Dowry maid's daily life [Red Mansion]

Knowing that Jia Min died of an illness, Jia's mother was so sad that she ordered her family to go to Yangzhou to help her son-in-law Lin Ruhai with the funeral.

Everyone persuaded her in every possible way, but Jia's mother was still in tears. Fortunately, she received a letter from Lin Ruhai right after Jia Min's death. The letter said that since Jia Min's death, her daughter Daiyu kept vigil and cried until late at night. She was young and weak, and Lin Ruhai Fearing that she would lose her vitality to an ominous situation, he had no choice but to tell her to stay away from the sad place to recuperate.

This gave Jia Mu some sustenance, so she cheered up and asked the two wives of King Xing and Xifeng to discuss the matter.

Jia Muyin said: "Her child is so filial and so sad, she is very much like my Min'er. Now that Min'er has left me, she will never see her for the last time. It hurts my heart. It's just that I think I still have you, It can comfort my heart, so that I won't die like my unfilial daughter..."

When Mrs. Xing saw her say such words, she hurriedly persuaded her.

Jia's mother said again: "Gu Nian's filial children and grandchildren, I have to live. But since I am alive, I have to take care of Min'er's only flesh and blood! I can talk to her when I meet her in the future..."

Everyone who said this was mournful, and all of them burst into tears.Especially Mrs. Wang, she thought of Jia Zhu again. Jia Zhu also left behind a son. She was not very close to the child in the past.

When she was thinking about it, she heard Jiamu say: "Looking at what my uncle said in the letter, my granddaughter is already on her way to Beijing. I thought that although I can't send the family boat to pick her up, I should send someone to the mouth of the Tongzhou Canal." That's it."

Mrs. Xing said: "That's the reason. Ask Lian'er to take someone to Tongzhou to pick up his niece, and report it quickly every day."

These words hit Jia Mu's heart, but Sister Feng felt a little bit reluctant, but her cousin came to Beijing, and she had recently lost her mother, so it was pitiful to see her, and there was really no one else in the family except Lian Er to entrust this matter to.

But Mrs. Wang was a little worried. She received a letter from her younger sister yesterday, and she also planned to ask Jia Lian to take someone to the post house outside Beijing to meet Xue's family.

There was only one Jia Lian, and Mrs. Wang was worried and reluctant to ask Jia Baoyu to pick her up. She thought to herself, if Jia Lian was really asked to pick up the Lin family's niece, wouldn't she be a dwarf compared to the Xue family's niece and niece, let alone The Xue family still has the elder concubine, which makes people look down on her even more.

It's just that Lin Daiyu came to Beijing as a child, but the Xue family came from a large family. Even Mrs. Wang couldn't say that she would leave her for the Xue family, so she had to wink at Sister Feng.

Seeing her aunt's wink, Xifeng also remembered that her little aunt's family came to Beijing in a few days, but the itinerary of both sides was not clearly explained in the letter, and it was impossible to figure out who was ahead and who was behind. The only person in charge of the house was Lian Er. , could it be possible to split him in half?

Sister Feng had no choice but to bite the bullet and said: "My aunt is gone, but my cousin is still there. My ancestor has to take care of himself. Besides, Baoyu went to kneel again because of your old man's illness. The girl in his room said that both knees were bruised. It's..."

After hearing this, Jia Mu hurriedly said, "Call him back quickly!"

The subordinates hurriedly went to the Buddhist hall of the main courtyard to invite Jia Baoyu, and Caixia and Ping'er took the lead to pass on Jia Mu's words.These two exquisite and sweet-hearted girls couldn't help mentioning the Lin family and the Xue family in the young master's ear.

When Baoyu came in, Jia Mu held him in her arms and loved him in every possible way.This Jia Baoyu also has a heart of filial piety. He always knew that the old lady valued the jade he picked up when he fell into the grass, and often said that it belonged to Jerry, so he took the jade from his neck and stuffed it into Jia Mu's back Leaning under the pillow: "If it can make the ancestors better, it will not disappoint the grandson."

How could the old lady not love such a painful appearance, she quickly hugged him in her arms and called him dearly, and took the jade herself and brought it to him: "My good boy, if you say this, I will eat it like that." It’s like a elixir, and half of the pain and worry are cured!"

After a pause, he sighed again: "It's just that once your aunt leaves everyone behind, I'll be able to bear it if I'm healthy. Poor your cousin is already weak, and now her grief is burdened with exhaustion. I don't know what to do——You If you want to, why not wait for your sister to come and lend her the jade for two days to stabilize her little soul."

This is the time when Mother Jia pitied Jia Min the most, and it was also the moment when she missed her granddaughter the most. If there were a few more days for her to let go of her grief and regain her composure, I guarantee that she would not ask Jia Baoyu to lend her jade to her. The granddaughter's words to stabilize her soul come.

Hearing this, Jia Baoyu almost asked, "This cousin doesn't have jade either". Fortunately, he was old and sensible, and knew that he shouldn't be demented at this time, so he forced himself to endure it.

Mrs. Wang was just waiting for Baoyu to tell the old lady that his aunt's family had come to Beijing, but when she heard Jia Mu's words, she had already put Xue's family behind her, and said quickly, "Baoyu is not allowed to mess around. Old lady, this jade has never been out of his body since he was in the womb. The two times when this evil person beat it, he fell ill not long afterward. It can be seen... Besides, it is unknown whether it will work for others. If This jade only cares about him alone, or it is not suitable for the niece's character, wouldn't it just delay the children for nothing."

Mother Jia thought the same, but Mrs. Wang's words still made her uncomfortable.

Jia Baoyu looked at his mother's expression, then remembered something, suddenly smiled and said: "I only have this piece of jade, how can I share it with the new sisters? If this jade can be smashed in half, it will solve my problem." worries."

Both Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang ordered him not to talk nonsense.

Jia Muyin asked, "The new sister?"

Mrs. Wang took advantage of the opportunity to report that her younger sister and her family were going to Beijing, and they would be there soon: "Originally, I was going to my brother's house, but Baoyu's uncle was busy with work and hadn't been home since the Mid-Autumn Festival, and his aunt was also going to Gusu." Taking care of things, the house over there is empty, but we only need to visit our relatives."

Mother Jia nodded and said, "The Xue family has been old relatives for several lifetimes. Now these old relatives are withering day by day, and we haven't lived in relatives for a long time. When Baoyu and his aunts and brothers and sisters come, just stay here and don't see outsiders." Go live outside."

Jia's mother is old and mature, and thinking that her granddaughter will have to rely on her aunt to take care of her when she comes, she no longer mentions the matter of ordering Jia Lian to Tongzhou to pick up Daiyu.

Wang Xifeng reconciled the difficulties with one hand, and flattered Jia's mother more intimately, so as to alleviate the unexpected mistakes of teaching Jia's mother that day.

It's just that Jia's mother was indifferent for a few days, maybe because of Jia Min's affairs, she couldn't cheer up, and Xifeng's attentions were not very helpful.One day, Xifeng came out of Jiamu's small hall and said to Ping'er: "The old ancestor always has a bad appetite. When Baoyu is around, he can still drink a couple of mouthfuls. Once he is away from his eyes, he doesn't even use tea very much. If it goes on like this, But what's the matter?"

Ping'er raised his eyes and saw Du Yun'an coming out of the east wing, so he pouted in her direction: "If I had a way, I would have told you. Grandma is all tied up. What do you expect me to come up with? But someone may agree Relief—Grandma, look at who it is, she has been in the yard all day, maybe there is a way? Even if she doesn't, she may know something that other people don't tell us."

Sister Feng thought for a while, then raised her voice to stop Yun'an: "Good girl, I have something to ask you."

"Is the second girl better?"

Yun An smiled and said, "It's all over."

Sister Feng doubted: "Since it's all over, why don't you go to the old lady? I just remembered when you said that. I don't know if the second girl is not here, and even the third and fourth girls don't leave the house."

Yun An pursed her lips and said in a low voice: "The old lady said she was tired all day long, so she didn't teach her to go up. She went to work as an aunt again, and our girl took the third and fourth girls to copy a few volumes of the "Ksitigarbha Sutra" in the room." With all my heart, I haven't come out for a few days."

Hearing what she said, Wang Xifeng took a closer look and found that she was wearing a moon-white silk jacket, a green satin waistcoat, a trendy blue cotton skirt, and even squirrel gray embroidered shoes on her feet.On the head and hands are also some plain but not out of the ordinary silk flowers and silver ornaments.

Sister Wang Feng glanced down at her light yellow skirt, which showed a pointy red embroidered shoes with five-color mandarin ducks and red embroidered shoes, her face couldn't help but panicked, because she said angrily, "I forgot it in a hurry, and you didn't remind me!"

In fact, it's not that she has forgotten in a hurry, but that Mrs. Wang's main courtyard has not spoken, and even the old lady's room has not changed much. Baoyu is dressed in the same way as before. The light jacket and skirt, I will only worry about it when Cousin Lin comes soon.Who knew there were such big marks on the feet.

"It turned out that the wife ordered the people in the old lady's yard not to be too plain, so as not to make the old man sad, so Sister Yuanyang and the others didn't change their colorful clothes immediately, and those of us who don't go up often don't dare to be too Plain, just wear some bluish blue ones, lest the old lady will be upset if she sees them by chance."

But Sister Feng thought to herself, the old lady is an elder and doesn't need to wear mourning. The ladies are old, and they are already dressed in plain clothes. Besides, they are the mistresses of the house. It is no wonder that the old lady does not use those who have served nine months of great merit.

So he hurried back to Dangui Garden to change the embroidered shoes, and ordered Du Yun'an to call her back later.

After a while, Sister Feng came out of the bedroom with no traces on her face, and Du Yun'an was also impressed, thinking that once this woman gets married, she will be taught by her parents and relatives for many years in her in-law's house, where she is wise and wise.

Sister Feng said that Mother Jia didn't think about tea and rice, and asked Du Yun'an if there was any way to solve this problem, or to attract the old lady's attention.

"You have a better brain than others. I think that those of you who have read books or have other insights, if you have an idea, you must tell me."

Du Yun'an thought about it for a while before he said: "When it comes to talking about the happiness of the old lady, no one can compare to you, grandma, but this situation is not suitable now. Therefore, I think the same as grandma, the only way is to distract the old lady's attention .”

"Oh? How to divert it? The old lady has already ignored housework."

Du Yun'an smiled and said, "It was also my own selfishness. I only said that grandma is my own."

Sister Feng said with a smile: "You just say it, don't I blame you for not doing it!"

Du Yun'an said: "Grandma knows, I used to be with you in Wutong Courtyard, and later I came to Dangui Garden in this mansion. Grandma treated us very well, and we lived in a very spacious and convenient room. Now in the second girl's house, many people crowded In one place, girls big and small are on the same bunk, which I am not used to... Fortunately, the girl is very good, for the sake of you, as long as her nurse is not around, she will let me and her three days out of five. She slept in one bed..."

Xifeng thought about it and it was true.Although the old lady's Rongqing hall is very large, it has a structure of three entrances, not to mention the front yard and the back yard. There are five main rooms and east and west wing rooms in the middle, and there are more than ten rooms across the east and west courtyards on both sides. However, neither of the two grand courtyards could accommodate people, and Baoyu and the old lady lived in the upper room, which was also spacious, except that the three sisters were all placed in the wing room.There are four rooms in the east and west wings. Even if the house is not small, it cannot accommodate the three girls and their attendants. Besides, except for the nurse of the fourth girl Xichun who needs a bed to put her to sleep, the nurses of the other two girls have to be alone. A small room was set aside for them to live in. It is customary in the mansion to be extra gracious to the nanny who nursed older brothers and sisters.

"Seeing that Miss Lin is coming, as well as Aunt Xue's family, the old lady said that she would not let her relatives live outside. This time, two girls came—grandmother knew that the old lady was kind, and she liked the girl. The children are raised under her knees to take care of them. Needless to say, Ms. Lin will stay by her side to support them. Let's just talk about Ms. Xue. Even though Ms. Xue has her own mother to take care of her, she can come with the old lady's granddaughter. Yes, it’s not easy for an old lady to favor one person over another, if she wants to support one, does she just pretend she can’t see the other?”

When Sister Feng heard this, she pointed at Du Yun'an and shook her head at Ping'er: "She said this stupid thing because she was afraid that two more young ladies would come and make her even worse!"

"Good girl, you don't have to worry about it. If there are more real people, the old lady will let the girls live elsewhere." Sister Feng didn't think that the old lady would keep Xue's cousin to support her. Just in time for Aunt Lin's death, it's no wonder the old lady likes it.The biggest possibility is to spend all the girls in one stroke, leaving only cousin Lin to support her.And Baoyu, this little ancestor must not be willing to let him go out.

Of course Du Yun'an knew that Sister Feng's guess was very accurate, so there was no need to add another Sister Xue to squeeze in. As long as Sister Lin came, Mother Jia would move the three granddaughters to live in the three small huts behind Mrs. Wang's room.What is a Baosha is a small house connected to the front or back of the main house, which is narrower than the side rooms.The Rongguo Mansion has been passed down to the present, and the descendants are not as prosperous as the ancestors. So how many locked pavilions and courtyards are there? Just look at the area occupied by the Grand View Garden in the book to know how huge it is.Although the Grand View Garden has been merged into Huifang Garden of the East Mansion and a small part of Jia She's Courtyard, most of the area from the Rongguo Mansion does not involve the upper courtyard and the main courtyard. It can be seen that the Rongguo Mansion will be rebuilt and merged into the Grand View Garden in the future. Those locations are still vacant.

Du Yun'an couldn't figure out how to make such a large space unusable, but let the girls squeeze into the hut.No wonder the book tells the girls to choose a pavilion in the Grand View Garden to live in, the lady's house is so happy from top to bottom, and it's no wonder that the most memorable thing in the book is "in the old house in the garden." Live for three to five days, and die willingly"——Yun An thought, Yingchun is the same as she is now, I don't know how many houses I have lived in, and only the place where I can be the master and relax my mind is the "home" that I consider, such as Zilingzhou is to Jia Yingchun, like the unpretentious small house in the outer city is to Du Yun'an brother and sister.

"Grandma knows my heart." Du Yun'an said with a smile: "Girls will get bigger and bigger in the future, and they will have to move out of the upper courtyard sooner or later, but this is a good way for the old lady to divert her spirit."

Sister Feng became interested: "How do you say?"

Yun An smiled and said: "I heard from the old mother in the upper courtyard that the old lady is the best at tidying up the house, and a few years ago, she also loved tidying up the living room - it's time for the girls to learn this, the second girl is celebrating the new year I'm only thirteen. If I can ask the old lady to give me some pointers, wouldn't it be better than thinking about my aunt in the house all day long?"

Ping'er said: "Second girl will be fourteen after the new year, don't remember me wrong!" Yun'an scratched her head, she couldn't figure out how these 'ancient people' were so particular about being one year old or two years old.

Sister Feng smiled: "The method is a good method, but it doesn't apply. Why are you confused, and the aunt just went. Where did the old lady get the time to clean up the house for the granddaughters? If I go and tell, the old lady doesn't know what to do. Annoyed."

At this time, Ping'er, who was listening to their conversation, took the small foreign lacquer tea tray held by the little girl Feng'er, filled them with tea, and then sat down with Yun'an on the edge of the kang.

Sister Feng laughed and said, "Try the autumn dew white."

Du Yun'an took a sip, lowered his eyelashes, and sighed inwardly.It turns out that not only Sister Feng got ten jars of the Qiulubai produced in the Li family tea garden in the south, but Yunan was still in front of Sister Feng when she got it. It's a little better—Ms. Li is a solid person, but she can always take care of everything that is put in her heart.

"Grandma." Yun An put down the small teacup, and continued: "If there are only a few girls, it is indeed inappropriate, and there is no reason for nieces and nieces to mobilize the crowd after a new funeral. It's just that Miss Lin is also here, and the old lady is about to do it for her. There are some things to relieve the mood."

"Miss Lin is a small girl, although it will be good for her if she has to support her in the old lady's courtyard in the future, but the old and the young, one lost a daughter and one lost a mother, it is the most sad time, wouldn't it be good to get together Double sadness. I'm afraid that if two people look at each other, they will hold their heads and cry for a while. Will it pay off after a long time? The old lady and Miss Lin's bodies can't bear it either."

When Sister Wang Feng thought about it, she couldn't help but get a headache, it was true, it was something she hadn't expected.

What Du Yun'an said was from his heart. Today is different from the book. In the book, Mother Jia had time to calm down. When Daiyu came to Beijing, she had adjusted her emotions, but not now. When she first heard the news of Jia Min's death, Seeing Sister Lin who was made of water at the saddest time, I'm afraid she would really cry out.Perhaps Mother Jia can bear it, but sister Lin is not necessarily. She is also in the same situation as Mother Jia is now, and she has not had time to relieve the pain of losing her mother.

"Besides, the old lady is old, and Miss Lin is still young, so it takes a lot of effort to take care of her." Ping'er also said.

Seeing that the conversation was about to arrive, Yun An said bluntly: "It's better for the sisters to be together. Firstly, how old is the second girl, and she has a good personality, and she is used to taking care of the younger sisters; secondly, the younger sisters have something to talk about. In other words, Miss Lin can talk about her sad thoughts to the girls, saving her from being filial to the old lady and hurting herself even more; , she is the only one who can understand my cousin's heart best, she has endured all these things, and the Miss Lin she said may be more sympathetic..."

Needless to say, Sister Wang Feng understood everything. After thinking for a while, she nodded and said, "Okay! It's a way! I'll give it a shot with or without dates. I'll have to try it."

……

Two days later, Wang Xifeng really found an opportunity to speak in front of Jia Mu, but her words were more considerate to Jia Mu, and her humor and flattery were far beyond Du Yun'an's reach.

Mother Jia was stunned for a long time, then put her arms around Sister Feng and cried: "You are more like a relative than Lian'er. In the past, your aunt was as caring as you. Among my children and grandchildren, you are the one who is most like your aunt...and filial." She is also considerate, she has thought of everything for others in her heart, and she still speaks. My Min'er, it's like cutting the flesh of my heart when you go!..."

After crying a lot, the old lady really cheered up afterward.

Mrs. Wang listened to Jiamu's order to pick up some empty houses and came out. She was very puzzled, so Jiamu said what Sister Feng said, and praised Mrs. Wang: "She is as caring as you, but she is more eloquent. alright."

When Mrs. Wang came down, she ordered Lai Xifeng to ask about the whole story.

Sister Feng measured Mrs. Wang's mood, and said with a smile: "My younger sisters are getting older, so naturally they have to live in a courtyard. I bring this up at this moment because I think Brother Bao will be raised in the old lady's house. Sometimes the cousins ​​came, not to mention the younger sister from the aunt’s family, she had her own aunt, but the cousin of the Lin family, the old lady, would probably stay in the upper courtyard. Now the brothers and sisters are all young, it’s okay, but it’s been a long time, It’s not so convenient for those who are one year old and two years old—Brother Bao is kind-hearted. He was reluctant to leave when I came to greet you in the past, let alone the sisters who have lived with me for several years. If you wait until then It’s difficult, why not take advantage of the opportunity to do everything now, anyway, it’s always in the same family, it’s just a matter of walking a few more steps.”

These words really reached Mrs. Wang's heart, and she couldn't help praising Sister Feng for taking care of her brother and thinking of her own.

In fact, at this time, Jia's mother has not yet let go of letting her granddaughter live with her granddaughter, and she is just preparing to make arrangements for this matter, so as to relieve her depression.

The courtyards of the Rong Mansion are all ready-made, besides, they were roughly repaired when the Dangui Garden was repaired for Sister Jia Lianfeng a few months ago, so they were all completed in less than ten days. .

Jia Yingchun took advantage of Du Yun'an's idea. Mother Jia pointed to Pingming Building for her to live in. At that time, she said: "The building is three stories high. The top floor can enjoy the scenery, and the bottom two floors can be used for people. It is the most spacious, and when your sister Xiangyun comes or sisters from relatives come, they will be asked to stay with you for a while."

Yingchun pursed her lips and smiled, "Yes."

Mrs. Wang also said: "What the old lady said is very true. You are usually the most friendly sisters, but you are a little softer. These little ones are not afraid of you. Second girl, you are the elder sister. In the future, you, Cousin Lin and Xue Cousin's house, you have to act like a big sister."

Also known as Yingchun.

Then Jia's mother asked Tanchun and Xichun to choose. Xichun was younger, so Tanchun asked her to choose first.Xichun asked her nanny to point to any one, but her nanny was illiterate, but she really pointed to a place that said "Luweitang", and Jiamu laughed, "This is the closest to your sister-in-law's yard. Just in time, I am about to assign your sister-in-law to accompany and take care of you."

Tanchun likes grandeur and loves the name "Zhiyuanzhai" very much, so he chose this place.Mother Jia was silent for a while, then Fang smiled and said, "This was your aunt's study when she was at home. Among these children, the old man loves her the most. Tete built this yard for her as a study. It is better than you in the outer yard. The master's study is not bad either. It's just that your aunt only lived there for a few months before leaving the cabinet..."

Tanchun panicked and hurriedly stood up.

Jia Mu smiled and said: "My good boy, you also like to read and write, but this is very similar to your aunt. It is also the fate of your girls. She is definitely not willing to let this study be empty, so she can live in it for you in the future. "

Du Yun'an secretly counted in his heart, in the past ten days or so, the old lady said that there were as many people as Aunt Lin, like a demon.Everyone heard her say that she looked like Aunt Lin, but now they are used to it naturally...

It was the fifth day that Yingchun and the others set up the independent courtyard, and a group of people arrived in a hurry.

The people sent by the Jia family to wait at the Tongzhou Ferry did not pick up anyone. It was not until these relatives approached Ningrong Street that they sent a servant to report to Rongfu first, and Jiamu and the others knew about it.

"Aunt Xue and her brothers and sisters have arrived in the capital, and they will be outside the door in a moment!"

"Miss Lin is here, and now the frame has reached Qianjie, and it will be there in a quarter of an hour at most!"

Almost at the same time, messages were delivered from the porter to the inside one by one.

Mrs. Wang stood up, wondering if she should go outside to pick her up.

Jia Mu ordered: "Brother Feng, take your sisters to the second room to pick them up!"

Sister Feng and Sanchun both stood up, and the girls who followed them also went out together, which was very grand and mighty.

When we arrived at the second gate, Sister Feng ordered: "We can't wait inside. Go and drive the people outside ten feet away. Let's go out and wait for our aunt and sisters."

At this time, Jia Lian had also received the letter, and was waiting for relatives at the gate, but he had to take Xue Pan to the master's study, and offended his sisters if he didn't teach him how to go deep.

All the women were looking forward to it, and after a short while, they heard the noise of people, and then saw several sedan chairs being carried by the servants from a distance, accompanied by many people around.After entering the side door and going out twenty feet, those people and the young man carrying the sedan chair all stopped.

Although there was still some distance away, Du Yun'an saw a familiar figure at a glance: "Brother?!"

Du Zhong quickly swept past a group of women in the distance, and said to the people in the sedan chair in a low voice: "Just send Miss here, I need to send a message to Mr. Lin to return."

Daiyu in the sedan chair gave a soft "um" and whispered, "Thank you."

But he couldn't see that Du Zhong's eyes suddenly froze, and then he took another quick look for confirmation. When he exited, Song Chen felt his back stiffened, wondering: "Brother, what's wrong with you?"

Du Zhong murmured: "Brother Song, I seem to have seen An An?"

"...?"

The women inside were not limited to Du Yun'an who had a good look. At this moment, someone asked in a low voice, "Is that the one in black clothes the young master of the Xue family?" It's so handsome.

No, that's my brother.Du Yun'an couldn't move his mind, he thought.

At this time, Yingchun also thought: Why does that person look familiar?