Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

It's another new year, and there are many things at the end of the year. Zili and Jia Zheng can only return to the capital from Zhuangzi. Grandson's grandfather, during the winter solstice, many priests and congratulations have to come out to stand on duty, and there are also many relatives and friends who are old friends, students and colleagues who come to catch up on the old days are also busy all day long.

Zili wasn't idle either. Now that Mother Jia is getting older, she doesn't like to move around anymore. Mrs. Xing and Jia She have separated.So waiting for Zili to come back, Jia Mu liked to talk to her.

Coupled with the coming and going of relatives and friends every day, Zili actually got up at dawn every day and could not rest until night.On this day, Jia Zhu suddenly wrote a letter, saying that he had received the emperor's order to go to Beijing to report on his duties, and decided to bring his family back.Zili was very happy when he read the letter, when he suddenly saw Lin Zhixiao come in with a happy face: "Second wife, good news, both the second lady and the fourth lady have written to say they are going back to the capital." It turned out that Yingchun's husband Wang Mingde and Xichun's husband Zheng Both Zhongxiao and Zhongxiao will go to Beijing to report on their duties, and Yingchun and Xichun also come with them.

"It's really good news, go and tell the old lady! Go and tell the old man over there, and he said that the second girl is back. It's always a good thing for their aunt to come back." Zili helped the girl to Jia Mother went to announce the good news.Jia Mu had already got the news, and was happily talking to the girls.Seeing Zili coming, Jia Mu smiled and said, "I knew you had come to announce the good news. If I could see their sisters again, I would feel at ease when I died." Seeing Jia Mu's old appearance, Zili suddenly felt a little sad: "What did the old lady say? The blessing of the old lady is yet to come. Baoyu hasn't given birth to a great-grandson for the old lady yet." Sister Feng also came in with a smile: "Last night, the lanterns were knotted again and again. It turned out to be today's happy event."

Mrs. Xing also came over for a while, and she also brought good news that her niece Xing Xiuyan also came to the capital with Xue Biao.Jia's mother asked, "Who is this Xue Tada, but a relative of Aunt Xue's family?"

"He is Pan'er's cousin, and it is said that he is also a good boy. One year, Pan'er came to pay respects to the old lady and took him to kowtow to the old lady." Sister Feng reminded Jiamu.

"It turned out to be him. Since he is your niece and a relative of Aunt Xue's family, I asked your niece to stay here for a few days. There are more people and it's lively!" Mother Jia liked the excitement and feared the deserted more and more as she got older.She wished there were more people in the family.

"Well, I think they came because Xue Cairen gave birth to a prince, and Xue Biao brought his family to congratulate him. They also have a lot of things to do. My niece must live in Xue's old house. The old lady loves the younger generation , I would like to thank the old lady for their concern. It just depends on what they want." Mrs. Xing said hesitantly that Xing Xiuyan came to the capital with her husband, and she might not be able to live in Jia's house.

In fact, Mrs. Xing never cared about this niece. The marriage between Xiuyan and Xue Biao was also facilitated by Sister Feng and Aunt Xue.Last year, Baochai finally gave birth to a prince, and many people began to curry favor with Xue's family.When Xue Pan went out now, there were quite a few people fawning and talking.

Mrs. Xing knew that Yingchun was not close to her when she came back.Thinking of Yingchun, Jia Zhu and Xichun must be on Zili's side when they come back, but he looks weak and looks too ugly.That's why Mrs. Xing mentioned Xing Xiuyan's words, and she was using the Xue family's momentum to support herself.

After listening to Mrs. Xing's words, Jia's mother knew what she was thinking: "Forget it, the second girl is also your daughter, and you should be happy to be a mother when she comes back. Speaking of it, you should be closer to your own children." Mrs. Xing heard If Jiamu's words are mentioned, he can only claim yes.

Here Sister Feng ordered the servants to clean the house and prepare things. After hearing the news, Daiyu and Xiangyun came to Zili to inquire.Daiyu came with her daughter, and Zili saw that Daiyu and Shixiangsheng's woman was cute and cute, and she held them in her arms happily and refused to let go.Zili kept urging the girl to find some delicate gadgets for Niuniu.Daiyu said with a smile: "Auntie, don't spoil her. Being spoiled by her father at home is already going to turn the world upside down. The whole family treats her like a heart, be careful and spoil her later."

Children are cute, no wonder adults like it.When you were a child, you were also raised and raised, and Shixiang was not raised under the love of your parents.A child is the same as a young sapling. Of course, she must be taught the principles of being a human being and cultivate an indomitable spirit.But she is still so young, it is time to learn from others.You care and love her, she can feel the love of adults, and she will treat others kindly when she grows up, she has a good personality.Talking harshly to her at such a young age scared the child, and he will not be lovable in the future if he shrinks back.Zili didn't take it seriously. She looked at Niuniu kindly. Niuniu had just learned to speak. She was playing with an apple. After listening to Zili's words, she raised her long eyelashes, opened her delicate mouth, and said in a childish voice: "Yes, my wife loves Niu Niu, and Niu Niu will respect her when she grows up."

The child's sincerity and no hypocrisy made Zili's heart soften, and even Daiyu laughed along with him: "You'll just talk and coax people all day long, wait until I get back and I'll tell your father not to believe you Nonsense." Shixiang has a lovely wife and daughter, and he laughs every day.

"Daddy coaxes mother every day, so he doesn't coax me." Niuniu squished her lips at Daiyu, and squinted at Daiyu. "Haha, I think Niuniu is telling the truth." Zili hugged Niuniu, and couldn't help teasing Daiyu.

"Madam, Sister Lin, I'm here!" When Daiyu was in embarrassment, Xiangyun came in a hurry. After Xiangyun and Baoyu got married, they were still children, and Zili could also see that Xiangyun was also a person who had no ambition for fame and fortune.She has a carefree personality, and she really doesn't seem like someone who can manage the Jia family well, so Zili didn't ask Xiangyun to take full charge of the housework.She just entrusted Xiangyun to do some relatively simple things. Xiangyungui is serious and not afraid of any old rules.The servants of Jia's family also knew that Zili was not easy to fool, so Xiangyun acted vigorously and resolutely, and after a while, the counting room and kitchen were tidied up.

However, Xiangyun still prefers to chant poems and compose Fu with Baoyu, and live a clean and peaceful life.Zili smiled and pulled Xiangyun to sit beside him, but Xiangyun hesitated, and still stood beside Zili: "My wife loves me, and I can't break the rules." Xiangyun is now Zili's daughter-in-law, Everyone respects the most rules, even Zili is respectful in front of Jia's mother.Naturally, Xiangyun couldn't be as casual as before.

In the end, Daiyu pulled Xiangyun to sit beside her. Xiangyun looked enviously at Niuniu in Zili's arms. She and Baoyu had been married for several years, but they still didn't move at all.Zili didn't notice the melancholy flashing in Xiangyun's eyes, she looked at some bottles and cans brought by Xiangyun, and asked curiously: "What is this, I am old now and don't need flower pollen powder Yes, Yu'er use it."

Hearing Zili's question, Xiangyun immediately smiled and said, "It's not all makeup powder, it's Baoyu's spare time tinkering with it, some of it enriches the skin, and some can make the skin fairer. Only these few boxes are newly made rouge cream They are all Baoyu’s filial piety. He also said that if the wife likes it, it is his filial piety.”

When Zili picked up a box of the rouge powder made by Baoyu and opened it, a faint fragrance came to her nostrils. Zili put a little on the back of her hand, and it was really moisturizing and not greasy. She smiled and said, "Very good, sir. A few days ago, I was angry with Baoyu for staying at home all day and not doing business. I didn’t expect him to make something useful. According to me, since Baoyu is not a material for reading, but I am born to be useful, and he is good at doing this. But I'm all fish-eyed, so I'd better keep it for you to use." Zili left a box and asked someone to put it away and wait for Yingchun and Xichun to come and take it for them.

After hearing Zili's words, Xiangyun smiled mischievously, and Baoyu's stupid words reached his wife's ears.Daiyu was worried that Xiangyun would not be able to hold back, so she tugged on her sleeve: "What is Brother Bao doing recently?"

"Second Wife, Grandma Xue and Second Grandma are here." It turned out that it was Xiang Ling and Xing Xiuyan who had arrived, and Zili hurriedly called to please.After a while, a group of women came around Xiangling and Xing Xiuyan. Xiangling was doing better than before. She was no longer that timid little girl, and her speech and behavior became more calm and composed like that of a grandma.Xing Xiuyan had met Zili before, she was a fresh and refined girl, now that she is a daughter-in-law, she also has a gentle demeanor, her brows and eyes are full of happiness.

They knelt down to say hello to Zili, Zili was busy helping them up, everyone sat down and exchanged greetings, Xiangling said to Zili, "Second wife, this is Xing Xiuyan, the daughter-in-law of Brother Xue Biao, I met him every day before. .Now Brother Xue Biao has also come to Beijing. Brother and sister came to pay their respects to the wife today."

"I haven't seen you for many years, and now you have a family. Your parents are okay, and you went to see the eldest lady over there. Your aunt still missed you yesterday." Zili asked Xing Xiuyan's recent situation with a smile.

"Thanks to my wife, everything is fine at home. Now my parents are here in the capital, they are all old, living in Zhuangzi with ample food and clothing, and life is still quiet. This time I came to the capital to pay respects to the nobles. Second, I wanted to come over to say hello to the ladies." As the people below brought the gift list brought by Xing Xiuyan, Zili saw that they were all silk, fine cloth and special products.

"Thank you for thinking of us. We are all relatives, why should you be so formal? I also know that you have a lot of things to do. You run outside all year round. When you come to the capital, you have a lot of contacts and entertainment. The old lady still misses you. I heard that you also have a child and brought the children with you that day, and it was more lively." Zili warmly invited Xing Xiuyan and Xiang Ling to come as guests whenever they have nothing to do.

Xiangling looked at several boxes on Zhuozhushan and said to Xiangyun with a smile, "That box has already been fired in Jingdezhen, and I think it will be sent to the capital by boat at the beginning of the year."

Xiangyun glanced at Zili's face worriedly after hearing this, and said in embarrassment: "Well, I'll wait for you to come to my room, and I'll tell you." Daiyu heard that Xiangyun's words were inappropriate, Baoyu was at home, Afraid that it would be inappropriate for Xiangling to go, she quietly gave Xiangyun a wink, and Xiangyun realized that she had been reckless, and immediately hesitated.Zili had already heard what they said clearly, and asked, "What's the matter? What box, silver?"

Xiangyun stood up in a panic, hesitating and refusing to say anything, but Xiangling smiled and said the reason. It turned out that the last time Xue Pan visited Baoyu, he saw Baoyu's rouge cream and all kinds of moisturizers. , much better than those palace powder lead powder outside.Now Xue Pan is full of business experience, encouraging Baoyu to sell it, and he and Baoyu will share it fifty-fifty.Baoyu was extremely bored at home.After hearing Xue Pan's words, he didn't take it to heart.He thought that what he made was not serious, so he didn't take it seriously and asked Xue Pan to take it casually.

Unexpectedly, Xue Pan tried to sell it, but it sold very well, even a box of rouge for three taels of silver was out of stock.Xue Pan immediately found a way to make a fortune, and begged Baoyu to write a prescription, and asked the people in the workshop to make it in large numbers.Who knows that what Baoyu made according to the prescription is not as good as Baoyu himself.So Xue Pan had no choice but to beg Baoyu desperately. These days Baoyu is making rouge moisturizing cream at home.

"It turned out to be this. Well, girl Yun is not afraid anymore. I'm not the kind of rigid person who doesn't know how to adapt. Baoyu has this ability. Didn't he always talk about cherishing his daughter when he was a child? It's a pity that he couldn't study well, and he didn't I don’t know martial arts, so what can I do to protect my sisters? Just make some rouge or something, dress up the girls better, slow down, don’t become fish eyes so soon. Girl Yun, go back and tell Baoyu, call He can tinker with peace of mind, don't be sneaky. But be careful not to get tired." Zili didn't dislike Baoyu making cosmetics, on the contrary, he supported it.

Xiangyun and the people present looked at Zili in disbelief, and Daiyu couldn't help but say, "Auntie is telling the truth? Brother Bao——" Daiyu couldn't believe her ears, her aunt was always transparent Open-minded, but as a scholar, farmer, businessman, and Baoyu, what he does is not popular.Especially the old-fashioned person like the second uncle, you must know that Brother Bao is doing his business with this, so don't be mad at him.

"What's the matter, eat by your own labor. Those who plow the fields and study are serious, but without those doctors, tailors, and people from all walks of life, how can everyone survive so decently? There are three kinds of scholars, farmers, businessmen and businessmen sitting here. Wait until Liujiu comes out. I’m afraid I don’t even have clothes to wear, and I don’t have a house to live in.” Zili’s expression was calm, and Xiangyun was stunned. After a long time, she let out a sigh of relief, with a look of admiration on her face: “We I'm afraid no matter what, I can't catch up with my wife's foresight and insight."

Zili left everyone for dinner, and after lunch Daiyu and Xiangling Xing Xiuyan went to Jiamu's side, Zili stopped Xiangyun.Asked how they get along in daily life and who usually serves them, Xiangyun told them one by one.

"Why are all the attackers serving Baoyu? How come Qiuwen and Bihen have grown up and refused to serve?" Yesterday Jiamu and Zili talked about Baoyu and Xiangyun's childlessness, and Zili also turned to Baoyu. There are doubts about her married life.

Xiangyun twisted the handkerchief and was silent for a while before saying: "Now it's sister Xiren who serves. Baoyu dislikes Qiuwen and Bihen, so she doesn't ask them to serve in front of her. They are getting old and want to go out."

Attacking people again, Zili's sharp eyes scanned the helplessness on Xiangyun's face: "How are you and Baoyu? Actually, I didn't want to rush you, but the old lady is getting old, and she loves you the most. It's been a few years, and it's time to have a child. You are a child who looks carefree on weekdays, and you can talk about anything. If Baoyu is not good, you can also tell me."

Xiangyun's face flushed, and she hesitated for a long time. Finally, her face was flushed and she squeezed out a sentence from between her teeth: "Madam, let Baoyu have a look at a good doctor."