Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

When Jia Mu returned to the room, the maids came out to welcome her. The eldest girl Pearl beside her saw that Jia Mu's complexion was not good, and hurriedly said: "Madam's complexion is not good, she must be tired. Today's weather is not good, I have to run over there early in the morning to greet you, and I have to come back against the wind after eating a full belly. I am afraid that I will catch cold, so I ask someone to make black tea for my wife." Jia Mu waved her hand: "I don't want to drink tea, I just want to wait for the grandma to come, you ask her if she has anything important, if there is nothing important, tell her to go back first. I have something to talk to you." Pearl knew that Jia Mu had something to say, so she gestured Tell the girls to go out.

When the room became quiet, Mother Jia asked, "Do you know what Zheng'er's daughter-in-law has been up to these days?" Pearl was taken aback by Mother Jia's question, and immediately said, "Second Grandma didn't do anything else. She is still the same as usual, just saying hello every day, talking with the third girl, and doing needlework. Nothing else. She doesn't even ask about the things in her house. According to the people in the greenhouse, the second grandmother followed the third girl in the The garden pays attention to how to plant flowers. Why did the wife remember to ask this?"

"Hmph, the people under me are so careless. Now she is the baby in front of the old lady. Let me ask you, why is she so close to the old lady. Now the old lady is obedient to her, what I do The daughter-in-law and the mother-in-law have become outsiders! This is a good job for you!" Jia Mu glared at Pearl angrily, and leaned on the cushion to get angry. Today's breakfast, watching the interaction between the old lady and Zili, Jia Jia Mu gave birth to a child. A feeling of being betrayed!The method she was always proud of was blocked by a girl!Mother Jia has always been someone who likes to control the overall situation. Ever since Jia Amnesty got married, Mother Jia felt that she had finally broken free from her position as a young daughter-in-law.In the past, there were only the old lady and her two housewives in the Jia family. As a junior and daughter-in-law, she could only be crushed to death by the old lady.Because she couldn't directly conflict with her mother-in-law, but after Jia She got married, it was different, she also had a daughter-in-law.So Jia's mother started the policy of divide and rule. Mrs. Zhang was a careless person. Not long after Mrs. Zhang entered the house, Mrs. Jia said in front of the whole family that Mrs. Zhang was the eldest daughter-in-law, and she would be the head wife of Rongguo Mansion from now on.Although Mrs. Zhang has just entered the house, she should learn to manage housework.

This truth is high-sounding, and the whole family said that Jiamu was far-sighted and not greedy for power. Zhang manages some trivial matters.The checks and balances between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the three generations of grandparents and grandchildren are more complicated than the open and secret struggle between Jia's mother and the old lady.Mrs. Zhang got the sweetness and the bright future promised by Jia's mother. Of course, she was on Jia's side. The old lady was obviously defeated.Until Zili's appearance, Jia's mother always had the upper hand.

Jia Zheng is because Jia's mother favors her son. In fact, Jia's mother favors her younger son. On the one hand, parents are always pampering their younger children. Jia Min and Jia Zheng are both young, so they will naturally get more care from the elders.In fact, Mother Jia's love for Jia Zheng has a deeper meaning. Jia Zheng was taken away by the old lady when he was born. Mother Jia couldn't raise her son herself. Deep down, she always felt that she owed Jia Zheng. She wants to make up for the maternal love that Jia Zheng couldn't get in her childhood, and this idea has always been hidden in Jia's mother's heart, and sometimes she dare not admit it.That is, she thought that Jia Zheng had been by the old lady's side since he was a child, and his relationship with his biological mother was not that deep. In order to win back her son's heart, she wanted to treat Jia Zheng redoubled.

Since she prefers the younger son, Jia's mother is also very concerned about Jia Zheng's marriage, but her husband has his own ideas, so Jia's mother can only agree to the marriage with the Wang family arranged by her husband Jia Daishan.It's a pity that Jia Zheng's marriage was full of ups and downs. First, it was the matter of the eldest daughter of the Wang family. When she heard the news that the eldest daughter of the Wang family was gone, Jia's mother was relieved. She could choose a better marriage for her beloved son.In fact, in Jia's mother's view, Jia Zheng's daughter-in-law does not need to pay special attention to her family background. A daughter-in-law with a very good family background is naturally arrogant. She is worried that Jia Zheng will be angry after they get married.Unexpectedly, the husband was so determined to marry the Wang family that he actually married the second daughter of the Wang family.When Mother Jia heard the news, she knew that her future young daughter-in-law was not an easy character to deal with. She had met the two girls of the Wang family when she was in Hangzhou.At that time, everyone said Ziqian from Wang's family was good, but Mother Jia thought Eryatou was the most important girl in their family.Although she gave people a carefree and childish feeling, she never lost her composure. Later, Zili was selected as the grandson Liangdi's candidate, which confirmed Jia's mother's judgment.

This girl is good or bad, but she is Zheng'er's daughter-in-law, so it's hard to say whether it's good or bad. If Zili feels that she is unwilling to live a good life with Zheng'er, then she married a troublemaker for nothing.If she possesses her own talent and has the backing of her natal family to act as a domineering power as soon as she enters the door, she will have to bear with her for the face of the Wang family.This is what Mother Jia doesn't want to see.So Jia's mother decided to act first and spread the word in front of the old lady. Anyway, the old lady's temper is straight and will not turn.First use the old lady's hand to disown him, kill her prestige, and then come out to win over and appease him. From now on, I am not afraid that Zili will not obey his words and bow his head and obey his ears.

Unexpectedly, the girl from the Wang family was unexpected. She didn't complain to Mother Jia as she expected, and she didn't get angry with the lady. .She really underestimated this girl, and Mother Jia couldn't help but sigh in her heart, how can she become a talent without beating her, and her beloved son can no longer be taught badly by others.

Pearl came back after a while, and she was a little surprised and said to Mother Jia: "But I found out clearly, although the Second Mistress didn't come to the old lady to show her hospitality these days, the Second Master did go there every day. Didn't she call the Second Grandma?" The master brought something new to the old lady, that is, made soup and sent it to the old lady. Listening to the girl on the second master's side, once she went to the old lady's side to deliver something to the second grandma, and she didn't enter the house. Hearing her talk made the old lady happy, the two of them giggled and giggled, and they could hear it from outside. I didn't expect that the second grandma would be so eloquent when she was in front of the old lady."

"What's wrong with her filial piety? There are people flattering and serving the old lady. It's too late for me to be happy. Now that I know you, go down. I'm getting old now, my energy has weakened, and there are many things at home. You should also Help me see. How many years have you been by my side? In my eyes, you are closer than my own daughter." Pearl blushed when she heard Jia Mu's words, and hurriedly said: "If I have a wife, I will Even if I die, I am willing to die, and this servant only wants to serve his wife for the rest of his life. There is no other idea."

Mother Jia smiled and said, "Nonsense, I will definitely find you a good marriage. There is no girl in every family who does not marry." Before the words were finished, a girl's voice came from outside: "Grandma is here." Mother Jia was in a better mood, and she said to the outside: "Call her in." Mrs. Zhang came in and looked at the pearl first. "What are you here for?" Mrs. Zhang hurriedly replied: "The winter clothes ordered by Madam have been prepared. Everyone's materials have been selected, and I specially brought them to Madam for review. If there is no problem, ask someone to do it." gone."

Talking about a few girls coming in with fabrics, Mother Jia looked over and found that the winter coat material for Zili was satin from the old year. Although the color was bright, it was obvious that the luster was not as fresh as this year's material, and the leather was not the best either. , the silk floss is a little yellow.Jia Mu pretended not to see, and said to Zhang: "As a sister-in-law, it is right for you to care about your younger siblings. Why are you being petty and making people gossip instead?" , Now I can't hold back my face when Jia's mother says the central thing.Zhang's face was flushed with embarrassment, and she stood silently by the side without speaking.

Seeing Mrs. Zhang standing on the ground with her head bowed and twisting her fingers, Jia's mother looked down on her more and more. Although this eldest daughter-in-law is honest and obedient, it's a pity that she has no vision and courage, and she is not even qualified to be a bad person.How did you find a pig teammate!Mother Jia gave Zhang a dissatisfied look, and said: "You should also act like a sister-in-law. Don't let people look down on you. You are sincere to her. If she doesn't know what's good, it's her fault." Mrs. Zhang glanced at Jia's mother stupidly, and then responded after a long while.

Zili was doing needlework with Jia Min. In her previous life, she had read many studies by red scholars, and said that Mrs. Wang didn't like Daiyu.Later, he would vent his anger on Daiyu.Some authors even said with certainty that Mother Jia loves Jia Min. Mrs. Wang probably didn’t enjoy the pampering that a girl should have in her natal family. She waited for her to marry into Jia’s house and serve her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. She stood while Jia Min ate. She watched Jia Min and Jia Mu acting like a baby.The heart is distorted and perverted, so the hatred is transferred to Daiyu.At that time, Zili took it for granted, and made up his mind about the feud between Mrs. Wang and Jia Min's sister-in-law.But when he got here, Zili began to doubt the research of the red scientists.

It is normal for a daughter-in-law to serve her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, and uncles are normal in this age. It is said that some eldest daughters-in-law still take their late-born sister-in-law and uncle to raise their children.Even Wang Ziteng's daughter-in-law, Mrs. Zhang, stood and waited on Zili and Mrs. Tang for dinner after entering the door.Mrs. Wang was born in such an environment, how could she be worried about serving her sister-in-law for dinner.Even if Mrs. Wang was raised in her natal family and lacked love when she was a child, she would never seek maternal love with her mother-in-law no matter how lacking in love she was.Therefore, it is very unlikely that Mrs. Wang envies Jia Mu's love for Jia Min, and then envies and hates Jia Min.

If it was said that Jia Min was spoiled too much and caused Mrs. Wang's jealousy, Zili thought it might be too small. Jia's mother is Jia Min's real mother, so if people don't feel sorry for their own daughter, they still want to take an outsider as their own daughter?Even if Jia Min is now being raised as the princess of the whole family, how much she can spend as a little girl, and how many years she can live.Jia Min can't stay married all her life, so she can always be a princess in Jia's house.Unless—Jia Min and Mrs. Wang are natural enemies, and they can't get along at all.

But Zili said that this is not true for her, Jia Min and her get along happily, there is no conflict at all, the three girls of Rongguo Mansion, the eldest girl and the second girl have all gone out, and Jia Min is lonely as a girl.She likes to have Zili who can speak well to accompany her.Jia Min put down the needle and thread in his hand, tilted his head and looked at Zili.Zili is quietly embroidering a butterfly. What she uses is not ordinary silk thread, but fine silk drawn from pure gold. "Second sister-in-law didn't expect you to be so good at sewing. Give me this purse." Jia Min was weak, and Jia's mother was afraid that she would be tired, so she didn't ask Jia Min to do sewing.

Zili put down the needle and rubbed his neck: "It's just fooling around. I'll give it to you if you don't mind if the embroidery is not good." Looking at the fallen leaves outside, Zili said with a smile, "I bowed my head for a long time, and my neck is sore. Why don't we go out for a walk." Jia Min was eager to go out, and immediately agreed to get up.Jia Min's girl, Ankang, immediately hugged a lambskin short jacket: "Girl, it's cold outside and you should put it on before going out." Jia Min saw that Zili was still wearing a jacket, so she pouted in distaste: "I don't want to wear it, It’s not winter yet, but what does it look like in woolen clothes?”

Xi Le and Ankang immediately coaxed Jia Ming to add clothes together: "The girl is weak and can't stand the wind. It was very cold when she got up this morning. You should put it on. If the girl gets sick again, how can we get along with you?" My wife told me, just show kindness in front of the girl, and take pity on us." Ankang begged Zili: "Second Mistress, take pity on us as girls, the girl's temperament has improved."

Zili complained about the way Jia's mother loved Jia Min. Jia's mother must love her daughter from the bottom of her heart, but the way she loves her is a bit breathless.It is not bad that Jia Min has not been closed off by Jia's mother's weak and weak mentality.Zili reached out to touch Jia Min's hand, but luckily it wasn't very cold, but Jia Min didn't exercise much and his complexion was not good, and her hand was always not as warm as Zili's. "Look, your hands are cold, you'd better put it on. If you don't want to wear this, why don't you take a cloak, the windshield is still loose, and you don't have to take it off and put it on when you come back. What do you think? Girl They are all kind for you, and you don't have to be angry with them."

Ankang immediately brought a light pink white butterfly cloak and put it on Jia Min. She also specially asked two little girls, one with a stove and the other with a mat, to follow Zilihao and Jia Min from a distance to get ready. When Jia Min has cold hands or wants to sit down and rest, he puts her on a cushion to save her from freezing.

Zili and Jia Min walked slowly along the Shiziyong Road in the garden. Although it was already winter, the weather in Jinling was warm, and there were still many chrysanthemums blooming in the garden against the cold wind.Jia Min couldn't help complaining to Zili: "I don't have freedom of movement at all, and I'm watched by the girls all day long, and some people come out to persuade me when I act. I can't do this, and I can't do that. I can't read for a long time, and I can't do sewing. It won’t work if it grows too long. You have to take hard medicine every now and then, so what’s the fun of such a life, even if you eat rich clothes every day?”

"Don't worry about it now, you may get married one day, you still want to live such a comfortable life, go dreaming!" Zili teased Jia Min, Jia Min really does not know the blessings in the blessing, it must be someone else Le crazy.

Jia Min blushed slightly, and said coquettishly, "Second sister-in-law is just making fun of me, and see if I don't tear your mouth apart." As he said that, he was about to pounce on her, but Zili smiled and said, "Although what I said was a joke It's true, but you should also know that you are getting older, and many people who propose marriage have come to your door recently. Although the master and wife are reluctant, they can't delay your life. In the future, you will be a daughter-in-law. I’m always not at home as a girl, I’m worried about your body, now you’re resting every day and still feel uncomfortable every now and then, what will you do in the future? I don’t ask you to be able to ride a horse-drawn bow, but you can’t take medicine three hundred days a year Bar."

Jia Min remembered that when Zili was in Hangzhou, she was also a pampered daughter, but now she is not the same standing in front of her mother-in-law and setting the rules. Zili's present is her future. Jia Min's face turned pale when she thought of this. In the future marriage, Jia Min can only imagine sitting in a bridal sedan chair.She didn't expect the rest of the situation at all. Jia Min realized the seriousness of the matter when Zili mentioned it.

"I don't know what's so good about being married. It's better to live alone for the rest of my life." Jia Min seemed to be tough and came up with her own solution. She pulled Zili: "I know that the second sister-in-law is doing it for my own good, but I'm a girl, that's not what I should think about." Jia Min's toughness was just pretending, and Jia Min's listless tone revealed her inner anxiety.

"I don't mean to ask you to talk to your wife, but I'm just worried about your health. If you don't have a good health, you won't be able to live in peace even if you marry well. I've looked at you coldly these days, and your body is always weak , you take more medicine and supplements than rice every day. People feed on the five grains and the five animals benefit. How can anyone live on ginseng and deer antler? You should also exercise more and walk a hundred steps a day. It's time to eat. Eat the serious meal first, the spleen and stomach can be nourished and can function normally, so why bother to take medicine." Zili advised Jia Min to exercise, as relying on medicinal soup and supplements cannot improve his health.

Jia Min carefully smacked Zili's words, and nodded in agreement: "Second sister-in-law is right, I have been taught. It's just that the girls around me are too noisy, and they wish I would stay still all day long." Woolen cloth."

"Speaking of your girls, why did you give them such names, Ankang, Xile, this is not like the name given to girls by someone who has read poetry and books for my younger sister." Young people, but Zili can't figure out why Jia Min, who likes romantic girls, gave the girl such a rustic name.

"Ankang and Xiyue are not my girls. They were originally close to my wife. At the beginning, the old lady loved her second brother and gave him Qingyun and Langhuan two big girls of one tael of silver. The big girl gave it to me. I also changed their names specially, saying that I hope I can be healthy and happy every day." Jia Min explained the reasons for health and joy.

It turns out that Mother Jia really loves her daughter.It's just that the way she feels distressed seems to be a bit biased. Her three biological children are co-authors, but Jia She has no big girls. I don't know what Jia She and Zhang feel when they look at the over-standard girls around their younger siblings.

"Third Sister, you are indeed here. My brother and sister are very elegant. They are admiring flowers in the garden with Third Sister. You told me to find them easily." Mrs. Zhang brought a girl standing not far away, waving at them.

Looking at Mrs. Zhang, Zili sighed silently, this sister-in-law, she hid as much as she could, but it's a pity that Mrs. Zhang didn't want Zili to be comfortable, and she had to give her some nausea and worry every day and every second. satisfy.