[Red Mansions] The big maid struggles daily

Zhu Xiu told Yingchun to hold back her anxiety for the time being and wait for the court to deal with her.Sure enough, in less than half a month, the imperial court made a statement:

He went to Ningrong and Rongfu for his post.

Jia Zhen made friends with foreign officials, took up lawsuits, ignorant of law and discipline, and disregarded shame. She should have been severely punished, remembered her ancestors' virtues, and sent her to Heishui in northern Xinjiang to serve as atonement.Jia Zhen's son, Jia Rong, was shameless because of his father's indulgence and unrighteousness.

Jia Amnesty is a person who is lazy in officialdom, improper in managing the family, has no merit in the country, has no virtue in the family, and is a useless person.Although his son, Jia Lian, was a young dude who committed inappropriate actions, he knew how to repent and was still a diligent official.

Jia Zheng is a man who is as loyal as a traitor: he can’t be diligent in the king’s affairs and live up to the king’s favor, this is one of them; the prefect Jia Yucun, cunning, greedy, and a tiger wolf are not tolerated by the court. Because of Jia Zheng’s attachment, he recommended his official restoration Occupation, this is the second; indulge women to commit crimes and exploits, take up lawsuits, literature and evil, and enjoy the flesh and blood of the people, this is the third; the house where you live is extravagant and extravagant, and the number of silver and calligraphy and paintings in the family exceeds [-]. , It is actually an act of harming the public and private, this is the fourth.For such an unfaithful and unkind person, who seized his reputation, was dismissed from his title, and sent to Bohai County to serve as atonement, his descendants and grandchildren will not be allowed to try.

Zhu Xiu was shocked to stand up when she heard such loss, because she asked: "What! 'Second generations of descendants, not allowed to test'?" Doesn't it mean that Jia Baoyu and Jia Lan's two generations were not allowed to enter the imperial examination, and Jia Lan's descendants, To be able to study and become an official?It will take 20 years. At that time, Jia Zheng and Yifang will be completely defeated.

"In terms of real crimes, even the Ning Mansion has not punished them so severely. No matter how bad the Rong Mansion is, his second wife has had two concubines. Is there any other reason here?" Zhu Xiu was really puzzled, because he asked Zhan Dong .

Kuang criticized Jia Zheng for his crimes, and his words were fierce and unceremonious, which stripped Jia Zheng of his face.These civil servants value reputation the most, and if this kind of guilt is made public, it will really end up in a situation where it will be infamous for thousands of years.The king stamped him and said that he was a villain who seemed loyal and unfaithful, so that even his descendants should not even think about raising their heads.

Zhan Dong shook his head and sighed, "It's because of Mrs. Jia, the sinful woman."

After listening to her husband's details, Zhu Xiu realized that Mrs. Wang is really the most extraordinary person in ancient and modern times, and she can be regarded as the hero of her family.Not only exploiting profiteering, harboring stolen goods, but also using Jia Zheng's famous card to take the lawsuit all these years, the prefect of Jinling is not as effective as a woman like her, resulting in countless unjust cases.Not only violated the laws of the country, but also disregarded the family rules, sold off all the family lands of the Jia family in Rongfu, and all the farm properties in various places were sold off.In just 20 years, this woman wiped out the huge foundation accumulated by the meritorious deeds of the two generations of Rong Guogong of her ancestors.

"Mrs. Jia's second wife lent money in the capital, and killed people. Compared with Jinling and Ping'an Prefecture, these are petty crimes. Those two places are far away from the capital, and there are officials who are colluding with Jia's family. There was no trouble before. It's just that Jia Wang's wooing is also a greedy and vicious person, who acted arrogantly and has already caused minor public grievances, but luckily they discovered it early, so there was no big trouble."

Zhu Xiu was taken aback, it was really a blessing, fortunately she was defeated early!If it is delayed for another two years, and the house is searched thoroughly due to the anger of the people in Jinling and Ping'an Prefecture, it will not be affordable for a certain house. The Jia family will not be enough to pay for it. Deng's family and Liu's family also had to be dismissed from office.

Zhan Dong held his wife in his arms, and said in a low voice: "He is a member of the family, and he is also a family member of Jiaofang, but he committed such a crime. It is really embarrassing for the court to make it public. Therefore, he concealed the crime and gave it to King Jia. Shi poisoned wine. The serious crime she committed shocked all the lords, and Jia Zheng and his children could not escape, so they were dealt with like that."

"The rest are acquitted?"

Zhandong knew that she had been with Jia's mother when she was young, no matter what the reason was, the old lady Jia treated Xiu'er kindly.Even if Xiu'er didn't say anything, there should be a feeling of gratitude in my heart, so it is especially difficult to say the following words.

"...Although Mrs. Jia did not commit the crime of exploitation or litigation, she was involved in some matters of communicating with foreign officials and plotting against the palace. She was punished for several crimes. Considering her old age, His Majesty ordered her to stay at Jinling's house. The spirit of the old Duke guarding the temple atones for his sins, and he is imprisoned there for life, and cannot go out for half a step."

Zhu Xiu was stunned for a while, then Fang forced a smile and said: "I'm fine, but it's just that I felt a little uncomfortable when I first heard about it. The old lady thinks very highly of herself, and even the maids around her are better than the junior masters, so they have to be respected by others, and there are many others. Scheming... But in the final analysis, I did benefit from being pampered by her, at least I didn't suffer a little in terms of food and clothing in those few years."

Zhan Dong also knew this, and comforted him: "Both of them, their family assets were confiscated into the government, and our family sent some money to them, which can be regarded as a tribute to the early love."

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "That's not necessary. I didn't owe them anything for a long time since they built the Grand View Garden and their big house. Besides, this time Lian's second grandma asked her to stay alone. Although I asked them to stay, they really did what they did. Violated my bottom line, if she sent someone to support me first, and told me to prepare, I wouldn't be so stubborn. Now, just for the sake of the Deng family siblings, I don't argue with her, it's just that this relationship will continue Needless to say!"

Since the benevolence and righteousness were cut off, Zhu Xiu heard that Jia Lian and Sister Feng would be released, so she ordered Xiaohong and Brother Gui to be returned to his home.Before Xiaohong left, she kowtowed to thank her, but Zhu Xiu only said that she knew about it, and did not see her again.

Not only Zhu Xiu, but even Yingchun didn't send the eldest sister to her home in person, but sent two proper women to visit and say hello.

Sister Feng made an apologetic smile and sent away several visitors, and then cried with Jia Lian: "Our hearts are exhausted. There is no need to mention the relationship between Zhuxiu, Zhan and Cheng. It is settled. But I think, even the eldest sister, Sister Lin also has a suspicion, and I'm afraid she will be far away in the future."

Jia Lian sighed: "We are what we do, we are no different from others." Even though it was a last resort to send Tuo Gu that day, his own thoughts did not consider the two of them.Especially when Jia Lian knew about the crime committed by the second wife, she was even more ashamed. Once such things were uncovered, if she entrusted someone to someone else, she would be defrauding her.

Why doesn't Sister Feng know this truth? She doesn't talk about Zhuxiu, but only about Yingchun: she has only been in the door for less than a year, and she is not yet pregnant. Laba sent a little niece, what do the Deng family think?I'm afraid that Yingchun's situation will be dozens of times more difficult. Fortunately, Deng's family is better-natured. If they really meet someone who is difficult to get along with, it is possible to make this family's decline and return the troubled daughter-in-law in the house to "die of illness".

In fact, if you want to talk about Tuogu, you should discuss it with people early on, and if you beg, you will also respond with the character of Yingchun and Zhuxiu.It's just that in this way, most of Yingchun and Zhu Xiu would not keep their children in the mansion, but raise them in a secluded and safe villa. Sister Wang Feng was afraid that her own children would be wronged, so she plotted against them like this.Now don't blame others for being cold.

"Grandma, why is Miss Lin angry?" Feng'er waited for Sister Feng to calm down before asking cautiously.

Ping'er glared at her, and hurriedly told her to go out to fetch water.

Sister Feng only smiled bitterly with tears, and Ping'er thought to herself: Miss Lin is transparent through ice and snow, how can she not see grandma's schemes?

In fact, speaking of it, the Lin family is the best entrustment place. Aunt Lin has a high position and authority, and it is well known that the fourth girl is raised in his family. It is not unacceptable to comment on reputation.Even more because of this in-law, as long as his family is not involved in the family's crimes, adopting two children will be a good reputation for "not forgetting kindness".

But why didn't grandma ask to send it to his house?It's just because grandma doesn't have the guts to "kill first and then play" against the Lin family, and also because grandma thinks that her family may be fine, the Lin family is the most powerful, and she will have to take shelter and rely on his family in the future, so she doesn't want to use her affection too much now.Ping'er thought to himself: It's just that she is very good at calculating, but Miss Lin has seen the clues. Miss Lin can't rub the sand in her eyes.

It's just that there is not much free time to think about it. There was a mess outside the door, and Mrs. Xing kept calling Jia Lian and Sister Feng to go out.

"Now all the property and land of the big family and the slaves have been confiscated, but you are the only ones who have nothing to do. If you have nothing to do, you should quickly figure out a charter, where to live, and the only people left to serve A few, how to distribute them. Lian’er, hurry up and inquire about the affairs of your uncle and brother Zhen, and send some money over there!”

Jia's mother is still in prison, Jia Zheng and Jia Zhen are about to be exiled, Mrs. Wang is dead, and only Jia She is fully populated.Mrs. Xing said that there was no one pressing on her head, she straightened her waist, and she would be a true old lady in the future, so she hurriedly displayed her prestige.

Sister Feng's eyes were still red. Hearing this, she raised her face and said firmly, "Master has been in prison for a few days, and his spirit is very bad. I have sent someone to ask the doctor to come and see. I'm not familiar with this servant. I'm afraid the master won't use it. My wife will go and have a look. The government only allows us to stay here for two days, and we have to move to my dowry at noon tomorrow at the latest. How about my wife? Search around the house, maybe there are still some uncopied things left, if you can find them, it will be considered an income. Otherwise, the little family property in our house alone is enough for the whole family to calculate. Is there enough food to wear? It’s good if you don’t work in the fields, but our family really can’t afford to support that girl.”

A few words reminded Mrs. Xing that the family was poor, how could Lian'er's meager wealth support so many people.Immediately, he hurriedly called all the people who were released to the hall to listen to her.

For a while, Youshi, Jia Rong and his wife from the East Mansion, Li Wan's mother and son from the second room in the West Mansion, Baoyu and his wife, and Jia Huan all came up, all with red eyes and gloomy clouds.Mrs. Xing sat on the right seat, because she said: "The government only allows us to stay here for two days. This house is already an official, and all the property in the family has been confiscated. There are only one or two thousand pieces of furniture in Lian'er's house." Yes. I have to spend half of this money for the second master and brother Zhen to get up in exile, and the old lady is still there. I don’t know why. Calculated in this way, it’s not enough at all. We can’t call a family Zi Renqing is waiting to die of starvation. According to me, let’s make a living separately. You all have relatives from your natal uncle’s family. Wouldn’t it be a way out if you defected to him?”

What Madam Xing said, she didn't want to give half a tael of silver and kicked her out of the house.You Shi is acceptable, but Jia Rong and his wife are crying until they collapse.Li Wan was in a daze, only thinking about "the second generation of children and grandchildren, not to be tested", so that she has spent all these years in vain, so she would be better off dead.

Jia Baoyu was dumbfounded, Xiangyun clenched her fingers tightly, just now when she went back to the house, she secretly opened the secret compartment, and found that the delicate jewelry hidden earlier had not been confiscated, at least three thousand silver.Xiangyun thought to himself, now that his parents-in-law can't come back, and he doesn't need to support those vice ladies, the money is enough for the two of them to live.Buy a small house, buy two shops, be frugal, and one year's rent will cover the expenses.

So Xiangyun didn't speak.

Jia Huan has nothing to rely on, now he can only pull the sleeve of his second brother whom he hated the most in the past, and cry like a cat with a disfigured face.

There was a commotion, Feng'er led a group of people in, the leader was Nanny Chen of the Lin family, half a step behind, Yingchun's companion, and the housekeeper of Tanchun's family.

Mrs. Xing's family is now the rich owner of her own family, and she quickly put on a smiling face to greet her, before she was about to speak, many people rushed in behind, crying together.Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be more than a dozen servants and several concubines from Rongning and Ningfu.

Aunt Zhao was inside, holding Huan'er's hand and weeping, she wanted to take him to the third son-in-law and Tanchun immediately, and said: "My son is suffering, but fortunately your sister's family is still rich. Let's go , be sweeter, and expect her to live a decent life for both of us."

In the past half month, Jia Huan has seen all human feelings, and has a more thorough look at the internal affairs of the third sister's house than in the past, and hastily stopped Aunt Zhao from making her scream.

Cuilu and Sheyue rushed up, one holding Xiangyun and the other Baoyu, crying uncontrollably.

When Sister Feng looked at it, she saw that even Caiyun and Caixia were following them, and now they were serving beside Jia Huan's mother and son, but they could not see the mandarin ducks and amber.Yin said: "Where are the mandarin ducks? And Amber. Where did they go?"

Nanny Chen handed her an envelope, and said: "I would like to thank Second Mistress Lian first, and give these two good girls a release. The old ladies in the house will not be served by anyone in the future. They feel that they are useless, so they all ask for help." I went. These two girls gave to Second Mistress."

Full of suspicion, Sister Feng opened the envelope and saw two 100 taels of silver bills inside.

Ping'er, who was behind her, also understood.She could guess better than Sister Feng that Gain's mandarin duck, Amber, was the best with Zhu Xiu that day, but she was separated from her own girls by a few layers. This must have been done by Zhu Xiu for them.Thinking also that Zhu Xiu has always been kind and kind, and those who are close to her have never been treated wrongly. I think that Yuanyang and Huber will be like green brocades, find a good family to marry and live as a decent lady... My heart can't help but feel sour envious.

When Mrs. Xing heard about the mandarin ducks, she felt heartbroken. She beat her chest and said in annoyance: "The old lady is so confused. I don't want us to know that I have hidden such a golden mountain and silver sea. I just want to keep it for Baoyu. Who knows that Jinyi Mansion is so capable. The walled cellar in the garden has also been seized! If it had been divided up with the descendants early, maybe half of it would have been left, unlike this time, the descendants will all go to hell!"

He scolded again: "Yuanyang's little hoof is also very bad. The old lady never hides any secrets from her. I don't believe she doesn't know!"

Sister Feng was in a bad mood. She and Lian Erzheng were in charge of building the Grand View Garden. Right under their noses, the old lady built a cellar under the ground of Yihong Courtyard without anyone noticing it. Even the walls of Yihong Courtyard have interlayers.The old lady hid all her ladders there, not to give it to Baoyu.No wonder the former imperial concubine ordered people to live in the garden. The old lady was so happy. She knew that the Yihong Courtyard was built according to Baoyu's preferences. Baoyu had no heart for people, so he must choose that place first.

Grandma Chen was impatient to watch these farces, cleared her throat, and said with a smile: "We are here to send people back to your residence. Secondly, we have to ask a few questions about our future plans, when will we leave? So go home and tell the master to know."

Only then did Mrs. Xing remember that the Dong Mansion was going back to her original place, and she felt really happy: she and Youshi were both step-wifes, but Youshi was in charge of the Ning Mansion's family budget alone, and even Kid Rong could manage it. Compare yourself more and more to the mud.Although she is a generation older, she still deserves half of a dwarf. Mrs. Xing has a small belly and has been jealous and resentful for many years.

You Shi glanced at Jia Rong and his wife, Jia Rong's step-wife, Hu Shi, got close to her, hurriedly wiped away her tears and left behind her with her hands down.Youshi said: "When the uncle gets up and goes to the northern border, we will go back to our hometown in the south."

Nanny Chen nodded, then looked at Jia Baoyu and Shi Xiangyun.Shi Xiangyun didn't want to go back to Jinling, his mother-in-law sold all the sacrificial fields in the clan, everyone in the clan didn't know how they hated their family, and they were afraid they would be bullied when they went back.It's better to be in the capital, at least he grew up here since he was a child, and Baoyu still has a few close friends.Yin said: "Let's stay here. Tomorrow, I will go to my uncle's house. Although my uncle and aunt are not here, after all, I still have the title and official status, so I can still get it if I ask for help."

Aunt Zhao has already said in a hurry that Tanchun's housekeeper will take them home: "The third girl is still in the south and hasn't come back, but this house is still in the same place. You clean up a big yard and tell me and her brother to live first. Wait." She came back to see whether to buy another house and land for her brothers, or to live with them. In fact, I don’t need to bother to buy another house. Anyway, my uncle and parents are gone. "

The steward of Tanchun's family is not the accompanying room brought by Jia's family, but Tanchun's later confidant. This sister-in-law looks young, but she follows the master's appearance, very sharp and pungent.Hearing the words, he immediately said: "Our grandma has sent a letter telling the third master to give a small village in Tongzhou Prefecture to the third master. It was originally bought by her with dowry silver, but now it is reasonable to give it to the third master. The small village has more than a hundred acres. They are all above-average fields, and the income is enough to cover the expenses of my in-laws, my aunt, my grandmother, and my third grandfather. It is only [-] miles away from our second aunt's house. My second aunt's husband's family is a prominent local family, and my grandmother has entrusted my aunt to see my third grandfather. Marriage. When the third master gets married, Aunt Zhao can also let go of family affairs, and just enjoy the blessings."

When Aunt Zhao heard this, she didn't have the benefit of wishful thinking. She was about to make a fuss immediately, and asked Jia Huan to stop her, and said in a low voice, "If Auntie keeps making trouble, even this is gone. I'm not good at business. If you annoy the third sister and leave us alone, what do you dare to do? The third sister still refuses to accept you when she is at home, and she will not let you manipulate her when she is out of the house. I advise you to put some thought into it and look at Sister Tanchun and Sister Yingchun the same You have such a good temper, I really can't care about it, I can't support us!"

The internal steward of Tanchun's family heard this vaguely, and didn't reason with it.

At this moment Li Wan suddenly said: "We're not going back either, the family hasn't been separated yet, Brother Feng used to live with the old lady in this house, now we only live with the elder."

Mrs. Xing was very surprised, and was about to speak when she heard Jia She's voice from outside: "I'm going back to Jinling, and Lan'er wants to live with me, so follow me back to my hometown in Nanjing."

Mrs. Xing was quite surprised. Jia Lian had already helped Jia She in. Jia She glanced at Mrs. Xing. Mrs. Xing immediately got up shyly and gave him the superior position.

Jia Sheyin said: "I just got the letter. In a few days, there will be an official ship heading south on the canal. I have asked someone to favor a personal favor and rent a merchant ship to follow the official ship back to the south. People from the Ministry of Punishment said, we Pack your bags and ask the old lady to let you out when you get on the boat, and go back to the south with us. What is Baogong Prison, the old lady is too old, I'm afraid she won't be able to bear it, but she has to set off quickly."

Jia Amnesty only said that the old tears were full of tears, and pointed to Jia Lian and Sister Feng and said: "Old lady, you and I will be filial. If you have filial piety, you will stay in the capital. Jia Lian is good at doing things, and he will pay for his merits. Maybe there will be a day." I see that you are well, and I promise you to reinstate your job. The family is unlucky, the two families committed crimes and removed the ancestors' positions. I don't ask you to make meritorious deeds like your ancestors, but I only hope that the whole family will not fall into a state of nothingness. Call me If you die, you can tell your ancestors!"

What Jia She said was actually the most reasonable in most of his life, Mrs. Xing was dissatisfied in every way, but she was afraid that his obedience to him would be deeply ingrained, so she could only mutter and curse in a low voice.

Jia Lian knelt down and kowtowed, and said: "Although my son has lost his title, he has a few close friends in Shuntian Mansion. After half a year, the matter has subsided. It is not difficult to find another small job, but the master is too tired to worry about me. It is my son who is not filial. .”

He hurriedly asked Sister Feng to take out all the cash and give it to Jia Amnesty, and said that in the future, she would honor the master and wife according to the number every month.

Sister Feng brought all the money boxes in bits and pieces, and gave 300 taels.Mrs. Xing's eyes gleamed, but Jia Amnesty knew that this was just on the surface. Lian'er and his wife were tricky, and when Gui Ge was born, the few carts he sent were worth as much.Those were not on the search list.Jia Amnesty was full of thinking that his only grandson would be able to honor his ancestors, and he didn't want to embarrass Jia Lian and his wife, but also took away all these difficult people.

With Jia's amnesty, Li Wan would not say a word. It is reasonable for her orphans and widows to depend on her uncle, but she cannot live with her cousin's family.Brother Feng is so shrewd and powerful, Li Wan knows that he can't get any benefits.So, all hope is lost.

Mother Chen waited to see that her family had a charter, and then several decision makers came forward, each holding a box.

Nanny Chen is from the Lin family, and she and the Jia family are treated equally, regardless of distance, and each house will be given 500 taels of Cheng Yi.

Yingchun's accompanying room took out bank notes from the box and gave 300 taels to each room.For the rest, regardless of Aunt Zhao's poking around, she closed the box and gave it to Jia Amnesty, and said with a smile, "This is our grandma's filial piety."

When Jia Amnesty looked at it by himself, it was a full three thousand silver bills, and he didn't know what it was like.

Tanchun's steward also paid 300 taels for each room, and told Aunt Zhao that a carriage would be sent to pick her and Jia Huan up tomorrow, but she did not hand over the land deed to Aunt Zhao.

At that moment, the stewards of Zhan's family and Cheng's family came together. They didn't enter the door, but said: "It was my father's order to send some Cheng Yi to the house, which is considered a gift."

A total of 1000 taels were given, but no words were given as to how to divide them.

Jia Lian and Sister Feng sighed when they heard that it was the order of the "father", not the "wife".

Sister Feng put together the banknotes they got in their room, and said to everyone: "I have returned the house I was married to and the small village in the suburbs of Beijing. If it's not good, I still have some jewelry. It's a good deal to pawn it. Money is more abundant than other houses. The money is just divided."

Said, in front of the big guys, set aside a hundred taels of silver bills for emergency use, and the rest were divided equally among the houses.

Calculated in this way, each house has a net worth of more than a thousand taels, which is enough to support it for a while.Each of them has some confidence in their hearts, and they each disperse and make their own plans.

Li Wan tossed and turned, eyes like rotten peaches, and finally told Jia She and Mrs. Xing the next day that she, Jia Lan and the old man returned to Jinling on the same boat, but they didn't want to go back to the place where Jia's clan lived, but wanted to take Jia Lan went to her natal family.

Jia Amnesty asked Jia Lan, who was depressed, to rub his head, sighed, and mourned: "Among these children and grandchildren, you are like your father, and only books that you can read will enter. It's a pity... to live a good life with your mother. Forget it, if you are bullied outside, then come back and look for grandpa, after all, it is my son named Jia, even if we are down and out, grandpa will have a bite of food for you here!"

Jia Lan was in a daze, but when he heard this, his nose sore and he cried.

In a few days, the Ningrong and Ningrong mansions, which used to be grand and magnificent, sealed their doors, and Xiao Su became desolate.

One day, Zhu Xiu passed by the west entrance of Ningrong Street, and raised the curtain to see that the ground in front of the door was covered with dead branches and fallen leaves, and the bricks and tiles were bleak.

Chunliu was playing with some gadgets she bought just now, and said with a smile: "This rattle is so bright, the little master will definitely like it, I'll wash it up quickly when I get back, so I can play with it for him."

Qiu Gui gently smoothed the door curtain, smiled at Zhu Xiu, "I will be moving in half a month, there are so many things waiting, let's go back soon."