Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

"I don't think it needs to be so troublesome, just let Zheng'er's family live in the east wing." Jia's mother didn't give Zhang any chance to fantasize, and changed Zhang's arrangement lightly.Zili glanced at Jia Zheng and waited for him to speak.Sure enough, Jia Zheng lived up to his wife's expectations and said to Jia's mother: "I used to be young, but now I don't want to disturb my wife's peace. If you are busy, it will make your wife suffer. We are already uneasy, and it is unfilial to disturb mother's rest now." Jia's mother refused to give in: "I know your filial piety, but you have not been with me these few years. Even if I'm back, seeing him day and night can give me some comfort. Quan will make up for all the longing in the past."

What Jia Mu said was sincere, seeing that Jia Mu was wearing plain clothes and had white frost on her temples, Jia Zheng thought of Jia Mu's love for him when he was at home, and couldn't bear it anymore.Zili came out at this time and said: "Second Master has been thinking about his wife and master outside, since the wife arranged this way, we will bother you with a shy face." After listening to Zili's words, Jia's mother softened her expression, and beckoned to Jia Zhu came over: "Parents are always reluctant to let their children suffer a little bit. You have become parents too. Think about how Zhu'er will feel if she grows up and becomes an official and eunuch. ?”

Jia Zhu is a lively and easy-going person. Although he met Jia Mu for the first time, he didn't admit that he was a stranger. Instead, he sat in Jia Mu's arms and played with a fruit obediently.Listening to Jiamu saying his name, Jia Zhu immediately took the fruit and handed it to grandmother's mouth, babbling in a child's language, meaning to give Jiamu the fruit.Jia's mother was amused by the behavior of the family. She kissed Jia Zhu's face and said casually: "You are such a villain, no wonder you are so painful. I am worried about leaving Zhu'er to live with me for a few days. You are not willing to be parents." Jia Zheng hurriedly said: "It is his good fortune that the old lady likes Zhu'er. If so, let him live with his mother for a few days."

Zili's heart skipped a beat, but she couldn't find any reason.Just like that, Jia Zheng and Zili lived in the east wing of Jiamu's courtyard. Ever since Zili got married, she hadn't been so close to Jiamu.Although the courtyard of the main hall where Jiamu lived was huge, Zili always had the feeling of being stared at all the time in the same courtyard.Jia Zheng didn't feel anything strange, instead he happily moved here with his wife.As soon as Jia Zheng came back, Jinling's relatives, friends and contemporaries came to visit after hearing the news. Jia Zheng went out every day to meet guests and important friends.

But Zili's life was a bit sad. First, under Jiamu's nose, she was careful in everything and even told the servants not to say what they shouldn't say or do what they shouldn't do.Rao Zili was careful, but things still came to him.Mother Jia took Jia Zhu with her for a few days and said that although Jia Zhu's nanny was good, she was a peasant woman from a small place. Appoint someone to come over.

This day Zili was ordering girls to do needlework, when he saw Biyu bringing someone in, Zili hurriedly gave up his seat with a smile: "It's Sister Biyu, please sit down quickly." Biyu was not polite, she thanked the seat Sitting down on a chair, leaning forward: "The second grandma is doing needlework. My wife said that although my current nanny is honest, but my brother is about to learn to talk, and the nanny needs to be a well-behaved one. This is from Jinfu's family. Just now She gave birth to a fat boy, and she used to work in the wife's house, and she was the most polite and cautious person. The wife said, let Jin Fu's family do it for my brother." Zili looked up at Jin Fu's daughter-in-law in front of him, At first glance, it seemed familiar, but when she thought about it carefully, she smiled and said, "So it's you, I didn't expect you to go out and get married. Since it's chosen by my wife, it's good." Zili winked at Mingqian as she spoke. Tomorrow, I brought a purse and two bolts of satin to Jin Fu's family.

"This is to make clothes for you. Zhu'er is used to following the current sister-in-law Dong. I'm afraid Zhu'er is not used to the sudden change. You two should hand over slowly first. Don't make a sudden change. Zhu'er is not used to it." Comfortable." Zili looked at Jin Fu's family with a pleasant face, and told her about Jia Zhu's habits and temperament preferences.

Biyu and Jinfu's family left, and Mingqian looked outside hesitantly, then lowered his voice and said to Zili, "I think my wife might have other ideas. Isn't that Jinfu's family is Mrs. Fei who was dealt with by grandma before?" A daughter? Mrs. Fei was out of her mind, and she did something wrong and was kicked out. What if her daughter harbored resentment towards her grandma and treated her brother badly? It’s fine for her brother to follow his wife these days, but grandma can’t do it casually. See. Zhu'er is grandma's son, why can't she even see her own son? Don't be a wife who wants to keep my brother by her side."

Zili sneered and said, "I've guessed what you said a long time ago, but what can I say if the wife is unfilial, the reputation and future of the second master and I will be lost. Besides, the wife will have a good reason, what is the outside world?" It is more difficult than here, she is kind and sincerely loves her grandson, and she is not willing to make Zhu'er suffer. If I make trouble, others should say that I am cruel and don't care about my child."

Zili sensed Jia Mu's thoughts, how could Jia Mu be a person who swallowed her anger for nothing, there was an old lady on top of her before, Jia Zheng could still ask Jia Daishan to talk about it.Mother Jia can't do whatever she wants, but the old lady is gone, and she has a good reason to look for it this time.Jia Daishan felt sorry for his son when he heard Jia Zheng talk about the hard work in Shanyin County.Jia's mother took the opportunity to say: "It's okay for adults to endure hardships. Zheng'er should work hard for the country if he wants to earn a future. But I think about Zhu'er, who is still a child. It's pitiful to run around with her parents since she was a child. I don't know about it in the future." How do you study?" Jia Daishan felt reasonable when he heard his wife's words, so he said to Jia Zheng: "Your mother is right. You are working hard outside for the sake of your son, isn't it? Why don't you keep Zhu Er and call your mother Does it look good?"

Jia Zheng had always obeyed his father's advice, but this time he heard that he wanted to keep his son, Jia Zheng couldn't bear it.In fact, it is not only Jia Zheng who is reluctant, but Zili who is really reluctant.According to Jiamu's way of raising children, Zili is 1 people who are unwilling to leave their children to be raised by Jiamu.Before Jia Baoyu came out, Jia's mother wanted to train Jia Zhu to become Baoyu's second.It's just that she and Jia Zheng don't have the upper hand, and they don't have a particularly good reason to refuse both emotionally and rationally.

Seeing the new nanny sent by Mother Jia today, Zili became even more worried about the child.According to Jia's mother's posture, she was determined to snatch Jia Zhu from her hands.Zili's thoughts on Jia's mother are very difficult to understand, given the current society.Conditional parents don’t want to raise their children themselves, and they are reluctant to the elders who come to help take care of the children. When they come to the next generation, the elderly are particularly doting on the children. Children should cultivate good habits from an early age, but In the hands of doting grandparents, the good habits that parents have cultivated hard will be easily destroyed by grandparents in a few days.Furthermore, children are prone to psychological deviation when they leave their parents. If you look at those poor left-behind children, you will know that they are either rebellious and like to cause trouble, or they are introverted and cowardly.Zili doesn't want to watch his son become a left-behind child, and Jiamu's parenting philosophy is really not flattering.

Just look at Jia Baoyu and the girls of the Jia family. Jia Baoyu is a big living toy pet in front of his aunt, as long as his grandson can relieve his boredom and make him happy.As for Baoyu's future development, Jiamu's ability to deal with people with a sound personality is all in Jiamu's consideration.Although forcing Jia Baoyu to do things he doesn't like seems very mundane, but people are social animals, and Jia Baoyu will enter the society to start a family regardless of whether the Jia family is in decline or not.But according to Jia Mu's education method, the grandson doesn't like to see outsiders, so he doesn't see them, and if he likes to hang out with his sisters, he just lets him play. He doesn't think about how Baoyu will run the family in the future and how to educate the next generation.Even if Jia Baoyu wanted to be a monk and an outsider, according to his mental age and attitude, he would not be able to become an outsider and become a monk.

He entrusted Jia Zhu to Jia's mother, and there was a nostalgic nanny beside him.When Zili thought about Jia Zhu's life with Jia's mother in the future, he couldn't help feeling chills all over his body, and wished he could run to snatch the child back immediately, and never come back again.

But she couldn't, Mother Jia's preparation this time fully grasped her seven inches, she could only watch helplessly as Mother Jia snatched the child away from her!

When Jia Zheng came back in the evening, he sat on a chair and asked the girl to take off his shoes: "Seeing that the holiday is coming, it's time for us to pack up and go." Before Jia Zheng could finish his sentence, Zili suddenly turned around and held a handkerchief Wipe the corners of your eyes.Jia Zheng was thinking about his promotion, and finally he was about to leave Shanyin County, but the promoted official was indeed Qingzhou Zhizhi.Although Qingzhou is rich and prosperous, the fiefdom of King Wei is in Qingzhou. This time, he will not only have government affairs, but also have a good relationship with King Wei.Jia Zheng met a lot of friends today, and when it comes to the government affairs in Qingzhou, everyone said that walking a tightrope is very hard.Zili's tears immediately pulled Jia Zheng out of his thoughts. This time when he came back, Jia Zheng either saw guests or talked to Jia Daishan about his experience in the officialdom all day long, but he neglected his wife.Jia Zheng didn't bother to put on his shoes, and ran up to Zili with his bare feet on the ground: "Why are you crying, but I don't want to go back."

Zili wiped away tears: "What are you talking about, am I the kind who can't bear hardships? I suddenly remembered my parents. When we were in Shanyin County, my mother wrote to say that my old lady was not well. .These days I am always thinking about the old people at home.” At this point, Zili choked up a sob and put on a smile that was uglier than crying: “It’s all because of my sentimentality and my wild thoughts.”

As he spoke, Zili looked outside, and personally changed Jia Zheng into homely clothes.Jia Zheng has honed himself in the officialdom for several years, and he is no longer the foolish and sweet man he used to be.Zili hesitated to speak, and Jia Zheng understood that there are many things that are inconvenient to say here. "I know what's on your mind. I begged my father quietly today, but my father said that we are always not safe outside, and we should be at home. And Qingzhou is more dangerous than Shanyin County. My father said that Zhu'er is a person with good qualifications." Son, he just wants to have fun with his grandson when he has nothing to do at home. I can’t say anything more. My father also said that his wife is Zhuer’s real grandmother after all. He won’t treat the child badly. When it comes to this point, I have nothing to say That's right." If Jia Zheng had been in the past, he would not be so reluctant to part with children.It's just that Jia Zheng participated in Jia Zhu's growth from pregnancy to birth.With his own eyes, he watched Jia Zhu go from non-existent to fetal movement in Zili's womb, and watched Jia Zhu grow from a newborn mouse to a white and fat baby.Jia Zheng fed Jia Zhu the first meal, Jia Zheng dragged him along the first step, and changed the first diaper himself.Jia Zheng spent as much thought on Jia Zhu as Zili did.

Of course Jia Zheng was reluctant to keep the child, but when Jia Daishan spoke up, he could only admit it.In fact, Zili was always silent these days, secretly sad and Jia Zheng also noticed it.But Zili's sadness and powerlessness are also his powerlessness, and Jia Zheng can only pretend not to notice, thinking that he is useless at home.He didn't want to see Zili's sadness and hated himself for his incompetence even more, it was simply out of sight and out of mind.He simply hid out under the pretext of meeting guests every day.There is no future for being a tortoise with his head buried, and he still has to face the cruel reality.

The husband and wife sat opposite each other under the lamp, sighed, and saw that Zili and Jia Zheng's expressions were not right before tomorrow, and took the little girls who were serving them out.The room was quiet, without any sound, only the occasional crackling of the lights.Zili silently stared at the marble surface on the table in a daze.Jia Mu is really a controlling person, she is like a big spider sitting in the middle of a spider web, sticking everyone to her side with family affection and etiquette, and firmly controlling their every move.Zili felt her body was tightly bound by something, and a little bit of vitality was being sucked away from her heart.The days to come are like a barren desert, with no hope and no end.

When the two of them were looking at each other with frowning faces, suddenly there was a sound of footsteps outside, and Zili and Jia Zheng stood up abruptly as if they had been triggered.Standing at the door was the little girl from Mother Jia's side. She held a plate and said with a smile: "I can't afford the big gift from the second master and the second grandma. I saw that no one thought that the second master had rested." I dare not make a sound. My wife asked me to send something to the second master and second grandmother."

Jia Zheng has already returned to his normal expression: "I went out for a day, and when I came back, I greeted my wife, but said that my wife was tired and took a rest, so I didn't dare to disturb her. Why is my wife asking you to deliver something now? You will pick her up tomorrow." What is it that wants you to come here at night." Jia Zheng called Ming Qian and immediately brought the little girls in.

The little girl pursed her lips and smiled: "Today, the kitchen made Erye's favorite shad fish. During dinner, my wife thought that Erye likes to eat and specially saved it, so she sent it over when she was not at home. He told me to wait for the second master to come back, or to have supper. I saw that the light was still on and came over."

Jia Zheng heard that it was shad, and his eyes lit up: "It's a good thing, thank you madam for thinking of me, you go back." Zili winked at Ming Qian, and Ming Qian took a handful of money to the little girl: " You take it, I'll ask the girl to take you back." The little girl quickly thanked the reward, and followed a girl out.

Although Jia Zheng lived well in Shanyin County, transportation was not developed at that time, and it was impossible to eat shad and seafood in a remote county.When I came to Jinling, because it was the old lady's filial piety, I didn't dare to eat and drink big fish and meat. The whole family had to eat vegetarian food to mourn.Hearing that there was something delicious to eat all of a sudden, Jia Zheng must have seduced the gluttons, and was busy asking people to eat it.

"Although I didn't catch up with the time to eat fresh, it's worse and more flavorful. I remember you also like to eat this. It's just that the old lady's filial piety period has not passed and she can't drink alcohol. If it is placed under the window we usually face the moon, drink a few It’s also good to have a cup of fun.” The comfort of delicious food temporarily calmed Jia Zheng’s inner anxiety.

But Zili has no appetite for the things in front of her, of course she likes delicious food.But no matter how good things are, she is not in the mood right now, that little girl's face just now kept shaking in front of Zili, she suddenly asked Mingqian: "That girl just now, why do I look so familiar?"

"I also look familiar, but I can't think of a little girl. Why did grandma suddenly think of asking this? Ever since grandma and the second master went out, a lot of people have been added to the family. Many of the girls before have gone out when they are old. Naturally, some new ones have to be added. I think since she got married after the rain, there should be a few more people around grandma." Mingqian looked at the group of people around Mrs. Zhang, and felt that Zili could not lose face but also kept up. The dignity of two big girls.

"What do you want so many people to do, I don't dare to feel uncomfortable anymore. They are all rooted here, how could they be willing to go out with me to endure hardships. I think Xiaoai and Mint are getting along very well, please teach me well They." Zili didn't think much of Jia's servants.

"Don't tell me grandma, it's different now when I go out, many people rush up to show their hospitality. I was puzzled at first, but then I realized that they all have girls working there. How many people are thinking about the absence of grandma when they go out after the rain?" Son. Seeing that the second master is getting promoted step by step, why don't they plan for their own daughter?" Mingqian and Zili murmured about the changes in the mansion these days, Jia Daishan Ding You went home and squatted at home, Jia She was a lazy person Well, the official Jia Daishan got for Jia She was fishing for three days and drying the net for two days, and he dealt with the matter randomly every day.There are two young masters in a family, one has been promoted to magistrate in two years, and the other is running around in circles. The servants of the Jia family are most sensitive to the direction of the wind.They saw Zili's Yuhou who could wear gold and silver all day long after getting married, and was in charge of the fields outside, and they all wanted to find a good job for their daughter.Therefore, Ming Qian became the object of their flattery.

"Forget it, we can't afford such a snobby servant. In the future, if you need a girl, it's better to buy it directly." Jia Zheng listened to the conversation between Mingqian and Zili and thought about the situation of the past two years, and suddenly lost his good mood, and left When the chopsticks were tired after talking, they washed and rested.

The curtains were lowered, and Zili looked at Jia Zheng, whose eyes were closed by the pillow as if he had fallen asleep, and silently turned over.Suddenly, a pair of arms hugged Zili tightly behind his back, and Jia Zheng's voice rang in his ears: "I know you're unhappy, and I'm not willing to keep Zhu'er. But I——I can't disobey my father." meaning.” In Jia Zheng’s mind, Jia Daishan has absolute authority that cannot be challenged.

Zili turned over and slipped into Jia Zheng's arms, she wept silently until the tears soaked everything and she stopped sobbing: "I know, it's definitely better to be in Jinling than to follow us in Qingzhou. Look at the current situation. The emperor has been sick several times this year. We don’t know what Wei Wang’s plan is to stay away from before, but we have seen it clearly in Shanyin County for a few years. He is sending people to hoard food and grass And drugs, buying horses at high prices, isn’t this a plan to rebel? If——we were the first to be unlucky at that time. If Pearl is put here, even if something happens to us, his grandparents can treat him badly .”

Jia Zheng touched Zili's face with a handkerchief: "You really shame me, I just thought you were simply loving the child. I didn't expect you to see farther than I did. Yesterday, Mr. Zhou and Mr. Shan talked to me for a long time. You also have your thoughts on the political situation. Even my father didn't see it so clearly, but I didn't expect you to have such insight at home." Jia Zheng sighed deeply at Zili's insight.At this moment, a child's cry pierced the silent night sky, and Zili sat up abruptly—Jia Zhu always went to bed on time and didn't wet the bed, so why did she suddenly cry in the middle of the night.

Jia Zheng heard his son cry, his face changed a few times, and before Zili could speak, he had already put on his clothes and got out of bed.Under the dim light, Zili saw that Jia Zheng's face was not right, and hurriedly asked someone to follow him out. After a while, Jia Zheng came in holding the sad Jia Zhu who was crying. He put Jia Zhu in Zili's arms and faced him. The girls and women who were at a loss: "Don't dare to work for your ancestors, you all go out." Several women who served Jia Zhu knelt outside and begged for mercy, and they were so noisy that they couldn't hear what they said.Zili hugged the child in surprise, seeing Jia Zheng's dark anger, she didn't know what to say for a moment.

"If I didn't see it myself, I still don't know that these diabolical slaves are abusing children. You tell them to shut up. If it alarms the wife to watch me skin them." Jia Zheng yelled at Ming Qian, who was busy. Go out and pop.Jia Zheng sat on the bed angrily and told Zili about the situation just now. Jia Zhu was still crying on the bed, and Jin Fu's family lay impatiently on the bed, cursing the crying Jia Zhu in a low voice. The original nanny, Mrs. Dong, could only stand outside and look at Jia Zhu who was crying helplessly.Jia Zheng's face turned red when he saw Jia Zhu, and the blood all over his body rushed to his head. He grabbed Jin Fu's family and kicked him desperately on the ground a few times to hug him. It’s time to drag it out and feed it to the dogs.” Then he left.

Well, Zili was furious when she heard Jia Zheng's words. She just wanted to have a fit and ask someone to deal with those hateful servants immediately, but she opened her mouth and swallowed back the words: "Don't disturb Madam. . Let’s talk about it tomorrow.”

It's a pity that Jia's mother was still disturbed, only heard the sound of footsteps outside, and then Jia's mother's angry voice: "You still have the face to cry, don't think that you dare to break ground on the master's head when your wings are hardened and you have face. Drag them all out and beat them to death!"

Zili laughed angrily at what Jia Mu said, who was she scolding?Is it her and Jia Zheng's who belong to Jin Fu's family?This night cannot be quiet.