[Red Mansions] The big maid struggles daily

But the next morning, when Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai were about to eat, Mrs. Wang sent Jin Chuaner to ask, "Is my aunt going out today? Our wife said that if you were at home, she would come and talk to you."

Aunt Xue hurriedly asked, "But what's the matter?"

Jin Chuan'er said with a smile: "Yesterday, my uncle and wife sent people to invite my wife to come to the house. Maybe it's for this."

When Aunt Xue heard this, she felt a little uncomfortable. It turned out that the second sister-in-law invited her sister's house to talk to her yesterday, but she didn't know.Aunt Xue was originally the youngest daughter in the family. Wang Ziteng's wife came in and got along very well with this sister-in-law for several years. The two of them had some rifts in private just like Mrs. Wang and Jia Min.

If it wasn't for this, even though Wang Ziteng was promoted to control the nine provinces and was ordered to go out to check the border, his sister-in-law would still be at home.In terms of distance and closeness, the brother-in-law's family is the mother's family, and Aunt Xue should live in the Wang family with her children.

Xue Baochai said with a smile from the side: "I won't go out today. They were some old friends at home. They knew we were here, and sent people to deliver things several times a year. I couldn't refuse, so I went to walk around. Now it's easy to finish. , what else are you going to do?"

Said, also called Ying'er to reward Jin Chuan'er, and asked the outside woman to send it out in a good way.

Jin Chuan'er didn't know what was going on, and she said to her sister when she came back: "In the past, I only knew that Aunt Xue's family was rich and famous in Jinling's hometown, but now I know that they have so many old acquaintances in the capital... It can be seen that the real person does not show his face." Real people."

Xue Baochai watched her go out, and then asked her mother: "Auntie doesn't come here very often, we usually go to Auntie's place, but what's going on at Uncle's house?"

Aunt Xue thought about it for a while, and suddenly she was a little happy: "Isn't there news about my son? If not for this, I can't think of anything else." Also ignoring the good food, she hurriedly urged Baochai: " If this is the case, your fortune has come!"

And ordered Yinger: "Go and serve the girl to redress! Take out the piece of brocade that I just made a while ago, and take the phoenix hairpin inlaid with red treasure from me..."

Xue Baochai hurriedly said, "Wait a minute, Ying'er, you go out first." When only the two of them were left in the room, she said, "It would be great if what my aunt said was that, but my mother just said yesterday that the eldest sister is going to the palace." I didn't even hit a splash, so why did I forget it? The big sister is still out there, and I just dress up like that here, but what does my aunt think?" Besides, my aunt doesn't like the bright and ostentatious dress. I also said several times in front of my family that Sister Feng was too well dressed.

Aunt Xue clapped her palms and said with a smile: "But I'm so happy that I'm confused, thanks to my son who can stay still." After that, she just changed her clothes for meeting guests, and put powder on her face to make her complexion better.

All of a sudden, the Pear Fragrance Garden was busy. The old women and maids had to sweep the fallen leaves, wipe the tables and chairs, and prepare tea and fruit containers for display.Ying'er forgot to reply to Miss Shi's arrival.

Xue Baochai asked people to prepare good tea and fruit, and then went into the inner room.First I took a book to read, then threw the book down, and still asked Yinger to bring the needlework dustpan.

-

Zhu Xiu got up early in the morning, and first replied when the old lady was having her morning tea that she wanted to pick flowers. Jia Mu said with a smile: "Just pick them up, and tell you Miss Lin and Miss Yun to go too, just say what I say." I told my mother-in-law not to stop her. It's a good thing that the girls are fresh, so let you make trouble."

The mandarin duck next to him said: "The old lady is pampering her more and more. If she becomes bald, and there is no flower belt tomorrow, I will ask Zhuxiu girl to find it for you. Besides, the two girls will not go. Miss Yun may have moved and caused trouble." , the quarrel was burning, and there was a little fever, so I asked Cuilu to serve her and take a pill of Tianwangbuxindan. Miss Lin is a flower lover. Besides, the wind is hard to get up early, and the mud at the bottom of the garden is wet, except for her , who wants to go."

Mother Jia laughed and asked Xiangyun again, saying: "In the past, girl Yun was the most healthy one, why did she become so weak?" After thinking for a while, she ordered Amber to say, "Since I took the Heavenly King Buxin Pill, I also Forget it. You go and look at it, if it’s still not good, ask the doctor outside to see it.”

Zhu Xiu and Hu Po came out together, and Hu Po said: "Don't listen to mandarin ducks' nonsense, what the old lady brings here is only the flowers raised in the greenhouse, and the flowers in the garden have been weathered, there are always some flaws on the flowers, the old lady doesn't like them You are useful, so it doesn’t matter if you cut it bald, because it will grow a new one in a few days. Besides, if you don’t cut it, those women outside will steal it and sell it.”

Zhu Xiuyin said with a smile: "I used to say that I look like an old lady, but you are even more like me when you babble. Go and see Miss Yun, this fever is not a joke, don't worry about me, I know it well. "

After finishing speaking, he and Jiuqiu brought out a stack of round dustpans for drying medicines from the small pharmacy.

The chrysanthemums in the big garden were blooming just right. When Zhu Xiu took a closer look, there were indeed a few rare lacquered nine-linked plants, Taizhen Smiling, and Bianliang Lvcui that had been pinched off. Aimei picks flower belts, so you don't risk getting your embroidered shoes dirty.

As soon as she and Jiuqiu came here, they hadn't plucked a few flowers when two women who looked strange came up and shouted from a distance: "Who's there? The old lady's garden dares to act wild!"

Zhu Xiu already knew it in her heart at the moment, Jiuqiu was about to scold someone just now, Zhu Xiu just signaled her not to say it first.

The two wives caught up and stopped panting. When they saw the pile of dustpans, they immediately became anxious and scolded fiercely: "Where did the frivolous little women come from! Don't talk about breaking and pinching, you are still stealing!" up!"

Zhu Xiu felt amused, this garden is just like her home.In fact, what Zhu Xiu picked at the moment were white chrysanthemums and yellow chrysanthemums in clusters. Those rare and large chrysanthemums were only for appreciation, not suitable for medicine and wine.These white chrysanthemums and yellow chrysanthemums have smaller flowers, and no one pinches them on the hairpins on weekdays.

"Keep your mouth clean! Which one of you are you? What's bothering you when we pick flowers? Don't be so loud!" Jiuqiu couldn't bear it, and immediately sprayed back.

These two are the two sisters-in-law, the one who scolded people was called Mrs. He, and the other was her sister-in-law, Mrs. Fang.These two are not serious errands in the mansion. He Ma was hired by the Rong Mansion in her early years and learned some small operas. She has no errands for many years.Because Mother He had a sister assigned to the Xia family, and the Xia family was more capable than the He family, her younger sister, Mrs. Xia, found a job in the big kitchen. It was also through the influence of Mrs. Xia that the two of them were able to enter the mansion.

The two aunts and sisters-in-law had heard that the flowers in the big garden were very good, and there were people stealing them and selling them, so they were also moved.He only promised to share the fourth floor with Mrs. Xia, and Mrs. Xia brought them in every morning when there were few people. After half a month like this, she really made a lot of money and became more and more courageous.

This morning I just picked a few branches, and saw someone coming, and the two of them hid in a hurry, seeing that they were also here to pick flowers. They wanted to wait, but they saw that they came carrying a dustpan.The two of them thought that they were here to steal flowers just like them. In the past, when they saw the girls folding flower belts in each room, they just held them with their hands. Besides, they had never seen the ones who came to pick them so early. .

In the end, it was because they were afraid that Zhu Xiu and the others would take those guys' affairs and pick off the precious ones they valued.It was only then that he took the courage to yell and curse in a bluff, thinking of scaring away the two innocent girls.

Earlier, when Zhu Xiu and Zhu Xiu didn't talk back, Mrs. He still dared to curse.Seeing that Jiuxiu's voice is tough, she is already weak, so Mrs. He tugs on her sister-in-law's clothes and is about to leave.

Zhu Xiu said: "Stand, which house and place do you work in? I haven't seen it before."

Only now did Mrs. He see clearly that the girl in front of her was dressed plainly, but her family couldn't afford the material of the clothes, and the hair and wrists were also inlaid with pearls and jade.Immediately he was afraid, and said in a whisper: "There are hundreds of people up and down, how can the girl know all of them? We didn't know Mount Tai, and our old eyes were too dim to see clearly...Let's go now."

Even Jiuqiu was puzzled, "Don't you recognize sister Zhu Xiu?"

Behind, Mrs. Fang said: "There are so many girls in this master's room, how can we recognize them all?"

This is wrong, some people may not recognize the big girls in other rooms in this house, but the girls in the old lady's room are all superior, even if they have never met the real person and heard the name.The two wives obviously heard her say sister Zhu Xiu's name, but they just didn't know each other, so they were people from outside.

Zhu Xiu and Jiu Qiu looked at each other, Zhu Xiu said: "Just report your name. I'm in the old lady's house. Even if I don't know mothers everywhere, I have heard of them."

The two women panicked, just now they used the old lady as a banner, but this time it is in the hands of the prisoner.And don't hide the flowers behind the tree, the two will run away.

Zhu Xiu sneered and said: "If you can run away, the monk can't run away from the temple. Think about it, you two, how far can you run with just one call? Besides, it's a big mess, but it won't end well. You just say, which one belongs to it?" , who brought you in?"

They didn't dare to run away, but Mrs. He just stood and begged: "Girl, please do me a favor. My widow is unemployed and has no job, so I don't know the girl. Even if I don't know the girl, I can't commit any crime. If the girl is doing this, others will find out." It is said that girls bully the old and the weak."

Jiuqiu laughed angrily.What he said seems to be that sister Zhu Xiu is narrow-minded, and because the two of them don't know themselves, they misrepresented their faults.Not to mention the crime of the two of them stealing into the mansion, but to beat her up and blame sister Zhu Xiu.

The Jiuqiu people trotted neatly, looked out from behind the tree where the two wives were hiding just now, and found a few chrysanthemums in front of them, angrily said: "What is this!"

Mrs. He still wanted to quibble, Zhu Xiu said: "We are here to pick the flowers according to the old lady's advice, you don't need to say anything else. What we want to pick is not the same as these few flowers. If it's only crooked, I'll just go back It’s over after Second Grandma.”

Mrs. He and Mrs. Fang often heard that the Second Mistress Lian was very hot outside, so they said their husband's family name and said Mrs. Xia brought them in.

Zhu Xiu immediately understood that the two who co-authored contracted a piece of flowers and trees in the Grand View Garden in the future, and made troubles in Yihong Courtyard because of who would wash their hair first, and offended Yinger because of a few tender willows and flowers. Those two women.The mother and aunt of Chunyan, Jia Baoyu's future little girl.It was that Mrs. Xia whom Zhu Xiu was also very familiar with. When she was in the big kitchen that day, she was in a hurry to recognize herself as her goddaughter, and she hated her because she didn't want to.

"Go and tell your elder sister Ping'er." Zhu Xiu said immediately.These two are iconic talents in the Difficult Wife, who are afraid of evil and don't care about reason.

These two people don't know who Ping'er is. It can be seen that this girl is good-natured, and she still wants to pester her.Jiuqiu said: "What about you, it has nothing to do with us. It's just that you broke the rules. We saw it, and we didn't dare to pretend that we didn't see it. We just reported it to the manager as usual. If you don't finish it, let's go back to the second mistress and see How to say."

Those two didn't dare anymore, they just followed Jiuqiu.

Ping'er didn't care how Zhu Xiu was punished, since the two of them had no work to do, it would be difficult to punish them.Zhu Xiu just wanted to leave a shadow with Ping'er, so don't choose him in the future, these two people are greedy for money, venomous, and play tricks, so much right and wrong happened for nothing.

Finally able to pick some chrysanthemums in peace, Zhu Xiu was busy for a while, and picked three dustpans.They didn't go to the upper courtyard either. There were people coming and going over there. Zhu Xiu carried one by herself, and then Jiuqiu and the three little girls carried it to Meishouyuan.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Rui's family held Zhou Rui's family head-on. Seeing Zhu Xiu's description, Zhou Rui's family hurriedly said, "What is this for?" Looking at the dustpan, there were only some rare yellow chrysanthemums and white chrysanthemums. What's the use, if you want these, there is no need to do it yourself."

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Make some chrysanthemum wine for the old lady, but there are too many people in the old lady's place, so it's not easy to dry it. I want to borrow Miss Lin's place."

Zhou Rui's family even covered their mouths and laughed straight: "The good chrysanthemum wine bought outside is only a few dollars a jar, it's worth your effort." There was a look of contempt in his words.

Zhu Xiu just smiled and thought, the ones I bought can compare with the ones I soaked.

Jiuqiu saw Zhou Rui's family standing in front of her talking, and she didn't reach out to help sister Zhu Xiu, she was carrying a dustpan by herself.

Although the dustpan is not heavy, it is a bit big, and it takes a lot of effort to balance the two arms.Zhu Xiu was about to go around Zhou Rui's house, but a very plain old woman reached out from behind Zhou Rui's house and helped Zhu Xiu with a dustpan.

When Zhu Xiu saw it, there was a little boy behind the old lady, with his finger in his mouth, he timidly grabbed the adult's clothes and hid behind, only sticking out his little head to look.Compared with Zhou Rui's family who wore gold and silver, the grandparent and grandson were very shabby and seemed out of place.

Zhu Xiu's eyes lit up, this must be Grandma Liu and Ban'er?This old man is a lucky star, and his heart is really good. Zhou Rui's family didn't stick out a single finger, so he thanked him sincerely.

Grandma Liu hurriedly said: "Don't dare." She is a real person, and she has both hands up to help Zhu Xiu carry it.

Seeing that Zhou Rui's family frowned, Zhu Xiu hurriedly said, "Sister Zhou, who is this mother-in-law? If you have time, please ask her old man to help me, can you?"

Zhou Rui's family looked around, trying to find someone, but this place is remote and there is no one else, so they said: "Good girl, this is an old relative, and I want to go to the second grandma to say hello, and the second grandma will only meet you now." If you have time, don't delay."

Zhu Xiu laughed and said, "It turns out they are relatives, no wonder Mrs. Zhou took the lead. That's just right. Wouldn't it be better to ask my mother-in-law to have a cup of tea at my mother's place, have a rest, and then go to see Second Grandma?" The grandma said: "You are a guest in the mansion, so you shouldn't bother your old man, but I am really struggling here. I beg my mother-in-law to love me and give me a ride. I will personally take care of you when you go to see the second grandma, and there will be no delay." of."

Zhou Rui's family had always given Zhu Xiu some face. Hearing her soft words, she felt that she treated Grandma Liu so politely for her own sake, and felt that she was showing off her dignity.Besides, we all know that she and Second Grandma Lian are on good terms, so she followed, and Second Grandma Lian would meet with her when she had time, and she stopped obstructing her. The young ladies are not bad either. Her mother is a nanny from the palace, but she is amazing."

Grandma Liu was at a loss as to why she was the old lady's girl and the daughter of the nanny in the palace. She didn't quite understand, but she knew that she was not an ordinary girl.

Zhou Rui's family was very reluctant to walk more, and she knew what Madam Wang was thinking, so she was always indifferent to Mei Shouyuan, so she immediately said to Zhu Xiu: "Since you are with me, then I won't go there, I will go to the hall over there , just look for me there.”

After finishing speaking, he left Grandma Liu and Ban'er and left.Jiuqiu pouted secretly, this sister-in-law Zhou was really instigating.

Seeing that Grandma Liu was at a loss, Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "It's okay, grandma, let's go this way. Miss Lin is the granddaughter of the old lady. Because the old lady misses her, she came to stay for a while. My mother is Miss Lin's teacher. Mammy, grandma rests with me and fills her belly..."

When Grandma Liu saw her, she asked herself to help lift it, but she was carrying more than half of the weight, so she just helped her up a lot.And the words are gentle and amiable, without any look of contempt, and my heart feels at ease.

Ban'er is a small family, and he often helps his parents sweep the floor and deliver things at home. Seeing his grandma help him carry it, he also runs under the dustpan behind him, raising his hands to help Jiuqiu lift it up. with.He was so happy that he went to Meishouyuan to put down the dustpan, and took milk candy from his purse for him to eat.

There was a door to report to Mother Zhu.Today Daiyu was invited by Jiamu's envoy again, and Nanny Chen followed, but she is not here now.Grandma Zhu hurriedly came out to greet her, and then let her into her room to invite her to have tea.

Although Grandma Liu is a country woman, she is old, has some knowledge, and is very well versed in the world.Grandma Zhu talked to her a few words, and felt that she was simple and flexible, besides, she was in the back house of the Rong Mansion every day, and she liked to hear new things from outside.

Zhu Xiu saw that her mother was not satisfied, so she hurriedly said: "Grandma will go to the second grandma's place soon. I'm afraid I'm hungry after driving for a long time. If mother wants to talk, I have to wait for grandma to fill in the stomach."

At this moment, lunch was already prepared in the big kitchen, and Zhu Xiu sent someone to bring money, including two suitcases.

Grandma Liu saw that the mother and daughter were kind, and she didn't dislike them, and was willing to have dinner with them.She and Ban'er were already hungry, and the dishes were plentiful, and they soon relaxed while talking and eating.

After a while, after eating, Grandma Liu will leave.Zhu Xiu came out with her, and Nanny Zhu sent Jiuqiu to bring a bundle. Zhu Xiu handed the bundle to Grandma Liu and said, "Grandma, don't dislike it. It's some small things for Baner. Don't refuse. I'll send it to Grandma. In the past, Second Mistress was free."

After all, send grandma Liu to the inverted hall in Xifeng courtyard.Xifeng had just finished eating, and Ping'er had already told her why, when she heard the commotion here, she immediately asked to come in.

Zhu Xiu helped Grandma Liu to sit down on the edge of the Kang, and then she resigned from Sister Feng and went out.

Grandma Liu had food in her belly and was not so nervous anymore, so she responded more calmly this time. Sister Feng sealed 30 taels of silver and sent it out of the house.

Zhu Xiu heard from Ping'er that it was half as much as in the book, which is just a surprise.

Let's talk about going to Grandma Liu's house and unpacking the bundles given by Mother Zhu and her daughter. There are two five-liang silver ingots and several three-hundred-thousand enlightenment books wrapped in muslin cloth.I couldn't help being surprised and happy, thinking that the mother and daughter didn't mention the pain of the autumn wind, but they thought so thoughtfully.Her daughter unrolled enough muslin to make a suit of clothing for each of the two children.

When Zhu Xiu saw Grandma Liu today, it was only because of the reading in the book that she helped her, and she didn't expect anything in return.

Right now, she was busy picking up the dried crabapple fruits, but she didn't have time to think about it.