers were still white.

At that time, it was not whether they wanted to or whether they could have a big banquet, but that there were simply not so many guests for them to feast on.

Today's Shi Nai can be said to be simple in the emperor's heart, and also a powerful household minister. I don't know how many people he knows and doesn't know want to curry favor with him but can't find a chance.

There is no way, Shi Nai is notorious for not accepting gifts except being stingy.

He does not refuse the gray income that is divided up and down in the department.But those are routine, no one can ask others to do things for you, right?

But if they are really asked to come to give gifts, they dare not.

It is really a lesson from the past hanging there.

Right after Shi Nai became a servant, someone wanted to ask him to do something, and they came to visit with all their heart.

Except for Shi Nai and the person concerned, no one knew what happened that day.I only know how the man weighed the gift in, and how he weighed it out.

Then, not long after, that person was released from Beijing, and he is still serving as the county magistrate.

Later, there were still those who did not believe in evil, but without exception, they all failed to give gifts and were sent out of Beijing.

If this happened again and again, no one would dare to give Shi Nai a gift anymore.

After all, when they gave gifts to high-ranking officials in the capital, they either wanted to put a fat person outside, or they wanted to be officials in the capital.What's the deal with being sent to a poor county to be a county magistrate?

Later, this matter was passed to the ears of the saint by someone with a heart.

The thoughtful person probably wanted to tell the saint that Shi Nai used his power for personal gain and avenged his personal revenge.

Unexpectedly, the sage called Shi Nai into the palace with great interest, and asked Shi Nai as a joke.

Shi Nai was also very single, so he directly said to the sage, "I'm doing it for their own good."

"Oh?" The saint laughed, "They don't think so, do they?"

"A minister does good deeds without expecting anything in return."

"Hahaha... I want to hear what you say."

Shi Nai said as a matter of course: "They asked for the minister's head, just to get promoted and get rich. I think that if this is the request, there is no need to give gifts at all. Although the country is prosperous and the people are safe in Daxia, there are still a few counties that are poor. There is an urgent need for aspiring young people to educate the people and serve the country and the people."

"so what?"

"So, I gave them the opportunity to be a parent. As long as they do well, they don't need to ask anyone. The sage will naturally give them promotions and rewards."

The sage laughed and nodded with a smile, "You're right."

"I have always been honest, and I only tell the truth to saints."

"You, you!" The saint was a little worried for him, "You are an official in the court, so you shouldn't be too out of the group."

Shi Nai naturally understood this hint.

However, he felt that it was completely unnecessary.

"I don't like to enjoy luxury, and I still have some property at home, which is quite enough."

Mentioning this, the sage also became curious, "You don't like to enjoy yourself, and you don't like to be beautiful. So what do you like?"

——I like Quan, but dare I tell you so?

Shi Nai was silent for a moment, and said righteously: "I like to be frugal."

saint:"……"

——There is no one who can put stingy in such a fresh and refined way.

In short, countless people who wanted to curry favor with Shi Nai were unable to enter.

It's better now, Shi Nai is happy to have a son, and he is still the eldest son.They took advantage of this opportunity, even if they couldn't go in to ask for a glass of water and wine, they could still send gifts in.

As long as the gift goes in, it is a piece of incense and fire.

On the day when Shi Nai's eldest son, Sujie, washes three days, Bowlinghou's Mansion can be described as full of people.

Not only the old lady of the Yan family brought her daughter-in-law to come early in the morning, but also the old lady of the Ma family and the old lady of the Jia family came early to help with their female relatives.

Shi Nai knew exactly what their plans were.

But it is also true that his family needs help today.As long as they don't act like monsters today and spend the day well, Shi Nai will naturally remember their love in his heart.

For the sake of his own mother and sister-in-law, Mrs. Ma first secretly reminded the old lady of the Ma family: "After a few months, when I give birth, my second sister-in-law must be there to help."

Her meaning was obvious: if something happens to you today, my second sister-in-law will be able to find her way back soon.

But she said that Mrs. Ma had been dismissed by the Yan family earlier, and she felt that she had lost all face.

Before today's visit, even though the old man in the family had urged him thousands of times, saying that Shi Nai should not be offended.But she thought: I'll just fan the wind and lighten the fire without any trace, and it's none of my business if others make trouble, right?

However, after being deliberately reminded by Mrs. Ma, Mrs. Ma's heart shuddered, and all those small thoughts stopped.

In fact, the shadow of the last time is still there, and she panics about the second wife Yan Shi in her heart.

Originally, I thought that the two families of the Shi family had separated, and they would have less time to deal with each other in the future.But he ignored the fact that his daughter was pregnant for three or four months.

This old lady Ma was pushed down by Mrs. Ma, so naturally the old lady of the Yan family would not demolish her daughter.

Even the daughters of the Jia family, who Shi Nai was most worried about, were especially generous today.

According to the report from the housekeeper, the old lady of the Jia family not only restrained her daughter-in-law and nephew, did not do anything inappropriate, but also offered to help take care of the eldest girl.

Shi Nai was surprised, and before he could think about it, someone outside reported that it was the grandson.

Shi Nai was taken aback, how could he care about the Jia family?He hurried out to greet him.

All the guests also got the letter for a while, and while feeling in their hearts the solemnity of Shi Nai's family, they rushed out to join Shi Nai and knelt down to welcome the prince.

"Shao Bao, don't be too polite." The grandson stepped forward to help Shi Nai himself, and said to everyone, "Everyone, get up too. I'm here today, just like everyone else, it's Lord He Shi who is happy to have a son. Everyone Don't be restrained, let's all sit down."

"Thank you grandson."

After everyone got up, they were dawdling, unwilling to leave.

It is rare for those with low official ranks to see the prince and want to see him for a while.Thinking that there might be a chance to be appreciated by the grandson;

Those with high official positions think more, thinking that since the grandson is here, this seat must be readjusted when the meeting starts later.If you are lucky enough to sit at a table with your grandson, wouldn't you have more opportunities?

Shi Nai saw everyone's thoughts and hurriedly welcomed Taisun into the main hall.

Those who can enter the main hall are those who have status and status, or are close relatives of historians.Those who follow the crowd to give gifts can only have a banquet in the side hall, and at this time they have to leave with hatred.

Taisun followed Shi Nai into the main hall, and beckoned Wang Zhu who followed to present the congratulatory gift.

"The smaller one is a congratulatory gift from Gu; the bigger one is a gift from a sage."

When Shi Nai heard this, he hurriedly knelt down in front of the Forbidden Palace, and thanked the saint for his reward.

Taisun laughed and said: "I'm just here to see the young master, why not take the young master out and let Gu have a look?"

"That's natural." Shi Nai called Tian Liu, and told him to pass the message to the second gate, asking the nurse to bring Su Jie out.

The head steward sent word to the inner house, which alarmed all the female guests.When everyone heard that it was the grandson who came in person, they were shocked and became more careful with Mrs. Ma.

Mrs. Ma was also secretly glad that she listened to her daughter's persuasion and did nothing.Otherwise, the old man will not be able to spare himself after returning home.

Sitting in the hall as an old aunt, Jia's mother even glanced at the big girl Xiangyun in her arms, and put away the thoughts of provoking Xiangyun in her heart.

She suddenly felt that it was more important to use Xiangyun to draw in the relationship between the two than to provoke Xiangyun and tarnish the reputation of Shi Nai and his wife.

Thinking of this, the expression on her face became more loving, and she gently wiped the dim sum scum from the corner of Xiangyun's mouth, and said with a smile: "Yun'er eat slowly, there are still more on the table."

Mother Jia's mind was spinning very fast, but she didn't have a chance to communicate with her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wang.

Madam Wang asked Xiangyun with a smile: "Why, your aunt won't let you eat snacks on weekdays?"

At this time, there were not only relatives of historians sitting in the hall, but also many female relatives of high-ranking officials.Mrs. Wang not only did not lower her voice, but deliberately raised it a bit.

For a while, all the female family members turned their heads frequently, or looked over there curiously or clearly.

Ma Shi's apricot eyes narrowed slightly, he sneered twice in his heart, waved to Xiangyun and said, "Eldest girl, come here quickly, second girl hasn't seen you for a few days, I miss you in my heart."

The second girl, Xiangxue, is in her early three years old, and she has a sharp tongue. Now she is following her mother, clapping her hands and calling out "sister".

These two aunts were almost raised together when they were young.At that time, the family kept a filial piety and could not go out. They had no other playmates, and their relationship was quite good.

So, as soon as the eldest girl saw the second girl calling her, she broke free from Jia Mu's arms, trotted to the second girl, took the second girl's hand and called her younger sister.

The two little girls, one four years old and the other three years old, are both carved in powder and jade. One is wearing yellow clothes and the other is wearing green clothes.

The wife of the Minister of the Ministry of Officials looked at the two girls with delight, and said with a smile: "Oh, these two girls are really well raised!"

Xiangyun is very courageous, and the Yan family does not avoid her when she sees guests on weekdays.Therefore, although she was young, she knew a bit of etiquette, so she replied at that time: "Madam is ridiculous."

At this moment, everyone was surprised and praised it in a hurry.

The wife of the Minister of the Ministry of Officials beckoned and said to Xiangyun: "Good boy, come here and let me have a look." "

Xiangyun glanced at Mrs. Ma, saw the third aunt nodded, and then pulled the second girl over together.

The second girl was a bit shy, she followed her elder sister to greet others with a blushing little face.

The wife of the Minister of the Ministry of Officials touched this, pinched that, turned her head and said to her daughter-in-law: "Whenever you give me such a little granddaughter, I will be satisfied!"

Previously, she was only proud of her daughter-in-law's upbringing, and she gave birth to three good grandchildren in a row.Seeing such a cute little girl now, I couldn't help thinking about it.

Her daughter-in-law couldn't laugh or cry, and said to herself: This kind of thing is still God's will, how can people decide it?

However, the three brats in her family were very greedy when they saw the little girl, thinking: It would be nice if there was a girl.

Not to mention what the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the Minister of the Ministry of Officials thought about it, but all the female relatives knew that this girl was pampered at home when they saw that Xiangyun was so courageous and polite.

That being the case, the intention of the second wife of the Jia family to say this is very intriguing.

Mrs. Ma glanced at Mrs. Wang triumphantly, and sneered secretly: I have been preventing you from being a demon.

Not only Ma Shi is on guard, but Yan Shi is also on guard.As soon as Mrs. Wang finished speaking, the servant girl who was serving her reported it.

At this moment, Cui Liu, the maidservant of Yan Shi, came to the front hall, first bowed to the ladies, and then said to Ma Shi with a smile: "Madam, let the maidservant tell the third wife, don't call me!" The eldest girl eats too many snacks, or she won't be able to eat seriously after a while."

Mrs. Ma laughed and scolded: "I don't feel at ease looking at her here. She is really busy. You go back to her and tell her to concentrate on raising her body and stop worrying about it."

Cui Liu smiled and said: "Our wife also said it, most likely it was a vain instruction. The servant will leave now."

Before Cui Liu left, some people rushed to praise their sister-in-law for their good relationship, and some said that the Yan family was virtuous and raised the eldest girl so well.

Until this time, those wives who were not very familiar with the Shi family knew that the eldest daughter of the Shi family was the posthumous child left by the first master and wife.

Over there, Mrs. Liang, the wife of the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, took the two girls and talked for a long time.

"Oh, what a good boy." Mrs. Liang said to Mrs. Ma with a smile, "You two girls, I really wish I could sneak back and raise them myself."

Ma said with a smile: "If my wife is willing to teach them how to keep their eyebrows high and their eyes low, then my second sister-in-law and I can't wait to ask for it."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liang lowered her head to tease the two girls, "Did you hear what your wife said? Come to my house today."

The second girl blushed and lowered her head, but the eldest girl Xiangyun said childishly, "That won't work, Xiangyun will miss Auntie."

Liang smiled and coaxed her: "I'll bring you to see her in two days."

"Hmm..." The eldest girl frowned her slender and shallow eyebrows, she didn't know how to deal with it, she couldn't help looking at Ma Shi for help.

Ma Shi covered her lips and laughed, "Ma'am, don't tease her, this is the first time my eldest girl has suffered."

Mrs. Liang also smiled, patted the eldest girl's head, took off a pair of jade bracelets on her wrists, and stuffed one in each hand, "Take it, and you can go to my house to play more in the future."

The two girls turned their heads to look at Mrs. Ma at the same time, and Mrs. Ma hurriedly said: "Madam, this is too precious. How can they afford it?"

Mrs. Liang glared at Mrs. Ma reproachfully, and looked at the two girls lovingly: "These two girls are my favorite. I love to give them my own things."

Seeing her resolute attitude, Mrs. Ma had no choice but to say to the two girls: "Thank you, madam."

The eldest girl led her younger sister to thank her.

Jia Mu who was on the side finally found a gap to interject: "My two nieces and daughter-in-laws are both good, and they take care of the girls well."

Mrs. Liang didn't like to talk to her at first, but after all, it was a happy event for the historian, and she didn't want to disappoint her, so she could only agree with her: "Mrs. Rong Guo is very right."

When Jia Mu saw that she answered, she would not let this opportunity go, and took the opportunity to chat with people.

To say that Jia's mother is a super-class Duke's wife, when Jia Daishan was alive, all her contacts were high-ranking officials and dignitaries.At least in terms of speaking, as long as she is willing, she is very measured and can be heard.

However, she was willing to put down her figure and take the initiative to talk to them, for the sake of her youngest son, Jia Zheng.Therefore, it didn't take long for words to bring out their purpose.

Mrs. Liang is a fine person, how can she not hear it, and she just doesn't answer her faults in her words, she can't do anything about it.