Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

Zili looked at Baoyu's reaction coldly, and thought that Baoyu would come to him to defend Qingwen, but unfortunately Baoyu just sighed in his room for a few days without making a single move, Xiren pretended to be a good person in front of Baoyu once, calling Someone took Qingwen's things and sent them to her, and even pooled some money with a few girls and gave them to Qingwen.To Zili's surprise, Baoyu didn't touch him at all, but was so depressed that he didn't know what he was thinking.

Baoyu pretends to be dead and can hide, but unfortunately Zili can't, she has to face Jiamu, because Qingwen is Baoyu's big girl who has been appointed by Jiamu.She kicked Qingwen out so vigorously, it still matters what Jia's mother thinks.Zili could only bite the bullet and went to Jiamu to explain Qingwen's matter.

"Actually, the girl Qingwen is pretty good at sewing, and she's considered the top in our family. It's just that she is talented but not virtuous, and she became crazy because she was born better than others. She opened her mouth to scold the girls in the yard, If something is wrong, just raise your eyes and scold people! How can there be such a thing in our family? If outsiders see it, they will think that our reputation of being kind to servants is fake. If she really becomes Baoyu's roommate in the future, I don't know How to make a fuss. The family is in harmony and everything is prosperous. When Baoyu gets married, the bride will face her as soon as she enters the door, and there will be a lot of gossip." Zili made it clear to Jia's mother that Qingwen was Fang'er's second. Without virtue, ambition, and hostility, it will only be an unstable factor in a place like Jia's.

After hearing Zili's words, Jia's mother probably understood that Qingwen's hoof was spoiled, and she was no longer the innocent girl she used to be.She sighed and said to Zili: "Forget it, it's all because she is unlucky. I thought she was pretty good at the time, she was smart and smart at a young age, and she was better than anyone else in her needlework. I thought it would be good to serve Baoyu in the future, Don’t people say that wives are virtuous and concubines are beautiful? It’s because I favor Baoyu. But she has changed.”

"Don't be too sad, the old lady. Qingwen didn't control everything. I won't treat her badly. I told her family to treat Qingwen kindly. I absolved her slavery and told them to choose a good family to marry. Son-in-law I have to see it, there is nothing wrong with it before we can get married. She is here to wait for a while, just give her some dowry money so that she can let it go out." Zili did not treat Qingwen badly, and arranged her future affairs.

"It's still your thoughtfulness, that's all. Just do as you want. Give her a few taels of silver as a dowry. Can you arrange the people in Baoyu's room now?" Mother Jia asked Baoyu's side waiter girl.

"Now Xiren Sheyue and the others are serving. In fact, the girls are not like that. Since they are a little cautious in the young master's room, it is expected. I think Xiren is still dedicated to Baoyu no matter what. If she It’s Baoyu’s blessing to be able to keep his own place.” In terms of being a man of the city, Xiren is better, but from Zili’s point of view, Xiren is a better employee.Knowing how to measure and keeping one's own is a conscious defender of the existing rules.

"Xi Ren's appearance is second-class, and she is honest. But that's fine." Jiamu sighed, she still likes delicate girls, so she still has the most beautiful appearance in choosing a girl for Baoyu.

Zili didn't say anything, and wentssip with Jia's mother for a while before leaving.Waiting for Zili to come back, she saw Daiyu and Sanchun waiting for her.Seeing Zili approaching, Tanchun said with a smile: "Madam came from the old lady's side, she must be tired, let's drink some tea to moisten herself first." As Daiyu brought the tea, Yingchun and Xichun supported Zili to sit down.

Surrounded by a few girls, Zili smiled and said, "Today you are all well-equipped, why did you all come all of a sudden? Don't tell me, let me guess! You probably have something to ask of me."

Zili has always loved them, so the girls are very close to Zili. Daiyu and Tanchun looked at each other and smiled: "Madam Shengming, the day after tomorrow is Yun girl's birthday—" Tanchun couldn't help but look at her halfway. Zili's expression.

It turned out to be this, that day Xiangyun felt that she had caused a catastrophe, so she was a little embarrassed, and when she came to Jia's house, she went home.For the past few days, she had been hiding in her room depressed, and she was too embarrassed to talk to Zili. Seeing that Xiangyun was depressed, Jia's mother asked her several times, but Xiangyun didn't dare to say anything.Seeing that her birthday is coming, Jia's mother forgets Daiyu's birthday because of worrying about her marriage, so Xiangyun can't mention it.On the contrary, Daiyu and Tanchun sisters were thinking about her, so they made an appointment to intercede for her in front of Zili.

Zili's original intention was to teach Xiangyun to be good, but seeing Daiyu and Sanchun came today, she didn't care about it anymore, she smiled and said: "I actually forgot, so I'm old! If that's the case, why don't you take advantage of the opportunity to have fun?" After a while, I'll go and ask the old lady, if the old lady is in the mood, I invite her to come and sit down." Zili called the housekeeper to order to celebrate Xiangyun's birthday.Daiyu, Tanchun and others listened to Zili's words, the wind and rain were gone, and everyone felt relieved.

After talking for a while, Daiyu and others left, Zili called Qingwen's family to inquire about the situation, and ordered Qingwen to find a good husband's family.In the afternoon, Xiangyun came to Zili with embarrassment. Seeing Xiangyun's helpless look in front of her, Zili sighed and said, "What are you doing standing there? Come to me." Xiangyun stood there and hesitated. Then he moved to Zili, lowered his head and fiddled with the clothes belt: "Ma'am, I was wrong. I have no parents since I was a child, and I have only lived a few days comfortably with the old lady. Please look at me when I am young." For the sake of parental education—”

Zili waved his hand and interrupted Xiangyun's words: "You child, that's all, as long as you know your mistakes, you should correct it. You have no parents since you were a child, and everyone loves you and refuses to criticize you. Although it is a good intention, it may not be a good thing for you. , you are young and open-mouthed, and you can’t see many things clearly. Don’t be so impulsive in the future, it’s better for girls to be more stable and dignified.” Zili stretched out his hand and asked Xiangyun to sit beside her, and reasoned with her: “I listen You complained to your uncles and aunts, saying that they made you work. In fact, your uncles and aunts are very kind to you, and they sincerely treat you like their own daughter. The duty of a girl is to be a needlewoman, we Although such a family does not require the girls to do everything by themselves, the old lady also said that the girls should know what they should know, and don't go to her husband's house to be manipulated. Like your sister Lin, she is not strong enough to do work, but needlework I don’t praise every work. I know your dexterity, but your uncle and aunt’s own daughters all do the same work, and you seem to be a family and amiable when you do it with them. I know your aunt is a thrifty person , you are tired, I want to ask you to come and stay for a few days. Just don’t complain anymore. Think about your cousins ​​who are doing the same work and have no one to pick them up to play. Even if they have no other ideas, Everyone is the same, but you are more relaxed than them, so what do people think?" Xiang Yun slowly lowered his head, smacking at the meaning in Zili's words.Although Xiangyun is pitiful, she is very lucky. Mother Jia and her uncles and aunts think that Xiangyun will be more doting on her without her parents.There is always a difference between treating other people's children and your own children.

For one's own children, it's okay to scold and beat them for making mistakes, but for other people's children, you have to think about it. Shi Xiangyun's uncle and aunt dare not say that to their own children because they are jealous of Jia's mother. she.Mother Jia likes to dote on children, and she loves Xiangyun even more, so Xiangyun has a seemingly heartless personality, but is actually very good at observing words and expressions.

After listening to Zili's words, Xiangyun felt that even though he lost his parents, his life was more comfortable than that of his cousins. After a long time, people naturally didn't want to see him, but he still foolishly complained about his uncle and aunt.Although the uncle and aunt complained a lot in their hearts, they still treated her wholeheartedly, and did not treat her poorly in food and clothing, and usually took her with them for any entertainment.Sometimes even my own daughter has to be behind.This time Xiangyun's talking about Baoyu and Daiyu's affairs is also her own selfishness. Xiangyun is angry that she is not as important as Daiyu in Baoyu's heart.But she forgot Daiyu's love for her, and even more forgot that Daiyu is a girl's family, and her reputation is also important.

Thinking of this, Xiangyun was ashamed: "I remember what my wife said. I have never been taught by my parents since I was a child. Fortunately, my wife can treat me sincerely."

Seeing that Xiangyun knew he was wrong, Zili slowed down his tone: "You are a smart boy, I like you from the bottom of my heart. You used to be young, so I won't talk about it, and you can't let your temper take hold in the future." Zili instructed Xiangyun had some good words, Xiangyun was convinced after hearing this, and said that he would definitely stop playing his temper.

The next day, the new clothes for Xiangyun's birthday were ready, and the sisters all gave them presents. Mother Jia was very excited when she heard that Zili was going to celebrate Xiangyun's birthday, so she promised to come to the theater and have a drink.Everyone was discussing, when they suddenly saw Ping'er and Zhou Rui's family coming, it turned out that it was Grandma Liu who came to visit Zili.When Jia's mother asked, Zili said, and Jia's mother smiled and said, "I want to talk to an elderly person all day long. Since he is your relative, I will meet him too." Zili agreed to go out and ask Grandma Liu of Zhou Rui's family. How come.Zhou Rui's family said: "I haven't heard from them in the past few years. It sounds like they have moved to the countryside. I found her at my door somehow today. I don't think she is very proud of her life. I am afraid she is here to play the autumn wind. If the old lady sees How can you save your wife's face?" There is a poor relative in the illustrious Wang's family, who even goes to Zili's mother-in-law to act obediently and make a fool of herself, isn't this embarrassing for Zili?

Zili waved his hand: "Who doesn't have a poor relative. After all these years, she can still think about it, so let's invite her." Zili doesn't care at all that people know that she has a poor relative, and the face is given by herself, isn't it? other people.Moreover, Grandma Liu is a person worthy of association, why should she stick to her birth status.

When Grandma Jia saw Grandma Liu, she just thought it was funny, and when Grandma Liu opened her mouth, Grandma Jia liked it even more.Where did Yingchun and other sisters have heard of Grandma Liu's words, they were also attracted by her words, and even Baoyu, who had been dazed for the past few days, was also attracted by Grandma Liu's little stories about human relationships and sophistication, and listened to them with gusto.

Mother Jia finally got someone to talk to, so she would not let Grandma Liu go home, she waved her hand: "You don't have to rush home, I also have a garden here, my grandniece's birthday is tomorrow, we just take advantage of this opportunity Have a good day, and I will take you for a stroll."

"That's a good thing, it's just that I'm a joke because I don't have a face." Grandma Liu was born with some knowledge, and when she saw that Jia's mother liked it, she was happy to make fun of it, so Zili hurriedly asked someone to arrange her to stay.Because Sister Feng is due to give birth in these few days, neither Zili nor Jia's mother will ask her to come out, and Zili will help arrange all the affairs.

The next morning, Mother Jia brought everyone here. Li Jin was leading the girls to clean the garden. The premature birth really suffered a lot, but fortunately, she is still young and has not suffered from the root cause of the disease, so it will be fine after a period of recuperation. "It's the wife and the old lady who love me and tell me to stay in bed for a few months before I'm allowed to go out. If it's not good, it means I have no conscience." Li Jin smiled and supported Mother Jia.

Mother Jia pointed to the scenery in the garden and said to Grandma Liu that Grandma Liu listened carefully, and everyone followed Mother Jia to see Grandma Liu making jokes.Suddenly, Zili came over with a few people with ugly faces.

Mother Jia asked Li Jin to take Grandma Liu and the girls around, "Is there something wrong?" Mother Jia felt ominous when she saw Zili's face.

"Yes, something happened over there. Rong's daughter-in-law died!" Zili struggled to utter a few words.

"Dead! Why didn't I hear the report!" Mother Jia was startled, and the flower she was playing with fell to the ground immediately. "She died at Prince Jing's mansion. She didn't come back last night. I heard that King Beijing was also poisoned, but she didn't dare to call the imperial doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Elder Master wanted to go over and have a look, but I tried my best to persuade you." Zili told the shocking news.