The oil bottle of the Red Chamber

Although the imperial court did not close the pen and rest because of the earthquake in Shuzhou and the military disaster along the West Sea.However, for the common people, various matters for the New Year still have to be sorted out.

It was also for this reason that the second and third sisters of You were taken back to You's house by the Chen family to prepare for the New Year's Eve.Because of various concerns, Third Sister You put all the land deeds that her uncle gave her in the Chen family and did not bring them back.However, this matter still needs to be reported to Mrs. Chen.

When Mrs. Chen heard that the third sister You got a windfall, she was overjoyed.Immediately put his arms around Third Sister You and smiled, "Oh, I really didn't expect that I haven't seen you for a few months, and your money is richer than your mother's. It can be seen that you are in the Chen family these days, and you have been teasing you a lot. Is uncle doing something?"

The third sister You heard the words, but she smiled and said nothing.

Mrs. Chen smiled and nodded Third Sister You's forehead, and said: "It's enough for us mothers to know about this matter, there is no need to make it too public. But now that you have this money, if you want to come up with my idea You don’t like the dowry anymore. Now that’s the case, I’ll share more of my dowry with your second sister and your younger brother in the future..."

Speaking of this, Mrs. Chen couldn't help sighing: "I originally thought that when you went out, I would make our rouge shop with you as a dowry - after all, this rouge shop is also managed by you, which is why it is today. I didn’t expect your uncle to spoil you so much, he gave you a few 10 taels of silver without blinking. Since this is the case, why don’t you open a rouge shop after the New Year, and I will accompany you for now Your second sister, how are you?"

Third Sister You is now rich and powerful, so naturally she has no meaning to Chen's decision.On the contrary, Second Sister You was a little uneasy, and hurriedly said: "Mom, this rouge shop earns the most money, so let's leave it to my younger brother. As for me—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Mrs. Chen waved her hand impatiently, because she said: "As the saying goes, a good man doesn't eat a family meal, and a good woman doesn't wear wedding clothes. Your brother will study and become an official in the future." It’s a pity to give it to him because he doesn’t understand the business here. But you two are different. Every girl Yes, the dowry should be generous, and when you marry into your husband's family in the future, you can afford food and clothing yourself, and you don't need to look at other people's eyes and noses, and they will take a high look at you if you spend it confidently and confidently."

Mrs. Chen finished speaking, looked at the second and third sisters who were thinking about everything, and smiled again: "Besides, I don't care about your brother. Since I gave you the spice shop, I naturally left more good land for treasures. Brother—I originally planned to divide the three shares equally, but now your third sister has suddenly become a rich man. I can use some of her share to make up for your brothers and sisters. It is still the two of you who took advantage of the third sister. If you want to thank me, I can thank my third sister."

As soon as the words were finished, the third sister also smiled and said: "It's not just the mother, I have money in my hand now, and in the future when the second sister and brother Bao get married, I will also prepare the dowry gift. Be sure to send the second sister It’s better to marry off in a good manner.”

As for Brother Bao, he is still a three-year-old Douding, so there is no need to worry too early.

The three mother and daughter talked and laughed happily in the room.I just went to the upper room to greet Mrs. You.At that time, Mrs. You had just sent the four wives out of Ningguo Mansion to give the New Year's gifts. When they saw the second sister and the third sister coming together, they couldn't help laughing and said: "It's been several months since I left, and I haven't seen you come back to see My old lady, do you think you forgot about me?"

After hearing this, the second sister and the third sister naturally wanted to put their arms around Old Madam You, joking and apologizing, because they said again: "How could we forget the old lady. I think the old lady only cared about Brother Gu Bao, but forgot about it." What about us."

One sentence reminded Mrs. You of Brother Bao, and she immediately asked.Ji Xiang, who was waiting on the side, smiled and said, "Brother is asleep in the room, and he hasn't woken up yet."

Old lady You heard the words, first looked at the time, and then said to Jixiang: "It's been a while, wake up my brother. Otherwise, I will sleep for a long time, and it will be bad if I have to make a fuss at night."

Ji Xiang agreed to go.He came out with Bao Ge'er in his arms for a while, but seeing Bao Ge'er lying in Jixiang's arms obediently, with clear eyebrows, pink carvings and jade carvings, wearing a red silk silk boy's full-breasted jacket for birthday wishes, and a pair of bony eyes. Like two pitch-black grapes.Seeing the third sister standing on the ground, she hurriedly stretched out her hand to hug the third sister.

So happy that the third sister quickly took Bao Geer into her arms and turned upside down, and said with a smile in her mouth: "Does Bao Geer still remember your third sister?"

Before saying a word, Brother Bao had already called out "Third Sister" crisply.

Mrs. Chen watched from the side, and smiled in amazement: "This child has been close to his third sister since he was a child. I didn't expect to remember the third sister after we haven't seen him for a few months."

Mrs. You was also quite surprised and said: "Exactly. It is said that children are forgetful. There are many people who forget who they are after not seeing each other for a few months or just a few days. But I didn't expect Our brother Jiabao is so clever, he remembers people."

The second sister You looked at her greedy, and she also came up to smile and asked Brother Bao if she still remembered her.Brother Bao looked at Second Sister You carefully, blinked his eyes and said nothing.The second sister You smiled and said, "I am your second sister."

Brother Bao was not timid when he saw this, he called Second Sister crisply, and stretched out his hand to grab the golden Yingluo on Second Sister's chest.The second sister couldn't do it, she hurriedly reached out to take Yingluo off, and stuffed it into Brother Bao's hand.Unexpectedly, Brother Bao took the golden gem and stuffed it into his mouth. The second sister was startled again, and hurriedly reached out to snatch it back.Brother Bao was not annoyed, he actually giggled.It seems that he sincerely wants to tease the second sister.

After seeing this scene, everyone couldn't help admiring: "Brother Bao is really smart."

While talking and laughing, I saw several aunts and four girls coming to pay their respects.Everyone saw each other and returned to their seats.After offering tea.

The fourth girl looked at the second and third sisters, and said with a smile: "I haven't seen you for a few months, but the second and third sisters are more and more detached."

When Second Sister You heard the words, she couldn't help but smile back and said, "Fourth Younger Sister is also becoming more and more outstanding."

The fourth girl smiled when she heard the words, because she said: "A few days ago, the elder sister has been sending people to pick up the second elder sister and the third elder sister to Ningguo Mansion. It's just that the two elder sisters have complicated affairs and don't have time."

After hearing this, Second Sister You subconsciously glanced at Third Sister You.He pondered for a moment, but smiled silently.

The third sister You smiled at Mrs. You and Mrs. Chen: "This is our fault. When we see the eldest sister, we will have to apologize to her."

Mrs. Chen then said: "Your elder sister has been busy with housekeeping and management for the past few months. People like Ningguo Mansion only have more housework than us, and I'm afraid they can't be idle for a while. I want to ask her to take care of it." Let's go to the inner house, let's bother again. Besides, the old lady and I have been there a few times in the past few months, and I took a look at your eldest sister, and she looks pretty good."

After hearing this, Old Madam You's heart skipped a beat, and she had to interject: "I remember going back to Ningguo Mansion to see the eldest girl, and I heard the eldest girl mention it in a daze, as if saying that Second Master Lian of Rongguo Mansion wanted to Marriage is being discussed. It is the niece of the second wife of the Rongguo Mansion, named Wang Xifeng'er. I heard that her father is the current Jingying Jiedu envoy Prince Teng Wang..."

When Mrs. Chen heard the words, she couldn't help but smile, because she said: "That's true. I heard that the wedding will be in July next year. At that time, the eldest girl will have to help with the wedding."

That's not what Mrs. You wanted to say.She took a meaningful look at the second sister You who had been sitting quietly, and said with a smile: "I heard that Lord Wang also has a son named Wang Ren who is a direct relative. Daughter. Speaking of which, although the Duke of Zhen has the name of a meritorious official, in terms of his official rank, he can't compare with Zizhang's high position and authority. Jane is in the heart of the emperor. Thinking about it this way, the second sister's marriage is really a pity That's it. With such an uncle as a backer, not to mention the officials in Beijing, even the relatives of the emperor, it's not that they can't be climbed..."

While talking, he secretly watched Chen's face.

Because Zhang Hua gambled badly and didn't learn well, Chen's elders had suspicions about this marriage, and Mrs. You naturally knew about this.The sudden mention of this matter at this moment is just to take this opportunity to test Chen's meaning.

Of course, Mrs. Chen understood Old Madam You's plan.Therefore, the face did not show at all, and he still said with a happy face: "I don't dare to think so much about those who are high and not high. I just hope that the second sister and the third sister will have a smooth life in the future, so that's all. As the saying goes, once you enter the Hou family As deep as the sea, our daughter has been used to being held in the palm of her hand since she was a child, and if she really married into a high-ranking family, I'm afraid that the rules are strict and the two sisters who control her will be unhappy."

Before saying a word, Old Madam You immediately interjected: "Then don't marry the eldest son, but only marry the favored youngest son. At that time, we will add more dowry, and her uncle will support me. With the help of my second sister This character and appearance, life is not easy. As the saying goes, marry a man, marry a man, dress and eat. This daughter's family talks about marriage, so she must be a reliable and good person. There are good rules and good rules. It is better than Those who have no rules at all and are only willing to go down there are a hundred times stronger."

After hearing these words, Mrs. Chen felt silent.Subconsciously looked at Second Sister You.

The second sister You also lowered her head and kept silent.

For a while, the atmosphere in the hall was a little awkward.After a long silence, Mrs. Chen just smiled and mentioned the New Year's event.Because the eldest girl is getting married this year, it's the first time she comes home to celebrate the New Year, and she has to entertain my uncle Jia Zhen, so it's imperative to prepare wine and a good show, so as not to make my uncle a joke.

Seeing this, Mrs. You didn't say any more.Follow Chen's words and mention the good theater troupe in Beijing.This matter was revealed.

For now, let's not mention the trivial matters of preparing for the New Year's festival.It is only said that the eldest daughter of the You family and Jia Zhen returned home on the second day of the new year.

At that time, the third sister You was playing backgammon in the room with the second sister Bao Geer.Hearing that the eldest girl is coming, she must go to greet her.

The second sister You, the third sister You and the maid holding Bao Geer are about to arrive at Mother You's room, and then they see the little girl outside the door leading the eldest girl in too.

The third sister You took a long look at it carefully, but saw that the eldest girl was wearing a begonia bun on her head, and she was wearing a Chaoyang five-phoenix hanging bead hairpin, and there were still two small three-tailed phoenix hairpins on her temples, and a hairpin on her forehead. Pearl-studded eight-character gold thread thinly wiped the forehead, and the upper body was wearing an autumn-colored gold thread twined with branches and dark flowers. The upper body was covered with a big red cotton satin skirt. The complexion was rosy, the eyes were clear, and the red lips were smiling. At first glance, it looks like it was printed in the same mold as Chen's.

Old Madam You looked at the eldest girl, then looked back at Mrs. Chen, and couldn't help laughing: "Look at this gesture, no one will believe that she is not your own daughter."

When Mrs. Chen heard the words, she couldn't help holding the eldest girl's hand and laughing: "The old lady is wrong. This is my own daughter, so she is naturally like me."

After that, he took the eldest girl to greet the old lady, met with the sisters, and sat down on her.Fang asked the servant girl to offer tea.

The eldest girl held the teacup in her hand, but she didn't take it in. She just smiled and said to the second and third sisters: "I haven't seen you for a few months, and you didn't even send me a message. It's obvious that you forgot about me." Forget it? Fortunately, I am thinking of you two with all my heart and mind."

After hearing this, the second and third sisters You must stand up and make amends.The eldest girl pretended not to follow her, and the two of them called her good sister hundreds of times, and that was all.

The second sister and the third sister finally coaxed the eldest girl, only to hear her say: "Now that you are all grown up, it's not easy to stay at home and not go out. After the new year, I will order to communicate with each family." Go to the banquet, you two should follow me too. Knowing more people and accumulating more connections will benefit you in the future."

This is the eldest girl's kindness, and the second sister You and the third sister naturally thanked her very much.

After hearing this, the fourth girl knew that the eldest girl didn't think well of her.But this time, for the sake of his life-long event, he had to be ashamed and said: "Thanks to my wife, I can read and write these days, and learn some manners. Only then do I know that there are many wrong things in my past actions." It's appropriate. I also ask the old lady, wife and three elder sisters not to be as knowledgeable as I am because of my young age. My sister hereby apologizes to the old lady, wife and elder sisters."

After saying that, he actually got up and left the banquet, first kowtowed to the old lady Chen to make amends, and then went to the eldest girl's second sister and third sister to apologize.Everyone might as well be like the fourth girl, so they had to get up and get out of the way, stopped the fourth girl with a smile and said: "Why should the fourth sister be like this. You used to be young, how could we seriously care about you."

When the fourth girl heard this, she couldn't help but blushed and thanked her.I don't know whether to be ashamed or ashamed.

I apologized for a while, and took out a few needles and threads to offer to everyone, and said in my mouth: "These days my sister can read and write, and in her spare time, she embroidered some scriptures to pray for the old lady and all the sisters. I wish the old ladies and sisters good health and success, and a safe life. My embroidery is not good, and my handwriting is not satisfactory. I hope the old ladies and sisters will not be disgusted."

Mrs. You is old, so she naturally believes in the theory of cause and effect of blessings.When I saw Siguniang's needlework, I immediately fell in love with it.

Although the eldest girl, the second sister, and the third sister didn't think much of it, they couldn't help but get up to thank the fourth girl for her hard work.Only Mrs. Chen took the fourth girl's needle and thread and measured it carefully, and said in her mouth: "You are acting more well-behaved now. This is the best. You must know that the relationship between people is mostly courtesy and reciprocity. As the saying goes It is said that people respect me a foot and I respect others a foot."

The fourth girl listened to Chen's teaching with her hands tied, and she must nod her head in response.Immediately he hesitated to speak and looked at Mrs. Chen.

Seeing this, Mrs. Chen asked, "If you have anything to say, just say it."

When the fourth girl heard the words, she first glanced at the eldest girl timidly, then looked at Mrs. Chen with hope on her face, and said, "Just now the eldest sister said that she wanted to bring her second sister and third sister to meet some people. In fact, my sister I also want to stay with my sisters."

After that, he looked at the eldest girl pitifully, and said in his mouth: "Could it be that eldest sister only likes second and third sisters, and doesn't like me?"

The fourth girl said a word, and before the eldest girl could speak, Chen sneered and said: "This sentence is not good, but it's done!"