Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

"Why am I angry? The third sister is a man who loves others, who doesn't like her? The wife is the mother of the third sister. Is there any mother in the world who doesn't love her daughter? A small family has to save some things for the girl to prepare." What about the dowry, let alone a family like ours. When did the second master's eyelids become so shallow, and he was greedy for a little thing, and the third younger sister didn't blush after calling you brother for many years. If we were in my natal family in the capital, would you Seeing that my mother gave my brother something but not you, are you going to be angry too?" Zili thought to himself that Jia Zheng usually doesn't pay much attention to gold and silver, and refuses to wear expensive clothes. The decoration should be simple and plain, who knows that the heart also values ​​gold and silver that much.Jia Min is still his own sister, so she is worried that her sister will divide the family property?

Just as Zili was despising Jia Zheng's behavior in his heart, Jia Zheng didn't know that his image in his wife's heart was declining rapidly. "I am, oops, you know that our family is rich, but I only have that little money, and I won't give me any more money. I'm ashamed to say it, I want to buy you some jewelry or something, but I don't know what money I have. There is a lot of scarcity at the top. At the end of the year, it needs to be completely new. You said that good women don’t wear wedding clothes. If you still bring dowry things during the Chinese New Year, I feel uncomfortable. Who told me that I have no ability to go out and be a You can only be wronged at home because of your career as an official." Jia Zheng held Zili's hand with embarrassment and his voice became lower and lower.

"You idiot, those things are things outside the body. There is a way of saying that courtesy is more important than affection. Whatever you give me, just put your heart into it. I like piled yarn flowers very much. Why don't you go and pick some flowers for me yourself. He has a gray beard and many exams. Why should you be in a hurry? God pays off, you just study hard and practice hard, and you will always succeed. My grandfather often told us that the world is most afraid of the word "seriousness" As long as you work hard, you will succeed." Zili acted as Jia Zheng's psychological counselor, alleviating Jia Zheng's anxiety.

Lang Huan still left the Rongguo Mansion and went home. They were also big girls who served by Jia Zheng's side. Unlike Qing Yun who was embarrassed, it was very honorable for Lang Huan to leave.Zili was naturally not stingy, in addition to following the Jia family's practice, she also added a lot of extra rewards to girls who went out to marry. "These are the thoughts of me and the second master. You will be very excited when you take them back home. These pieces of satin are for you to make a wedding dress, and the 100 taels of silver are given to you by the second master. After you go out, find a loyal family and have a good time." If you are free, come in and talk to me. The wife and the old lady are thinking about you too." Zili smiled and looked at Langhuan who was kneeling on the ground kowtowing to her.In fact, Lang Huan is indeed a beautiful girl, with exquisite facial features, and a pair of eyes that are like spring water with a natural charm.No wonder Lang Huan had always been the most proud person around Jia Zheng by overpowering Qing Yun before she made a mistake.In addition, Lang Huan is very good at needlework and sharp in speech. She is definitely an outstanding character, not to mention being placed in the group of maids, even in the group of the master's grandma and young lady, she is not inferior to her style.

The same sex repels each other, especially Lang Huan, who can be said to be Jia Zheng's first woman, and it is always uncomfortable to be around such a person.Since Lang Huanzhun asked to go, Zili was naturally willing to grant it.

Thank you grandma and Erye for their kindness. When I go back, I can only burn incense in front of the Buddha every day to bless Erye’s high school champion and grandma’s longevity and well-being.Saying that Lang Huan kowtowed and was about to go out, many girls and women standing in the yard outside came to see her out.Zili waved his hand, and Mingqian stepped forward to help her up: "Go and say goodbye to them, at least we are working together." Before he finished speaking, he saw Pearl from Jiamu's side approaching.She smiled and said to Zili: "Madam asked me to give Lang Huan money, and brought two maids to fill Shang Qing Yun and Lang Huan's nest."

Zili looked at the two juicy girls behind Pearl, and smiled brighter.Suddenly, I heard the voice of the little girl outside: "Someone sent a reward from the palace to Second Mistress."

Zili hurriedly stood up, she was very surprised, how could the palace give her a reward?As he said that, he saw people from Jia Daishan coming over and saying, "Please come to the main hall to thank my second grandma." Zili hurriedly tidied up, and was surrounded by a group of maids.In the main hall of Rongguo Mansion, there are a few things neatly placed, and they are covered with satin.A member of the Wang family was standing by the table talking to Jia Daishan. When they saw Zili come in, they hurriedly greeted her, "Second aunt, grandma. The old lady and the wife entered the palace. The empress saw the old lady and said she was thinking of her aunt. It's a pity." My aunt can't go to the palace to talk in Jinling to relieve my boredom. The empress specially rewarded my aunt with two pieces of brocade, two pairs of palace-made purses, a set of new books, and a box of playthings." Zili heard that it was the queen's habit to give gifts to the wives, She thought it must be the empress who gave Zili a special reward in order to express her apology for not being able to enter the palace.Zili kowtowed in the direction of the capital to thank her, and asked the girl to accept the reward.

Zili saw that the person who delivered the things was a close friend of his father's, named Cao Yong, so he knew that his father must have something important to do.Zili asked about the situation at home, and Cao Yong said: "Everything is fine at home, please don't worry, grandma. The master asked me to check the fields of my hometown. My ancestral home is in the south. Now I have been away for many years, so I took the opportunity to ask the master for an errand to come over." Just in time for the end of the year, I will do the master's errand to deliver things to my aunt, and then I will go home and have a look."

Jia Daishan said: "In this case, you should stay at home first. The weather is cold these days and there is still snow on the road. Let's go after a few days when the weather improves."

Cao Yong hastily declined: "Thank you, Mr. Jia, for your kindness. It's just that my master told me to return to the capital before the New Year's Lantern Festival. It seems time is tight and I can't stay." Zili knew that Cao Yong didn't care about the family's fields at all. He was a person who specially ran secret errands for Wang Ding. At the end of the year, merchants who went out to do business had to go home for a reunion, but his father sent him out. It seemed that Zili's delivery was just an excuse.Thinking of this, Zili said to Jia Daishan: "My father still has a military temper, so he doesn't dare to delay the time. In this case, you go down to have a rest, and leave tomorrow. If you need anything, go and talk to Zhou Rui." Outside Someone had already called Zhou Rui to wait outside the main hall to take Cao Yong to rest.

Cao Yong quit, and Jia Daishan said to Zili, "Since it is a gift from the empress, you can accept it. You will be busy at the end of the year." Zili bowed to Jia Daishan and withdrew.

Coming out of the main hall, the whole journey was full of joy after the rain and before dawn. Mingqian proudly said: "Second grandma is a pain, and the empress still misses second grandma. Although these things are common, but this Face is hard to come by. It’s not like some people only plan on others, for fear of being robbed of the limelight, and end up being the most shameless.” Zili knew that Ming Qian was mocking Zhang and Jia She, and she hinted with her eyes not to talk nonsense, to be peaceful He said: "You girl is full of nonsense, the queen empress respects the world, and she is kind to all directions. I am naturally grateful for the grace of the empress Dai. As for other things, the brain grows on other people, and what others say and think has nothing to do with me." Mingqian found out If you make a slip of the tongue, stick out your tongue and stop talking.While talking, Xiao Ai quietly came up to Zili and whispered to Zili: "Zhou Rui said that after dinner, Cao Yong will come in and say hello to grandma." Just now, Cao Yong naturally had many things he couldn't explain in front of Jia Daishan.

Zili couldn't help quickening his pace: "Hurry up and go back, it's time for dinner. I have a lot of things to do today, and I still have to go to the wife and the old lady? Didn't the second master accompany the master to meet people? Ask him if he will come back I'm back. If it's late, please ask the second master to rest outside, it's even worse to save yourself from the cold weather." Mingqian knew that it was Zili who didn't want Jia Zheng to come in and disturb him, so she immediately called for someone to come in for him. Jia Zheng sent a message.

The empress gave the reward, but Zili couldn't just take it back to appreciate it without saying a word. According to the rules, she had to show the old lady and the wife first before taking it back.Of course Zili would keep some of his belongings for his parents-in-law, and of course the old lady and wife would not accept Zili's belongings without opening their eyes.It's just that this is an etiquette procedure, just like whoever gets a bonus wants to treat someone to dinner now.

Zili went to the old lady first, and everything seemed to be planned in advance according to the script. Zili first told the old lady about the queen's reward, and the old lady looked at the queen's reward and said to Zili: "Since it is You just accept it as a gift from the empress." Then he said some words of reporting to heaven.Zili behaved like a ritual, and came out soon.Then she went to Jiamu's side non-stop, and Jiamu was joking with her precious daughter.Seeing Zili come in, she smiled and said, "I hear you won the lottery, next year must be good luck."

"It's also thanks to my wife's blessing. The Empress gave me a lot of things. The third younger sister can just take whatever she likes." Zili greeted Jia Mu with a smile. Although her words were polite, she was not mean-spirited, Jia Min Just take whatever you see.Unexpectedly, Jia Min sneered: "I don't have that kind of blessing. Since it was given to my sister-in-law by the empress, sister-in-law should accept it. Not everyone has this kind of favor. We are not worthy of such a blessing. that."

What a shame, Zili's kindness was taken by Jia Min to show off, and the third aunt's grandmother directly gave Zili a hard time, and instead she satirized Zili for showing off.

"Since the third sister knows that I am greedy, I won't let it go." Zili was not angry on the contrary, she admitted with a smile that she was greedy for money and stingy.Turning around to the girls, he said, "Did you hear that? Hurry up and take the things home, but be careful."

She was still clever after the rain, and she immediately agreed: "Yes, second grandma, don't worry, there will be one less. If there is one or half less, grandma won't cry sadly all night." The maids who served her all laughed stand up.Mother Jia pretended not to hear her daughter's sarcasm.Pointing at Zili, she smiled and said, "What a petty brat! Don't worry, no one will rob you. What do you think of those two girls?"

The anger in my heart hadn't calmed down just now, and Jia's mother followed suit, and Zili felt his eyes darken. Looking at Jia's mother and Jia Min, he thought to himself that if there is a mother, there must be a daughter. Peace of mind.

"Who are the two girls that the wife is talking about? Since the person chosen by the wife must be very good, I thought that they should take over Qingyun and Langhuan's errands. The two of them are now open and put in the room." , or take it easy after a while?" Zili refused to let others see the joke, and fought back not to be outdone.

first step

As soon as Jia Zheng entered the room, he saw two girls who were by his wife's side coming up to greet him. The leader was Jing Shu who was next to Jia's mother. Jia Zheng asked in surprise, "Why are you here?" There is no one around the master, so she called us here. Second Mistress asked our sisters to take the seats of Lang Huan and Sister Qingyun and serve by the second master." Jing Shu leaned forward to change Jia Zheng's clothes.Unexpectedly, Jia Zheng walked away without a trace: "You have no rules. It is inappropriate for Jing Shu and Fang Ruo to be around Mrs. Jing Shu and Fang Ruo's wife to do all the things in the house." Xiao Ai and Bo He have been standing far away On the ground, after hearing what Jia Zheng said, the two maids hurried over to help Jia Zheng change his clothes: "The two elder sisters want to serve, and we can't refuse."

"Still quibbling, it's because your grandma usually spoils you too much. Anyway, there is nothing in my room, so you can enjoy it." Jia Zheng changed his clothes and washed his face with a towel, and suddenly remembered something and asked, "Why didn't you see me?" After the rain and before the dawn? If they get bigger, I’ll just ask you little girls to come out. I heard someone from the capital is here today?” Jia Zheng seemed to be expressing his dissatisfaction with Xiao Ai and Mint, but Xiaoai and Mint were still smiling I'm not afraid at all.

"It's because our old natal wife and the old lady went to the palace to congratulate the empress. The empress thought about our girl. Although she married here, she gave us a gift. It was someone from the old natal family. The girl thanked you, and she was tired when she came back, so she was resting inside. I'll call to go." Xiao Ai babbled, and it was really big pearls and small pearls falling on the jade plate.

"You girl used to be silent, but you are still so smart. I am still surprised. Your grandma is a straightforward person, but her girl is dull. Since she is tired, don't disturb her. I will go in Look at her." Jia Zheng glanced at Xiao Ai, put the towel in the sink, and walked in.Jing Shu and Fang Ruo were ignored by Jia Zheng, their faces were a little embarrassing, but Fang Ruo and Jing Shu soon returned to normal. After a long time, it also has face.Originally, Mother Jia put them in Jia Zheng's room, and the two girls were clever, so they were immediately happy.Thinking about going further, I have to climb high branches.Unexpectedly, the goddess wanted King Xiang to be ruthless, and when the two of them came in, Jia Zheng poured cold water on their heads, and their hearts were half cold.Jing Shu just wanted to speak up, but Fang Ruo gently pulled her sleeves, so she could only calm down and follow Fang Ruo carrying the water basin.

Waiting to come out, Jing Shu said to Fang Ruo with some complaints: "We grew up, and I have no intention of hiding it from you. Seeing that we are all a year old, if we haven't grown up Relying is nothing more than going out to match the kid. The situation in your family is not much better than mine, not like Langhuan's. Her father is the little boss of the comprador who manages a few people, so he can take care of her to some extent. We also I can only resign myself to fate. Since God gave me this opportunity, I will give it a go, and God should give me a way out." These girls have been working in Jia's mansion since they were young. people.They don't have to worry about food and clothing, and can earn money to subsidize their families.It's just that once they reach the age of marriage, they have to go out, or be assigned to the servants at home, and those with worse fate are sent to the Zhuangzi to be peasant women.Compared with the life of living in the mansion without worrying about food and clothing, and being flattered by a big girl, it is a world of difference.In order to continue this kind of life, it was their best choice to be concubines and maids for young masters and gentlemen.

"I advise you not to get too excited. There are many wives here. A new daughter-in-law of the second grandma will hold the house up and down in her hands after a few days. She seems to be with her. Don't forget the front How did the old Qing Yun and Lang Huan get out? Lang Huan was able to get out of it, and got a lot of money to marry a decent family. Don't forget Qing Yun's end, how many years she has been in this house. They were sent to the Huaren Factory and burned to ashes." Fang Ruo was more powerful than Jing Shu, and she advised her companions to stay calm.

"You're right, let's see later. As soon as you said it, I suddenly remembered that just now Second Grandma told us that we don't need to serve her, but asked us to serve Second Master. It sounds like she is magnanimous, but she is careful. Think about it, Second Mistress didn't regard us as people in this house at all. She was surrounded by girls brought from her natal family. Others got involved. She is really a powerful Second Mistress. Wouldn't we become her thorn in the side? A thorn in the flesh!" Jing Shu sat on the bed, instead of lying down, she hugged her knees and talked to Fang Ruo.

"What are you talking about, you little hoof? Don't forget that Qingyun's example is on the front. Second Mistress asked us to live here. It's also interesting. Just do your job well every day, don't talk nonsense." If you make a call Yawning, wrapped in the quilt, rolled over and fell asleep.

On the other hand, Jingshu was lying on the bed staring at the roof with burning eyes and didn't know what to think. She didn't fall asleep until midnight.

While Jingshu and Fang Ruo were discussing Zili's strength, Zili became an angry little daughter-in-law lying on the bed with her back to Jia Zheng, sulking.Jia Zheng stood on the edge of the bed, looking helplessly at his wife's back, while Zili was lying on the edge of the bed, standing outside with an air of "I don't welcome you."Jia Zheng stood on the ground with a flattering face, flattering him in a low voice: "You are a sensible person, why bother to argue with the third sister. Since you have already found out the world, why bother to trouble yourself? She has no intentions, you think the third sister is not My wife's darling, as precious as my own eyeballs. She has been held by countless maids and women since she was a child, and everyone in the family holds her as a phoenix. Suddenly you got a reward, and the servants in the family have never seen the world , it is inevitable that she will say some envious and flattering words in front of her, she will be jealous in her heart, and it is also possible for her to speak a little too aggressively. You adults don't care about villains, so don't worry about it."

As Jia Zheng said, he stretched out his hand and gently pushed Zili's waist: "You have the heart to watch me freeze, go in a little, and tell me to lie down." Jia Zheng said, but his paws were dishonestly on Zili's A hinted pat on the ass.Unexpectedly, before Jia Zheng finished speaking, Zili sat up abruptly, pointed at Jia Zheng's nose and said aggressively, "I don't care if you don't make muddy here, but you can't be so indiscriminate. The third sister is young and I am a sister-in-law. It is my duty not to get angry with my sister-in-law. It’s just that what your family does is too unethical. In today's day, I would never have been asked to marry me back then! Even if I recite Buddhism all my life and never get married, I don't want to feel comfortable under other people's roof."

Jia Zheng knew that he was talking about the two maids, and he couldn't understand Jia's mother's stubbornness. Jia Zheng put a maid next to him before because Jia Zheng was not married and needed someone to take care of him. Now that he has a wife, he doesn't need a maid. Served.It's a pity that the filial piety was overwhelmed, and Jia Zheng could only complain in his heart. "That's what my wife meant. If I refuse, it will make my wife sad, and instead cause people to gossip. Instead of saying that I find it troublesome, they will randomly guess that you can't tolerate people. In fact, one thing can't be cornered, the girl next to you It wasn’t many, so it would be nice to add two servants.”

Even though she has understood the crap about mother-in-law and sister-in-law, Zili is still a mortal, she also has greed, anger, ignorance, joy, anger, sorrow and joy. "Hey, what are you doing alive after seeing through it all? Is it still human? I can bear this time, but what about the next time? It's a small matter for the two girls, but it will be a long time in the future. Maybe there is something else." Zili said Suddenly, his heart felt hot, and a sour heat rushed straight to his eyes, and he began to cry while holding the silk.

"Don't cry, my heart hurts when you cry." Jia Zheng sat down and held Zili's hand to wipe his tears. "If you are worried, I swear to you today, if I have any wrong thoughts, call me—" Jia Zheng vowed anxiously to show his innocence to Zili, and the girl Jia Mu gave is beautiful, but now Jia Zheng studied with Mr. Wang, and was often taken out by Jia Daishan to meet people, and gradually learned a lot of unspoken and explicit rules between officials and scholars.He knows that lust is definitely not a good reputation for a scholar who wants to embark on an official career.