[Red Mansions] The big maid struggles daily

"Please!" Zhu Xiu said while welcoming him out.

When Fang entered the hallway, he saw Daiyu walking slowly and gracefully.

After seeing each other before saluting, Madam Zhu said with a smile: "You sisters talk first, I still have some things ahead..."

Daiyu hurriedly gave a blessing: "Auntie, go slowly."

Zhu Xiu's eyes widened slightly, where did this "aunt" come from?Grandma Chen, who accompanied Daiyu as a guest, saw her appearance, and said with a smile: "Since we are connected, it should be like this."

He ordered Zhuxiu again, wanted to tease her with a few naughty words about marriage, but he couldn't do it in front of the girls, so he simply said: "I'll go ahead too, you little sisters can play. " Saying that, he took Mother Zhu's hand and went to the front hall together.

Zhu Xiu also hurriedly bowed his knees to pay respects.

"Girls, please." There were only a few young girls left in the hall, and Zhu Xiu hurriedly asked Daiyu to go to her courtyard.

Daiyu and Xingyue took a closer look at the layout of the houses in the courtyard, they were grand and elegant.Xingyue and Taoyue have a few hearts, although they are not as freehand and elegant as the girl, but they also have a certain character.I also saw that although there are not many maids and servants, they are well-organized and behave well.Miss Zhu is even more generous, and it really is different in her own family.

Zhu Xiu also took a closer look at Daiyu's description, she was still slender and charming, but the sadness that lingered between her brows all year round had disappeared, her lips and brows were smoky, her face was like a peach blossom, and her complexion seemed to be more than a little better.

"Looking at the girl's expression, I can tell that the time has passed comfortably." Zhu Xiu personally handed her a cup of Qimen red.

Daiyu took it, sniffed it slightly, and it smelled like fruit and orchid, and said with a smile: "The tea made by sister Xiu is really more fragrant. I have been thinking about it for a while."

Xingyue also laughed: "Ms. Xiu saw someone else again and called us a 'girl'. Is it possible that our girl can't be called a 'sister' by a girl?"

Zhu Xiu was slightly stunned, and looked at Daiyu, Daiyu's sleeping eyes were full of smiles, and she was looking over: "Sister Xiu?"

Whether it's fascination, longing, pity or love, Zhu Xiu never regards herself and Daiyu as equal in her heart, and subconsciously takes half a step back.It's not because of any slavishness, but because she doesn't dare to blaspheme. Lin Daiyu's character and demeanor are indeed a rare second person in the world.

Slightly choked, it seemed that some mist was lingering, Zhu Xiu smiled after a while and said: "Sister Lin fell from the sky, like a light cloud just came out of Xiu. The wind under the forest is unparalleled in the world." He Dehe Neng, never dreamed Dare to dream.

"How come sister Xiu is also learning how to be a poor talker." Daiyu blushed slightly, even more overwhelming Taohua.

The sisters laughed for a while, and Taoyue said with a giggle: "I heard that Miss Xiu is overjoyed. Congratulations."

Zhu Xiuyin said with a smile: "It's useless to talk about it, but to show me some of the rare crafts you know. That's good. I just heard that each of you has good paper-cut skills, especially It’s the peach moon, paper-cutting to celebrate the spring, embellished with flowers to celebrate the spring, it’s a family heirloom for several lifetimes.”

Taoyue clapped her hands and said with a smile: "What a shameless lady! If other people heard this, their faces would have blushed with embarrassment. Miss Xiu still wants to ask for a present."

Daiyu covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, "Quick, quick, bring scissors and colored paper! Taoyue is about to cut it up, sister Xiuxiu thinks about your Chunsheng, so she can't be ashamed."

Zhu Xiu raised her long eyebrows, and said in her heart: These days people come and go in the family, and my uncle has a lot of friends, and my mother also has some old sisters to hand in handkerchiefs. Once she comes to the door, she goes to see the ceremony, especially in front of the older female relatives. You have to act red-faced and shy.No matter how thin-skinned the girl is, after going through this battle, I'm afraid she can practice it.Besides, she didn't feel much embarrassment at first, she was very happy to have a long-legged and handsome young gentleman.

"There are so many wives and grandmas coming to the door. I blush all day long, and I have experienced it. Besides, there are no outsiders here. In front of you, what are you doing like that!...Feng Shui turns, you are laughing at me now, always There are also times when I laugh at you, when my boudoir is out, my face will be even thicker. I wonder if you are afraid?" Zhu Xiu nodded Daiyu and smiled.

Daiyu blushed, and Juyue gave a "puchi" smile, "Our master is..."

"Juyue!" Daiyu begged for a reprimand, and Juyue pursed her lips and snickered and stopped talking.

Zhu Xiu's eyes lit up, the women of the aristocratic family have talked about their relatives early, and according to Daiyu's age, it is indeed time to make a statement.After all, he couldn't bear to tease her, so he just asked with a smile: "Master Lin's appointment has been confirmed, should he stay in Beijing and not leave?"

When Daiyu heard this, she nodded and said with a smile, "I've been promoted to Prince Shao Fu, and I will take charge of the Ministry of Industry temporarily."

A girl standing behind also said: "The girls are all in the middle of the capital, and they can often talk together to relieve boredom. Although everything in the mansion is good, it's just us girl, so it's not as lively as it used to be."

Zhu Xiu turned her face away, only to find that apart from April, she also brought snow geese and Zijuan, and it was Zijuan who spoke.

Zhu Xiu smiled slightly: "You are here too, obviously I was negligent. Chunliu, please invite them to sit down and enjoy tea in the east chamber."

Chunliu hurriedly called a few little maids to go to the east chamber surrounded by Zijuan and Xueyan, and Taoyue Guiyue took Chunliu's hand and went together.Only Daiyu's Xingyue and Zhuxiu's Qiugui were left in the cool hall. Juyue hesitated for a moment, but was still sitting on the embroidered stool without getting up.

After listening carefully, Zhu Xiu smiled and said, "This Zijuan...?"

Xingyue pursed her lips slightly, "When the master took us home, the girl and we all thought that she was originally a child of the Rong family, and my mother and brothers and sisters were all in Jia's house. Is the family separated? The girl said that she should be sent to Lian's second grandmother first, and she would be taken care of by the second grandmother, and it would be fine if she was still in front of the old lady when she turned around. She gave it to the girl, so she must follow her. Miss Xiu, you don’t know, the old lady didn’t want the girl to leave the front of her eyes, we left in a hurry, so we had no choice but to take her back.”

Ju Yue snorted and said: "Everyone knows that something happened in the house over there. Our master was upright and dignified, and even made him sick and pushed back all the Jia family who came to the door. The girl is a junior. Another two years in front of the old lady over there, it's fine if the master blocks it, but the girl can't say anything here, and it's over if she doesn't know about it. Normally, the girl doesn't send good tea and food. Send a copy, which is worthy of filial piety. However, this Zicuckoo, like the opera said, "I am in Cao Ying and my heart is in Han", is all about making plans, especially when appointed by the imperial court, I often touch the girl's ears Muttering some words that I can't answer... The girl is soft-hearted, she has already transferred her away, but this time she went out, she followed up with the cheek! When I go back, I will tell Aunt Lin, and the only way to be safe is to send her back to her home!"

Daiyu lowered her eyes and sighed: "Come on. What are you talking about? What's outside has nothing to do with us. I only think about the past two years, what it feels like to miss my parents, and I can't bear to criticize others too much. Just send her back." Daiyu felt sour when she thought of the old lady, it wasn't that the old lady didn't love her, it was just that she was close or distant.Zijuan has always been considerate and considerate in serving people, and it is better to have this person in front of the old lady.

Zhu Xiu thought about it, Master Lin's official position, the Prince Shaofu is a 'title', and the Prince Shaofu who is the second rank seems to have a lot of power, but in fact it probably sounds good, just a false title.The authority depends entirely on the Sacred Heart, and the Sacred Heart is there, so it is natural to have a real job concurrently. Otherwise, it is just idle with a name.Master Lin's position is to temporarily manage the Ministry of Industry, and I'm afraid that there is no space available elsewhere, otherwise such a vague appointment would not be possible.

Just with this position, just like what my uncle taught, the Lin family will be able to establish a stable presence in Beijing.It was the Ministry of Industry again. Jia Zheng hadn't moved the head of the Ministry of Industry for decades, no wonder even Zijuan was not spared and asked her to help.However, it was probably the idea of ​​the women in the back house; Zhu Xiu had already heard about what happened in the Rong Mansion, and from what his uncle said, the political master wanted to hide his face and live. I didn't go out for a month, and even the Shangguan of the Ministry of Industry sent someone to inquire, but he didn't show up, only saying that he was sick.

"I would like to ask you one sentence: You have always been kind to others, but when this Zijuan goes home, she doesn't have to move the old things beside her. It would be more affordable to give her some new clothes, hairpins, and some silver, and she will not be burdened by her." Waiting for you." Zhu Xiu said to Daiyu, and glanced at Xingyue and Juyue.

Ju Yue opened her eyes slightly, and said in surprise: "Miss Xiu is afraid..." Afraid that she will take the girl's personal belongings with her?

Zhu Xiu smiled: "We usually go to theaters, there are not always those aggressive people in the theaters, it's not necessarily bad intentions, it's just that they have little knowledge and little thought, so they do bad things with good intentions." After a sentence, she asked Daiyu again : "Master Lin is safe?"

Daiyu smiled and said, "I'm cured, but our family has always had a weak stomach meridian, and now we mostly eat porridge. I'm going to ask you for something. My family's foundation is probably in the Suzhou and Hangzhou areas, and now only The produce of a few small villages in Tongzhou and the suburbs of Beijing is supplied to the family. But I am used to the vegetables and fruits on your farm, no matter whether they are bought from outside or the prospects of the farm at home, they are always not good enough. Your farm is not small, if there are many Send it to our house, and as for the money for buying and selling, I have my own accountant and head of the village to take care of it, sister Xiu is not welcome." Daiyu doesn't need to talk nonsense, since she has a good relationship with Zhu Xiu, she naturally has something to say.In the Lin family's philosophy of doing things, this is the way to benefit.

Zhu Xiu laughed and said: "You don't need to tell me, I want to eat the big family too. Besides, Uncle Lin An ordered a hundred hu of new rice from Zhuangzi yesterday. If you think about it, someone will tell you when you go back." Daiyu is now Although he is not very proficient in managing the house, he is getting better and better.It's just that she was born with a refined and vulgar personality, with more intelligence than care, so she still needs the help of a seasoned housekeeper.

Daiyu smiled and said, "That's good." Don't say a word.

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "This is a celestial plant that has entered the mortal world. Wen Neng writes and paints, and Wu Neng manages the house. It is troublesome to straighten it out. Once you get used to it, you will get used to it. It won't take long."

Juyue covered her mouth and smiled: "Amitabha, the girl is completely like the master. The father and daughter wrote poems and discussed knowledge together, and it was not enough for a long time. The master saw that the girl was in charge of the house, and complained about the trouble, so he asked Lin Steward to read it. That's all."

Daiyu picked up a soft and glutinous tea fruit, she ate it while turning a deaf ear, Xingyue pointed at it and said with a smile: "Master is also like this, when Steward Lin just pretends not to hear it."

It made several people laugh.

Zhu Xiuyin said: "Speaking of eating porridge, I have heard a different saying, but you should ask the doctor to be serious."

Daiyu was thinking about Lin Ruhai's body, so she hurriedly asked, "How do you say that?"

"Porridge is easy to digest and nourishes people. It is good for weak people to eat porridge. But eating porridge for a long time is like a person who has injured his hand and can't move his fingers. Gradually, his fingers are not as flexible as before. , the stomach qi does not move, and the internal organs do not need to work hard to digest. Over time, the stomach qi becomes weaker, and it becomes more difficult to digest other foods. Gradually, eating does not digest, eating porridge, eating porridge again, the stomach qi becomes more insufficient, Not to mention that you can only eat porridge...it has become a regular practice of the cycle. It sounds fresh to me, and I think about it for a while, but it makes sense, think about it, doesn't it?"

Daiyu heard this, thought for a while, and then said: "I have also read a few medical books, and it is indeed reasonable. But now my father is not very good with other medicines, so what can be done?"

Zhu Xiu thought about it, because he said: "Perhaps the porridge is getting thicker and thicker, and then slowly add some jujube, barley, yam, lotus seeds, etc., which are good for the spleen and stomach, as well as whole grains, to nourish the middle and Qi. Maybe it's better. Let's not think about it, just ask the doctor for advice."

Daiyu nodded, taking this matter to heart.Juyue saw that her girl was deep in thought, so she hurriedly asked Zhu Xiu: "Miss Xiu, Qingjin's family has gone, we haven't seen her in ten months, how is she now?"

Zhu Xiu laughed: "Okay, very good. She is the same as me now, she can't go out very much because of your family. If your family is slow, maybe she is here to accompany me right now, who knows Your family is in such a hurry, she didn't come home before, and the matchmaker came in the back. Now you, her sister-in-law, still want to ask me."

Ju Yue smiled embarrassedly, it is true that their brother and sister depend on each other for life, there are no elders in the family, the elder brother is only anxious in his heart, who cares if she is not a sister.I just hope that at the end of the year, when the twelfth lunar month comes, my sister-in-law will come in.

The floor clock in the corner of the cool hall jingled eleven times, and the woman at the front came up to answer: "Ladies and gentlemen, we will have dinner at the front later. In addition, we have prepared a table in the flower hall. The girls are invited to have a good time, so let's just have fun."

Zhu Xiu was taken aback, and asked, "Why, is there someone else?"

The woman just laughed: "It's not any wife or grandma who came here, but a few women came to say hello, and my aunt doesn't want to disturb the girls."

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "It's amazing, whose family is it?" My family is small, and the families I know acquaintance seldom take these virtual gifts of "calling the servants to greet and give gifts", and most of them visit each other in person. visit.

"I heard it belongs to the Xue family. Mrs. Xue invited my aunt to come and listen to the opera."

"The Xue family? Jinling Xue's family? Aunt Xue's house in Rongfu?"

The mother-in-law smiled and said: "It's not his house. The Hulaba sent a few women to come to the door, and they wanted to see the girls, but they asked the aunt to stop them, and they are talking now."

The old lady stepped back, Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "Aunt Xue moved out long ago, why didn't you know?"

Zhu Xiu hadn't really paid attention to Xue's family, but thought that his family was still living in Rongguo Mansion, and that Bao girl was still living in Hengwu Garden.

Just kidding and eating.Since neither of them had the habit of resting at noon, she sent the girls to rest by themselves. Zhu Xiu took Daiyu's hand and only went to her study.

This study is also an embroidery room, spacious and elegant, a lot of rouge powder made by Zhu Embroidery is stored in the side room next door, Zhu Embroidery brought them out, the two sisters were coloring, and they had a good time.

Daiyu has always had some talent, and the color of the rouge she concocted is appropriate.Zhu Xiu fluttered her cheeks against the mirror, and she raised her complexion again, she didn't feel like adornment, she was completely natural.He hurriedly laughed and said: "No matter how many thick and light colors I have adjusted, they are not as good as yours. Let me first write down the ratio of this match to be serious."

Daiyu had just wrapped her nails, Kou Dan was not yet firm, she put her face on Zhu Xiu's shoulder, they looked at each other in the mirror, and said with a smile: "You can hold back the color, change it to a darker one, It appears to be floating."

Just talking and playing around with a smile, Taoyue came in with a smile, and said mysteriously: "Girl, I just heard a big happy event, tell me, I'm sure you'll be shocked!"

Daiyu laughed and scolded: "Little hoof, you're making trouble again. If you want to say it, say it, don't make people appetite!"

Zhu Xiu also said: "What kind of happy event?"

Taoyue smiled and said: "They all stared, I couldn't sleep, so I went to find Nanny Chen, who knew about the Xue family's affairs. It sounds like the Xue family uncle has decided to marry a girl from the Osmanthus Xia family in the next year. Girl Bao actually made an appointment, she seems to be the young master of the Yin family in Shuntian Prefecture, Liuli left faster than Miss Xiu here, now the invitation period has passed, all I have to do is greet him in person!"

Both Daiyu and Zhu Xiu were taken aback: "What? It's only been a few months?" Not even two months!

At the end of the day, Daiyu had already gone home.It was only when Zhu Xiu talked to Nanny Zhu that she realized what was going on.

Madam Zhu only said: "This Mrs. Xue is not an ordinary person, she is more understanding than the second wife in the Rong Mansion, she is decisive and sharp, and she can be considered a home for her daughter."

Zhu Xiu wondered: "Why is it so abrupt, even the date is set?"

Grandma Zhu sighed: "Miss Lin and you are both lucky. In the Rong Mansion, I never got in touch with the Second Master Bao, and there were never any rumors outside. But this Miss Xue is different, what kind of golden lock?" Outsiders know the rumors about the need for a jade match, and the marriage of gold and jade. There is even the second master Bao, who puts this Miss Xue's poems on a fan, thinking that she is elegant, but the reputation of this Miss Xue...is really beyond words. "

"Ever since the incident happened there in June, this Second Master Bao has been on the cusp of the storm, and everyone knows that he likes to mess around in the inner curtains. He is a idler, so how can he not comment on the girls in this mansion? Welcome girls, Tan girls Forget it, although there is a nickname of wood and rose, but they are sisters after all, and there is a mother in their family, and outsiders dare not comment. It's a pity that the girl is young, and I don't want to do anything with her. Miss Lin, sir Someone knew that Mr. Lin had broken off contact with that place again, and besides, the young lady of the family of the second-rank senior official would not intentionally quarrel with each other if she knew the seriousness. Only pity Miss Xue and Miss Shi, the people in their house said There is no door! We all know that the purse, sachet, and shoes and socks on the second master Bao are mostly made by Miss Shi. The jade hanging around his neck is matched by Miss Xue's gold lock. There are also boudoir poems on the fan... now, the boudoir names of the two girls are all said by lazy people."

"Ms. Shi's parents died early, and Shi Hou's family was dispatched as an official. I don't know what she plans to do now. But that Mrs. Xue is really a character. I know that Second Master Bao..." Zhu Nanny coughed , thinking that my daughter is about to leave the court, and sooner or later I have to teach her about men and women. After all, I said cryptically: "I know that the heir of the second master Bao is difficult. In less than two days, the whole family moved cleanly. I was busy making things up again." , his family has some background, so he is willing to invite an official matchmaker. In less than half a month, her family really found a suitable marriage."

Zhu Xiu hurriedly asked: "Is this the son of the Yin family in Shuntian Prefecture? It's not that I don't like others, but how can this son of a third-rank senior official's family be short of a good relationship? Why did he fall in love with her family? Don't worry about it." Isn't it appropriate?"

Mammy Zhu stroked her daughter's hair and said with a smile: "Isn't it? I heard that this young man is weak in body, and many senior officials gave him orders, saying that he is too weak. If the wife's palace can hold it down, he can still ask for a Longevity and well-being. If you marry someone who can’t be suppressed, and the weak are even weaker, I’m afraid that this son will die. The son has been delayed until now, and he is already 25. There is still no one to match him, and it is getting worse day by day. But Miss Xue has It’s a golden lock, it’s also a golden life, it’s very cold and hard, when his family sees that horoscope, they are so happy that they can’t care about anyone else, they just want to hurry up and marry him in, so as to crush that young master’s life.”

"If it wasn't like this, the elder brother has not yet married a wife, how could he be more polite and marry a younger sister first."