[Red Mansions] The big maid struggles daily

"The son of that family is a good son, and the house is quiet, and there are not many bad things. The elders above him have a real father, and his mother has had dystocia, and his father has not yet married. He has a widow as the second wife in the house. There is no mother-in-law to restrain you when you enter the door, and there is no need to set rules. Besides, this old man is a rare and sensible person, and the family fortune is left to his children and grandchildren. According to your uncle and me, the family is simple, and you can control it. Life is easy now." Madam Zhu told Zhu Xiu when she got home.

Zhu Xiu heard a lot of talk, good guy, it's all about the relatives of the elders of this family, and when it comes to the young military master, he just said "it's a good one" and took it over.In this era, it is really a matter of marrying two families. The big one is the right family, how the two families are matched, and the relationship between relatives. In the end, it is the matter of the young couple.

Besides, looking at Muma like this, she was extremely satisfied that there was no mother-in-law on top of her head, which became the shining point of this marriage.But think about it. At this time, when a girl is raised until the [-]th or [-]th year, she will have to talk about marriage. When she gets married on the [-]th or [-]th, most of the people on top of her head are her husband's grandmother and mother. There are also those whose great-grandmother is still alive. The three big mountains are not an exaggeration. If you add a few elder sisters and younger sisters, it will take two or three years for the newlyweds to gain a firm foothold in the back house.This is still a girl from a common people's family. If it is a lady from an official family, most of them start looking for marriages on the [-]th or [-]th.

What Zhu Xiu could say, he had to say: "If my uncle and mother are interested, then it will be done. I will listen to you two." Anyway, I never expected to find any "true love", especially this little girl. In the legal era, it's better to sleep comfortably with warm brocade quilts, and it's better not to talk in sleep.

Hearing her daughter's words, Mammy Zhu couldn't bear it anymore: "My son has lived in this mansion for so many years, and it's good that he hasn't been dazzled by the bustle and bustle. But don't worry, don't say that this house is very beautiful. The capital is what your uncle and I bought for you, and you can afford it for three lifetimes, this is your confidence, we will not be afraid of anything in the future, and you will be backed by your natal family!" The child twisted, Disgusting; but the child is so well-behaved, it's not a bad taste.

Madam Zhu knew in her heart that everyone in the Rongguo Mansion loved to enjoy themselves from top to bottom, especially Mr. Jia Feng. It's moldy and rotten', as if her family's treasury is connected to the national treasury, inexhaustible, the words are thrown out very lightly, but the master and servants of the whole family are extremely delicate.Especially in Rongqing Hall, one person's errands are shared by four or five people, and the decent writing is even more expensive than the master's. In this way, everyone is proud and expensive, no wonder they only need to say "" Throw it out" is like being half dead.When the embroidered girl gets married, there must be a gap. Zhu Mama was afraid that her daughter would lose her heart, but it can be seen that the child agreed without asking a word, and she felt uncomfortable again.

In fact, relying on her family's wealth, not to mention that her brother was catching up with this ingenious sect, it was logical to receive the emperor's envoy, but she said that the money she earned from the business of visiting relatives would be worth a fortune. Because of the brilliant idea of ​​embroidering girls, she drew several more According to the book, [-]% of these net profits will be put in a box for her.With only [-]% of the profit, you can teach your children to live a more luxurious and comfortable life than in Rongguo Mansion, so why?Can't, life is not like this, Qing waits to cause trouble.

Seeing her mother's tangled look, Zhu Xiu couldn't help laughing: "Will I compare my private house with others? Mother knows that even if she doesn't have money, it's okay. With the skills taught by mother, you can start from scratch." What's more, we have other things to rely on. Mother only thinks that this mansion is full of flowers and riches and unparalleled, but in fact it's all empty. I eat green japonica rice with carmine red rice. Is it possible that I only eat japonica rice and white noodles? Terrible? Wearing Yunjin Mink Fur, the fine cotton rabbit fur can’t fit on the body? When I go out, I don’t have those good things for official and public use every day, but to be honest, how much worse can it be? Now Our family has added two more Zhuangzi, not to mention our wives, even Miss Lin in Luo Cuiwu is willing to use our Zhuangzi's achievements, not to mention, I don't need to wear old clothes that are rewarded by others. .”

These words are like turning a walnut cart upside down, very clear and reasonable.Grandma Zhu smiled and said, "My daughter understands that the old saying is good, a thousand hectares of fertile land only eats three meals a day, and thousands of mansions only sleep on a five-foot couch. Whether it's living, or doing things, it's not bad. If you can keep your heart in the future, then I won't worry too much." Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke.

Zhu Xiu held her mother's hand, and said seriously: "My daughter can make her life well when she goes to anyone's house, and mother doesn't have to worry about it. There are two more words, and I have to ask my uncle to explain to others first: one is Regardless of whether my uncle has children in the future, in our family, I must take care of the elderly; secondly, I want to pass on the rich family embroidery passed down to me by my mother, whether it is born by me or found elsewhere. I have been raised since I was a child. This girl has to be surnamed Zhu, so that this skill is not in vain. If their family is willing, I have nothing to say. The marriage will be done step by step. If there is any objection, there is no need to bargain with our family. It doesn’t matter which family you are. I told my uncle before, if my uncle didn’t mention it to others, I still have to ask my mother to tell me, otherwise I won’t agree.”

These words brought tears to the eyes of Mother Zhu. She patted her daughter's hand and said, "No, who would want a daughter-in-law with such a big idea? My uncle and I don't need you to worry about it. I have lived up to the immortal, don't worry about the rest..."

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "The two things I mentioned are not difficult. You and my uncle have all the women and girls in the family. I don't want me to serve you all the time. I just walk around more and pay attention to everything. That's all. As for offering sacrifices to the elderly, this is a precedent in the only daughter's family, and I am not the only one. Besides, those dowries are fake, but anyone who understands some things is also allowed. As for the latter, it is easier Now, it doesn’t have to be girls from his family, if his family doesn’t want to, there are many in the Salesian Bureau, I just pick a good one as a foster daughter and raise them from an early age.”

When Grandma Zhu heard about it, she stopped talking.What the girl said was reasonable, and the child had a heart, but she pressed the post and was afraid that this would make it difficult for the child to do well.

Only to hear Zhu Xiu laughing again: "Uncle has devoted all his attention to the business classics. In the past two years, there were too many scruples, so it's hard to mention it. Now that my grandfather is going to get away, it's time to persuade my uncle to work in the sales office or the philanthropy hall." Pick a child who suits your heart and eyes, and raise it as a child, and it will be no different from your own."

Now in the Rongguo Mansion, there are gossips saying that Zhu and Cheng are the only ones of her family, and the family wealth will be passed on to her. Whoever marries her will marry back a daughter-in-law made of gold.Mommy and uncle had already given too much, and she didn't have the slightest thought of it.That's why we even talked about offering sacrifices to the end of the elderly, except for the ceremony of "throwing the basin". The one who throws the basin is to inherit the family property and clan.

There is still something that Zhu Nanny doesn't understand, Xiuxiu should inherit her private property, but her brother's family, let alone Xiuxiu herself is not willing, even she has never thought about it.

"But who is making irresponsible remarks in front of you?" Seeing that Zhu Xiu was silent, Madam Zhu said, "Come on, don't mention these things. The two of us want to go together, and I will find time to persuade your uncle."

The more people who have no family, the more they want to have a family. In the early years, Uncle Cheng not only talked about getting married, but also prepared to adopt the orphan in the stepdaughter's family to raise him to his knees.The woman mentioned here is a widow. Her deceased husband’s family would not let her go, and she just wanted to keep him at home to serve him. Uncle Cheng met them by chance and thought they were all poor people.But suddenly there was an accident, and it was discovered that the widow had already gotten married with her husband's cousin, and it was even more hateful that the woman's mother-in-law's family had forgotten eight vines, and she was plotting against Uncle Cheng's family fortune.Even Nanny Zhu was still trapped in the palace at that time, Uncle Cheng was heartbroken, and he was shocked to realize that he was single, and in the eyes of caring people, he was really a big piece of fat.Only then did he gradually become the "widower" who is full of relatives and friends, has a wide range of friends, and has a long history.

Nanny Zhu changed the subject, suddenly smiled and said, "Look, you have considered so much, why don't you ask more about Mr. Zhan's family?"

Zhu Xiu pursed her lips and smiled, and said in a low voice, "Mum, have you seen anyone, isn't he handsome?"

"I don't know how to be ashamed!" The annoyed Nanny Zhu pointed her finger straight at her head, "Tell me what to say, don't say a word when you don't ask, and spit it out when you ask!"

Zhu Xiu was wronged, and said with a smile: "You asked me to ask, but I asked, but I refused to talk about it."

Grandma Zhu couldn't hold it back, and she was also happy: "I don't care if I'm handsome or not, you can see for yourself." If you want her to say, the young master of the Zhan family is handsome and handsome, and his face is so handsome. It's a bit cold, but if it weren't for this cold temper, such a sweet pastry would have taught others to get there first.The little girl who was born today likes those gentle people with pale faces and weak, just like the Second Master Bao in this mansion, Zhu Mammy is really worried.

Hearing this, she knew that there was no shortage of talent, Zhu Xiuqing pulled her mother's sleeve, leaned over and smiled and said, "Can we still see each other?" Mother and uncle were very open-minded.

"Bah! You think it's like you and the girl are strolling in the garden, and the eight scriptures are put together for you to see." Zhu Nanny gave a blank look, and the girl who didn't leave the cabinet, kept a little more reserved, "It's already the twelfth lunar month Well, let’s go for the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. The girls and boys from every family will be released that day, and we can’t say when, but we’ll see it.”

Although men and women are very defensive, there are still a few people who do not see each other for the first time until they lift their hijabs. People who love their children will always ask their children to look at them from a distance through lantern festivals, various banquets, and flower viewing parties.

Zhu Xiu thought, this is fine, it's better than a blind marriage.What's more, she still has another thought in her mind: Yimu's mother's temperament is not like someone who is willing to live in her uncle's house for a long time. The house near Wensheng Street in her home is good, but living with a woman is always lonely.I have money in my hand, if I can buy a house in a nearby alley, I can make it another house, and my mother will live here for a while, and my uncle will live there for a while, it is convenient and safe.Besides, there was a child in one or two years, and the family didn't have a mother-in-law to help, so it made more sense to accompany the mother.

On the other hand, Nanny Zhu was thinking that when the daughter saw her, the marriage would start, and Xiu'er would not be able to stay in this Rong Mansion anymore, it was serious to embroider dowry behind closed doors at Cheng's house.It is necessary to separate from my daughter for a while, but fortunately I can go home from time to time to have a look.When Master Lin goes to Beijing, everything will be smooth.

Unexpectedly, before the first month of the lunar year, all parts of the family-visiting house were just ready. Jia Zheng rushed to play the inscription, and Zhu in the palace approved the play.

Wang Xifeng was not busy day and night, and she got up in a hurry to make a bubble. When Mrs. Wang ordered her to tell everyone in the Lin family, she complained to Madam Zhu: "What is this! The master is really impatient. I wrote the first book, but who knew it was correct, and the date was still set on the fifteenth. It was said that it would be next year, but it was counted, and the inventory in my hand was only about twenty days. Inside and outside, up and down the curtain road, life and death are busy!"

Before drinking half a cup of tea, Mrs. Rongqing came outside and called: "The old lady sent someone to invite Second Grandma to discuss matters."

Xifeng swallowed the tea, and said angrily, "What's the matter?"

The old lady came in and said: "Second Grandma takes care of everything in the garden. The old lady thinks of an omission, so don't rush to tell Second Grandma what she knows."

This old woman can talk, Zhu Nanny smiled and said: "That's the case, but there is no reason not to let people take a breather. The second mistress is so tired that her face is pale and thin. If one accidentally adds some illnesses, there is no reason to let people take a breath." Don't you mess things up? If the old lady wanted to cherish her granddaughter-in-law, she definitely didn't have to order people to run around non-stop. The omission you mentioned must have been told to you and asked you to send a message to Second Mistress to know. Yes. The elder sisters who are partial students are afraid of not being able to explain clearly and misunderstood the meaning of the master, so they would rather ask the second mistress for a visit than explain it clearly by themselves. I said it, right?"

The woman was embarrassed, and Xifeng stroked her palm and said with a smile: "You can be regarded as a sensible person, and he is willing to love me and say something for me. These things are small things, and I can do them as soon as I can. The people below have to do it." It's getting complicated, walking me back and forth, the old lady and the lady don't stop, there is no such thing as you!"

Zhu Nanny smiled and said: "Don't blame me, not everyone is like your Ping'er girl, who is articulate and understands what they say. These people have not been trained, and the old lady's orders may not be in place. If In this way, the second grandma did the same thing here if she made a mistake, which would make the old lady dislike it and delay things. Why don't you come over once and hear it with your own ears? Besides, the second grandma is capable and ingenious. There are some places where you If you think about it well, it will be cheaper to return it to the old lady in person."

Sister Feng laughed: "Forget it, what the old lady ordered, just say it straight. If there is something unclear, I will ask again."

Everyone who the mother-in-law wanted to defend said it for herself, and the second grandma didn't seem to blame, she also relaxed and smiled: "It's the streets and alleys, and we need to use curtains to block them tightly. I’m preparing. There’s another one, there’s a peacock and a cage of white rabbits in the garden, maybe it’s because of the cold weather, they’re a little listless, not very energetic, please show me.”

Sister Feng thought to herself, it's strange that the old lady wanted to rush to Luo Cuiwu to call her mother-in-law to tell her. It turned out that she wanted to ask the Cheng family to set up a curtain, but this old woman hesitated to talk about something bad.It was only Mammy Zhu who spoke out for her family, even if she tricked other brothers, it's no wonder she didn't pay attention to it.

Grandma Zhu smiled and said, "Whatever I say, you don't know what to do. Where is the security curtain set up, how high and how wide are all particular, and the internal officials of the palace have to come out to see it." It’s a count. If it’s prepared at this time, if the height is not suitable, the color of the cloth or even the pattern is not suitable, it’s a waste of work.”

Sister Feng's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly smiled and said, "Mama is very knowledgeable, please tell us quickly, who knows when to come and see, will there be too late to prepare?"

Grandma Zhu smiled and said, "This is the first time this concubine's family visit has happened, and I can't say for sure. It's just that there are different rules and regulations in the palace. I advise Second Mistress to prepare more cloth first. Anyway, the curtain is simple. Very, but it depends on how the regulations are, and it will be too late to tailor it now.”

Sister Feng thought about it, and said with a smile: "Because of my mother's visiting relatives, there are mountains and seas of silk and satin cloth in the library, so there is no need to prepare them separately. It's just that how soon will those inner officials come out to see each other? There are many rules for these inner officials. Yes, Mammy only helps me guess the approximate date, and my heart is in turmoil."

Grandma Zhu thought about it, and said with a smile: "If you just look at the direction, turn off the guards, curtains, and teach the rules of retreating, kneeling, eating, and making announcements, it sounds complicated. In fact, there are young eunuchs looking after them. Three or two days in advance Everything is ready to stop. It's just..."

Sister Feng knew the opportunity, and hurriedly ordered the mother-in-law to say, "I'll listen to some insights from my mother, so you go first. I have my own ideas about these two things."

After seeing that there was no outsider in the room, Sister Feng hurriedly asked, "Just what?"

Grandma Zhu smiled and said, "This is a good time for foreign businessmen to make money. All officials, big and small, are counting on it. If it can be done in one or two days, it must be extended to three or four days. It is also human nature." Is there a shortage of these taels of silver in the mansion? With the majesty of the empress in the mansion, they dare not go too far. I estimate that it will be four or five days in advance, on the tenth or eleventh day of the first lunar month. The internal officials have come to the mansion."

Sister Feng immediately understood, she thought to herself, with the empress here, the eunuchs would not dare to open their mouths, and the matter is only a thousand taels of silver, so what if it is doubled, hundreds of thousands of millions of silver are spent It's used, it's still worse.

Before I could thank you, Mammy Zhu laughed again: "I just heard that there are peacocks and rabbits in your family's family garden, which are not very energetic. This peacock is a rare bird raised by a family like yours. We don't have it in the village, but There is no shortage of white rabbits. Although our small village is not big and dare not compare with your mansion, but fortunately it is closer, and the water and grass are plentiful, and the rabbits it raises are clean and strong. Tell them to send a car over."

Sister Feng also knows that the livestock raised by ordinary farmers are very thick, and those white rabbits are dirty and smelly, and these things cannot be washed in the water, and they will die if they pass through the water.If you go looking for it yourself, you have to buy hundreds of them and choose clean and spirited ones. Although there is not much money, it is not troublesome enough.I was a little troubled, and I thanked you with a busy smile when I heard this.

There are indeed a lot of rabbits raised in Zhujiazhuangzi. This thing breeds very fast. It can eat meat and use fur. With the water nourished by Zhuxiu, it is fat and white.This thing is worthless, and a cart is no match for a piece of cloth. Mammy Zhu gave this benefit justly, and she also blocked her family's mouth from not getting out of the tent.

Besides, the above words were not for nothing, and the rabbit was not given for nothing, Nanny Zhu just had something to say. "Xiu girl is fifteen in Chinese New Year, and her uncle can't see her being so loose. Next year, she will take over the family to teach her rules. I thought she was in front of the old lady. It would be cold if she left without saying a word. Bo, but it’s not reasonable to say goodbye as a serious matter, after all, if you are not a serious family member of your family, you can’t climb that stage..."

When Sister Feng heard it, she immediately took care of everything, and said with a smile: "Sister Zhuxiu just stays at home, and the old lady asked about me. She respects herself, and she doesn't want to talk to the old lady seriously because she didn't want to show off as a royal business lady. If it’s true, it’s decent. It’s not a serious matter to tell the old lady that I’m two generations shorter, but it’s nothing. Then just say it to me seriously. This is also your caring family. It's the good intentions to save my relatives."

Grandma Zhu smiled and said, "Since that's the case, I would like to thank Second Grandma."

Having said that, the 23th day of the first lunar month is also a time to go out of the house. Zhu Mama heard that the [-]th virtuous concubine was visiting relatives, and she had made up her mind. On the [-]th and [-]rd, she would call Xiu'er's house. After watching the Lantern Festival on the [-]th, she would not teach embroidering girls. When I came back again, I simply stayed at my uncle's house.

Mammy Zhu estimated that on the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, only the eunuchs would come to Jia's mansion to teach him on the eleventh day.Those servants are very good. If you really love your concubine, after you have given permission to visit your relatives, a decent eunuch will come to your door and explain all the rules and regulations thoroughly. Don't worry about it. There are a large number of concubines two days before the visit. The official helped to take care of it properly, so there was no need for the concubine's family to worry about it.

But on the eighth day of his birth, eunuchs came out to look in the direction, and many young eunuchs followed.The Rongguo Mansion was in such a hurry, the money was poured out like water, and they had to take care of these people's food and drink.

Not only Mammy Zhu murmured in her heart, but even Wang Xifeng was suspicious: Could it be that the empress is not as favored in the palace as the mansion guessed?

On the tenth day of the lunar new year, the soldiers and horses of the five cities also sent people to clean the streets and drive out idlers.Zhu Xiu just got into Cheng's carriage, and was stopped before he left the West Street Gate.