[Red Mansions] The big maid struggles daily

Zhu Xiu sits in the warm pavilion of the boudoir, wearing a dragon and phoenix double-breasted shirt with gold silk and silver thread color embroidered red sleeves, and a red horse-face pleated skirt with eight treasure tassels, and 64 pearl tassels hanging on the shoulders of the dragon and phoenix clouds, all of which are made of jade. The phoenix crown, the body is covered with Xiapei.The hands are lying on the lap, only the slender white fingertips dyed with red Kodan are exposed, matching the embroidered shoe tips slightly exposed under the horse-faced skirt, it is so beautiful that people can't take their eyes off it.

Since Zhu Cheng's family only had this single seedling, and had no close sisters-in-law and sisters to accompany them in the boudoir, Uncle Cheng invited a few girls from close friends' families. Fortunately, both Daiyu and Qingjin came. Daiyu stayed with her the night before.

At five o'clock, Qing Jin also came over, she was also engaged and was waiting to be married, she should not have gone out at this time, but she insisted on sending Zhu Xiu out of the pavilion, no one could persuade her.Even Yang Lin and Juyue brothers and sisters said: "We are a small family, we don't pay attention to these things, it's good that you sisters are like this, and we are today because of mutual support. If we don't ask her to come, we will feel sorry."

Xi Niang kept chanting auspicious words, looked at the bride carefully, and sighed: "This is the most handsome and most beautiful bride I have seen this year."

A little girl she didn't know very well said with a smile, "Sister Zhu's phoenix crown is really beautiful. It is a golden silk and a dragon, with emerald double phoenixes, emerald clouds, emerald leaves, beads and flowers. The dragon soars above the emerald clouds, and the phoenix soars as you wish." Flowers and leaves, beads in mouth... However, if someone else wears this crown, I'm afraid that the demeanor will be covered by the phoenix crown, but Sister Zhu can hold it back. Sister Zhu is already good-looking, and this phoenix crown is the icing on the cake , making people unable to take their eyes off."

When Xi Niang heard this, she couldn't help but nodded secretly, and said in her heart, that's right, she just used colorful thread to open the face for the bride, this girl's skin is so tender that water can be squeezed out, it's very easy to make up, and it's bright and beautiful with a little modification Can not party things.Xi Niang was thinking in her heart, and couldn't help but glanced at the dressing table. There were all kinds of porcelain vases and jade jars on the dressing table, even the Quanfu people who made her famous were rare.It is strange to say that the rouge powder of her family is loved by the nobles in the palace. Today, when I put on makeup for this girl, I realized it. A perfect fit and moisturizing powder.

Suddenly, there were crackling firecrackers outside, and Xi Niang smiled and said: "The wedding sedan chair is here. There are young men outside blocking the sedan chair door, and it's time to come to make up in a while. The girls can keep the bride well, just watch their make up. Come on."

All the girls and sisters-in-law in the room laughed.After a while, Nanny Zhu also got away from the family members and came over to cover her daughter's head in person.

Sure enough, not long after, the bridegroom of the man's family came to knock on the door with a lot of excitement. The first item was a makeup reminder flower bun, the second item was acacia fan, and the third item was a pair The jade comb, as well as the make-up reminder music and make-up reminder firecrackers played repeatedly outside the gate, and the make-up reminder poems were spread to the boudoir as soon as they entered, and Zhu Jiaxiiang nodded her head only when the sixth-grade golden hijab came in.A pair of red-clothed twin sisters smiled and stepped forward to open the bolted door of the embroidered room.

Daiyu personally put a pair of suet-carved peony Ruyi vases in Zhuxiu's hands, implying that the flowers bloom, wealth, prosperity and happiness.Nanny Zhu unfolded the dragon and phoenix pin gold hijab herself, and gently covered her daughter on the phoenix crown.

After getting up in the middle of the night to clean up, a series of red tapes made Zhu Xiu dizzy. At this time, she met her mother's eyes and woke up like a dream: I am going to get married. From then on, it is really different.In an instant, I couldn't hold back the tears, and big ones fell down, "Mum..." I couldn't bear it.

Zhu Momo's eyes were also red, and she suppressed a smile and said: "When you go to a daughter's house, you must respect and abstain from it. Be filial to your parents-in-law, respect your husband..."

Before he finished speaking, he was silent, and Zhu Xiu was choked up and couldn't speak.

Daiyu and Qingjin's eye circles were red, Xi Niang hurriedly stepped forward to persuade Quanfu people from Zhan and Zhu's family to see whose auspicious words are slippery,

During the time of cupping tea, the middle door, the second door, and the Yi door of Cheng's house... all opened the door seals one after another.Daiyu and Qingjin hold red umbrellas and personally help Zhu Xiu out of the boudoir.After leaving her courtyard, Xi Niang and Quan Fu took Zhu Xiu's hand and helped the bride bid farewell to her parents.

In the main hall, Uncle Cheng was dressed in a festive brocade robe, his usual gentle and elegant face was radiant today, he was talking and laughing happily with the guests, when he saw the niece approaching, Wu's eyes turned red.

Under the hijab, Zhu Xiu could only see the corner of his uncle's red robe, and felt even more reluctant to let go, so he spoke softly while holding back his choking.

Xi Niang of the Zhu family was taken aback, and immediately smiled and said, "Madam and Uncle, please sit down."

After the guests were quiet, they all looked at the hall, and Nanny Zhu smiled and nodded to her brother with tears in her eyes, and then Uncle Cheng sat down on the grand master's chair.

Zhu Xiu didn't need Xi Niang's support, she walked to the futon by herself, bowed three times once, bowed three times again, bowed three times three times, what she did was actually the most respectful act of bowing three times and knocking down nine times.

After kowtowing for the last time, Uncle Cheng couldn't bear it anymore, he hurriedly got up and helped Zhu Xiu up: "Good boy, good boy!" It turned out that he couldn't remember the warning words he had planned.

Sending you off for thousands of miles, you have to say goodbye.The same is true for married daughters, the bridesmaids of the two families are very experienced, and they have a string of lively and good things to say.Farewell to Gaotang, embrace the vase again, the bride will finally leave the threshold of her natal family.

Zhu Xiu has no brothers or cousins ​​at all, and the bride must keep her feet away from her natal family's land when she goes out. In such a situation, it is necessary to ask a strong bride to carry the bride out and send her to the wedding sedan chair.

Uncle Cheng was unwilling, so he asked someone to make a red carpet out of bright red orangutan felt. The invited Xiwawa rolled out the red felt rolls one by one from the threshold of the Cheng family's main hall, and Zhu Xiu stepped firmly on the red felt. As one walks, the blanket is unrolled in the front row.Zhu Xiu stepped out steadily, and the red pearl tassels hanging on the dragon and phoenix hijab swayed gently with the steps. The guests watching the ceremony in the courtyard in the hall watched, and dared not speak or laugh loudly for no reason, only feeling solemn and grand to the extreme.

It was the sixth day of February at this time, and the weather was beautiful. Zhu Xiufang stepped out of the threshold, and fluffy flakes of fresh snow fluttered down with red plum petals. Although the snowflakes were large, they were not dense and melodious. Only the big red figure walking slowly among the white snow and red plums remained.

Zhan Dong was wearing a wedding gown, with a long body and a jade face that complemented him even more. Deng Jixiao beside him was more cheerful than the bridegroom official, chattering with the young men who were picking up the bride who didn't know what to say.Zhan Dong had occasionally answered a few words before, and when Zhu Xiu's figure turned from behind the screen wall, he looked straight at it, with a slight corner of his lips on his expressionless face for many years.

The red felt went up to the door of the sedan chair, just right, Zhu Xiu hugged the vase and entered the sedan chair lightly.

Relatives and friends of the Zhu family lit firecrackers and sprinkled tea and rice grains on the roof of the sedan chair, "Get up the sedan chair!" Xi Niang sang in harmony.

Grandma Zhu and Uncle Cheng sent them out. Hearing this sound, they couldn't bear it any longer. The two sisters and younger brothers were in tears, and relatives and friends were happy and sad at the same time, and rushed to persuade them.What's more, it's auspicious noon, but it's the main banquet of the bride's family, and Madam Zhu's sister and brother have to arrange it.

The bridal sedan chair used by the Zhan family was very warm, Zhu Xiu sat in the sedan chair, and after a while she slowly calmed down, listening to the music of silk and bamboo outside, trying to figure out where she was going.It's just that at this time to welcome relatives, those who have the conditions will find the farthest, most spacious and clean road. If they can walk around the city for a while, they will be happy.The capital city is so big that it is impossible to go around the city, but the Zhan family still organized a loop road that can travel for more than an hour.Although Zhan Dong has been promoted to Fengtai Daying, he was originally from the Wucheng soldiers, and he even served as a commander. Besides, Xu Hai has now taken his position, and the five city soldiers under his command have already swept the streets and cleaned up the streets, and have been back and forth around the main street. There is no need to worry about being bumped into by people who live in the merchants who live in the business, and there are also acquaintances in the same robe guarding the market entrance.

The bride, matchmaker, and the Zhan family who were welcoming the bride, sprinkled sweets and big money on red strings to the crowd of people looking at the sedan chair as they walked, which attracted loud applause from the people on the street.There are those who congratulate each other, those who say good luck, and those who are chasing the sedan chair. As long as they hear good auspicious words, the welcoming team will intentionally throw a few small purses. A big coin and six red paper-cuts made it even more lively.

"Whose family is this? Knowing how to behave, it's lively enough! The ostentation is not small."

"I heard it's the Zhan family. This old man of the Zhan family is very promising. He used to be the commander of the army and horses in our Nancheng, but now he has been promoted. When he is in charge of Nancheng, we can live at ease. He is the eldest daughter and the younger daughter-in-law. When you go to the streets, you don’t have to worry about being shamed by local hooligans. Not to mention that you don’t close your house at night and don’t pick up lost things on the road, but it’s not much different. The person who takes over now is said to be Uncle Zhan’s brother, and he’s doing a good job. The order in our south city is better than that in the north city. Well, I only have envy in the east and west cities, and speaking of it, it started with this Uncle Zhan..."

The person who asked the question saw that the person who answered the question had a bit of ink in his stomach, and seemed to know the inside story, so he hurriedly bowed his hands and saluted, and said with a smile: "Brother said that the Zhan family got married, but who is the lady married to? The wedding party followed It’s from my natal family, and the handwriting is not small, I just got one of the purses I threw away, and inside it was a small box of Zhu Chengji’s chilblain ointment!”

"Zhu Chengji's chilblain ointment is moisturizing even if you don't have chilblains. I was doing business in the north, where the wind blows like a knife. In the past, no matter how tight it was, it was useless. Not to mention hands, just There are always a few cuts on the face and ears, and the cuts hurt badly in cold places, and itches very much in warm rooms. This ointment is easy to use, and this Zhu Chengji is sold cheaply, and it can be sold out in less than an hour a day, but his family is not willing to supply in bulk, and everyone only sells it to two at most once they go. My brother, my family has a lot of people, and many of the guys suffer from sores, so it is difficult to buy enough every time. Not to mention the present, it is even rare to buy it when the spring is cold! Who married a daughter, using this It's a great gift!" The Northland businessman who asked the question started talking about chilblain ointment.

The one who answered the conversation was the owner of a grocery store on the street. Hearing the words, he hurriedly bowed and asked, "I don't know the bottom line, but my younger brother knows something. It's snowing, why don't you come to my younger brother's shop to explain?"

The merchant raised his eyes to look at the facade, saw the three big rooms, they were bright and clean, and the north and south goods on the cabinets were neat and orderly, his heart moved, he readily agreed.

The shop owner ordered hot tea to be served, and the two sat down by the window, watching the snowflakes fluttering outside while sipping tea, the shop owner laughed and said: "Zhu Chengji's chilblain ointment, my brother knows the goods but not the people. You know which family’s lady is out of the cabinet today, it’s not his family. No wonder this is the wedding present.”

The merchant wondered: "This Zhu Chengji is a business of the Imperial Merchant Cheng's family of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Doesn't it mean that this Master Cheng is a widower and has no children? Could it be that the rumors are wrong?"

The shop owner said with a smile, "Isn't Du Zhongren the elder brother?"

The merchant clasped his hands and said, "The people of Zhili are now more and more prosperous in the capital, and all the goods from the north and the south are gathered here, so they only settled down in this southern city last year."

The owner of the shop nodded, and said with a bearded smile: "No wonder I only know one of them. I want my brother to know that there is only one sister of this royal businessman, Mr. Cheng. Both sisters and brothers are hard-working people. Mr. Cheng's eldest sister, Zhu Shi, was originally from the palace. She was born as a female official, but later she established a female household because she lost her husband or something. This Zhu family has only one daughter, and the two sisters love each other like treasures. This is Miss Zhu who is getting married this time. As for Zhu Chengji Well, it is also the business of the two sisters and brothers. I heard that it is the recipe of the Zhu family, and Mr. Cheng started the business. It is reasonable for this one seedling to come out of the pavilion, and people use things from their own shop as rewards."

The merchant was dumbfounded and said: "It's really unexpected. Speaking of it, it can be called a seedling in a thousand pieces. What will happen to the huge wealth of the Zhu family and Cheng family in the future?"

The shop owner said with a smile: "It's no more worrying than us. Master Cheng is still young, and what will happen in the future is uncertain. Besides, there is really only such a girl. Ask her to have more children, raise them under her knees, and pass them on to her grandchildren." The same is true for the older generation. Zhan’s family is benevolent, and there is only this eldest son in his family now, and the status of the two families is very well matched. Besides, I don’t know, there are many people who are the only daughter now. Among the imperial merchants, the osmanthus The Xia family also only has one girl, and there is also the Zhang family in Wutong Lane, even if they are ministers in the court, there are many only daughters..."

After hearing this, the merchant laughed and said, "If any family can hire girls from these families, it's just like carrying a golden doll to the entrance."

The shop owner sipped a sip of tea, shook his head and said, "That's right, yesterday the Zhan's dowry display was full of 64 tables, 88 pieces of gold and jade head and face jewelry, 160 pieces of python silk and satin, 120 pieces of clothes for four seasons, come on." Sixty pieces of good furs, as well as a lot of huanghuali sandalwood furniture and antiques. Speaking of which, these are small heads, but the first three are the big heads. There is a farm, a flower farm, a tea garden, a silk garden and an embroidery workshop in the south, Wangpu in Duzhong, Tongzhou, and Zhili... Even Zhu Chengji has a special case to accompany this aunt, which is really half of it. The family has accompanied me."

Hearing that, the merchant's eyes widened and he exclaimed again and again, the shop owner shook his head and talked in full swing.

As the evening approached, the sedan chair was blowing and beating, and it finally stopped in front of the gate of Zhan's mansion amidst the sound of auspicious congratulations.

A little girl carved in pink and jade grinningly stretched out her small hand and gently tugged on the sleeve of Zhuxiu. After doing this three times, Xi Niang stretched out her hand to help her out of the sedan chair.

Another bridal bride hurriedly took the red ball, handed one end of the ribbon to Zhan Dong, and the other end to the bride.

Only then did Xi Niang pass the ribbon to Zhan Dong, and this rather serious groom official bent down to pick up the bride with his own hands.

The vase in Zhu Xiu's hand has been carried to Quan Furen by the lady who welcomes the sedan chair. She stood up slightly, and two palms appeared in front of her eyes under the hijab. Along the palm upwards, it is the sleeve of Dahong Xifu.

Zhu Xiu was slightly taken aback, and subconsciously put her hand lightly on the big hand that gave people a sense of security. As soon as Fang touched it, Zhu Xiu suddenly came back to her senses. The clapping made my ears hurt.

Zhandong couldn't see whether the little wife under the hijab was blushing, but felt that the soft and greasy little hand in his hand seemed to be withdrawn, so he squeezed it tightly, and helped her out personally, without pretending to others, his left hand slipped from Xi Niang's hand. He took the other end of the red silk and gently placed it in Zhu Xiu's hands.

Xi Niang couldn't close her mouth from ear to ear, and didn't interrupt, she just said: "The auspicious time has come, invite the new couple into the wedding hall."

Zhu Xiu was dizzy, led by Xi Po Xi Niang, after three kneelings, nine kowtows, and six sheng prostrations, she finally waited for the singing of "After the ceremony, leave the class and send it to the bridal chamber!"

In front, the golden boy and jade girl lead the way with dragon and phoenix candles, and Zhan Dong leads Zhuxiu into the bridal chamber with a red ball silk belt.The man on the left and the woman on the right sat down, Zhan Dongfang lifted Ruyi from the vermilion lacquer tray, and gently picked up the vermilion embroidered hijab.

"Sixth brother, you should choose quickly!" In the bridal chamber are all the women of the Zhan family, and the speaker is Zhan Dong's little cousin.

Zhandong's sister-in-law in the lobby patted her sister and said with a smile: "Don't rush your sixth brother, you see your sixth brother is calm."

The sister-in-law from an unknown family next to her burst into laughter, pointing at the sister-in-law in the lobby and said with a smile: "No, don't rush Dongzi. You are as shameless as the boss, and you are so shy that you almost missed the title, but your sister-in-law is in a hurry. "

Zhan Dong's hands clenched slightly, feeling that his hands, which usually would not tremble a thousand times with a knife, could not bear this happy name, and his palms seemed to be sweating.

In the end, I managed to regain my composure, and with a light wave, the red hijab fell onto the bed.

"Wow!" Everyone in the room exclaimed, several cousins ​​of Zhandong rushed forward, clapped their hands and laughed, "Sister-in-law Liu is so beautiful!"

Zhan Dong was almost stunned, Zhu Xiu lowered his eyebrows slightly, seeing that the long legs in front of him were still motionless, he couldn't help but look up, he was looking into Zhan Dong's dark eyes...

How Zhan Dong was pushed out of the new house by her sister-in-law, Zhu Xiu had no idea, she only felt that her cheeks were hot, as if she was about to burn, her heart was pounding.