Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

Mother Jia led a group of maids and women to search for things. Jia Min came to join in the fun. Mother Jia dug out a box of pearls and said to her daughter: "Your little girl should also dress up well. I have all these pearls." I forgot, since I found it, I will give it to you. Pearls will turn yellow after a long time, as the saying goes, pearls turn yellow with age. I will give it all to you.” Jia Min saw that the pearls in the box were as big as a thumb, and as small as soybeans. The color is bright and smooth, and it is neatly placed in a mother-of-pearl box.

She suddenly remembered that her second brother was about to get married, so she smiled and said, "I don't want this, I'd better wait for the new sister-in-law to come in and give her a meeting gift." My sister-in-law has something good to think about before entering the house. If it’s someone else’s family, maybe it’s too early?” Jia’s mother’s expression remained unchanged. He played with the pearls in the box without raising his eyes: “What’s the matter with their family? I haven’t seen such a good one before, isn’t it a joke to bring out such a thing? I have already prepared a gift for the new daughter-in-law. This pearl is just an ordinary thing, not suitable for the new daughter-in-law.”

Jia Min pursed her lips and smiled, generously took the box in her mother's hand and said coquettishly to Jia Mu: "I can take it away, mother, don't regret it." Jia Mu lovingly embraced her daughter: "I have such eyelids. Someone from Ziqian? Just take it. I don’t have time to ask about your second brother’s marriage these days. I have eaten all the pills I asked the girls to send? Tremella bird’s nest soup is a good thing. I have seen a few doctors It is said that your body is weak and you should take a good rest. Will my soup with tremella and bird’s nest still be effective?” Jia Min has been in poor health since he was a child, and he has invited several doctors to say that he is born with this, and he will not be effective immediately after taking soup or medicine. To maintain in daily life.Therefore, Jia Min has been very spoiled since she was a child, and she ate bird's nest, Polygonatum ginseng and Dangshen several times in turn.

Jia Min didn't take it seriously: "It's still the same, I think it's more comfortable to eat longan and lotus seed soup."

"The longan is too hot, since you feel it's good after eating it, ask the girls to add a glass of pear juice." Mother Jia thought about it and told the girls around Jia Min to make longan soup for Jia Min every day.

Just as he was talking, the girl outside shouted through the window: "The master and the second master are back." As Jia Daishan and Jia Zheng opened the curtain and came in, seeing the colorful things spread out in the room, Jia Daishan raised his eyebrows slightly : "What's the matter? Did you meet a thief or someone made a big victory? What are you doing after digging out things from so many years ago. Zheng'er's marriage is imminent and I still have time to do this."

Jia Min said hello to her father. She stood behind Jia's mother and stared at her second brother and said narrowly, "Second brother saw the bride?" What are you talking about! Be careful what the nanny said about you!" Jia Min stuck out her tongue indifferently, and said triumphantly to Jia Zheng: "The nanny will never talk about me because of this again. In fact, you met the second girl of the Wang family. She's a wonderful person, and I can't wait for her to come to our house and I'll have someone to talk to."

However, Jia Daishan seemed to have something on his mind. He took a deep look at Jia Min and said to his daughter: "You have grown up too, and I have something to tell you. The girl from the Wang family is very good. You should marry her as well." Learn from her and don't just think about playing all day long."

Jia Min immediately agreed. Seeing that her father seemed to have something to tell her mother, she gave Jia Zheng a wink. The siblings resigned and left together. Mother Jia had already seen that her husband was preoccupied. The girl winked, and the people in the room also went out. "Master, is there something on his mind? Hasn't the Wang family already set a date for their marriage, or have they found something wrong?" Mother Jia brought a cup of tea for Jia Daishan herself, and sat down at her husband's head.

"The prince is very reasonable. How can their family be picky and unreasonable like the small family. Today I took Zheng'er to see them. Although there are no elders in front of them, their children are very good. That Wang Ziteng is about the same age as Zheng'er, but he has already married a wife and had children. Now he speaks and acts like his grandfather, and he is very good at talking. It's really hard for him. A young man in his twenties doesn't send his sister from the capital to Jinling , so many things, all settled properly. When Jia Zhen came back and praised him, I thought Jia Zhen was exaggerating. I thought to myself that I also met him when I was in Hangzhou, and he was just a man at that time. Looks like a child. I didn’t expect to change his appearance in just a few years! You see, Zheng’er, with the passage of year after year, still has the temperament of a child, and he can’t get on the table at critical moments.” Jia Daishan’s expression was serious. Envious and jealous, she wished she could exchange her two sons for one of the Wang family's sons.

Jia's mother was a little unhappy when she heard her husband's words: "Our children are also very good. Their prince Teng went to the army with his grandfather and good father. People will naturally change a lot after going through life and death. This has something to do with it." What's so strange, the master took him as a child prodigy. If you put Zheng'er on the battlefield, you don't need to be on the battlefield, just follow the master to do things for a few days, you can see if he can grow up overnight. I I know what the master means, because I think I'm too spoiled with children. But Zheng'er's body was not a strong one since he was a child. Let Zheng'er be the lifeblood of his darling, and if Zheng'er makes a mistake, wouldn't that kill the old lady? I only have three children in total, and I won't live for any of them!" Speaking of which, Jia Mu's eyes were full of tears, and she covered her face with a silk and began to cry.

Jia Daishan saw the sad things that aroused his wife, and quickly patted her hand: "It's all old things, what are you still talking about, it's always my fault. We are all getting old, and we are watching Zheng'er is going to marry a daughter-in-law, and you are still jealous of things that happened decades ago. You are not afraid of your wife's jokes. I mean..." Jia Daishan said today that Jia Zheng and Wang Zisheng have no face in archery: "Zheng'er I think your body is fine, and you should let your child exercise. Our family is a military commander, and we do not forget the fundamental meaning of teaching martial arts to our children. You see that Zheng'er fell ill before the exam, I am afraid it is usually too pampered If you can't bear a little grievance, you will get sick. If you don't have a good body and bones, it will be useless to be a big official in the future."

"What, they're playing tricks on Zheng'er. It's too self-willed without the restraint of the elders. Naturally, the new son-in-law will beat and beat when he comes to the door, but the disturbance is too outrageous. Where has Zheng'er practiced archery before? He refuses to admit defeat in front of others. You must be brave, and try your best, what if you get hurt?" Mother Jia felt distressed when she heard what her husband said about the situation in Wang's house, and she asked someone to ask a doctor to check Jia Zheng's injuries.

Forget it, there's nothing wrong with him.It's obvious that you have spoiled me.Jia Daishan stopped Jia's mother, and said to his wife with some complaints: "All good children are spoiled. After Zheng'er gets married, you can just hand him over to his wife at ease."

Mother Jia wanted to say something else, but she stopped talking when she saw that her husband seemed angry.

Jia Min went back to her yard, her maids were already waiting for her at the door.Seeing Jia Min coming back, the girl Ankang took the box from her hand with a smile: "My wife searched through the box to find the old things, and even we were girls. The girl was born to my wife, so I don't know what good things I got. All the big guys in our yard got something, and the little girls went crazy with joy." Jia Min held the girl's hand and came in: "You shallow-sighted people, who are happy when you get something, forget everything. Don't just Caring about distributing clothes and even forgetting about errands, have you fed my parrot and watered the flowers?" Jia Min said while standing on the parrot stand hanging on the steps.There was a big snow-white parrot on it. Hearing Jia Min's voice, he stuck his head out from under the wings, blinking his small mung bean eyes and looking at her.

Jia Min's girl smiled happily: "This thing is very clever, we just ignore it when we go to feed it, that is, when the girl comes, this little thing will raise its head when it hears it from a distance."

"That's because the girl treats it well, and she still thinks about it when she goes out." A woman's anger came from afar. Jia Min looked up and found that Jia She's wife, Mrs. Zhang, was standing at the door looking at her with a little girl on her back. . "You didn't report, why is sister-in-law here?" Jia Min glanced at the little girls in reproach, but wondered why sister-in-law had always shown affection for her, so why did she come here suddenly?Although she was muttering in her heart, Jia Min still welcomed her in with a smile and sat down.

Mrs. Zhang and Jia Min entered the room and sat down among the guests of honor, while the girls brought tea.Mrs. Zhang exchanged pleasantries with Jia Min for a while, and she saw the small box that the girl casually put on the table, and asked, "Madam asked someone to look through the things, take out the old things and distribute them to everyone. How much did I get?" I don’t know what my sister got.” Although Zhang was born in a family of officials and married to the eldest son of the Rongguo Mansion, she has a rigid personality, and Jia Min doesn’t like her very much, and getting along with her in daily life is just a matter of face. That's all.Today Mrs. Zhang came here to sit and gossip. Jia Min expected that Mrs. Zhang must have something to say.Unexpectedly, when Mrs. Zhang asked about the distribution of things first, Jia Min inevitably became irritable.

She lowered her eyes lightly, and said nonchalantly: "Actually, my wife always packs things very clearly. Today, my wife asked people to rummage through the boxes for the purpose of finding things. It's not that my second brother's wedding is about to take place. My wife wants to ask people to go through the boxes." How many people in the whole house need to make new clothes, I'm afraid it will be too late. It's better to ask the outsiders to do it first, and the girls in the second door, especially those who have a reputation, just find out the old clothes and add some materials. What should be changed, and what should be added. This year, His Royal Highness is getting married, and the royal family is selecting beautiful women. After the election, many people will arrange their children’s marriages. It is time to use materials. The master was originally in the weaving office, but there was a lot of trouble. I am even nervous about the good materials I need to use at home. The clothes for the servants have to rely on old things from the past." Although Jia Min doesn't care much about the trivial matters at home, she is smart and guesses that Mrs. Zhang must be doing it for her son. When Li entered the door, she was worried that she would lose favor in front of her in-laws and dare not show it in front of her mother, so she came here to collect news.So Jia Min euphemistically expressed that Zili's ostentation and the attention she received from Jia Daishan and Jia's mother couldn't keep up with her.

"Speaking of it, the second sister-in-law is wronged. I remember that when my sister-in-law came in, everyone in the family made new clothes." Jia Min pointed to Zhang, telling her not to show her dissatisfaction.The status of the Wang family is not what it used to be, and it is not at the same level compared with Zhang's natal family.

Mrs. Zhang naturally knows how to measure, but she still has a thorn in her heart. Ever since the old lady in the upper room was very flattering that day, when she heard Mother Jia and the old lady talk about the dowry of the Wang family, Mrs. Zhang felt that the whole family was secretly Comparing her with Zili, from her family background and appearance to her dowry, even brothers Jia Zheng and Jia She were dragged out for comparison.

"Speaking of which, the new daughter-in-law is also wronged. My sister heard that this girl from the Wang family was almost going to enter the palace to become a nobleman. I don't know why she was rejected." Zhang lowered her voice, covering up the well-known secret. , The look is full of regret.Jia Min thought it was the Jia family's good luck to be able to marry an outstanding girl as a wife: "Although it is good to enter the palace, after all, the family will not be able to see each other, which is not beautiful. It is better to marry someone who knows everything, and the parents-in-law and elders love her." , and still have frequent visits with her natal family, I met my new sister-in-law in Hangzhou. She is an excellent person, and she has always been kind to others."

The words were not speculative, and Zhang always felt that Jia Min was tit-for-tat against her everywhere, and Zhang couldn't sit still: "It's getting late, I won't delay the girl." Saying this, Zhang got up and said goodbye.

Ankang watched Mrs. Zhang go out and come in with bird's nest soup: "Grandma has never liked us here, but today is strange. Why did she sit here for a long time?"

"What else can she do for it? It's just to look at the bride's dowry, her family background is stronger than her, and she comes here to chat with the girl. The girl, a girl who hasn't gone out, doesn't care about things like her. This grandma usually still Forget it, how come the second grandma hasn't entered the house yet, why can't the eldest grandma mess herself up first?" Xi Le explained Zhang's thoughts, the richness of Zili's dowry became the most talked about thing in Jia's family, Zhang's dowry It has become a ready-made comparison standard for everyone.The people on Jia Amnesty's side began to envy Jia Zheng's slaves. The second grandma seemed to be generous, and when the new grandma came in, she would be happy to serve her. It would be good to reward her with whatever she wanted.Compared with Jia She's side, it looks pitiful. Jia She has nothing to do now, and he only relies on the family's monthly allowance every month. How can he have much money? It's not enough for Jia She to spend by himself.Although Mrs. Zhang's dowry is not bad, but her dowry is all furniture, head jewelry, and several boxes of clothes and brocades, all of which are things to save face.None of them can be turned into silver flowers, so Mrs. Zhang doesn't seem so generous in his daily life.Gradually, Jia Amnesty's servants began to dislike following their master for the lack of oil and water.

Jia Min naturally didn't care about Zhang's thoughts: "It's because the sister-in-law is too soft-faced, and it is inevitable that she is too arrogant to indulge her servants. She doesn't think about it, those people are really loyal just relying on small favors and small benefits, civil and military ways One piece at a time, family management requires both kindness and power to be comprehensive. Forget it, why don't you help me think about what gift I should give when my new sister-in-law comes in." Jia Min was looking forward to Zili's arrival and commanded the girls Find out her previous needlework as a present for Zili.

In Jiamu's main courtyard, Jia Daishan complained with Jiamu, blaming his wife for not persuading her mother to spoil her children too much.Seeing that her husband was angry, Mother Jia didn't confront him head-on. She just lowered her head and mentioned in a sad voice that Jia Zheng was sick when she was born.That incident was already a heart disease in Jia Daishan's heart, and he was soon defeated by his wife's tears and forbearance and did not mention it anymore. "Why did you dig out the old things? You still have time to tidy up this when there is a wedding going on." Jia Daishan changed the subject, and asked strangely when he saw that his wife's youthful clothes were inside the open box.

"The current materials at home are not good. It is barely suitable to make clothes for the servants outside the second gate. The girls inside are still wearing that big-budget stuff to make people see a joke. I think it's better to dig out the old things. I don't need them anyway. They are all clothes that have only been worn once or twice, and there are still some that have not been worn. I have never worn them outside and made them. It is better to find out and wear them for the maids. When Zhenger gets married There are people coming and going, and the maids dress up nicely, and the family has face." Jia Mu pointed to the clothes in several boxes and told her plan.

"Your clothes are all very good, they are ruined by girls. And after all, they are old. It doesn't look good on a big day. There are too many errands this year. The grandson's wedding, the emperor ordered it to be grand It looks good, except for Taisun and Taisun Liangdi's auspicious clothes, which have already been rushed overnight. I even forgot that our family also has a wedding. You should go to the warehouse to see, I remember that there are always good silks left in the warehouse, which are now on the market. The silk used by the common people has become thinner and thinner, and the silk used by the officials is the same. It is still fine and thick." Jia Daishan couldn't help having a headache when he thought of the overwhelming task of weaving the yamen.

Taisun and Taisun Liangdi's auspicious clothes are all made of silk brocade, which is measured first and then woven on a loom one by one. The patterns on the auspicious clothes are all jacquard silk, and a skilled craftsman can only weave one inch a day.Seeing the grand-grandson's wedding day approaching, Jia Daishan was very anxious.The position of weaving is indeed a huge vacancy, not only to support the silk and satin used by the imperial court, but also to manage the silk weaving industry in the south of the Yangtze River. The trade has gradually flourished in recent years.Jiangnan's silk is exported overseas, and it costs tens of millions of silver a year. This weaving seat is like sitting on a golden mountain.

Jia Daishan had saved a lot in Jinling weaving, and Jia Zheng got a good marriage, and this time he went to Beijing and was praised by the emperor. He thought that there would be a royal family in the court who could support each other, and he had been running in Jinling for many years outside. The family business is prosperous, and the children and grandchildren can have no worries for three generations.Jia Daishan was so happy that he couldn't help showing off his face with joy. He told Jia's mother: "Don't just think about saving money, everything should look good. Our family doesn't lack that little money. If it doesn't make relatives and friends see it, it's not decent. People joke that our family can afford a horse but not a saddle."

The Jia family was preparing for the wedding with great fanfare, and there was a sensation in Jinling City. For several days, the news that the youngest son of Rong Guogong's mansion was going to marry a girl from the Wang family had been entrenched in the headlines of Jinling City.Even Zili, who was in the boudoir, was blown into rumors about Jia's wealth.

Wang Ziteng was in Zili's room, talking triumphantly to Zili about her grand wedding plan: "Since the Jia family is willing to show their sincerity, we can't be shabby anymore. Although grandfather and father are far away in the capital, Jinling is also our home." I have already drawn up the foundation. The banquet will start tomorrow. Zisheng and I have been busy these days, visiting our relatives and friends side by side. Friends from the officialdom have also come to congratulate Yes. Grandfather didn’t tell us when we were leaving. Don’t forget the old subordinates. I want to invite the old subordinates at home first, the old friends, and then the relatives. First invite the distant relatives, and then the close relatives. You are married I saw that the sedan chair in the south is more exquisite, and some salt merchants in Yangzhou sent a thousand-work sedan chair, and the pavilions and pavilions on it are really exquisite." Wang Ziteng said triumphantly about the wedding arrangement, and suddenly he With a flash in his eyes, he lowered his voice and winked at Zili and said, "You know what? My brother-in-law is still brave after knowing the shame. I heard that he gets up before dawn at home these days, and contacts his master for fisting and kicking." .I'd like to see how long he can last."

"It's too extravagant. If you were in the capital at this moment, your grandfather and father would definitely not ask you to do this. I think it's better to keep a low profile. After all, something like that happened at home. In case the emperor thinks about it again, the new and the old will be together." Forget it. But it’s not good!” Zili’s head started to get dizzy when he heard that the Jia’s family had started to set up a water table to entertain guests day and night.It is true that man's greatest enemy is himself.The emperor's eyeliner is all over the world, and the secret of their family's Ziqian's fake death is also known to the emperor. After seeing the emperor's intelligence network, the Wang family and the Jia family can still marry a daughter-in-law without heart and soul. It is really speechless , No wonder the last four big families fell apart, all because they were in a daze.

When Ziqian was mentioned, Wang Ziteng's expression froze: "Well, I have already sent out the invitation. Besides, the Jia family's disturbance is earth-shattering, our family can't lose face. Speaking of Ziqian, I still want to talk to you. Let me tell you, although she got her wish and married Hu Qizhong's son, she is still living in Hangzhou. You will definitely have a chance to meet him in Jinling in the future. I still remind you, after the meeting, you can't show any traces, only in front of her Other people's daughters-in-law pretend not to know each other when they meet!"

After all, Mrs. Tang was soft-hearted and agreed that Ziqian would follow Hu Liangren.But Mrs. Tang and Ziqian made it clear that since she chose Hu Liangren, the Wang family has nothing to do with her. Whether she lives or dies in the future has nothing to do with the Wang family.Originally thinking that Ziqian followed Hu Liangren back to Hangzhou, at best he would be Hu Liangren's concubine, at worst he would be kicked out by Hu's family.What people didn't expect was that Hu Qizhong actually found a poor scholar's family for Ziqian, saying that she was the daughter of their family, and married into the family as a daughter-in-law in a fair and honest manner!It is said that the marriage was arranged for his son when he was not prosperous before, but now even though the Hu family has made a fortune, they cannot regret the marriage.Hu Qizhong actually gained a reputation of being not powerful.

"I've remembered my brother's instructions, but I don't think the Hu family can stay in Hangzhou for long, I just keep her away." If Wang Changchun's previous plan had been followed, it would be Ziqian who was planning to marry the Jia family at this time. , I was surrounded by a group of palace nuns in the capital to teach the palace rules.It's a pity that people's calculations are not as good as heaven's calculations. Now she is going to marry a family who knows that there will be no good results. She is thousands of miles away from her family, and she has an older sister in Hangzhou who can't meet each other.

"Brother, from now on, my father and mother will be entrusted to my elder brother to take care of me. I have something to tell you, my sister-in-law is a virtuous person, you should treat her well, and now my little niece and future nephew must be educated with all my heart. Dao is the virtue of a gentleman and beheaded for the fifth generation. Our family has just three generations. As for the future, it all depends on your children. There is a saying that the top beam is not right and the bottom beam is crooked. You should always think about setting an example for your children and don’t indulge yourself Behavior." Zili stared into Wang Ziteng's eyes seriously, and told him to keep a low profile, pay attention to children's education, and don't raise a prodigal son.

"Sister, don't worry, I will be filial to my parents and teach my children well. In fact, men are all the same. Seeing a beautiful woman is always a bit involuntary. In fact, my brother-in-law is also the same. If a man sees a beautiful woman It's a big problem if a woman doesn't want to be tempted. As long as he can distinguish between the priorities and the urgency, it doesn't matter. You don't have to accommodate him too much. In fact, men are a bit cheap. If you rush to treat him well, he won't Cherish it. To the woman beside him, you don't have to put all your attention on your face. You have to learn to show weakness. A man will have nothing to do when he sees a woman crying. Turn your face and he is not in front of you. Just show your prestige. If those servants If you dare to challenge you, or the elders of their family protect you, just rest assured that I will back you up!" Although Wang Ziteng has no sons, he still has no concubines, but Mrs. Zhang has found two maids for her husband to put in the house. inside.Zili's words of persuasion to Wang Ziteng to be nice to Zhang made Wang Ziteng mistakenly think that his sister was worried about Jia Zheng's roommate, so he jumped out to pat Zili's chest and give her backing.

Apparently, my brother was wrong, but Zili still felt very warm. She raised her eyebrows at Wang Ziteng and made a face: "If I can't even subdue a few girls, I will really embarrass the ancestors of the Wang family!"

With red makeup and great momentum, Zili was carried by his brother into a sedan chair and left the old house of the Wang family and headed towards the Jia family.A few days ago, Jia Zheng's roommates, whom Zili still dismissed in his heart, actually poked in front of her eyes and kowtowed to her.