Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

When Hu Qizhong heard the report from his family that his son was caught and detained by the Wang family, he felt a little ecstatic in his heart. Many years ago, an idle move played a big role at a critical moment.He said to his anxious wife: "Why are you panicking? Since they came to the door, they knew the identity of the beloved. The Wang family is not the previous Wang family. Even for the sake of King Wei, their family will treat him kindly." Liangren. You go and ask some respectable family members to pick up that rebellious son. Don’t be angry if their family says something bad. After all, it’s our son who is wrong.” Hu’s wife has only one son, Hu Liangren, and she loves him very much. , She was a little dissatisfied when she heard her husband's words: "That's a shameless thing done by the girl of their family, and she bites back! I don't take that kind of anger! Ask their family to send the child in person." Hu Qizhong's wife is Hu Qizhong. His wife at that time was born in a small family and had little knowledge.She really suffered a lot with Hu Qizhong in the past, although Hu Qizhong looked down on his wife, but because of his previous affection, he still gave way to his wife.

But hearing his wife getting more and more disrespectful, she slapped the table heavily: "Nonsense, do you still think our family is not shameful enough!" Hu's wife said not to be outdone, "The Wang family is only relying on the grandson. Now everyone knows Sooner or later, the country will belong to His Highness King Wei, and you are a close friend of King Wei, whoever messes with you now is messing with the future chief minister. You are the prime minister who can hold a boat in your stomach, how dare their family know whether they will live or die!" Listen! What his wife said was not like it, Hu Qizhong regretted it more and more, thinking to himself that it is true that the poor will not choose his wife.At that time, I relied on my wife to do needlework, so I didn't think about choosing a virtuous girl to host Zhongfu.Marrying an unvirtuous wife destroys three generations.

"What do you know, if you hadn't been there to protect my son when I taught him a lesson, my husband wouldn't be as ineffective now." Hu Qizhong reprimanded his wife with a black face, and personally called Hu Liangren's family to pick him up for a long time.Hu's wife didn't dare to say anything when her husband was angry. She still muttered: "You have no conscience, if it weren't for me, you would have starved to death! How can you have the current scenery. Now you are just fascinated by goblins , My son and I are not good, we leave you, you tell those goblins to give birth to your son." Hu Qizhong turned a deaf ear to his wife's complaints, he stood up and left with a faint snort.

After a while, the family picked up Hu Liangren and came back. After some twists and turns, Hu Liangren's face was pale. Although he also lived in poverty, he was held in the palm of his mother's hand since he was a child, so he didn't suffer any grievances.Suddenly being caught by others, although he was not beaten or scolded, that experience still greatly stimulated Hu Liangren.It turns out that the outside world is not all smooth sailing, and the beautiful girl's family is not gentle at all.

Seeing that his son hadn't suffered any trauma and his spirit was fine, Hu Qizhong felt a little relieved.He coughed, and Hu Liangren, who was standing underneath, shivered all over.Hu Liangren was still in awe of his father. Since he was a child, Hu Liangren was most afraid of his father.No matter what he did, he would always be picked on and scolded by his father, which was in stark contrast to his mother's doting and doting.In the past, he was beaten by his father for being lazy and not studying.Now that he has entered the university, the Wang family didn't break his leg, but his father is not so easy to talk to.

"The Wang family is also a big family, and the rules are very strict. But you can tell the eldest lady of their family secretly. Could it be that their tutors are all bluffs?" Hu Qizhong had already guessed the cause and effect of the matter in his heart. A while ago, at that time, I had just entered Wei Wang's mansion to seek a small errand, but unintentionally laid out an idle move.I'm afraid it's the effect of that chess piece today.

"Me, although their family is very strict, the people on the doorman and the people around the eldest girl of their family helped me to get in and out. In fact, I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. After coming to the capital, I quietly went in to see her a few times. I knew I had done something wrong, so I asked my father to punish me." Hu Liangren was always honest and almost useless in front of his father.He poured out everything that happened like beans in a bamboo tube.

It turned out that many years ago, Hu Qizhong had just obtained his fame, and he was wandering in the streets of the capital proudly, secretly thinking about making a career for King Wei and reorganizing the Hu family's lintel.It's also good to honor the ancestors, and let those villains who fell into trouble in the past take a look.Unexpectedly, as soon as he sat down in a teahouse, he saw two traffickers conducting a transaction.The one being sold was a family, and the seller wanted to sell all three members of the family, but the buyer only wanted the girl. "Whoever wants these two old guys, I don't think the chick is good-looking, and I won't give you three taels of silver. I don't take advantage of you. It's still three taels of silver, and you keep the two old ones for yourself Wanchunyuan’s mother told me to find twelve girls, this is half the battle, I don’t have time to grind my teeth with you.” Hearing that their daughter was about to be sold into the fireworks field, the couple cried sadly and knelt down Crying on the ground.

The seller kicked the woman impatiently: "Do you still think you are the housekeeper grandma of a rich family? Don't you take a piss to see if your old face is worth three taels of silver? An innocent girl is also two taels, ten thousand Spring Garden is a good place. Your daughter will be blessed in the future."

Hu Qizhong listened to the crying of the flesh and blood on the table next door, which made people feel miserable, and the hairs on his body stood on end. The woman's voice seemed familiar, and Hu Qizhong was shocked when he looked for the sound.Isn't this my nanny Liu Kai and his wife?Back then when the Hu family fell, the trees fell, the monkeys scattered, and the former family members were also scattered, I didn't expect to see them here. In the past, Hu Qizhong might not have helped.It's just that it's different now, Hu Qizhong feels that he has the ability to protect those who loved him before.So Hu Qizhong revealed his identity, and took out two taels of silver that had just been distributed by the palace to redeem the nanny's family.Originally, the seller was not willing to do this loss-making business, but Hu Qizhong mentioned his identity in a nonsensical manner, and that person didn't dare to offend the palace, so he did a favor and could make friends with people in the palace, so he accepted it. After taking Hu Qizhong's money, he took out the contract of sale of Liu Kai's family.

It's a pity that at that time Hu Qizhong was just a small official who lived in a group house outside the palace and lived in the palace.Who has the ability to take Liu Kai's family back.He was worrying about how to settle down the nanny's family, and happened to remember that he heard from the official media yesterday that the family was about to buy slaves.He said to Liu Kai: "Now I can't protect myself, and my monthly salary can only support my family. I really can't support one more person. I have a place to go, and I don't know if you want to go." Liu Kai's family Seeing Hu Qizhong wiping away his tears, "I never thought I'd see my brother again. We're all slaves, and we don't know how to make a living. I beg the young master to show me the way."

"Since that's the case, I heard that several honorable families want to buy people. You all have served people before. I went to the official media and told the official media that people with background like you are definitely better than those who don't know the background. These few families are either scholarly families or honorable families, and they will not treat the servants harshly, and you can also have a place to settle down." Liu Kai's family was originally slaves, and they don't know anything about farming, listen It is natural to be willing to be a slave in a rich family.Hu Qizhong took Liu Kai's family home first, asked his wife to prepare bath water and clothes for them to change, and then led them to the official media.

Just in time for the Wang family to add a baby to the import, the two young wives both gave birth to sons, and the old lady was promoted to the third rank, which was the time when manpower was needed.Therefore, Liu Kai's family entered the Wang family, because they were also members of the big family before, and they also worked as housekeepers in the Hu family.Soon Liu Kai's family also gained a foothold in Wang's house.Liu Kai's family was in charge of sending messages to the concierge to ask for things, while Liu Kai was in charge of chariots, horses and sedan chairs, and went out with the men.Their daughter worked as an errand in the washing machine, but when she was old enough, the master let her go and married the son of Mrs. Zhou as his daughter-in-law.

Liu Kai's family was very grateful to Hu Qizhong in their hearts, but the Wang family had been working as an official outside, and Hu Qizhong was in the capital, and the two sides could not contact each other for a long time, so Hu Qizhong also forgot about Liu Kai's family.When Hu Qizhong became a popular person beside King Wei, more than ten years had passed in the blink of an eye.The next thing is clichéd, Mrs. Tang took her daughter to socialize, and the servants who went out with her were indispensable. Liu Kai's daughter has become Zhou Desheng's family. Because of her mother-in-law, she often goes to Ziqian's side to flatter her. Qian looked at the victorious daughter-in-law with special regard, and the people around her also flattered this sister-in-law Zhou.

"When you met the eldest daughter of the Wang family, you were surrounded by the daughter of Liu Kai's family. Because Liu Kai's daughter-in-law manages the door, she can also pass on ideas for you and secretly let you in and out of the Wang family?" Hu Qizhong confirmed the truth to his son.

"I dare not lie. In fact, my son only had a good impression of the eldest girl of the Wang family. It was Liu Kai who came to the door and said that the eldest girl of their family was belittled by the elders in the family, and the marriage was not good. His in-laws are the nanny of the eldest girl, and he feels sorry for his grandma. The older child. They said that the old man of the Wang family is an extremely kind person, as long as the young lady and I are willing, their elders can only agree. I—" Hu Liangren twisted his fingers twitchingly, and groaned.

Hu Qizhong knew Liu Kai's plan, they wanted to marry Wang Ziqian into the Hu family by taking advantage of their status as the capable servants of the eldest daughter of the Wang family.In this way, they can be regarded as returning to the Hu family.What a loyal servant!Unexpectedly, the Hu family used to have hundreds of servants, and they were the only couple who were loyal to the old master.It's just that I really feel ashamed of the Wang family. I didn't expect to take in such a pair of ungrateful and betrayed dog slaves.

When Hu Qizhong found out that Hu Liangren had secretly hooked up with the eldest daughter of the Wang family, he just wanted to cover up the matter. The two families have different political stances, and the two children have done mediocre things. To resolve the rift, it is better for both of us to take a step back and cover up the past.But now Hu Qizhong has a better idea. At the beginning, he suspected that Hu Liangren was a cowardly and ignorant child. How could he dare to seduce a woman from a good family? There must be something inside.Then he remembered that Liu Kai's family had been servants of the Wang family many years ago.It seems that the beloved must be with the girl from the Wang family because of the help of someone to make a bridge.

At present, the emperor has an ambiguous attitude towards Li Chu, and the king of Wei tried several times, but was blocked by the grandson lukewarmly. It is more difficult to say who will own the country in the future.I can't hang myself from a tree, I have to plan ahead.With such a scandal, the Wang family and the Jia family cannot get married, so it is better to take the opportunity to marry the Wang family.As long as I come forward to ask the Wang family for marriage, the Wang family will definitely agree.Wang Changchun was so scheming that he should know how to leave a way out, so that he could save his granddaughter and have another way out without loss.As for how the Wang family and the Jia family resigned, whether the relationship between the two families would be damaged was beyond Hu Qizhong's consideration.If the Wang family disagrees, Hu Qizhong also has a way to make them submit, the grandson Liangdi's natal family cannot have any scandals!

Therefore, Hu Qizhong came to propose marriage to the old lady full of confidence.Hearing Hu Qizhong's words, the old lady wished that someone would take Hu Qizhong and beat him to death immediately, and she became more and more convinced that all this was a trap set up by Hu Qizhong and King Wei!They are so hateful, it's nothing more than fighting for power and profit in the court, and there is nothing to say when everyone is their own master, but it is too low to attack the opponent's family.

Now he is still threatening himself with Zili's reputation and future, hmph, if the tiger doesn't show his power, you will treat me as a sick cat!The old lady looked coldly at Hu Qizhong, who looked expectant and eager, and said with a half-smile: "When your grandfather was still alive, I visited your house as a guest. Our two families knew each other before, and I also visited your house. Full moon banquet. I didn’t expect you to be old in a blink of an eye. It’s really hard to say in 30 years in Hedong and 30 years in Hexi. It’s really unfortunate that something like that happened in the family. The big girl knows what she did wrong and regrets it. The girl's family can't stand the ups and downs, she's sick. You'd better wait for her parents to come back to say what you said. I'm an old woman who dare not make up her own mind." The old lady wanted to serve tea to the guests.

Seeing that the old lady refused to let go, Hu Qizhong was a little annoyed.He has been going smoothly for more than ten years, and anyone who sees him doesn't want to give him some face. Hu Qizhong is unavoidably irritable, his face is a little bit pale, and his tone becomes stiff: "The old lady's words are irrefutable, but still The old lady, please read it on the family relationship. Aren’t you busy with your children and grandchildren all your life, and arranging a good home for the granddaughters is a serious matter.”

Saying this, Hu Qizhong waved his sleeves and left.The old lady waited for Hu Qizhong to leave and said to the second wife angrily: "Did you hear that? What kind of thing is he? He dared to threaten me. Send a letter to Ziteng to ask him to come back. Write to his grandfather immediately. Hu Qizhong thought If you want to step on two boats and count on my girls, even if I chop up Ziqian and feed them to the dogs, I won't give it to them!"

Outside the customs, Wang Changchun was furious when he received the letter from his family: "Mother Xipi, even a flattering villain is counting on me! Look at me and let him lose everything!"

Wang Dingqian frowned, and had already strangled his unrepentant daughter to death countless times in his heart: "Father calm down, the Hu family has fallen, but this Hu Qizhong is a capable man, and he is doing well with King Wei. Now he is entrusted with a heavy responsibility by the emperor. I'm afraid it would be bad for our family to confront him head-on."

You just offer Ziqian both hands, how will you explain to the Jia family?He, Hu Qizhong, had a good plan. Since he got the man, he tied us to his boat.If King Wei ascends the throne in the future, we may not be able to reap the benefits. If His Highness Taisun wins the world, what kind of people will we become.Haven't you ever thought that Ziqian's marriage is just a trick, how you want Zili to gain a foothold in the palace in the future, hundreds of people in our family will listen to his orders.Wang Changchun explained Hu Qizhong's plan in one word, and made Wang Dinggan's teeth itch with hatred. "It's all due to the unfilial piety of the son and daughter-in-law, to raise such a corrupt and rebellious son, I don't want her as a daughter at all!" Wang Dingqian's eyes flashed coldly, and he became cruel.

"Don't blame yourself, your daughter-in-law is wronged too. You come here and write a letter, asking the family to find out how Ziqian got together with the Hu family boy. The house is tightly guarded, and there are many people serving the girl. Will there be such a thing? You told them to investigate quietly, not to startle the snake, and not to make a fuss when caught. Also, that Hu Qizhong is my junior, the old lady is old and does not need to see him every time. Ask the second aunt to socialize That’s it. He urged Ziqian’s marriage, and said that the girl was ill, and she had to withdraw from Jia’s family before remarrying, so just delay it.” Wang Changchun thought for a while about the general content of the letter to his son, Wang Dingqian held his pen and held his breath. When he heard that his second aunt was called out to deal with Hu Qizhong, he looked at his father in surprise. His younger siblings were widows at home, so why shouldn't he meet outsiders casually? Why did his father ask his younger siblings to come out to deal with Hu Qizhong?

"Father, it's inconvenient for younger siblings to meet people. She—" Wang Dingqian thought that his father was getting confused, and quietly reminded Wang Changchun to change someone to deal with Hu Qizhong.

"You are so confused. Do you think I don't know that Ziji's mother is at home on festivals? You can just write as I say. That Hu Qizhong is a shrewd person. The old lady comes forward and she is an elder. If she is caught by him Just a little word of mouth, it will be difficult to turn around when you go back. Ask Ziji's mother to come out, can Hu Qizhong embarrass a widow? And Ziji must be by his side, so Hu Qizhong can't say much. Wait until we go back. Tell him to catch some loopholes and flaws." Wang Changchun glanced at his son and gave him a look that you are not far away from.

"Father really has far-sightedness, son understands. Hu Qizhong is treacherous and cunning, suspicious by nature. After all, the old lady is old, and she is afraid that he will catch her if she speaks unpreparedly. Although I am Ziqian's father, I can't disobey my mother. In other words, even if Hu Qizhong is a villain, he can't be shameless, he can only respect his second aunt, and when he sees his second aunt coming out to entertain him, he will think that we don't treat him as an outsider. First stabilize him, Hu Qizhong will Nothing will happen." Wang Dingqian couldn't help admiring his father's scheme.