Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

After a few days, Wang Zili didn't show her secrets. Although she was often asked why she became quiet, but Wang Zili was at the age of secondary symptoms, and everyone in the Wang family thought that the second girl had grown up, and the girl knew that she was ashamed. He wasn't as talkative as before, so he didn't take it to heart.Mr. Wang's son, Wang Changchun, took his two grandsons to practice in the officialdom, while Wang Zili's son, Wang Dingqian, was away from home, supervising the progress of the project at the construction site of the river project.Seeing that the weather is getting hotter day by day, this year's flood season is coming.Naturally, Wang Dingqian didn't have time to stay at home. Although the damaged embankments had been repaired last year, some sections of the river were still embankments made of mounds of soil, which needed to be reinforced in advance.

Mrs. Tang is busy preparing for her son's wedding. Wang Ziteng is already 19 years old, and some 19-year-old boys in the countryside have already had their sons running around.She thought about finishing her son's marriage so that she could take care of the next few children. Although Wang Ziji was a nephew, but he lost his father, it would be inconvenient for his younger siblings to be married by a widow.As an aunt, she has to help.What's more important is that the eldest daughter, Ziqian, is already 16 years old, and her lifelong affairs should also be put on the agenda, followed by Zili's marriage.The old lady is naturally full of joy when she thinks about her grandson marrying a daughter-in-law, and most of her energy is on planning the wedding ceremony, and whenever she thinks of it, she calls the girl to call Mrs. Tang, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law talk about what to do and what to prepare for the wedding banquet all day long. thing.The two of them were busy going around, putting aside their family affairs.The second wife is a widow, she can't interfere with Wang Ziteng's marriage, and can only watch her mother-in-law and sister-in-law busy.She is a quiet person, she is not willing to talk too much about family affairs, she is the only idler in the whole house.

Wang Zili was relieved by this. According to the girls, the second girl of the Wang family used to have a not very positive attitude towards learning. The teacher who taught the girls was an old scholar who had tried and failed. He always sat behind the desk in class with his eyes half-closed. Without opening his eyes, he shook his head and taught the three female students about female biographies and women's virtues and appearance, and had a particularly persistent understanding of women's inferiority.The second young lady has been liked by the old man since she was a child, and she is spoiled like a boy.How could she sit down and listen to this nonsense, so on the first day of school, Wang Zili disliked Mr. Zhou, but she was absent-minded when he was in class, and Wang Zili was mostly perfunctory when he was waiting for him to ask questions and endorse. He even asked the girl to recite his homework for him. An angry Mr. Zhou saw her, and the goatee jumped up.

However, the Wang family didn't seem to attach much importance to girls' studies. When Mr. Zhou complained to the master with Wang Zili's crooked homework, the Wang family laughed at the youngest daughter's mischievous behavior.The old man of the Wang family didn't care about Mr. Zhou at all. Wang Dingqian also said lightly to Mr. Zhou that he would discipline the children, and waited to appease Mr. Zhou. As soon as Wang Dingqian turned around, he forgot about his little daughter's mistake and went to do what he should do.Therefore, when Wang Duoduo looked at the homework of the former second daughter of the Wang family, she breathed a long sigh of relief.She was worried that the deity of this body is a talented woman who is proficient in all kinds of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. Isn't she ruining the reputation of a talented woman?Facing Wang Zili's big characters, Wang Duoduo slammed his mouth, is it at the level of elementary school students?It seems that Wang Xifeng is illiterate, and indeed has a family background.

Without the annoying Mr. Zhou, Wang Zili didn't feel that life was much easier, because two embroiderers came to teach the girls how to do needlework!Now that Wang Zili got up in the morning, she would go to greet the old lady and the wife first, and then go to the flower hall to learn sewing from the embroiderer after eating.There is a two-year age difference between Wang Ziqian and Wang Zili. The eldest sister, Ziqian, is already able to embroider quite exquisite works. She also learns cutting from the masters, starting with relatively simple clothes and socks.As for Wang Zili, she has to learn many kinds of stitches, learn the color matching of silk threads, and start to learn to embroider some delicate but relatively small things.For example, a delicate purse or something.As for the younger sister, she was just ten years old, and she just practiced casually with a needle on a handkerchief and learned to use silk ribbons to tie foundation knots and so on.

We had lunch at noon, and the whole house had to take a lunch break, so the afternoon was more relaxed. Mr. Echeng, who was originally preparing the stairs for Mr. Zhou, had something to do and couldn't teach the ladies of the Wang family, so the girls could arrange it as they wished. afternoon time.

Wang Zili woke up from a nap, she wiped her face and sat depressedly behind the desk in front of the window, slowly practicing calligraphy with a brush.The two girls Mingqian and Yuhou looked at Wang Zili in surprise, and shook their heads in disbelief. The second girl has really changed a lot. She didn't like reading and writing before. There was no wife forcing her. The girls persuaded Wang Zili I don't know how to touch the pen holder, but recently I don't know which muscle is wrong, and the girl started to read and write when she was fine.Wang Zili didn't feel the girl's surprised eyes, she was slowly drawing red stroke by stroke.Although the Wang family doesn't care much about their daughter's culture, this little friend of Wang Zili's is really speechless. At the age of 14, he is still in junior high school now.Her handwriting was still missing arms and legs, and there were only some enlightenment books and biographies of women in the room. Wang Duoduo thought darkly that it was a miracle that she could understand all the words in the book.According to the information leaked from the Wang family's words, she can already deduce that Wang Zili was a simple girl in the past.Parents don't pay much attention to education, she is like a weed on the ground that grows with her heart.

It's a pity that the days of eating, sleeping, and eating can't last forever. It seems that she won't be able to wear it back for a while.Seeing that Wang Ziteng is going to marry a daughter-in-law, you can understand it with your toes. Wang Ziteng's daughter-in-law is just 16 years old, and the eldest daughter of the Wang family is also 16 years old. Seeing that Wang Ziteng is about to say that her husband's family is getting married.Who needs to think about it next?Wang Zili can't tell his family that I'm planning to think about life-long events after I'm 20, and I won't be locked up as a monster.Whether she wants to live a more comfortable life in the future or become an unlucky little daughter-in-law depends on the individual's efforts now.She often learns from Mrs. Tang about housekeeping, but even a housekeeper can't do without hand-written account books. Wang Zili's handwriting can't be taken out anywhere.Not to mention literary accomplishment, can't everyone say a line of poetry when they are playing wine orders?Although Wang Duoduo has a good education, it's a pity who values ​​a bachelor's or master's degree these days?It always pays to learn more!It is really painful for people who are used to holding pens and keyboards before to suddenly have to write calligraphy.

While Wang Zili was burying his head in his shoes and practicing calligraphy, a girl wearing an indigo jacket and white Lingzi skirt came, and Yuhou and Mingqian who were sitting under the eaves doing needlework hurriedly stood up: "It's Sister Osmanthus, what's the matter?" matter?"

Osmanthus fragrans, the girl next to Mrs. Tang, she held a small bundle and said with a smile: "My wife asked me to see what the second girl is doing. This is a newly made sachet. My wife said that the weather is hot, and the doors and windows are all covered. Be careful not to let bugs in. Where’s the girl? Don’t be still asleep.” Just as Wang Zili came out, he said, “It’s Sister Osmanthus, I’ll ask you to make a trip in hot weather. Let's just say it. Is it necessary for my sister to go there in person? Before tomorrow, I will pour good tea." Wang Zili smiled and took Osmanthus by the hand and went in.

Osmanthus osmanthus saw the writing paper on the desk, smiled and took the teacup Mingqian handed over: "Thank you for the tea, I have seen that the girl's handwriting is getting better and better recently. Wait a few days and I will trouble the girl to give it to me." Writing home letters. My wife is thinking about the girl. She said that the girl is free now, so she went over to talk, and there is no time to wait for Mr. Cheng to come." Wang Zili's heart moved, and the old man specially asked Mr. Cheng to teach the girls to read. With a purpose in mind, she quietly found out that Mr. Cheng was an old staff member of the Wang family, and followed Wang Dingqian in charge of current accounts at the river construction site.It should be said that Mr. Cheng is a senior old accountant who also serves as the master of the staff.Mr. Wang is ingenious, he is really a shrewd person who hides his secrets.Wang Zili had collected a lot of information about the Wang family, so he was no longer worried about giving away.She was thinking of getting some more important news from the mother of this body she was going to.

So Wang Zili immediately agreed: "My neck hurts from writing, and I was thinking about going out for a walk. Is mother free now?"

Talking about Yu Hou and Ming changed her clothes, and together with Osmanthus fragrans followed Wang Zili and walked towards Mrs. Tang's yard.Mrs. Tang was watching the girls tidying up their things. When she saw her daughter coming, she hugged her daughter lovingly: "Is it hot outside? I haven't seen you out these few days. Are you feeling unwell? My name is Have you taken the medicine that the girl gave you?" Every time Wang Zili came to his aunt, the pain was so painful that Mrs. Tang sent some medicines for recuperating the body, and the girl watched her take it every day.In Wang Zili's opinion, her body is too pampered, as long as she exercises more, she will be fine.

Wang Zili replied vaguely: "It's not a big deal, it will be much better if you move around more and activate your blood vessels. The medicine is three-point poisonous, and I don't want to take bitter pills every day. Good lady, don't tell me to take it." Mrs. Tang listened For your daughter, think about it: "Just do whatever you want, what are you doing in the house these days? I heard that you suddenly started to work hard, and you either read or write every day. In the past, the husband urged, but the girls coaxed you and refused Reading, now I'm serious. What's the reason?"

Sticking out his tongue, Wang Zili couldn't help but sigh in his heart, Wang Zili, you are a scumbag after all, and everyone on the earth knows that you don't like reading. "I used to be ignorant and just wanted to play. Now I am sensible. Although our girls don't have to go to the exams, we can't be blind. The old man is right, I can't be by my mother's side forever, In the future, when I get married and start a business, I can't even understand the account book. Mom, teach me." Mrs. Tang was a little surprised when she heard her daughter's words, she stared at Wang Zili for a while, and suddenly smiled gratifiedly.Mrs. Tang clapped her hands and said happily: "Bless your ancestors, my son, you are enlightened. Before your father left, he complained to me about how he gave birth to a girl who only knows how to play and eat. Who would dare to marry you in the future?" You are still angry at me for spoiling you! I said that you are a child of the Wang family, and you don’t know our family’s traditions. It’s useless to force her, maybe one day you will be enlightened by yourself. Sure enough! You and your sister Just come and help me do something. It doesn’t matter if you learn or not, the important thing is to understand how to deal with people and things.” Tradition of the Wang family?Wang Zili was very curious about what his mother said. She leaned beside Mrs. Tang, holding Mrs. Tang's arm coquettishly, and began to gossip between mother and daughter.

Mrs. Tang started a chatterbox, and somehow started talking about the past. The mother and daughter unconsciously talked about the topic that the old man replaced Mr. Zhou and asked Mr. Cheng to teach the girls.Wang Zili was very puzzled, a woman's lack of talent is virtue, and Mr. Wang doesn't seem to like reading very much.His educational attitude towards the descendants of the Wang family is really different.In this day and age, everything is low-grade and only high-ranking is in reading. Although the Wang family is a family of officials, their background as military commanders is always inferior to civil officials.Therefore, many families with military backgrounds have an almost perverted obsession with reading. They are afraid that others will look down on them and say they are vulgar, so they value the education of their children and grandchildren more. "Don't the old man like reading too? But grandfather's paintings and calligraphy are all excellent, and grandfather has read all the books in the study!" Wang Zili expressed his doubts.The corners of Mrs. Tang's mouth curled up slightly, and she looked at the cracked ice panes on the window and slowly talked about what happened to Mr. Wang when he was young.

Speaking of the old man Wang Changchun, he is really a bit of a legend. Back then, Wang Zichun was said to be a dude who liked cockfighting and lackeys, riding horses and hunting. nonsense.The gentlemen were all hired with a lot of money, and it was agreed that they would be taught a strict lesson. Unfortunately, the gentlemen were embarrassed by the old man's prank before the ruler hit Wang Changchun. I can resign.One year, the family invited fifteen gentlemen, but he drove away seven and a half. The old man in Changchun completely annoyed his father-in-law Wang Duwei.

Unexpectedly, the old man still refused to admit his mistake, so the old man took his son directly to the barracks in a fit of anger.I thought I'd just keep the brat by my side, so as not to go out and learn badly, but there was an accident at the border, and Captain Wang could only take his son to the battlefield. After a real battle, the old man of Changchun It's like a different person.When he came back, he actually wore a coarse cloth clothes obediently, and walked with a servant to the house of the husband whom he had expelled before to make amends.Later, Wang Changchun studied with that gentleman for several years. He went to his husband's house every morning to study, and in the afternoon he went to the barracks to practice martial arts. At night, when he returned home, his grandfather studied hard until midnight.

Captain Wang was very pleased to see his son grow up and become sensible all of a sudden, and after Wang Changchun got married, he asked him to join the army as a small guerrilla under his command.Just when Wang Changchun was preparing to slowly accumulate qualifications in the military camp and start a career, he met the current emperor who was raising troops to join the Qing Dynasty.The Wang family was very lucky to bet on the right treasure and stood on the side of the winner. During the war, Mr. Changchun made outstanding achievements and became a celebrity in front of the emperor.The next thing is very simple. The old man Changchun has accumulated a lot of credit on the battlefield of the civil war and the foreign war, and he has been a general and a minister of the Ministry of war.At the age of retirement, the emperor put him on the slack weaving in Hangzhou to provide for the elderly and accumulate funds for the elderly.

Tsk tsk, what a genius!No wonder the old man looked down on the sour Mr. Zhou, and brought his two grandsons by his side to educate him personally.Insight into the world is all about knowledge, and sophistication about human relationships is all about writing. The old man may not be able to write colorful articles, but his vision and emotional intelligence are definitely much better than ordinary people.No wonder Mrs. Tang didn't say a word to the old man. Wang Ziteng was able to learn a little bit of official rules and unspoken rules by Wang Changchun's side, but it would take him a lifetime.

A few days later, Wang Dingqian returned home with his entourage. The construction of the river engineering project went smoothly, and the atmosphere in the Wang family became more relaxed.It was the first time Wang Zili saw his father in this body. Wang Dingqian's appearance was exactly the same as Wang Changchun's, with a small round face that was not very wide.Because of her gender, her appearance is naturally sharp and sharp, with a pair of upturned eyes shining brightly, but her whole body exudes a relaxed atmosphere.Although Wang Dingqian's face was tanned by the construction site, he spoke confidently, his body was straight, his hands were long and strong, and his joints were clearly defined. He looked like a person who had been trained in the military camp.

Seeing the four children, Wang Dinggan first taught his son with a straight face: "I heard that you don't study for a few days, and you just go out to fool around every day, don't you?"

"Back to my father, my son was ordered by his grandfather to go out to do errands. My grandfather asked me to follow me to help with errands and learn common affairs. My son dare not waste his time." Wang Ziteng didn't dare to make a playful smile in front of his father. He stood up respectfully, with a look of fear on his face.

"Hmph, it's good for you to learn general affairs. Your father also learned from the old man. At that time, I practiced martial arts during the day and studied until the third watch at night. What about you! You think that you are learned with a little ink, In my opinion, you are almost blind. You just know how to play foolishly. It will be really late when you realize that you have read less. From today on, you read every night. I will tell you what to read every day. You! What are you doing standing there? The old man is waiting for you, why are you still standing in front of me!" Wang Dinggan glared, and Wang Ziteng stuck out his tongue at his sisters and slipped out.

Wang Dingqian set his sights on his daughters. The genes of the Wang family are really strong. The three girls of the Wang family all have delicate faces. They are living samples of plastic surgery hospitals now.However, although the three girls have similar outlines, they have their own characteristics.Wang Ziqian looks handsome, she has a pair of round almond eyes like Mrs. Tang, but her lips are a bit short, and when she is not speaking, she always shows some white teeth slightly, and her face always has an innocent look.Now Wang Ziqian is a grown girl, Wang Dingqian is naturally happy with her grown daughter.His voice was much softer.

Asked what the daughters were doing recently, Wang Ziqian answered respectfully with his hands down. The father and daughter asked and answered, it was more like a boss and a subordinate explaining work.Wang Dingqian slammed his mouth in frustration, and his eyes fell on Wang Zili: "How come the second girl has become quieter?"

Showing a big smile to Wang Dingqian, Wang Zili giggled: "I see my father talking to his brothers and sisters as if his boss was inquiring, so I don't dare to be presumptuous. Now that it's all right, my father still looks better when he smiles. I will learn needlework from the embroiderer I invited, and I will make a purse for my father, and the rest is to learn from Mr. Cheng."

Wang Dingqian's lost heart was warmed by the second daughter's innocent smile and words, and he waved to the second girl, Wang Dingqian smiled and said: "Okay, my daughter has learned to respect me. Where is your purse, hurry up and get it, make it If it’s all right, wait until you’re free, and I’ll take you out to play.”

Mrs. Tang immediately gave her husband a look: "A girl's family can't go out casually. I heard that the emperor is going to tour the south. Are you still thinking about this? You should go and discuss it with your father. Although it is a rumor , but somewhat accurate!"

"The emperor is going on a southern tour! Who did you hear? Why didn't I hear anything?" Wang Dingqian questioned the accuracy of the news.

"It's the news from the Rongguo Mansion. If it's from their family, it's about [-]% accurate."