[Red Mansions] The big maid struggles daily

Jinxiangyuan gathers together the pretty clouds and rain, and Xiao Zhuxiu is two-hearted Chai Yaren

"Oh, I thought she was such a pretty girl." The three-strand braid stared at Zhu Xiu's face and sneered, "Ms. Chai is taking a bald-tailed hen as a shedding phoenix—but she's mistaken!"

Several little girls were sitting on the big bunk and changing their clothes, regardless of whether they were skinny or not, their little faces were all pink and tender after being soaked in hot water.Only Zhu Xiu, usually not obvious because of her messy bangs, but now she looks handsome, but her skin is yellow, which makes her look good because of her parents.

Zhu Xiu touched the purse on her chest, lowered her head, and sat on her bunk. She had to change her clothes quickly, and Aunt Chai would scold her if she was late.

The Zhuxiu bunk leaned against the wall and was next to the three-strand braid, and the three-strand braid curled its lips, moving its buttocks to the other side like the plague, and said, "So what if you know how to curry favor with others, Mrs. Chai doesn't know how to look at this, let's A few of them were raised by Mrs. Chai for a long time, and there was an extra old black raven in the flock of geese. Maybe Mrs. Chai will sell her feet to some pickling place tomorrow." Saying that, she gloated and smiled. stand up.

This is so vicious.

In the usual small quarrels, Zhu Xiu only thinks that the three-strand braid is pinched to the tip, and she feels sorry for her that she was sold to Chai Yazi by her biological parents when she was only eleven or twelve years old, and she never cares about her.Listening to this now, it can be seen that it is not just about being strong, but about being vicious.

The little girls all know that Aunt Chai is going to raise them so that they can make a fortune, otherwise she wouldn't be full no matter what she eats three times a day, and now she has given them good clothes, which shows that the future will be poor no.I heard from the black woman that the "daughter" of the Qianjie family is still learning to write and play, and her food and clothes are much better than that of Miss Chai; Enjoy endless blessings.

Three or four little girls could clearly hear the three braids cursing people, but they peeked at each other, but they didn't dare to say anything.

Except for the quiet Zhu Xiu, the others were all afraid of the three-strand braids. As long as they were not under Mrs. Chai's nose, the three-strand braids would often push their work to others and even strangle them secretly.There was only one Zhuxiu, who came the latest, so they were valued by the higher-ups; they didn't even have a proper name, and the girl surnamed Zhu not only had a good name, but it was said that she could write her own name and knew a lot of big characters.In this way, although the three-strand braid did not dare to bully her, he still wanted to suppress her.

Zhu Xiu didn't have the good nature of making glutinous rice: "So tell Aunt Chai to listen, and you can be her master."

The three-strand braid flinched, and hurriedly looked out the door, seeing no one was relieved, and said, "Don't scare people with Mrs. Chai, the bald-tailed fox will do more tricks!" After all, he didn't dare to cause trouble again, for fear that Mrs. Chai would know that there was no good fruit to eat.

Zhu Xiu secretly sighed, that piece of pomegranate peel in the purse can't be used by other people, there are so many people with eyes, and it might be exposed to death.

When eating at noon, everyone had a bowl of dry rice and vegetables fried in meat oil. The eyes of the little girls were all brightened, and they felt that their good days were just around the corner. Only Zhu Xiu had a mouthful of the same taste, and his heart was overwhelmed. under eight.

Sure enough, when the sun was getting to the west, Aunt Chai asked them to put on the new clothes they got today, dress neatly and go to the front yard.

Zhu Xiu shrunk his head and squeezed into the group of little girls. As soon as he arrived in the front yard, he saw Aunt Chai leading Mrs. Yan, talking to three or four women in the corridor of the hall with a big smile on her face.The women looked a little old, but they were all well-dressed.

Only Mrs. Chai laughed and said: "My girls are very painful. I was raised as a daughter. If it wasn't really helpless, I would definitely not be willing to sell them out." Seeing the pale faces of those few, she turned around and scolded: "What are you doing in a daze! Quickly pull them over and let the sisters have a look."

Lady Yan forced a smile, and beckoned Zhu Xiu and the others to come closer.

The three-strand braid couldn't understand the situation, and felt a little scared in her heart, so she wanted to hide behind the person, and with an elbow, she pushed the little girl with smiling eyes beside her to the front.

"There are two good ones." One of the women, who was wearing a ponytail and a brick-red floral gown, saw the tallest three-strand braid, her eyes lit up, and she spoke first, "Come here, stand in a row, Let me take a look." Saying that, she stretched out her finger painted with big red Kodan and waved at Zhuxiu and the others.

Five or six little girls came forward tremblingly, and the woman approached and looked at each other.Lady Yan frowned, and quietly moved away.

Zhu Xiu felt a gust of fragrant wind blowing towards her face, she lowered her head and did not dare to move, she really did not expect Mrs Chai to be so resolute, she just eavesdropped yesterday that she wanted to sell someone, and today she found a customer.

Fortunately, the woman with the ponytail came up to her, raised her face with her fingertips, looked at her for a moment, then shook her head and passed by.Two other women also stopped only in front of her.

The three women made the girls stretch out their hands, untie their sleeves to look at their arms, and hold their hands on their skirts to look at their feet, just like picking animals.

After a while, the woman with the ponytail pointed to the three-strand braid and the other two little girls and said, "Come over here and ask Mom to take a closer look." She actually picked three of them.

A woman with a big red velvet flower in her hair also chose one.The other one, who was dressed more plainly, stroked the big border of the butterfly love pattern on the narrow sleeve, but none of them matched.And the woman who was wearing a stone blue satin jacket, a light red bijar, and a gilt hairpin on her head never came down from the stone steps of the corridor.

Seeing that Zhu Xiu and Xiaoyan'er were left in place, Aunt Chai was in a hurry. She didn't care to flatter the woman with the gilt hairpin. She hurriedly walked down the steps, pointed at Zhu Xiu and said, "This is a rare beauty. Sister Qin Look again?"

The woman in the ponytail covered her mouth with a water-red veil, and said with a charming smile: "The appearance is pretty good, but if you look at her, she is shriveled like that, and there is that leather body, oh, I serve tea there The little girls who pass the water and don't go to the table are fairer and tenderer than her."

The big red velvet flower also echoed: "That's right, Huang is sick, it makes people feel disappointed after seeing it."

Only then did Auntie Chai look at Zhu Xiu carefully, her heart skipped a beat, she stretched out her hand and pulled Zhu Xiu, and rolled up her sleeves as ruthlessly as if grabbing a chick. Said: "The girl who received the two taels of silver fell into her hand?"

Even though he knew that he had lost his sight, he reluctantly said: "Such a young girl is so hungry. After two years of raising her, maybe she will come back."

Seeing that old bustard Qin didn't agree with her, she smiled apologetically to the woman who hadn't been selected: "Sister-in-law of the Zhao family, this girl is the most efficient at work, and she usually does embroidery work, but she can read a few words. The name is Xiu'er, you took it back to recuperate for two years, and you will be able to become a master of embroidery."

It turns out that this woman's name is Zhao Yunjun, and she is a well-known embroiderer in the city. She can embroider figures, landscapes, and paint flowers and birds. .

Hearing this, Zhu Xiu looked up at Mrs. Zhao expectantly, only hoping that this soft-faced embroiderer could buy herself back, it would be thousands of times better than being sold to the Qinlou Chu Pavilion.

Mrs. Zhao hesitated a little, but still shook her head: "This girl has long fingers, which are the hands of an embroiderer, but yours are too rough, and the calluses on her hands can scratch the embroidery thread. I can't compare it there. Here, some embroidery thread is more expensive than her, so I really can't buy it."

The corner of Zhu Xiu's mouth twitched slightly, wanting to say that he has a recipe to soften calluses and nourish hands, but he held back in the end.

Mrs. Zhao couldn't bear to see the little girl's black and white eyes dimming, but she just expanded her shop, and she was really out of money, so she had to buy something that could work.

After hearing this, the little girls in the yard all understood.The three-strand braid blushed, and a little girl in a Mei Ziqing skirt was sobbing in fear.

Xiaoyan'er trembled slightly, leaning towards Zhu Xiu unconsciously, Zhu Xiu caught a glimpse of her crescent-like eyes that were already red from the corner of her eye, and quietly took her hand and squeezed it.

"What about this one? This one has a pleasing face, and the skin is also white." Aunt Chai said angrily, pinching her smiling face.Smiling eyes trembled violently, grabbing Zhu Xiu's arm, refusing to let go.

Qin bustard sneered: "Nowadays, men all love slim and beautiful girls with weak willows and strong winds. You look like those jealous old women in small households would like it." Pointing to the Mei Ziqing skirt The little girl said critically: "If you want me to say, this is just a piggyback, and the feet are too big. If you try hard to raise them, you won't be the best."

This time, two of them were smashed in the hands, Aunt Chai looked at Zhu Xiu and Zhu Xiu with knives in their eyes.Although the three-strand braid is very scary, but seeing those two, I just feel that it is better than no one.

Zhu Xiu was very worried, although it was a good thing that the two prostitutes didn't like it.But according to Mrs. Chai's temperament, if they can't do their business today and lose her face, I'm afraid they will be sold to the most despicable place tomorrow. She has already made up her mind, even if she hits her to death I will never let myself fall into that situation.

Aunt Chai had no choice but to raise her eyes to see the woman wearing the gilt hairpin on the stone steps.But it turns out that the woman is also a tooth, the only difference from Aunt Chai is that this week Yazi has been working in a high-ranking family, and I heard that there is a relative who works as a housekeeper in the Duke's mansion.Zhou Ya people never went to the streets to recruit people, but often cut off the beards of other teeth, relying on the power of their relatives, the bids were extremely low.

Aunt Chai hated her tooth itchingly, her colleague was an enemy, she didn't invite this week's Yaman, who would have thought that this old godmother was so well informed, knew that she had good products here, so she had the cheek to come here.

"I have always only selected candidates for the wives and grandmas in the deep house." Zhou Yaren pretended to stroke his temples, "I didn't even like it at first, but the wives in the house urged me so hard——Uncle Zhu was ill the first year. Now, how many slaves have been sent away, if it wasn't for this reason, how many families would not have enough children, who cares about outsiders?" He deliberately found fault, pointing at the other four besides Zhu Xiu, and said: "This I want a few, sisters, don’t snatch them from me.”

Aunt Chai's face turned purple, and she wished she could tear her mouth apart.But he dared not really offend her.

Qin Madam smiled coquettishly: "Sister Zhou is interested, who would dare to snatch it from you. It's just that these girls are too worthless, so let my sister take them back for treatment for a few years, and when the flowers bloom the same, please ask my sister to take them back with you. Wouldn't it be better to serve masters and young masters in the past?" After speaking, he smiled at Aunt Chai meaningfully: "But..."

"If Sister Chai's price is so high that my sister can't afford it, then I have to trouble Sister Zhou. Sister Zhou's family is so rich that we can't compare."

Only then did Auntie Chai realize that she was teaching the old bustard Qin and Zhou to be a fool, and Zhou had no intention of buying someone today, and these two are singing oboe here.I am determined not to sell any of them, but I dare not.

Not daring to be stubborn, he said with a drooping face, "These three are 25 taels of silver, and this one is 12 taels of silver. The total of these two is [-] taels of silver."

Nowadays, the weather is good, unless it is from a kidnapper, it is generally impossible to find an outstanding girl.On weekdays, each of these girls sells for thirteen or forty taels.Aunt Chai only felt that the passing years were unfavorable, and her heart twitched with distress.

Qin bustard's eyes lit up, and immediately called the woman outside the gate to bring in the silver.She swung her waist and twisted her hips, turned her face to the three-strand braid, and said, "Good boy, you will be my daughter from now on. There is another good girl from me, who was born thin and weak, and her name is Yu'er. You can be loved by others." Very soon, you will be called Yun'er from now on. Yun'er and Yu'er, after two years, you will be the number one sweetheart in my Jinxiangyuan."

The woman with the hairpin also offered silver.

Seeing this, Zhu Xiu's heart fluttered, and she leaned down towards Zhou Yazifu: "Wait a minute, ma'am, although I'm ugly, I can fry and steam crisps on the stove, make stove food, and arrange fruit. I can do it all." She took a good look Zhou Yaren likes to show off and is greedy for cheap, and I heard that she only deals with big families, so she said this.

Zhou Yaren's eyes flashed, although this girl is a little yellowish, but she has good manners, she speaks clearly, and she can do some cooking skills when listening to her voice.I thought to myself: After going through this kind of life, I only earn Qin bustard's two taels, so I can't help but lose money. If I buy this girl back, Rong's mansion is about to buy someone. She originally prepared four, and with this girl, I can make it into one palm. It's too bad to count, besides, there are still few beauties in the mansion?This girl is skilled and knows a few big characters, so if she sends it over, she might get a good one.

Zhou Yaren was already moved, looking at the red embroidery back and forth.Aunt Chai was also overjoyed, and she gritted her teeth and said: Sure enough, the biting dog doesn't bark. Today I know that this embroidery girl has skills. As long as she can read and has skills, this embroidery girl can be worth sixteen or seven taels by herself. .

Aunt Chai had already made up her mind not to sell it, so she hurriedly shouted and cursed: "You little whore, where did you get such a skill, you still don't want to go back to the back." Then she came to pull her.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Xiu dodged shortly, and just ignored her. Instead, she smiled at Zhou Yaren with her smiling eyes: "My girl is the most popular with wives and grandmas, and she will press feet for others. Why don't Zhou Yaren treat her like that?" Our sisters bought it together, and it was cheaper."

Aunt Chai's heart trembled with hatred, and she was about to come forward and beat her up.

She never thought that Zhao Xiuniang would stand in front of Aunt Chai's way, and she would chime in and say, "Oh, these little mouths, you two are really good girls, only 12 taels, but it's worth it."

Zhou Yaren glanced at Aunt Chai, and asked Zhu Xiu with a smile, "Little girl, what's your name? How old are you? Where did you learn cooking skills? How did you come here?"

Zhu Xiu replied with a smile: "My name is Zhu Xiu. I was just seven years old. My mother taught me. My mother was originally a dowry of a rich family. She was a child and followed the young lady. She has a good handicraft on the stove, and her daughter was hired to me. Father, my father is a child. My mother taught me how to cook from an early age. She also knew a few words and taught me all of them. My mother died of illness the year before last, and my father hired a stepmother. The stepmother took advantage of my father I went to test for talent and sold me. The aunt next to me sold me to Aunt Chai."

This is pure nonsense, she opened her eyes and went to Aunt Chai's place, how could she know what happened.It's just that I overheard Mrs. Chai showing off to her daughter-in-law that the sick girl who received two taels of silver from Yazi who was on the way had a good-looking appearance and a hard life. Years, maybe a hundredfold profit.This Mrs. Chai didn't know her details, let alone that Er Liang Yin would not be the same when she woke up.

Zhou Yaren was even more satisfied when she heard her crisp and clear voice, and said, "I'm sorry to see you." He smiled again.

Xiaoyan'er was already frightened just now, just stood sticking to Zhu Xiu, Zhu Xiu pulled her and said with a smile: "My sister sold her because her grandfather was ill, and the family had no choice. Her mother is a stable woman. Taught her some massage techniques.” In fact, Xiaoyan’er sold her because her family thought that her birthday was not good enough, so she was not popular since she was a child. Where did she get the opportunity to learn massage skills? .It's just that Zhu Xiu knows it herself, and she just needs to teach Xiaoyan'er some tricks behind her back after passing this level.

Smiling eyes leaning against Zhu Xiu's side, just nodding repeatedly.

Aunt Chai hated it so much, Zhou Yaren pretended not to see it, and borrowed 12 taels from Qin Bust for her.

Zhao Xiuniang had to go to another Yazi's house, but the two old bustards came in a carriage, Zhou Yaren sat in a small sedan chair with green curtains, and Zhu Xiu followed beside the sedan chair.

After getting out of this cage, I walked into the small courtyard, and Aunt Chai stared at her back with hawk-like eyes behind her. After seeing the red embroidery, although the road ahead was still long, there was still some hope.When she crossed the threshold, Zhu Xiu quietly picked out the somewhat shriveled pomegranate peel from her purse, and threw it into the door...

Aunt Chai looked at the yellow dyed pomegranate peel on her hand, and there was something she didn't understand. She screamed: "That little bastard..." Before she could finish speaking, she covered her chest and leaned back, startling Yan The lady kept screaming.

The author has something to say: Zhou Yaren: I am a relative of Rongguo Mansion!

……

Three-strand braid: Everyone remember me, I am Yun'er from Jinxiangyuan, the one who sang "Cardamom blossoms on March [-]rd, a worm drills into it". ——You said I sang rough? !Ouch, Uncle Xue also sings "Daughter's music, poke a chicken in"!

……

Author: When I read Dream of Red Mansions for the first time in primary school, the book at home was a bit torn, and many pages were missing. When I bought a new one in high school, I found that the missing pages were Jia Baoyu’s first test of Yunyuqing, The plots of Xianglianyuai, embroidered spring sacs, etc.-thanks to my mother, this is probably a man-made net.However, just because I found out everything that was missing in that book one by one, I remember these torn-out plots more deeply than others...