Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

Zili's heart sank, it came so fast, could it be that the king of Wei really had an internal response in the palace? ! "Mrs. Xian, I was doing accounts in the shop, and suddenly I heard the sound of someone walking. I lay on the back window and heard a lot of people going into that warehouse. There are a lot of weapons in that place. I heard that there were not many people. The young leader is someone from Prince Wei’s mansion. I came here especially to tell Mrs. Xian, and I have to rush back immediately. I followed them and said that I came out because I had a stomachache and went to the street to buy medicine, and I couldn’t delay outside The time is too long." Said that Mr. Zhou wanted to leave.

"Sir, don't go. Just now, Chang Shi from Prince Wei's mansion personally said to invite me to celebrate Qin's birthday tomorrow. That was clearly an excuse. They planned to control me so that they could negotiate the price slowly with the second master. It's just that I think the elder Shi's expression and tone don't seem to be aware of what we already know. But they are still worried about us, and they don't dare to touch me casually because I'm still useful. It's dangerous for Mr. to go, so according to me, Mr. should leave as soon as possible Go to Qingzhou City to report to the second master. I’ll prevaricate them here for a while. Tell a shop assistant to tell you that you can’t take it anymore and you need to take a rest, and you won’t come when someone from home comes.” Zili Tell Mr. Zhou to leave the place of right and wrong first.

"But if Second Grandma leaves, what will they do if they know that we have realized that it is not good for you? How can I just walk away with Second Master's salary? I want to advance and retreat with Dong Weng. I will not leave Qingzhou City! "Mr. Zhou jumped up immediately, and Zili felt that it was the old man who knew people well and recommended such a capable and loyal person.

"This is the end of the matter, sir, don't argue with me. I can't watch you die. The salary you get is because you loyally help the second master with his affairs. You don't want to put your life in it. Come and take Mr. Zhou Find Second Master!" With a wave of his hand, Zili called several people to surround Mr. Zhou and leave.Not to mention that Mr. Zhou was sent out of the city after his beard was shaved off and his clothes changed, Zili started to arrange the deployment of troops at home.The emperor sent a bodyguard with the emperor's handwritten letter and told Zili to leave Qingzhou City with the children. Zili read the letter and said to the bodyguard, "I have quietly asked someone to pick up His Highness, because Don’t dare to make a fuss and startle the people on Wei Wang’s side, so please wait a moment, general.”

The guard said: "Ma'am, don't worry too much. Everything is according to His Majesty's plan. A few soldiers and horses of King Qin have already arrived at the border of Qingzhou. As long as Qingzhou City and Wei Wangfu go back to the besieged buckets in one night, by that time, they will be defeated." The thief can only be caught without a fight. His Majesty asked Madam to take His Highness the Crown Prince and his family to escape outside the city temporarily just to ensure the safety of Madam and His Majesty the Crown Prince.” As there was a sound of footsteps outside, Xiaoai came in and shouted, “Mr. Wen personally Come with Pearl and Dalang."

As soon as Zili heard that Mr. Wen personally sent Jia Zhu and the crown prince back, he immediately got up and greeted him. Mr. Wen looked serious, and seeing Zili arched his hands and said, "The king of Wei is making trouble, I am worried about Zhu'er's safety, so I sent him back. , and ask Madam to take Zhu'er to take refuge outside the city first. I will take the scholars among the school officials to Wei Wang's mansion to scold this disloyal and unfilial thing to death." Mr. Wen cupped his hands at Zili, White Beard turned around and wanted to leave.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Wen's news was so well-informed. Zili asked someone to take Jia Zhu and the prince to leave with the guards sent by the emperor. He rushed to grab Mr. Wen's sleeve and said, "Mr. You need to deal with the matter slowly to be safe. You and the scholars in the school are pillars, and you cannot take risks easily. Now the King of Wei has not noticed that his behavior has been exposed. If Mr. Wen and the scholars suddenly ran over there Expose his face, I'm afraid it will scare the snake. I thought that if Wei Wang rebelled, he would first spread rumors to disturb people's hearts. Let the scholars stand up to stabilize people's hearts, set the record straight, and make those who take the opportunity to spread rumors out of the market, and the situation in Qingzhou City will be stable."

Mr. Wen suddenly turned his head and looked Zili up and down, and said in awe: "I didn't expect Mrs. Xian to have such a heart. I was studying for nothing. It's really embarrassing to kill. I thought Mrs. Jia was also the kind of villain who was greedy for wealth and power. After seeing Master Jia's actions in Qingzhou, I slowly felt relieved. I didn't expect to find out today that Master Jia and his wife are truly loyal people. I will follow Madam's arrangement and contact those scholars." As he spoke, Mr. Wen turned to Zili and walked away.

Looking at Mr. Wen's back, Zili suddenly remembered something, she hurriedly called Yan Xiaoer to give some instructions in a low voice.Xiao Er hurriedly nodded and said yes: "Grandma said yes, I think Mr. Wen and those talented gentlemen can only read books and don't know much about common affairs. I will help him, and it will save them from talking about it. Others can't understand." Yan Xiaoer hurriedly drove Mr. Wen out as well.

"Aniang, do you want to stay? Don't you say that we will go to Zhuangzi together for a few days? I don't want to leave Aniang. Where did Dalang's father go? Is he going to Zhuangzi too?" Jia Zhu Pulling Yuan Chun over and pulling Zili's skirt, he stared at her nervously.

Zili stretched out his hand to touch Jia Zhu's head, then looked at the bewildered Yuan Chun, and sighed silently in his heart, if he really died in Qingzhou, he wouldn't know what would happen if he left these two children behind. "You are an older brother, why are you still taking your younger sister to mess around? Quickly pack up your things and go out with Mint. When you get to Zhuangzi, you must be obedient and don't run around. If someone asks you your age and parents, don't tell them. Pearl Son, you are an older child, you should learn to take care of your younger sister so that your parents don't worry about it." Zili felt sore in his heart and suddenly stretched out his hands to hug the two children into his arms and stopped talking.

Jia Zhu realized that it was not as simple as going to the countryside for fun, so he nervously grabbed Zili's lapel: "Aniang, are we really going to live in Zhuangzi outside the city for a few days? It’s very weird, I asked the nanny and girls, none of them could tell clearly. Also, I saw a few servants dragging the blue bird out. What did she do wrong to be gagged and tied up?”

"Have you seen it all? You can slowly ask the mint blue bird what mistake you made on the road. Now time is running out, you must remember what I told you, follow the mint closely and don't walk around, meet strangers and ask Don't say anything. If your father and I didn't come to Zhuangzi, you must go to the capital to find your grandfather and uncle, you know? You take your sister and leave quickly, I have to pack up my family's affairs before I can leave. Look, it's far away from here Zhuangzi says whether it is far or not, and it takes half a day to walk. There may be troops and horses mobilized today, and you can’t leave the city if it’s too late. I asked someone to raise a few ponies on Zhuangzi, do you still have ink marks here? Be willing to go, be careful those ponies have run away." Zili took Jia Zhu's favorite ponies to divert the child's attention.Of course she was worried about abandoning the child at this time, but if she left the mansion right away, it would definitely alarm Wei Wang.If I delay for a while, I will give Jia Zhu and Yuan Chun more security.

Jia Zhu and Yuan Chun were reluctantly taken away by the nanny, while Zili pretended to be nonchalant and stood by the back door watching the child leave.Suddenly startled, the prince got into the car and jumped out of the car, and ran to Zili amid the exclamation of a group of servants.Zili hurriedly squatted down in a panic: "Why did Dalang get down, hurry up and get in the car so you don't waste time."

"Don't worry, aunt, I will definitely ask someone to take good care of Zhu'er and sister Yuanchun." The prince puffed up his chest like a little adult and promised Zili.

Zili's heart was hot, she didn't care about the superiority and inferiority, she suddenly hugged the prince into her arms and hugged him vigorously: "Your Highness is kind-hearted, so I can trust His Highness. It's getting late, please leave early, Your Highness." The prince's face flushed slightly, he took a step back in embarrassment, glanced at Zili, turned and ran away.

After seeing off the child, the atmosphere in the government office became more dignified. Zili called the remaining family members. She stood under the hanging flower door in front of the second gate and glanced at the people in front of her: "Close all the entrances and exits. I have to clean up first today." Door!" The family members at the next station held their breaths and dared not speak out.Zili said: "You look at me for being easy to talk and I won't criticize you when I make a mistake. You just think I'm just a decoration and don't know what you are thinking. I know some of you are courageous and all the money in the oil pan Those who can fish out flowers, and some are lazy and bickering, and don’t pay much attention to their errands, but like to gossip all day long. Some people, wearing a human skin for nothing, do things for the sake of glory. "As soon as Zili's words came out, the faces of the servants below were different, some were thoughtful, some changed drastically, and some tried to calm down, pretending to be okay, and just pretended to be confused: "Please grandma Make it clear that there are still people who don't have the law of the king, we will tie him up immediately."

Zili sneered when she heard this, and with a wave of her hand, Zhou Rui's family stepped forward with a few strong guards to tie up the family members inside.Those few people cried and cried out for being wronged, and Zhou Rui's family threw out a package containing some silver and land deeds. "You sold me and the second master for how much money you took. You pretended to be okay all day long, so that no one else would know. You can hide one of the things you did from me. Qian Huai, you are in the second master. What news did you hear outside the study to exchange 500 taels of silver? You falsely told the second master that Mr. Shan played tricks in the lawsuit between the Zhao and Wang families to buy the land, and asked the Zhao family to win the lawsuit and how much benefit did they receive? You think you are a native of the Jia family, and your parents are still working for the wife. Your family has been a servant of the Jia family for several lifetimes, and my seniority is higher than that of the second master. Is this what you say? You are a slave Who else do you want to talk about! Pull him out and beat him to death! Qian Huai's dirty money was divided among the people who reported him." Zili sneered with a murderous look on his face.

In fact, she has long wanted to rectify those lawless servants. Since Jia Zheng was promoted to chief envoy, many servants of Rongguo Mansion and Ningguo Mansion have found ways to come here to serve as errands, seeing that it is profitable.Jia Zheng didn't take much notice of the servants at home, but he was a filial son who couldn't save face. As long as a few family members who had served Jia's mother came over and said something, Jia Zheng could only agree.The sons of Jia's family and the slaves sent by those with ulterior motives became Zili's two concerns. One was related to the relationship between Jia Zheng and the family, and the other was to play tricks and need to put on a show in front of others.Zili could only enrich the Jia family's servants, pretend to be deaf and dumb by spreading gossip, and beat him when he couldn't see it anymore.

Today, taking advantage of King Wei's rebellion, Zili made up his mind to rectify the servants. Since everyone showed their last cards, there was no need to act. The eyeliner that King Wei and others put in was useless. The family just took the opportunity to get rid of it.When the family asked about it, they said that he died in the war.Zili wouldn't suffer from being dumb.

Seeing that Zili had suddenly changed from peaceful and indifferent to a murderous demon king, the family members standing below were frightened for a moment.Zili quickly resolved a few corrupt and lazy family members who usually provoke troubles and were either dragged out and beaten to death, or tied up and prepared to be sold.The eyeliners that others put in also took the opportunity to get rid of them.Waiting for those people to be punished, Zili said: "I got the news that the king of Wei rebelled, maybe the rebel army who is the king of Wei will be killed in a while. The second master is the order of the court. If you don't disgrace the mission, you are pitiful but you want to follow me He and the second master suffered an unreasonable disaster. I can't drag you down, you take the money and divide it up and run for your own lives."

"We don't leave grandma. Second grandma Shengming disposed of all the harmful things in the house and we have a bright future. If we leave, how can those rebels let us go easily. Let's stay and resist together! Second grandma don't worry The walls of the yamen are thick enough to withstand it for a while. How could we run away from the master at the critical moment after receiving the grace of the second master and the second mistress. We will follow grandma to fight them here." The rest of the family members all said: It was pulled out of Zili's daily calamity, thanks to the survival of Zili and Jia Zheng.Some of them had disasters, and there was only one person left in the family. Fortunately, they met Zili to survive and start a new family here.In some cases, the whole family lost their livelihood in their hometown and came to serve as slaves.Hearing that they were going to be dismissed, they were not willing to leave one by one, but they were so excited that they wanted to fight Wei Wang's rebels desperately.

The expression on Zili's face softened when she heard her family's words, and she asked someone to bring out a box of silver: "Send the elderly and children out, girls and women who want to stay can stay, and those who want to leave can take the silver and go away. Yan Xiaoer, you organize the men into two teams, and you are on duty day and night. There are weapons in the warehouse in the backyard, water and a month's supply of food in the mansion. The imperial army's counter-insurgency army has arrived outside the city of Qingzhou. Just hold on for a few days. Waiting for the rebellion to be quelled, the second master and I recommend you a future." When they heard that they could get rid of slavery and enter official careers, those family members were all eager to try, and they rushed to the palace of Wei Wang to capture Wei Wang alive and ask for credit.

Those women and maids were also excited, and shouted: "We are all serving the second grandma, and we will not leave if grandma does not leave." Zili had just arranged how to defend, and suddenly saw the gatekeeper's family come to report: "Someone knocked on the door outside and said that General Li Shouyi had come to see Second Grandma."

Li Shouyi was born as a scholar. He joined the army and was promoted very quickly in the army with generally low education level. Now he has become a general.Zili hurriedly said: "Tell him to come in." At this time, someone beside him said: "Now the enemy is inseparable from us. If grandma easily calls Li Shen to come in, what if he has already taken refuge with the people over there?"

After hearing this, Zili also hesitated for a moment, his heart is unpredictable, who can guarantee that King Wei did not bribe this honest-looking Li Shouyi.While Zili was hesitating, the people at the gate had already reported several times: "General Li Shen led more than 200 people, refused to leave in front of the door and only asked to open the door. General Li Shen said he had something important to see grandma. .” This is what must come in.Zili's head was sweating. King Wei hadn't officially declared his rebellion yet, and Qingzhou City was still in a normal state. What happened to Li Shouyi and a group of soldiers sitting in front of the Qingzhou Supreme Government?Zili wanted to go over and ask Li Shouyi what his intentions were, but she was also worried that Li Shouyi's coming here was a trick of King Wei.While hesitating, the person at the door suddenly came with an envelope: "I followed my grandma's order, saying that the second master is supervising the river work outside the city. If you have important business, you can go to the yamen of the prefect of Qingzhou, but General Li Shen refused to leave, so he told me to show this to grandma."

Zili took the envelope, the inside was a bit heavy and didn't look like a letter.Zili opened the envelope and a small jade pendant fell out. A fine white suet pendant was tied to a bright yellow wreath. On it was a wild goose feeding its own child.Zili immediately understood who called Li Shouyi, and hurriedly asked someone to invite him in.

Li Shouyi came in anxiously. He was a little surprised to see the family members who were building bunkers and sharpening their knives along the way.Seeing Zili, Li Shouyi cut straight to the point and said without any nonsense, "Madam, please go out of the city immediately. Now the gate of Qingzhou has been seized by King Wei's people, and I have obtained a token of leaving the city by pretending to surrender. Now please Madam immediately took refuge outside the city."

Unexpectedly, Li Shouyi turned out to be the emperor's man!Zili was taken aback. Li Shouyi and Jia Zheng had known each other for many years, and they always gave the impression of being a straightforward and honest person.Unexpectedly, there is a face behind her!Zili hurriedly asked: "Where is the Holy Majesty now? How is my second master?"

"The Holy Majesty went out of the city overnight, and is now in the big army camp. The second master is still on the construction site of the river project, and is rushing to the city. Time is running out, my wife should hurry up, I told them to arrest my wife, and I am delaying If you go down, you'll be exposed." Li Shouyi urged Zili to leave quickly.

Zili was a little relieved when she heard that Jia Zheng was safe for the time being. She packed up a few things, took a few girls close to her, changed into men's clothes, and rode out of the city dressed as Li Shouyi's men.Along the way, Zili saw that there were some unidentified people on the street. Some people had already started looting the shops. In front of the yamen, some people had begun to besiege the yamen with weapons. The gate of the prison had been opened, and some prisoners Has rushed to the street.It was still prosperous in the morning, and now Qingzhou has become a chaotic city of crime.

Because of the passing token issued by the King of Wei, Zili went all the way to the outside of the city smoothly, she didn't dare to stop, and flew to Zhuangzi on a flying horse.