Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

Baoyu suddenly found himself falling into Shixiang's pit, Baoyu was clever, before waiting for the nanny and mother to speak, he took the good attitude of admitting his mistake, and bowed his hands to Shixiang: "Please don't be angry, brother, sister Lin She is weak, what should you do if you pull her and fall like this. I was worried that something would happen to you, so I said what I said." Baoyu looked sincerely at Zili's expression of "I'm a good boy."Zili watched the drama of the three children in front of him and smiled secretly, Shixiang also likes Lin girl.

Zili came out to smooth things over: "Don't argue here, I can hear it very clearly. People must have empathy. You, sister Lin, grew up pampered and spoiled by her grandmother, and you were born to meet you, a devil, and you are not allowed to bully me in the future." Your sister. Shixiang is very sensible, you are an older brother, don’t be as knowledgeable as Baoyu, I’ll ask your uncle to teach him a lesson.” Zili reached out and patted Shixiang’s shoulder, turned to Baoyu and said, “Aren’t you so open-minded? How can I deal with you."

A dispute between the children subsided in this way, and Zili took Daiyu with one hand and Shixiang with the other, and came to Jia Mu. Jia Mu smiled and said: "We have watched several plays, how many do you order?" Show us the play." Zili handed Daiyu to Jia Min, and took the list of plays with a smile: "I've never been very good at ordering plays, so let the old lady order." Jia Mu said, "" You are the housekeeper all day, and you still have to be filial to me, so you should be relaxed. I am an elderly person, which is different from the drama you like. Just order it."

Zili brought over the play list, and Jia Mu and Jia Min ordered mostly literary plays, so she just casually pointed out a few hilarious and witty fights such as making troubles in the Heavenly Palace. Stop making noise and just stare at the stage and wait for the show to start.Zili called the nanny and the maids and told them to take care of the child and stop bickering.She stood up and gave Jia Mu a wink, and Jia Mu said to Jia Min, "You stay here and watch the show with Yu'er first, and I will come when I go." She held Zili's hand and left.

At the back, Zili told all the waiters to go out, and asked Bixi and Qiufen to guard the doors and windows, and then selected some important words from Shixin to tell Jiamu.Mother Jia was worried for a while when she heard this, and her tone was a little regretful: "Actually, when I told Zhuer about my marriage, I meant that one more thing is worse than one less thing. Girls from the Li family are good, but girls from other families have better ones." , and ended up making a fuss with us, and even ended up having an enmity. What should we do now?"

Zili knew that Jia's mother didn't want to cause trouble, but just wanted to finish the job quickly. She comforted Jia's mother and said, "Actually, don't worry, old lady. I think the emperor Shengming Zhuzhao will not be partial to one side. What kind of character is Li Shouzhong? In the end, everyone has their own opinions. Li Shouzhong can hide it for a while, but he can't hide it for the rest of his life. Let's hold back for now, and our family's popularity is not extremely bad. Is it possible that everyone only believes what he says, but not their own eyes? I think I want to arrange a wedding for Zhu'er as soon as possible, so as to save nights and dreams. And the marriage needs to be arranged in a big way. I am not partial to Zhu'er, but let the people in the world see who is ungrateful, mean and ungrateful. You must know that there was no His elder brother Li Shouyi gave up his future, and a scholar went to serve as a soldier and used his own salary to support him in his studies. This Li Shouzhong doesn't know where to beg for food. Even if Li Shouyi didn't pay for his education, he was the widow of his younger brother to take care of his elder brother It should be with the children. When the time comes when he plans to be mean to his sister-in-law and nephew, let alone the circle of scholars, even those who are busy will look down on him."

Mother Jia listened and pondered for a while before she nodded: "I'm getting older and timid, and I've become the most fearful. But I can't watch others bully our family. Since that Li Shouzhong has torn us apart , we can’t follow other people’s bullying. You should organize a wedding for Zhu’er, and let everyone in the capital see it. Actually, Zhu’er is not too young, and tomorrow, when the Spring Festival opens, the girl will come to the palace to wait for her. If there are more things to choose, there is still time to arrange weddings for Zhuer. Why don’t we hurry up and arrange the wedding while there is still some time before the end of the year? .”

"Don't worry about the old lady, I have already slowly made preparations for Zhu'er's marriage. The most important thing now is to ask Mr. Yin Yang to choose an auspicious day, and make an appointment with the in-laws over there. I have one more thing to ask Under the advice of the old lady, Lian'er and Zhu'er are about the same age, so it's better to have the two marriages together. If the old lady and the elder over there agree, I'll talk to my third brother to see what he thinks." Zili thought Seeing that two troubles are not as good as one time, I plan to do it together.

Jia's mother also thought it was a good idea: "Okay, it's very good. Double happiness! I'll go and talk to you over there."

Jiamu and Zili came out one after the other. When the play on the stage was in full swing, Jiamu told Mrs. Xing about Jia Lian and Jiazhu's plan to marry a wife together. "Lian'er was not born to me, I have to ask Lian'er's father to decide."

Jia's mother didn't say anything, but Zili knew that Mrs. Xing said this because she was worried that Jia Lian's wedding gift would be mixed up with this one.She smiled and said: "Actually, it's not too much trouble. I think the Grand Master has many friends, so it's better for relatives to sit in the main courtyard. The Grand Master's relatives entertain in the Grand Master's yard, and my relatives and friends are here. On the other hand, the division is clear and refreshing, and it just saves a lot of trouble. Especially relatives and friends, our family has two daughters-in-law coming in at once, and they will complain in their hearts that they will give out two gifts in a row. It makes people think We covet other people's things."

After listening to Zili's words, Mrs. Xing let go of her mouth a little: "I'm also in poor health, so I can't help you with cooking."

In the afternoon, Jia Min took Daiyu away first, Zili asked someone to take Shixin and Shixiang home, Shixiang clung to Zili and moaned, "Can I invite sister Lin to my house?"

Zili nodded Shixiang's head: "You have to tell your father about this, but wait for your sister from the Lin family to come to me, and I will ask someone to pick you up." Hearing Zili's words, Shixiang smiled happily, and then Follow Shixin bouncing away.

In the evening, Zili talked to Jia Zheng, and Jia Zheng frowned, and almost dropped his teacup angrily: "I wanted to leave him a way out, but he came up more and more. It’s not like being bullied by others, this beast in human skin will see how God punishes him. I’ll contact a few people and impeach Li Shouzhong.” Jia Zheng’s buttocks were so angry that he couldn’t sit still, and he couldn’t even eat dinner. If you eat, you have to go to the study to write some notebooks.

Zili hurriedly called Jia Zheng: "You stand still, people think there is some big news when you go out so recklessly. You will impeach Li Shouzhong at this meeting, what are you saying about him? What is the matter of him impeaching you?" The secret paper on the paper, the emperor will know if you will join him in the paper. You should be calm and calm down, and let's talk about Zhu'er's marriage. In fact, people like Li Shouzhong care about their own the most. He has a good reputation, he has always been good at acting in front of people, and many people are kept in the dark by him. Why don't you tell him to expose himself and slap him in the face! Let's see how he can gain a foothold in the court."

Jia Zheng calmed down slowly, sat down obediently and said to Zili, "Madam is right, I have also heard some rumors recently. Lao Fang is a good man, he even talked to me about Zhu My son's marriage, told me to hurry up, he was still in a hurry to have a wedding. I thought he was joking at the time, but now that I think about it carefully, Lao Fang wanted to remind me. I was busy with errands, so I didn't Take it to heart. When Zhu'er gets married, I'm going to invite the same year, who can come to the court, to have a wedding wine with her. Give Li Shouzhong a good time at that time."

Zili glanced at Jia Zheng, thinking to himself that he had just gotten better.The most taboo in official circles is to act emotionally, and finally Jia Zheng was not overwhelmed by anger and messed up.She thought that Li Shouzhong must have found out that Li Wan's marriage to the Huang family was not as good as he had imagined when he made a decision to impeach Jia Zheng at this juncture.Who is Fatty Huang? He has been in business for several generations. He has grown from a humble man to a wealthy businessman.Fatty Huang smiled and looked like Maitreya Buddha, but his eyelashes were actually hollow.When Li Wan came to Huang's house, he was afraid that if he didn't get the money, his own family would not benefit.

Nowadays, talent, learning, ability and connections are indispensable for being an official. Li Shouzhong doesn't evaluate his knowledge, but neither ability nor connections work.If you want to climb up with a rich in-law who can help you with money, Lao Huang is a Pixiu, and it is impossible to scrape money from him.Li Shouzhong wants to find a fat job recently, not to mention that someone blows the wind in front of him, or Li Shouzhong wants to discuss business with Jia's family.It's not about buying and selling, Zili won't accept threats.

"Since it's so quick to prepare the meal, I'm hungry." The voice of Jia Zheng telling the maids to prepare the meal interrupted Zili's train of thought, and she suddenly remembered that Jia Zheng didn't eat at her place.With a dark face, Zili wanted to drive Jia Zheng out: "I won't eat tonight. I'm going to watch a play and drink with the old lady today. It's still busy. You'd better go back and ask Aunt Zhou to send you to dinner."

Jia Zheng quit immediately, and he just lay down on the table: "I also drank a lot of wine, and my stomach feels uncomfortable. I just thought that the food here is light. When I go back, there is another greasy meal on the table. Why bother?" Telling them to torment me is not enough for me. You go and tell me that I won't go back to eat." Jia Zheng pointed to a little girl beside him and told her to pass the message.

Zili didn't care about Jia Zheng's pretentiousness, but just flicked the foam on the tea bowl with a calm face and expressionless: "Aunt Zhou and Aunt Wang are both good cooks, you just go there. I'm just a rough benzene here. Mother-in-law, what can I eat?"

But Jia Zheng came and refused to leave, and while he was chattering, he saw the girl outside and said, "Master Zhu and the eldest girl are here." Hearing his daughter and son coming, Jia Zheng coughed unnaturally. Putting on the airs of being an old man, he muttered depressedly in his heart: "What are you doing here at this time? It's in the way." After Jia Zhu and Yuan Chun came in together to salute Zili and Jia Zheng, Yuan Chun looked at his father's face and looked Seeing her mother with drooping eyelids, she winked at Jia Zhu with her expressionless face.

Without waiting for Jia Zhu to speak, Zili asked first, "What are you guys doing here at this time? You haven't stopped after a day of trouble."

Jia Zhu was looking for something to talk to and pulled with Ziliha.Yuan Chun took the opportunity to sit next to Jia Zheng, and the father and daughter murmured. Yuan Chun looked at Jia Zheng with a strange expression, and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong with father, he looks a little bad?"

Jia Zheng said weakly: "It's nothing, have you eaten?"

Yuan Chun immediately understood what was going on and said to Jia Zheng: "Although I have eaten dinner, I'm afraid I haven't eaten yet looking at my father's appearance. I look at my mother's kitchen and haven't passed dinner yet, and my father probably hasn't either." Let's eat. Why don't you see my mother talking about the meal?" Yuan Chun played stupid in front of Lao Tzu.Everyone in the Rong Mansion knew that the second master and the second wife ate separately.

Listening to the teasing in his daughter's words, Jia Zheng was angry and laughed at the same time. He gritted his teeth and complained to Yuan Chun: "Your mother is driving me out. When did I become a person who never tires of food? Yes, I also like a light diet. As the saying goes, if you bite the roots, you can do everything. Am I the kind of person who seeks enjoyment? Your mother is lucky that she has light dishes and wants to eat alone." Jia Zheng half-truth and half-truth The daughter complained.Yuan Chun suddenly remembered the scene when she was a child eating at the same table happily together with her family in Qingzhou.Faced with the awkwardness and indifference between their parents, Yuan Chun and Jia Zhu were both faintly worried. Although Jia Zhu and Yuan Chun had grown up, as children, they always hoped to have a truly harmonious family, not this. On the surface, he maintains tenderness and tenderness, but on the inside he is extremely indifferent.

Yuan Chun thought about it, she turned her eyes, and looked at Jia Zheng with a smile that was not a smile: "If I can ask my mother to stay with my father for dinner, how about my father taking me on a horse?"

Jia Zheng was a little moved when he heard the conditions offered by his daughter, but his old-fashioned temper began to flare up again. Jia Zheng slammed his lips and rubbed his hands in embarrassment: "You are a big girl, and recently your mother said that you need to be educated." Mammy taught you the rules a lot, and you should calm your temper. As for riding a horse, I don’t care if I say it alone. Why don’t we wait for the day when your mother is in a better mood, and how about we beg her together?” Jia Zheng turned to his daughter Speak bureaucratically, play Tai Chi.Listening to Jia Zheng's words, Yuan Chun ruthlessly demolished the situation: "Why did father use the routines in the officialdom at home? Although my mother told me to learn the rules from the nuns seriously, she didn't object to me going out for a walk at all. It's just that Don’t worry about those who follow me. If my father takes me, my mother will be at ease. When I came, I discussed with my brother and waited for the opportunity to go to Xishan to see the red leaves with my family. At that time, there was no one else outside. I don’t want to be an eyesore with my brother. It’s a pity that my father doesn’t want to go. Anyway, I came over after dinner and have nothing to do with my mother. I’d better take my father home first.” Said Yuan Chun pretending to send Jia off politics out.

Jia Zheng panicked immediately, and quickly pulled Yuan Chun's wrist: "Wait, is what you discussed with your brother true?"

"If it's not steamed, it can't be boiled. As children, how dare we lie in front of our father?" Seeing that Jia Zheng was about to take the bait, Yuan Chun turned on the fire and tried to fool her father.Jia Zheng immediately became dizzy, and swallowed the bait in one gulp.

"Okay, okay, I'll take you out to play. You have to help me speak nicely in front of your mother. Jia Zheng nodded his head immediately, and jumped into his daughter's trap willingly.

The corners of Yuan Chun's eyes and brows were filled with pride, she threw herself beside Zili, and said to Zili, "Has mother not eaten yet? That's just right, my brother and I will also have a meal with mother. When my brother and I are not at home Too much, I couldn’t have a meal with my mother. I’m back now, but my brother is also at home, so why don’t we have a meal together. It’s nice for our family to sit around and have a good time together Ah. It’s like when I was in Qingzhou before, when my brother and I went out to play and caught small fish and shrimps, we brought them home and made extra meals at night.” Yuanchun said with a look of yearning, and took advantage of Zili’s eyes. The one who winked and gestured at his elder brother told Jia Zhu to follow and coax Zili to beg Jia Zheng to stay.

"Oh, listening to what my sister said, I feel hungry even after eating. I only drank half a bowl of porridge tonight, and I always feel that something is missing. I beg my mother to reward me with more food." Jia Zhu also Following Yuan Chun, he took Zili's arm and acted like a baby.

Zili looked like a mirror in her heart, she looked at Jia Zhu and Yuan Chun with a half-smile: "The people you serve are all free, and it's this time that I still don't serve you. It looks like I'm really old, but Even your affairs are troublesome. Tomorrow I will ask someone to replace all the girls around you, and even the nanny is not doing their best. Let them go home and take care of themselves!"

Yuan Chun and Jia Zhu saw that Zili was soft and stubborn, Yuan Chun immediately threw himself on Zili and said coquettishly, "Mother is real, but people have no friends when they are careful. It's boring to explain things plainly. My brother and I are just here at this time." I want to discuss something with my mother. Since our family came to the capital, it is as deep as the sea, and we don’t know the Wei and Jin Dynasties. I heard from my brother that although the scenery in the capital is not as good as the scenery in the south, it is not as beautiful and unique as that in Qingzhou. But the autumn colors on the West Mountain can still be seen. On a sunny day, you can still see the scene of the forests being completely dyed. My brother and I are thinking about finding a time for our family to go to the West Mountain to enjoy the autumn colors.”

How could she have time to play, Zili felt that she was about to be overwhelmed by trivial matters, but when she saw Yuan Chun's expectant eyes, she suddenly thought that if she didn't go now, she didn't know if she would have a chance to go out with the family together in the future.The last time their family traveled was in Qingzhou.Looking at Zili, Jia Zheng lowered his head and hurriedly added anger: "Actually, the child's request is not too much. I used to think that if I could work in the capital, our family's life would be better. Unexpectedly, things backfired, and our family Although people are under the same roof, they seem to be separated by mountains. It’s better to be a small official outside and let the whole family be at ease.”

Jia Zheng sighed and suddenly said something that frightened everyone present: "It would be great if we could move out!" Zili and the children were all stunned, it was so surprising that these words came out of Jia Zheng's mouth up.Zili almost wanted to grab Jia Zheng to check carefully, he must not be possessed by aliens.

In the end, Jia Zheng stayed to eat, and the family sat together, Zili talked about preparing for Jia Zhu's marriage, Yuan Chun was happy with his brother, but Jia Zheng didn't say anything, just ate every mouthful seriously.

Now that the family had decided to go out for a walk, Zili took advantage of the gap between preparations for Jia Zhu and Jia Lian's marriage to think about how to speak to Jia's mother, but unfortunately, after thinking about it for a long time, he still couldn't open his mouth.In this day and age, there is no concept of a small family. If Zili and Jia Zheng directly told Jia Mu that the five of us would go out for a day.Guess Jia Mu didn't speak, so Jia Zheng and Zili couldn't open their mouths.Well, it's unfilial for the juniors to run away regardless of the elders.

If they went out secretly, since Jia Zheng and Jia Zhu were men, it would be convenient for them to go out.But Zili and Yuanchun couldn't make it. Whose wife or lady would go out casually, but she still had to talk to Jia Mu and bring a group of women and girls to follow.Zili felt a little worried.Before he could come up with a good excuse, it was Jia Zheng's birthday.

It was Jia Jing's birthday. Jia Zhen had invited Jia's mother to drink and watch a play early in the morning. When it was busy, she suddenly saw Lai Da rushing over. When she arrived at the banquet, she said to Jia Zheng, "Second Master, there is someone in the palace. The emperor announced that the master is entering the palace!"