[Red Mansions] The big maid struggles daily

Until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the sedan chairs and vehicles sent by Jia Mu to pick up people were not waiting for anyone.

Jia's mother was really surprised: "Why haven't you arrived in Beijing for so long?"

Sister Feng smiled and said: "I know you love your granddaughter, but the old ancestor is also very impatient. He didn't come to deliver a letter before. Everything is fine with the cousin of the Lin family." But when we get to our north, even with the official icebreaker ahead, it’s still difficult to go.”

Mother Jia thought about it, and it was all right.

Nanny Lai sat on the cot, her eldest son Lai Da was ordered to pick up his aunt's lady, and he had been away for several months.Although this is the most important thing in the mansion, but the mother is worried when the son travels thousands of miles, why is she not in a hurry.

What's more, the Lin family sent someone to report in advance seven or eight days ago, but it was to say that the master was all right, and no matter how big Lai was in the mansion, no matter how big the housekeeper was, the relatives' messages would not specifically mention the slave's situation. .

The words rolled around on the tip of her tongue, Lai Momo still smiled and said: "Don't say that the old lady is anxious, I also remember in my heart: Although someone reported that she was safe, they never said when the girl will arrive. She is ugly, and I heard that Miss Lin is weak and timid, how can the old lady not worry?"

Nanny Lai took the beauty beating from the little girl and beat Jia Mu's legs herself, "The old lady's food has not tasted good these two days, is it because of her superiors? Your kindness to these grandchildren down below Heart, it’s true that others are moved when they see it, but this old slave still has to advise you to take care of yourself..."

Sister Feng stood aside and took a look at Nanny Lai. How about saying that Jiang is old and spicy? Look at what he said, but every word and every word is in the heart of the old lady. No wonder Nanny Lai and his family are in the house. How many years has it stood still?

Sister Feng gave Jia Mu a blessing, and said with a smile: "You should be beaten, you should be beaten, and my grandson will send someone to inquire immediately. I just ask my ancestors to eat and drink well. If you lose weight, you have to cut it off from me." I paid you for the two taels of meat, if not, how could these grandchildren of your old man spare me?"

This remark is to flatter Mother Jia following what Nanny Lai said, which means: You are kind to your grandchildren, and your grandchildren are also very filial.

The words were witty, Sister Feng sang and beat, her face wrinkled as she covered her arms, and her mouth hissed, as if the flesh had been cut.Amused, Jia Mu pointed at her and laughed and scolded, "Monkey, it's making trouble again. Since it's like this, don't hurry up!"

Nanny Lai smiled and said, "Second Grandma's words are reasonable. It shows that not only the children and grandchildren are filial, but also the daughter-in-laws are also very filial. Listen, Second Grandma will give you the flesh."

The bridal sedan chair was being carried by people, and Sister Feng pursed her lips and smiled, and she was also half-blessed in her direction, "After all, you are considerate, and you know the old lady's heart. I am young and reckless. If there is something unexpected, I beg you Call me in private, and also ask me, this scumbag, to please me."

Nanny Lai hid in a hurry, saying repeatedly that it was necessary.

Xifeng smiled, and went outside to the porch in front of Mother Jia, and immediately assigned her experienced family members to the wharf and Jiming Station to inquire about news.

Everyone Lai was eager to make a sound, and hurriedly asked people to drive the horses and carts, and even sent the little Yao'er who was ordered by him to follow.

Sister Feng laughed at her: "Is this the daughter-in-law who came to pick up the mother-in-law? You two are so sticky."

Lai everyone smiled and said: "I didn't come to pick her up, but I heard her say that the old lady's mouth was bland and she didn't eat much, so she came to say hello. The hawthorn cake made at home is not good, but it is also clean. , send it to the old lady to taste, if it can whet your appetite, it is also the filial piety of our family."

As he said that, he took a box from the little girl behind and showed it to Sister Feng.

Sister Feng thought that this family was full of human sperm, so she hurriedly laughed and said, "Oh, the old lady is thinking about this. I ask the old lady's blessing, maybe I will give me a bite too." Busily let her in...

After a while, Master Lai helped Nanny Lai back to her garden. As soon as she returned, Xiao Yaoer came to report, saying that the dock had gone to look for her, but she didn't hear from her.

Because in front of the mother-in-law, I didn't have time to ask the young man carefully, everyone in Lai's heart kept it in mind, and after serving Nanny Lai, he asked the young man to come in again, asked carefully, and ordered: "If you find the message , don’t rush back to report, you have to ask, see if there are any unnecessary bastard wives around your grandfather! Sure enough, there are such things, be sure to come back to me first.”

Seeing her getting angry, the confidant girls around her persuaded her, everyone sneered and said: "Huh, it's been so long, it's hard to keep it clean! If you throw away your hands, it's fine, I just open and close one eye, but if you hook it to bring me When I get back, I’ll talk about it! Why, my aunt’s house is holding a funeral, and he’s messing with flowers and plants. Let’s see if he dares to do somersaults on the cliff!”

The male masters in Rongguo Mansion are all romantic and affectionate, and the servants below are also imitating, especially Lai Da, who is not serious about taking concubines, but there are quite a few people in the house.

Those people from the Rongguo Mansion were like ants on a hot pot, bumping around like ants on a hot pot.On the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, the chiming clock in Jia Mu's room had just struck nine times, when the door came up to announce: "Miss Lin has arrived."

"What?" Mother Jia put down the tea in her hand, thinking she had misheard.

Sister Feng was also surprised and asked, "Who is here? Where is it?"

The people below hurriedly replied: "My aunt's palm pearl, Miss Biao has arrived, and she is getting off outside the gate now."

Jia Mu, Mrs. Wang, and Sister Feng were all surprised, "Why did no one answer me? What's going on?"

The old woman laughed and said: "If you go back to the old lady, you haven't seen anyone from our family, and you don't know if you have gone astray. It's just that the guards and followers of the cousin outside are crowded in front and behind, and there are many cars and sedan chairs. Don't talk about it." I need more than a dozen cars, please show me the old lady, what kind of regulations are these?"

It's such a grand occasion!Wang Xifeng thought in his heart, fortunately he had already made preparations.

"Hey, open the door quickly and welcome my sister in! You people are not good at things and can't find anyone. How dare you ask the girl to wait outside!" Xifeng hurriedly took Ping'er and took out the door without waiting for Jiamu to speak. Hall to go.

In front of the stone lions of Rongguo Mansion, the gates were full of sedan chairs and horses, blocking up the entire Ningrong Street. Those people who were sitting on the gate with their chests folded and belly folded to read the door announcements hurriedly brushed off their clothes, stood up, and were full of excitement. With a smile on his face, he spoke to the head butler.

This person is Lin An, the chief steward of the Lin family, and he doesn't care about talking to the door at this time. He is bowing to a strong man wearing a green brocade suit and carrying a wild goose feather knife on his waist: "Please take care of me all the way, sir, and please go to the United States. Lou Yixuan, let the brothers have a rest too." After speaking, the second housekeeper came to lead the way.

This man knows that the master here is a young lady who has not left the court, and this Rongguo Mansion is not his own mansion, so it is not easy to entertain here, besides, Zhimei Building is the top of the eighth building in Beijing, it is already too rough to invite them in Zhimei Building Very solemn.Busy also cupped his hands and said repeatedly: "You are welcome."

After finishing speaking, with a whistle, all thirty men agreed, and when the man got on the horse, they all got on the horse and followed behind.The second steward of Lin's mansion slowed him down by half the horse's body, the capital city does not allow horses to gallop, and while making the horse walk, he laughed at Yan Yan's words.

Lin An watched him go, and then turned around to look at the door: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I waited too long on you. That lord is Mr. Wei Qian, the prefect of Tongzhou Prefecture in Zhili. Mr. Wei Qian, Mr. Humut, asked him to escort him for a ride."

The door is in charge of the notification, and the names of these officials are also known. This Wei Qian is always the official of the sixth rank who commands the water transport troops and leads the grain transport from all over the country. There is nothing to do with the magistrate.As soon as the door turned his head, he understood that Mrs. Lin is in charge of the southern salt administration and has a deep relationship with the water transport. It is not surprising that Mr. Wei Qian is trying to save face.

In fact, no matter how long Lin Ruhai's hand is, it still can't reach the Tongzhou mansion. He and the Tongzhou magistrate are in the same year and have a good relationship. This Wei Qian is always the son-in-law of the magistrate. The son-in-law sent him off for a ride, but it was only a matter of dozens of miles.

The leader of the door talked to Lin An, and the others couldn't help pointing their fingers at the back. They were amazed. This one said, "Everyone says that the Xue family is rich, and our aunt's family is no worse than theirs." , but the Xue family’s flattery can’t catch up with this row of noodles, you haven’t heard that there is an official to see this way.” Although all the gates of Rongguo Mansion have their eyes above the top, waiting for the small officials to see No, but I also know that their political lords are only from fifth-rank Yuanwailang.

Just as he was talking, the main door behind the stone lion was wide open, and a dozen or so respectable housekeepers invited Miss Biao into the mansion, saying that the old ladies and wives were all looking forward to it.

Lin An frowned slightly, walked up to a big carriage with green curtains in the middle, and whispered something to a woman who was standing there, and the woman reported to the car again, after a while, Lin An came back, clasped her hands and smiled Said: "Our little master said that the family's grandparents and uncles are very polite. How dare you overstep the Duke's mansion. Let's just enter the side door."

Who doesn't like to hear flattery, the words are kind and respectful, these housekeepers immediately felt that the Lin family is indeed the family of five generations of lords, and they are really a well-behaved family, so please come in hurriedly.

After entering the side door, without waiting for the Jia family's order, eight women got out of the carriage behind the Lin family, and brought a small sedan chair from behind to ask Lin Daiyu to get off.

First two girls came down, and then a nanny. Lin Daiyu put on the veiled hat, and then helped the girls' hands to get out of the car.There were quite a lot of people from the Lin family, just the mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, and maidservants filled the sedan chair hall in Erjinli, keeping the men outside.

When Lin Daiyu got into the sedan chair, everyone hurriedly called for the young servant to carry it, and the eight women laughed and said, "If you're not busy, let's do it."

As far as the Chuihua Gate, Xifeng had been looking around here a long time ago, and the women from the Lin family who came were very dignified.Although they looked plainly dressed, she couldn't hide it from her eyes. The clothes these people wore and the hairpins on their hair were all good, not worse than Rongguo Mansion.

"Oh, I can be regarded as following my sister. How is my sister's journey..." Daiyu had already taken off her veiled hat when she got off the sedan chair, Xifeng hurriedly walked over and said with a smile.

Nanny Zhu recognized her, so she hurriedly greeted An with a smile and said, "Hi, Second Grandma." Daiyu knew that she was the wife of Jia Lian, the eldest uncle's son, and Wang Xifeng, the nephew of the second aunt.

Hurrying to address her as "sister-in-law", Xifeng hurried over to help her, took advantage of the occasion to look at her, and said with a smile, "Old lady, ladies are waiting."

After finishing speaking, he took her hand to lead the way, followed by Madam Zhu with a smile, and four maidservants had already come up to help the sister-in-law and sister-in-law.Sister Feng glanced quietly out of the corner of her eyes, and saw that there were nurses, daughter-in-laws, and a dozen or so little girls behind her, even if she was secretly dumbfounded, she said, "It's no wonder that she is the only daughter of a high-ranking official. People are different.

Sister Feng brought a lot of people, and she didn't show much in the Lin family. Seeing this, Ping'er didn't move forward, so she asked the Lin family how many people came, how many cars and horses, and how to discuss resettlement and so on.Lin An was in charge of the outside, and he had already brought Lin Ruhai's letter and gifts to visit Jia She and others; inside, there was the housekeeper Lin An's family and several stewards in charge of trivial matters.

Dai Yufang entered the main room of the upper courtyard, and Jia Mu supported her mother-in-law's hand to meet her. Before she could see clearly, she was hugged into her arms. Mother left.

The two wives of King Xing, Xifeng and others hurriedly persuaded her, Zhu Xiujian had persuaded her, and hurriedly took out the futon to put it on. Lin Daiyu respectfully kowtowed three times to Jia Mu.

This is considered to have met my grandmother.

Daiyu got up, supported the girl's hand to get up, and met Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang, calling them "Eldest Aunt" and "Second Aunt". After that, there were Li Wan, Xifeng and others.

Perhaps because of the ostentation of the Lin family this time, all the masters of the Rongguo Mansion paid respects.

Zhu Xiu stood behind and watched, sneering inwardly: Originally, when relatives meet juniors for the first time, they should look like elders. It is a customary rule to reward and give gifts, and even ordinary people will wrap them in red paper A few copper coins as a gift.In the original book, when Lin Daiyu met her grandmother, aunt and others for the first time, no one thought of it.

After a while, even Jia Amnesty and Jia Zheng, who were in front of them, sent people to give things to the niece, saying that the boat and the car were exhausting, so that the niece should not rush to see him.

Daiyu thanked the visitor, and Mrs. Wang's eyes flickered here, why is the master so serious.

As soon as everyone returned to their seats, they heard the little girl come in and say, "Mrs. Xue and Miss Bao are here."

The corner of Jia Mu's mouth sank, and she immediately smiled again: "Come in, please." Then she said: "Go and invite the girls. The sisters of the direct relatives are here. It's time to meet."

Hearing this, Xue Baochai slapped her long eyelashes a little, as if she had seen Daiyu together as if nothing had happened.

Aunt Xue said: "What a beautiful and imposing girl." She took Daiyu's hand again, and asked with concern, "Why are you so thin? If there are some deficiencies, they should be treated."

When Lin Daiyu heard this, her eyes turned slightly red again, and Mammy Zhu said, "It's because of my wife. Only the old lady is fine. The concubine is here to recruit her again, so don't mention this for now."

Jia Min had just passed away, and as a daughter, she was mourning endlessly, how could she still gain weight?

Aunt Xue was embarrassed, but Wang Xifeng took Daiyu's hand and sent her back to sit next to Jia Mu. Jia Mu asked, "When and where did we get off the boat? Why didn't our family pick up? Neither did the people sent Hurry up to report?"

Daiyu said: "The boat that disembarked in Tongzhou on the sixth day of the first lunar month..."

Wang Xifeng asked in surprise, "The sixth day? This?"

Jia Muyin asked Nanny Zhu: "The sixth day is here, why don't you come?"

Mother Zhu stood up and said, "Don't blame me, Mr. Feng. Even though you love your granddaughter, we dare not break the rules. Even ordinary people know the truth of 'Don't enter the village when you're cold in the coffin, and don't come to the door when you're filial piety'." Why don't you know, and it's the first lunar month, so I don't dare. When I disembarked on the sixth day of the lunar new year, the girl ordered, "I will meet you after the first lunar month, so as not to offend the elders." There is a house of the Lin family in Tongzhou. After people tidy up, the girl will stay behind closed doors in the house to watch her filial piety..."

Before she could finish speaking, Mother Jia patted Daiyu's shoulder with tears in her eyes: "How dare you live alone in your own house even though you are a small family?"

Daiyu said: "Grandmother, don't worry, the magistrate of Tongzhou Mr. Yang was the same year as my father, and the house is next to Mr. Yang's mansion. It was already arranged when my father was at home."

Grandma Zhu also said: "It's really the steward Lai of your house who is in a hurry. The master has no choice but to send the girl here in a hurry. With this idea, only the two houses in Tongzhou and the capital can be accommodated."

Jia's mother snorted and said, "my aunt is rotten from studying, and the whole family is of flesh and blood. Why should you be so alien and clean up the house!"

Grandma Zhu smiled and said, "I brought so many people and things, if I don't pack them out of the house, where will I go? The master gave an order when he came, saying that sending the girl here is already a nuisance to your old man, so don't bother the manor with these things anymore." Come on. Now I only brought the commonly used boxes and cages and gifts to your house, and those heavy ones that are not needed for the time being are put in the Tongzhou house."

Wang Xifeng was taken aback, the old lady and the wife didn't see the Lin family's chariots and horses saluting, she did see it, but this is just a common use... Fu thought of the earthen ceremony gift in Zhu Mama's words again, and her heart became hot.In previous years, the gifts given by the Lin family on three festivals and two birthdays were more generous than those of other families. It can be seen that the Lin family is not conspicuous, and the family background may not be less than that of the imperial merchant's aunt's family.As long as the family treats Lin's cousin well, Uncle Lin can still treat his family poorly.

Just as I was thinking about it, I saw that Nanny Lai behind the old lady had an anxious look on her face, and suddenly she asked: "Our family sent stewards to pick up my sister. Why don't you report this person if he doesn't see you? But they are lazy Yes, Mammy told me, and I will teach them a lesson."

Grandma Zhu smiled and said, "Just as I was about to say this, Housekeeper Lai of your mansion may not accept the water and soil in the south, so it would be bad if we were on the boat. Fortunately, we took the doctor with us, and we were safe and sound, and now we are still housed in the Tongzhou mansion. It is half-healed. Don't blame the steward Lai for not sending anyone to report. He is really sick and drowsy. The girl was afraid that the old lady would worry about her, so she didn't mention the settlement in Tongzhou when she reported the letter. Originally, the girl was I have made up my mind to come back in the first month of the year. Unexpectedly, the servants of the Jingli mansion came over yesterday and said that your mansion sent people to the docks and post stations to inquire. When the girl heard this, she knew that the mansion was waiting anxiously. She thought about it It’s also been a hundred days of filial piety, and the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, and this year’s festival is barely over, so I dare to visit the elders.”

Mother Jia had already held Daiyu in her arms and cried, "What a sensible and filial child..."

Mrs. Xing also said: "It's really a big family. Not to mention such a good appearance, the rules and manners are even more loving."

Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue also wiped the corners of their eyes with handkerchiefs and praised them.

Suddenly Sanchun and Sister Xiangyun came, Daiyu also got up to greet each other, and saw each other, Jiamu still beckoned her to sit next to her, Daiyu pulled the youngest Xichun up, and the two sat next to Jiamu .

The tea and fruit had already been put on the table. Xifeng personally brought tea to Jiamu, Yingchun and Tanchun to the two wives of King Xing, Baochai to Aunt Xue, and Li Wan and Xifeng didn't need others. Daiyu took care of the youngest when she saw this. Xichun.Du Xiangyun, who has no one to serve and has nothing to be served, she pursed her lips, and gave Jiamu some fruit, and took advantage of the opportunity to sit down next to Jiamu.

Mrs. Wang moistened her lips and asked Xifeng, "Did you move in your sister Lin's salute? How many people did you bring? Clean up the room early and let them go to rest."

Sister Feng laughed and said: "Uncle Lin loves his daughter so much, so how can these things be straightened out in a short while. Madam, don't worry, the internal and external housekeepers of the Lin family are discussing with us, and Ping'er is there to support her. I will go back to Madam if there is anything to do. "

Mrs. Wang paused after hearing this, and knew that Brother Feng meant that the people from the Lin family were respectable butlers, and they had a large population, so they couldn't be neglected.

Hearing this, Grandma Zhu laughed and said, "From Tongzhou, how tiring the journey is. The wives and grandmas don't need to worry about them. Set up the girl's things, except for the things that the girl needs in the house, and go back to the house in the capital. Go, call back when you need to give orders."

Sister Feng hurriedly asked: "These people are staying in Beijing, won't they go back to Yangzhou?"

Grandma Zhu didn't take it seriously, "The master ordered this to be left for the girl to order, but there are only a few people in the room. I only ordered them because they are always working hard. In the future, there will be insufficient manpower in the house, so you can call them here."

Sister Feng laughed and said, "There are hundreds of people in this mansion, and there is not enough manpower. I only sigh that Uncle Lin is kind-hearted and considerate of my sister."

Mrs. Wang smiled and said, "Your uncle only has your younger sister, so naturally he loves it like a treasure. Brother Feng, you should get some satin and silk from our back building and cut clothes for your younger sister."

Mrs. Wang's words were meant to bring them closer, but they didn't make sense to people's ears, Wang Xifeng thought, besides, Cousin Lin's boxes and cages are so high, how could she be short of clothes.

Just as Sister Feng wanted to smooth things over, Mammy Zhu said, "Don't bother. Although it's too hot to be filial, it's still in the middle of filial piety. The girl is sincere and filial. She wears some rules. The family has prepared it early."

When Wang Xifeng heard this, seeing her own clothes and the girls in red and green all over the room, her face also burned in panic.

Lin Daiyu was dressed in moon-white silver thread embroidered bamboo pattern clothes, and the hairpin on her head was also decorated with sheep fat jade. Her ears were empty, and she sat there talking to Jiamu and Xichun, but she didn't hear them.

Just a stab, before Mrs. Wang brought it out, Madam Zhu stood up and said: "The ceremony should be presented later, and the rest is fine. There is only one thing that the master has repeatedly asked to give to the old lady face to face." , saying that if you offer it in private, I'm afraid your old man won't accept it."

As she said that, she asked a girl of fifteen or sixteen to come up with a delicate flat wooden box. When she opened the box, it was a thin layer of silver bills.

Standing, Wang Xifeng could see that the denomination on the top was actually a thousand taels, and he hissed in his heart, it was a big deal, enough to marry a girl.

Mrs. Wang thought that the small box was a bit too thin, and even the women and girls who watched the fun outside for three times only guessed a thousand taels of silver in their hearts.

Unexpectedly, Nanny Zhu took it out and said with a smile: "This is twenty thousand taels. It was given to you by your son-in-law as a filial piety. It is up to you to take care of your granddaughter."

Mother Jia waved her hands to pretend to be angry: "It's so strange, my own granddaughter, what is my son-in-law doing?"

Grandma Zhu smiled and said: "That's not the case. Don't we girls spend money on food and clothing? It's all for you to take care of the upbringing. Don't you have the audacity to spend the money in your house to raise your children? Besides, Said, in your family, who can appreciate such a thousand dollars, but that's what it means." Usually, the gifts from the Lin family, those rare items, cost thousands of silver per piece, and they were willing to do so at that time, but now They will not be stingy with money.Grandma Zhu knew very well that everyone in the Rongguo Mansion had a pair of eyes of wealth and honor, and only when she calmed down all of a sudden, would she be able to live a comfortable life in the future.

The inside and outside are astounding, a good table in the Zhimei Building on the first floor of the capital is only ninety-two, this girl Lin eats gold and wears silver every day, and she can't spend so much money in ten years.

When Sister Feng heard that it was not the 1 taels she thought, but the doubled 2 taels, her heart became even hotter.

After several words of persuasion, Mother Jia was willing to accept it.

Wang Xifeng was about to sell well, so she hurriedly asked: "The old lady and younger sister are also tired in the past half a day, and the days will be long, so the ladies will have nothing to say. It's better to ask my younger sister to rest for a while so that I can eat."

Seeing that Jia's mother really liked it, she praised her for being considerate, and quickly peeped at Jia's mother and asked: "Old ancestor, where is my sister placed...?"

Mother Jia originally wanted to put her granddaughter in her own courtyard, so that their brothers and sisters could get closer, but looking at Daiyu, there were four big girls and two nurses in front of her eyes, which was not counted as Zhu. It's difficult for Mammy to teach Mammy like this for a while.

Wang Xifeng said with a smile: "Sister Lin also has a lot of boxes and cages, and she wants to live in a big yard. Fortunately, the old lady told me to pack a few more places and asked my sister to choose by herself. Now it's not in use."

Jia's mother liked it more and more, knowing that she had prepared it secretly, or that Brother Feng would act, "That's all, it's a pity that those courtyards are empty, your sister just came, so where can I work for her to see, You choose a good one for your sister, if it's not good, I won't follow her."

Wang Xifeng tentatively asked: "...how about Meishouyuan?...what does the old lady think?"

Mother Jia was shocked, but after thinking about it, that place is also suitable. Min'er is her own daughter, and now that she is gone, there is only such a girl left, her daughter should be more noble.

Mrs. Wang's heart was already aroused. Seeing that Jia's mother agreed, she couldn't help being deeply annoyed that Wang Xifeng didn't know how to do things, so she chose that place.

Unexpectedly, Xifeng said again: "This yard used to be lived by my aunt, and it is also suitable for sister Lin to live in, but the plaque in this yard is written by my ancestors. Old lady, since I live with Sister Lin, how about letting her choose her own name? I will ask someone to make a new plaque."

Mother Jia liked it even more, which silenced everyone.Meishouyuan is for the family's prostitute, but it doesn't make sense to change the name.