The clever maid of the red mansion

Zhang Youshi has never been so carefree in his life.

Now he is in Feng Mansion, living in a clear house surrounded by bamboo forests in Linshui.There are a few plantains in front of the door, a few orchids spewing fragrance under the bamboo, and there is a pool of clear water in front of the steps, gurgling from under the bamboo and passing around the house, with the rustling of the wind and chirping birds, it can be described as a fairyland on earth.

That's all, Zhang Youshi has never seen any elegant place. He only needs to live in a comfortable and comfortable way in his daily necessities.Zhang Youshi was very pleased with Feng Ziying as a student, and his thoughts were much stronger than his own son's.

Although I know Feng Ziying's thoughts, I don't know what to do. He is old, and if he really lives in the capital, it is not impossible. He is only serious about accepting students, but he is not very concerned. This is different from enlightening children. .Students like the sixth son of the Li family are too utilitarian and want to seek fame immediately. He has been used to it for many years, and he doesn't like to return to common things.

In the past two days, the tea served by the servants every day is very different from the previous two days. The taste is light and fragrant, slightly bitter but sweet, which is exactly the taste that the old man likes, so I have to praise the servants.The young man only saluted, but didn't say anything, and the husband didn't care, he just felt that the young man was getting smarter.

Because it was already midsummer and the weather was getting hotter, Zhang Youshi didn't feel it in Feng's residence. Once he went out to meet friends or hang out, although he felt a little hotter, he was still refreshed. , can not help but be a little surprised.

When he came back, Li Liu served him respectfully and served him with slightly warm tea. Seeing that the old man was relieved, he couldn't wait to help him loosen his bones, beat his shoulders and legs. I can still chat a few words and raise a point or two, but I just didn't mention the matter of recruiting students.

But Li Jiaqing wasn't discouraged either, a master, who has no temper, after a lot of setbacks and hard work to achieve his wish, that's a must.Now that he got a private suggestion from his cousin Yang's Liu'er, he became more courteous, taking serving the old gentleman as his top priority, and he didn't mention the matter of apprenticeship.

So Mr. Zhang stopped for a few days. Seeing that no one was moving, he couldn't help muttering in his heart. He couldn't help asking casually, "You have a good massage technique. Who did you learn from? You used to honor your elders at home?"

Li Jiaqing kept his hands on his hands, and said with a smile, "Mr. Hui, when I was at home, I wanted to honor my father and mother, but I was kicked out in no time, saying that I was clumsy and not as dexterous as a girl. The younger generation felt that heroes were useless." This is due to the master's knowledge, this junior is very grateful, and I have to tell my father when I go back, it's not my son who doesn't live up to expectations, it's his old man who is dark under the lamp."

Zhang Youshi was amused by him, and nodded, "It's rare for you to have such filial piety. They talk about it, but they are actually happy in their hearts. But now your method is really bad."

"To tell the truth, sir, the ability of this generation is also suggested by my sister-in-law. My cousin said that she is a female family member, and she does not take care of your husband cheaply, so she has to put some thought behind her back." Li Jiaqing replied.

"Oh, I do know a little about Yang's family. She is a rare woman. I only know her needlework and embroidery skills, and now she is well-known all over the world."

"Sir, I don't know that my cousin is not only good at embroidery, but also cooks tea and cuts with one hand, which is also rare. Just talking about cutting, the clothes on Uncle and Mr. Lin's clothes are not made by my cousin. I don’t wear the ones I wear. It’s said that I’ve worn my cousin’s handicraft, and I can’t wear other people’s ones any more. It’s uncomfortable everywhere. Even in summer, it’s so hot that I feel cool on my body. It’s a pity that we are too young to ask for a watch. My sister-in-law makes clothes." Speaking of which, Li Jiaqing looked a little regretful.

Hearing this, Zhang Youshi's heart was moved. At night, he called the young man who was serving him over, and asked with a sullen face.Sure enough, Mrs. Yang personally took care of his food and clothing expenses on weekdays.Because of the hot weather, I often cook tea myself and send it over.

This time, he was more dedicated than his daughter-in-law, the old man was thinking for a moment.

The next day, Li Jiaqing came to him to polish it again. Zhang Youshi looked at him calmly, as if it was no different from the past, and asked casually, "Your family is also rich, why do you want to take the imperial examination? Wouldn't it be more fun to be a romantic talent."

Because Li Jiaqing has brothers and sisters, he is the youngest of the long house. He studied at a young age. Although he has been exposed to many official careers and economics, his mind is purer after all. Hearing the words, his eyes are bright, his smile is firm, and his words are true, "Mr. Hui In other words, the long-cherished wish of my father and my grandfather in two lifetimes is to change the family. When we were young, we brothers had to study for a long time when we were sensible, and went to various shops to watch workers at work in the afternoon. When we are older, we must learn to do it. I don’t feel tired, and I really don’t have any talent for reading, and I don’t insist on studying, so I just go into business. If my family is willing to read, I will always pay for it. My father said that reading can make you good, and you have to eat if you don’t read. But our cousins ​​all know that our family attaches great importance to studying, and we have never thought of donating to the government. We just want us to shine on our own. So my fourth brother took me to study hard together. Our two families, If we don’t work hard, there is no hope.”

After finishing speaking, Li Jiaqing was in a bit of a depressed mood. The path of obtaining a scholar through the imperial examination was not easy, and he had known it for a long time.How many students from poor families had to find other jobs to support their families.There are even those who have passed the exam for most of their lives but are only a mediocre person.

Zhang Youshi nodded, anyone who read the two books would say the high-sounding words, but after all, there are very few people with great ambitions, and it is an ordinary person's idea to do it for their own fame and fortune.

After pondering for a while, the old gentleman said, "I've been used to being casual all my life. I learned from me, but I only have a little knowledge and sophistication. As for being an official, I really have nothing to teach. Your cousin Feng Ziying is very talented. There are countless things to do, you can think about it."

It took Li Jiaqing a while to react, he couldn't help but be overjoyed, and couldn't speak, "Mr. Xian, do you agree to accept the junior as a student?"

Zhang Youshi smiled and said nothing, Li Jiaqing quickly realized that he knelt down and kowtowed, but said in his mouth, "If you want to be an official, you must first be a man. The younger generation is not very ambitious. I just want to study well and become an official. Don't do stupid things. My father is happy in his heart, and his grandfather knows about it, so he has to comfort him. In the future, he will definitely follow his teachings and never embarrass him."

Although it was not as Liu Er said, the matter of Li Jiaqing's apprenticeship was settled in three days, but it took only two or three days. Feng Ziying was overjoyed, so he had to set up a serious banquet, and invited his father and adoptive father to come and make a gift.

The letter to announce the good news to Uncle Li had to be rushed to the south of the Yangtze River.

Unexpectedly, at this time, the Li family in the south of the Yangtze River is in a cloud of gloom.

The second uncle Li Minghong, Li Minghong, was originally in charge of Jinji Weaving Workshop and Printing and Dyeing Workshop.Unexpectedly, not long ago, the master chefs who had worked in the two main workshops for half their lives suddenly found some excuses and quit their jobs.

These are all old people who have worked in the Li family for most of their lives, and almost the whole family works in the Li family.Now not only are they gone, but they also have mastered many weaving techniques and printing and dyeing recipes of the Li family.Originally signed the employment contract and wanted to leave unilaterally, and had to pay a large sum of money.Fortunately, they paid the compensation without hesitation and left. When the Li family realized that something was wrong, there was no one left!

The big shopkeeper who handled this matter was Uncle Li's brother-in-law Dong Ming, who was scolded by Uncle Li, and he resigned when he got angry.

Later, someone went back to Uncle Li and saw that Dong Ming took the two masters and his family, took the boat to Beijing, and left Gusu together.

There was still something Li Mingze didn't understand. He was furious for a while, and although he didn't vomit blood like Mr. Feng Tang, he fell ill, and the Li family was in chaos for a while.

Second Uncle Li is a worthless person. The person in his hands ran away and was hit hard. If he is not sick, he will be fine.Now the only son of the Li family's direct branch staying in his hometown is Li Jiahe, the third son of the long house, but he is a sick child, soaked in medicine jars, and he doesn't care about things.

There is no other way, Uncle Li ordered the housekeeper to write a letter to ask the eldest son Li Jiading to come back to preside over the overall situation. The matter in Beijing, if you think about it, you have to leave it to the fifth master Li Jiabai, but it suits the thoughts of Feng Sanye. Uncle Li is so sad and bitter. Know.

He also had to hide his son's illness so as not to disturb his studies.Moreover, based on his many years of experience in business, he knew that this was just the beginning. Since the third child had already made a secret move and spent so much effort, he thought there would be more ruthless tricks.After digging out two important people, and having the sales channel of the Li family in hand, it may be difficult for the Li family Jinji firm to do business in silk in the future.

At this time, Feng Sanye's letter to the Li family is still on the way.

On Liu'er's side, long before Li Jiaqing became a teacher, she also went outside the city to meet the old lady of Jia's mansion.

The old lady was originally described as plump at her age, but after only a year, she has become much haggard, and she is also confused from time to time, and she has somewhat brought the scene of the next life.But he recognized Liu'er and spoke clearly.

In the old days, the master and the servant inevitably cried while holding their heads, the old lady was even called Liu Er, and when she came back, she brought a tiger head to show her, Liu Er agreed to all of them, but felt uncomfortable in her heart.

Grandma Li Wan and several girls have also seen each other one by one. Ping'er and sister Qiao seem to be all right.Apart from being a bit clear and simple, her spirits are not bad, and Liu'er is also a little relieved.

After all, with the Lin family taking care of them, they can't suffer much, and the cost of food and clothing is not bad.In the final analysis, except for the men in the Jia family, all the women are very sensible.

Mrs. Xing went to see Youshi, but she happened to be away, and Liu'er didn't have much contact with her at first, so it saved her trouble.On the contrary, it was the Second Master Bao who heard that he was studying behind closed doors, but he didn't know what the situation was, as long as the women were very pleased.On the contrary, it was Jia Huan, who was said to have found something to do, but Liu Er looked at him with admiration.

Most of the big girls around the master are still there, only the old lady is around, and now there are only three mandarin ducks and amber parrots.Liu'er already knew before that the others had gone out with their relatives.

In the end, the old lady sent the others away, and only the mandarin ducks were left in the house. The old lady took Liu'er's hand and said, "I'm old enough to do anything, but now I don't worry about the three girls around me. They serve as servants." I, without my own father or mother, if I don’t make the decision, what will happen in the future. But now I am powerless. I have entrusted Yu’er to take care of it before, and now I have to entrust it to you. They are not young anymore. See if there is a suitable family, and help them find it, at least let them have a place to go..."

Yuanyang just stood on one side and wiped away tears, Liu'er felt uncomfortable, and she had to cry with her.

She had already heard from her elder sister Lin Daiyu before that the old lady is now entrusting what she can and trying to find husbands for the girls.