Daiyu of the Red Chamber raised a cat

Focus.

"Master servant?" she said.

"That's right, it's Mr. Minister." Auntie was a little puzzled.

"Isn't it Mr. Servant?"

"Who told you that you are the servant?" The aunt's eyes were full of doubts. "The eldest son of the servant's mansion is married, and the second son has a family. The rest of the sons are still young. You are going to marry the servant."

"What? You want me to be the continuation?" Gao Yuqin turned her head, "I won't marry!" The eldest son is already married, so one can imagine how old this servant is.How can it be easy to get along with the eldest son, the second son, and the third son?Did she enjoy happiness or suffer when she married?

-

After Daiyu's birthday, the sky is getting warmer, and many flower viewing parties have emerged in Yangzhou City.Before February was over, Daiyu received four or five invitations.Daiyu declined a few of them on the grounds that she was busy with family affairs, and two who were difficult to refuse went away.I met Zheng Lihua a few times, and the girl was a little familiar, her temper was much simpler than girls from other families, and Daiyu treated her differently from others, and they became acquainted after going back and forth.

One day they met to go shopping together at a jewelry store, Zheng Lihua refused to sit in her own sedan chair, and insisted on sharing a sedan chair with Daiyu, in the name of chatting together to relieve boredom.The sedan chair that Daiyu was sitting in was made by Lin Ruhai specially by skilled craftsmen. It looked ordinary on the outside and had nothing special compared to ordinary sedan chairs, but it was very comfortable and luxurious inside, with many hidden compartments, where snacks, preserved fruits, Tea etc.

"Miss Lin, your sedan chair is more comfortable, much better than mine."

Daiyu said: "Your ones are not bad either. The top-quality fox blanket is spread inside, which shows that Mr. and Mrs. Tongzhi love you very much."

Zheng Lihua sighed pretentiously and said, "I thought mine was pretty good, but compared with yours, I'm like a water duck."

Daiyu laughed and said, "Water duck, what kind of metaphor is this?"

Zheng Lihua said: "Miss Lin, you are the noble swan flying in the sky that day, and I am the water duck swimming in the water."

Daiyu touched her forehead, and said: "It's a shame that you have studied, and I would feel ashamed for you if I said it!"

Zheng Lihua said: "What kind of educated am I? But after going to school for two years, I can read a few words. I'm not a blind person. Unlike you, she's a talented woman." They happened to pass by when they said this. In the Qin family, Daiyu pointed to the courtyard of his house and said, "I'm not a talented woman, and a talented woman lives there."

The two looked at each other, smiled and nodded.

Zhou Hang, who was sleeping curled up beside Daiyu's legs, suddenly raised his head and glanced at Zheng Lihua.The latter was immediately elated and reached out to hug the kitten.Zhou Hang arched his body and yelled, stretched out his paws and stared at Zheng Lihua vigilantly, obviously not cooperating.The latter had no choice but to sigh: "This kitty, really, I am not a bad person."

"That's his temper, don't mind." Daiyu smiled apologetically, and turned her head to look at Zhou Hang.

The kitten, who was still on the verge of saber-rattling just now and was ready to strike at any moment, softened his brows and eyes for a moment, tilted his head and let out a soft cry, his flattery was beyond words.Daiyu hugged the kitten in her arms, looked out through the screen window, and found that she had already arrived at a busy street, bustling with pedestrians and hawkers.Seeing Daiyu looking out, Zheng Lihua looked out too, and suddenly pointed to a stall on the side of the road and said, "Miss Lin, look, the clay figurines sold at that stall are so lifelike, so pretty, buy two, we are alone Is one good?"

Daiyu seldom went to the street, so naturally everything she saw was new. Seeing the stall Zheng Lihua pointed out, the clay figurines were very simple but cute, so she said, "Okay, let the women go and buy two."

At that moment, the mother-in-law bought it and sent it to the sedan chair. Zheng Lihua couldn't help being overjoyed. She hugged the clay figurine and played with it for a while, and said that she would take it home and treasure it.

The sedan chair finally stopped in front of a tidy shop called "Hengkang". Daiyu and Zheng Lihua got off the sedan chair with the help of the maids, wearing veiled hats.Although the shopkeeper didn't know his identity, but seeing his grandeur, he didn't dare to be negligent. He hurriedly invited him into the private room, prepared some tea, and ordered the clerk to present the best head jewelry to the two girls.

Daiyu and Zheng Lihua were sitting in the private room, surrounded by five or six serving maids, and the maids were waiting outside the door. When the waiters brought things, they first handed them to the maids outside, and the maids handed them to the maids. The maid then presented it to the girls.

Zheng Lihua took a fancy to a red gold emerald emerald face, which was a bit expensive, asking for 500 taels of silver.After looking at it again and again, she still put it down very reluctantly, and played with a pair of shrimp whiskers in her hand.Knowing that she would go out to buy jewelry with Miss Lin, her mother gave her 300 taels of silver bills, although it was not enough to buy the pair of red gold emerald emeralds, but it was more than enough to buy a pair of shrimp beard bracelets.

Daiyu seemed to have noticed something, but if people don't talk about this kind of thing, it's natural for her not to ask directly.She has several sets of red-gold emerald heads, all of which are made in her own shop, and they are better than this one.She doesn't like to wear these, but daddy said that when a girl grows up, she always has a few jewelry that she can wear out, just in case of emergencies.Anyway, there is a jewelry shop in my own home, and it is not worth anything.So I said hello to the shopkeeper, and every jewelry shop will send many top-quality jewelry every month.

Daiyu thought she couldn't finish wearing it, and it happened that Zheng Lihua's birthday was next month, and she was worried about what to give, so now she has something to offer.

Just as I was thinking about it, I heard Zheng Lihua say, "I saw a pair of heads at Tongmao Jade Shop last month. It's even better than this pair of red gold and emerald greens. Unfortunately, it costs 3000 taels of silver."

Tongmao Jade Shop?

Daiyu was taken aback, isn't this the property of her own family?She often reads the account books, and is no stranger to this name. The monthly income of this shop is very considerable, ranging from 1000 taels to as many as several thousand taels, which is worth several silk, satin and rouge shops.

"Is this shop very good?" Daiyu asked knowingly, just to elicit something like going to have a look.After finally coming out once, she would like to see how this shop is better than others?According to Zhou Hang, it is to see what kind of operation mode this shop is, and if it is good, it will be popularized.

"You haven't heard of it? This is the best jewelry shop in Yangzhou City!" Zheng Lihua's eyes widened, obviously a little surprised, then she thought, Daiyu lived in the capital for a long time, and she only came back for less than half a year, so she didn't know it. The circumstances were justifiable, and he said, "Tongmao is much better than this jewelry shop. Every piece produced by Tongmao must be high-quality goods. It's a pity that the price is a bit high. Except for those rich salt merchants, ordinary officials and officials It's just one or two things about being a housewife."

"Hearing what you said, I want to go and see it even more." Daiyu said.

Zheng Lihua pulled Daiyu and was about to leave, she said: "I haven't been there for a while, so let's take a look together." Then she said, "I thought you had been there before, how many pieces of jewelry you were wearing before? I met him in Tongmao."

Daiyu chuckled and said, "They were all purchased at home, I don't know."

With that said, the two of them had already gone out and got into the sedan chair.

Before reaching Tongmao, Daiyu saw another shop—Jufeng Silk and Satin Shop.

This is also one of the properties of the Lin family. Unlike Hengmao, it is a shop with very worrying income.Difficult to make ends meet almost every month, Daiyu originally thought that this shop must be opened in a remote and sparsely populated place, and was thinking of closing the shop or selling the shop if it was impossible.Unexpectedly, this shop was opened in a crowded place, with a thread seller and a ready-made garment seller on both sides, and the traffic was very large, only this silk and satin shop was very cold.

Daiyu wanted to get off the sedan chair to have a look, but Zheng Lihua held her back and said, "Miss Lin, the silk in this shop is not good, if you want to buy cloth, I know a better one, why don't I take you there now."

Daiyu said, "Why is it so bad?"

Zheng Lihua frowned, and said for a long time: "I heard from my mother that the color of their silk is not good, and the material is not good."

"Do you often go out to buy things?" Daiyu was suddenly curious. Aren't ordinary ladies always out of their doors? Why does Zheng Lihua know so much about the shops in Yangzhou City?

Zheng Lihua smiled embarrassedly, and said: "My family is not a noble family, and the rules are not as strict as those of a family. Besides, I was naughty when I was a child, and often pestered my brothers to take me out to play. They didn't care until I passed my seventh birthday. Willing to take me out again. Besides, my mother said that some jewelry and clothing materials can only be known if they are suitable after seeing them, and they are only handed over to the procurement. Let me go out for a stroll, buy some silk, jewelry and other things by myself, and know more about these shops."

Lin Daiyu nodded and said, "So that's how it is..."

Zhou Hang scratched the back of Lin Daiyu's hand, and stared at her, meaning that sister Lin, you should come out more often in the future.

While speaking, a woman wearing emerald green silk clothes had already walked into the silk shop.In ancient times, men and women were strictly guarded against each other in the upper class, especially the high-ranking families, who adhered to the principle of "seven-year-old men and women have different seats". However, in the market, it is still very common for women to show their faces.Zhou Hang didn't find it strange.After all, only after a person has enough food, clothing and warmth, and meets his basic life demands, will he pursue what he has and what he doesn't have.

Not long after the woman went in, she came out swearing, followed by an old man dressed as a shopkeeper, who was also swearing, because the distance was too far, and she couldn't hear what she was swearing at.

Daiyu frowned, and Zhou Hang frowned too. ,,

Do business in a friendly manner, even if a customer says something unpleasant, you shouldn't stare at each other like this, or even scold him directly, no wonder this shop is made to look so immortal.

The shopkeeper cursed a few words and then walked away. After a short while, a very clever boy in his teens came out of the shop.After catching up, the boy stopped the woman, nodded and bowed to apologize.The woman was very angry at first, but after a few words, I don't know what the boy said, the woman's attitude softened a lot, and finally she even covered her mouth and smiled.

Zhou Hang secretly remembered this young man, and planned to go back and tell Daiyu whether he is talented or not, if this young man is really malleable, he can be promoted.

He didn't know that Daiyu had already remembered this young man, and the calculation in her heart coincided with him.

Because of this little episode, the group of them arrived at Tongmao a little late.Although it was getting late, Tongmao's shop was still very lively with people coming and going.Because high-end jewelry shops like this often welcome some dignitaries and dignitaries to visit, especially the wives and ladies of various families, they all have private rooms.One is clean, and the other is full of defenses for men and women, so that people will not make irresponsible remarks.

Daiyu didn't enter the private room immediately, but took a close look around.

The waiters are all very enthusiastic and polite guys, and the shopkeeper smiles when he sees people, just like Maitreya Buddha. This alone is much better than the previous silk and satin shops.It can be seen that the ancients said that "harmony makes money", which is really reasonable.

The private room is also very tidy, spacious and bright.Each private room is also served by two very handsome maidservants aged fifteen or sixteen, serving tea and pouring water with great dedication, and introducing the jewelry in the shop is also very thorough.Some antiques can also tell the age and history, and occasionally read a few lines of ancient poems.

Zhou Hang patrolled around with his tail cocked, and nodded secretly.

The grade and quality are all there. Although the marketing is not good, it is considered good in ancient times. No wonder the business is good.

While Daiyu was looking at the jewelry and everyone was not paying attention, Zhou Hang took a moment to sneak out.The previous silk and satin shop was not far from Tongmao Jade Shop, so Zhou Hang went over the wall and over the yard to the vicinity of the silk and satin shop, gathered a few cats, and asked them to inquire about the news of the silk and satin shop, focusing on the supply of goods.

The most important thing in selling things is the source of goods.In ancient times, transportation was underdeveloped, but all food, such as pastry shops and preserved fruit shops, were mostly sold as they were made, and there was no problem of purchasing and stocking.But things like cloth and rouge still need to be purchased.The location of Jufeng Silk and Satin Shop is good, the street has a lot of traffic, and the shop is big enough, so it shouldn't be so depressed.

After thinking about it, Zhou Hang felt that the problem was nothing more than these aspects.

One is that the silk and satin shop can’t buy goods. People in ancient times liked bright colors. If you insist on buying some gray fabrics, it will naturally cause a backlog of goods and cannot be sold. As time goes by, the business will naturally become more and more sluggish.

Second, the price is too high.Everyone has the mentality of being greedy for petty gain. If you sell more expensive than others, who will buy you.

The third is that the shopkeeper has a bad attitude and a bad temper. Peace is the most important thing in doing business. If you make people look bad at every turn, no one will come.

As for whether it was one of the reasons or more, it should be known soon.

Back in the private room of Tongmao Jade Shop, Daiyu was looking at him.Zhou Hang had already guessed this kind of situation, he walked over and yelled at Daiyu, who frowned and said, "Don't run around anymore!"

In front of outsiders, sister Lin has always given him face.

Zhou Hang tilted his head, gave a flattering cry, and rubbed against Daiyu.After all, Daiyu bent down to pick up the cat, and turned her head to a girl who was waiting in the private room and said: "Put that little bell made of red gold on it." Then she ordered Zijuan to pay the silver.

It was the first time for Daiyu to go out shopping at such a big age, and it was very fresh.When she was in Yangzhou, she was still young, and because of her weak body, her parents never let her go outside.Later, when he arrived in the capital, he stayed in Jia's mansion. Except for a few times to go out to worship and burn incense, he went out once, not to mention shopping and shopping in shops outside.

It's a really good feeling, she thought.

Lin Daiyu didn't reveal her identity, and only Zijuan Xueyan and her two close maids were with her. The two women also stayed in the inner courtyard all day and never went out. The shopkeeper had never seen her before.Daiyu specifically asked them not to say that they were from the Lin family, so the shopkeeper didn't know that it was the owner's family, so the money still had to be paid.

Zhou Hang was a little curious about what Lin Daiyu was doing for buying a pure gold bell without buying anything.

His doubts did not last long, for he learned the use of the bell that night.

"Fatty, be obedient, put this bell on quickly."

Zhou Hang glanced at the bell pierced by the red thread, shrunk his body, and wanted to cry without tears.

Sister Lin, I was wrong, I swear I will never run around again, can I stand on one foot at the base of the wall, please don't wear that thing that rings when I move, okay?I'm human at heart, not a cat or a dog, I don't like that stuff.

At this moment, Daiyu was like a big bad wolf threatening Little Red Riding Hood, and Zhou Hang was that poor little rabbit who had suffered all kinds of grievances. He cowered and retreated to the base of the wall step by step.

Seeing the maids in the room laughing.

Xueyan smiled and said: "This little cat is finally afraid, you don't know, he usually bullies me a lot."

Zijuan said: "That's because you are naughty, why doesn't he bully me? It's not that you tease him all day!" Then he smiled and said to Daiyu, "Girl, please forgive me, let Pangpang go, look at him like that My son, it's a pity to see you."

Zhou Hang glanced at Zijuan, the emotion in the eyes of this young master of love, but when he looked at Daiyu again, it was full of sorrow.

Daiyu has softened her heart.She didn't really want to give Zhou Hang a bell, but she was angry that Zhou Hang ran away without making a sound, and wanted to teach him a lesson.Seeing Zhou Hang like this now, he had achieved his goal, so he closed the bell, pointed at the soft flesh on the kitten's nose, and said, "That's all for now, don't run around again next time, if you do it again..."

, Daiyu shook the bell in her hand, and everyone knew what happened next.