Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

The New Year passed quickly, and Jia Zheng seemed to be enlightened after a long talk with Zili that day. It was as if he was a different person, with a different attitude towards reading and life.In the past, reading was like a show off for Jia Zheng's writing. His imagination could only send him to Juren. As for what to do next, how to plan his official career, Jia Zheng's mind was blank.

Now Jia Zheng not only understands why he wants to study, but also begins to think about his career.Maybe Mr. Wang took Jia Zheng to meet many scholars. Most of these people were not from rich families, but more from scholarly families or those who studied hard by themselves and finally made a fortune.Looking at other people's living conditions, Jia Zheng felt more and more that he was living too extravagantly.

"Grandma, I don't know what's wrong with the second master recently. He refuses to wear new clothes to go out, and insists on finding half-new ones to wear. Although it is the second master's intention, the wife and the old lady will say that we do it when they see it. The slave doesn't care, and I let the master have dirty shoes and socks." Fang Ruo's words interrupted Zili's contemplation, and she took a burden to complain to Zili in embarrassment.

The bag was opened, and inside was a bright red butterfly sleeve with flowers. Zili couldn't help but twitch his mouth when he looked at this dress, and it will be decades later.It's the standard outfit of Second Master Bao.Jia Zheng, on the other hand, has a face like a crown jade, a dignified appearance, and it is not ugly to wear bright red.It's just that Jia Zheng is now going to follow the literary and fresh line, so he naturally despises this stuff as tacky.Zili frowned: "This is given by my wife. Since the second master doesn't like it, I can change it. I'll wear whatever clothes I'm going to. I'll keep them at home for outsiders to wear. In a few days, it's the elder's birthday over there. Just wear this to celebrate your birthday. I remember asking someone to take a lot of plain materials and ask someone to make clothes for the second master, but you watched them finish it?"

Fang Ruo was busy expressing his merits: "Second Master dislikes that the needlework outside is not fine, we did it by ourselves. The clothes are all ready, and Second Master thinks it fits after trying them on."

Although Jia's mother gave the two girls intentionally to make things difficult for Zili, but it cannot be denied that Jia's mother has a way of educating the girls. It's probably not bad at a glance.Although every time he saw two beautiful girls circling around Jia Zhengtuan, he would inevitably feel a little flustered, but Zili wouldn't get angry.She was neither salty nor rude to the two girls, and always kept a distance, neither being particularly courteous nor particularly guarded, just treating them as girls.Since she was a girl, she had to make the best use of everything, and Fang Ruo did all of Jia Zheng's needlework.

"Your needlework is so hard for you. If you have nothing to do these days, you can rest for a few days. The outer study room asks Jing Shu to be on duty. You help them organize their things after the rain. I remember a trick, years ago It’s like making a tent and hanging it up. Who knows, I forgot it, and now the weather is hot, so I just came out and hung it up.” Zili’s words made Fang Ruo’s face stiff, and she quickly lowered her head to cover it up. Looking at the expression on his face: "Yes, just follow grandma's orders."

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not asking you to work! I'm asking you to teach the girls how to do it. Female red needlework is the foundation of women. Although those girls can also needle and thread after the rain, they always do things frizzy. There is no spiritual energy. You just need to point them out." Zili pretended not to understand Fang Ruo's thoughts and explained his intentions.

"I can't take my grandma's words seriously. After the rain, their needlework is very good. I'm worried that if I go there, it will be superfluous." Of course Fang Ruo didn't want to come in and embroider any damn curtains.

Zili pretended not to see Fang Ruo's bitter face and told her to go out.After the rain, wait for Fang Ruo to go out before coming in: "The day after tomorrow, Grandpa is wearing that dress, so I can find it and iron it first. Fang Ruo's thoughts are all on the second master. Where is she?" Willing to do things in front of grandma, but not being able to show off in front of the second master, wouldn't it make her sad to death? We are not idlers, so we just have to do what grandma has errands for. Why are you begging her! Seeing that she is in the wife's house It's enough for people to give her some face, why bother to drag her?"

"What you said is, since she doesn't want to, forget it." Zili never cared about Fang Ruo and Jing Shu, so she asked Yuhou to take the little girls to find out the tricks and start assigning work.

Xiayingsha is very good for making tents, so Zili took out the sky-blue Xiayingsha and asked the maids to embroider peach blossoms on it with silk threads.The little girls gathered together and chattered in amazement: "There used to be a lot of grass and insects when embroidering flowers, but I have never seen a single flower without embroidering the pattern of broken branches. Hanging this tent must be the same as lying under a peach blossom tree."

"Grandma has seen the big world, you have to learn from grandma, don't be like the gangsters in the well, you only see a little sky, and you will be laughed at when you go out to talk and do things." Jing Shu appeared out of nowhere , Facing Hancui, Biyun and the others laughed.

"Why are you here, but what's the matter with Second Master?" Zili looked at Jingshu in surprise.In the past few days, Jingshu would come to Zili's side whenever she had something to do. She is a person who has no profit and can't get up early. Zili is not a fool without a city. I believe that Jingshu is a harmless little white rabbit.

"The second master wants to study quietly by himself, and Mr. Wang has come these few days. It is inconvenient for me to be there, so I just ask the little girl to take care of her. During these days, I slowly taught Xinghua a few girls, and they Although she is young, she is not stupid and has learned everything. I came in to serve grandma." Jing Shu carefully flattered Zili, with her head half down, showing great respect, but she was actually observing Zili secretly.

"You've worked hard serving the second master. Let other girls do this." Zili told Jing Shu to rest, but Jing Shu wanted to say something but Han Cui Biyun and the other girls blocked her mouth first: "This is Grandma feels sorry for our servants, sister Jingshu, go and rest, we were originally doing this. Everyone knows that the girl is ingenious, so let us leave something for us, don't take all the benefits." Said Han Cui He Biyun smiled and stepped forward to push Jingshu to go out.

Jing Shu had an embarrassed smile on her face, and Xiang Zili pretended not to see her so she had to go out first. Han Yan and Bi Yun watched her go, then turned to the little girl under the porch and said angrily: "You are all dead, Why didn’t you let me know if you came in? Can anyone enter Grandma’s house casually?”

A few little girls said aggrievedly: "We originally wanted to report. But sister Jingshu said that she is from this house, so we don't dare to make noise with her if we don't want to report."

"What kind of sister is she? She's just a girl, but she's just serving by the second master's side, as if she's got a royal seal, and doesn't take others seriously!" Han Cui angrily poked the little girl's forehead with her finger, all of which cost a penny. Girl, Han Cui Biyun has served Jia Zheng here for many years, seeing Lang Huan and Qing Yun leave, Jia Zheng is surrounded by them.Unexpectedly, Fang Ruo and Jing Shu came suddenly. The guard of honor of the two was gifted by Jia Mu, and even Zili wanted to save three points of face. We have no chance of promotion, the original old man was convinced.

Han Cui Biyun is also getting older as a girl, and is about to face the juncture of going out and getting married.The little girl didn't dare to be very wronged after being scolded, so she just lowered her head and went sad secretly.In the room, Mingqian and Yuhou listened to the movement outside, showing a sarcastic smile, "They have the same thoughts, such shameless things only want to curry favor with the second master. They don't care about their own virtues!" After the rain, he looked down on Han Cui Biyun's mind.

"Forget it, everyone has their own aspirations, let's see them bite it off." Mingqian Han Cuibiyun came in, and dragged Yuhou away from the window.

Zili was looking at the Jia family's daily expenses one by one with the ledger.Suddenly I heard the girl announce, "The third girl is here." Zili raised her eyebrows in surprise, wondering why she came. Ever since Jia Min embarrassed Zili that day, the two aunts and sisters-in-law have never been as harmonious as before.Zili is not a saint. Although she understands the fundamentals of the relationship between sister-in-law and mother-in-law, it means that she can swallow her anger and let others slap her in the face.She is also tempered and self-respecting.She is naturally kind to Jia Min and takes special care of her in life.It's just that the two of them no longer stick together all day like they used to and talk about everything.Fortunately, Zili's housekeeper had a lot of things to do, and most people didn't notice the delicate atmosphere between Zili and Jia Min.

"Please, why is the third sister here at this time?" Zili hurriedly got up to greet her, and poured tea herself after the rain.Jia Min came in with a smile, she didn't seem to remember the last time at all: "I have nothing to do to visit my sister-in-law, but now my sister-in-law is very powerful, I don't dare to climb up to her." Zili frowned slightly Mei, why doesn't this sound like a taste?What I can do is to follow my wife's orders, and I'm worried that I won't be able to make people laugh.Third sister try this, this year's new tea.After the rain, a small azure Ru kiln tea bowl was brought up. There was a cup of clear tea in it. The soup was clear and blue, exuding a refreshing aroma.

"How did you come up with the idea of ​​putting tea in this cup? Although I have some teacups over there, none of them can compare with this one. I also got new tea over there. It's Longjing new tea. The smell is a bit stronger than this one. My name is Xilena." Come and give it to my sister-in-law." Jia Min praised Zili's delicate teacup and couldn't put it down.Hehehe, the third girl's tea is not for free, Zili said helplessly, "If you like it, you can play with it, I only have this one cup and it doesn't look good." In Jia Min's view, as long as Rong Rong The things inside the gate of the state mansion belonged to her, and Zili didn't want to make any troubles, so he let her go.Of course, Jia Min is not a money-grubbing person, she is just a young girl who likes delicate things, and she used to walk sideways at home.How can a spoiled child have so many worries, in her opinion, everyone likes her to curry favor with her.She was willing to open her mouth with Zili and give in first.

Seeing that Zili readily agreed, Jia Min felt that the little things between her and Zili were over. She and Zili had an affectionate conversation, then suddenly twitched and lowered her voice: "I will come to disturb you frequently in the past few days. As for my sister-in-law, please don't dislike me if I don't do well."

Jia Min, a little girl, what is there to bother her?Don't let her ask for something to play with. "Look at my memory. Seeing that the weather is getting hot, you want some fresh materials and jewelry, which I have already prepared. Yesterday they said that they hired an excellent kite maker and made some exquisite kites. I also asked someone to make a swing frame in the garden, and you took the girl to have fun. It’s cold in winter, and now it’s hot, just come out and evacuate.”

Preventing Zili from calling people, Jia Min said in a low voice: "Mother means that my sister-in-law and I should learn how to be housekeepers." Zili saw the rosy glow on Jia Min's face, and he understood it all at once. .Oh, so it turns out that Jia Min's marriage is about to be finalized.

Zili said with a smile, "Congratulations, miss. This time, I'm going to get a good husband." Jia Min blushed and said angrily, "Bah, you're only making fun of me."

"Although I'm joking, it's also the truth. If that's the case, I'm waiting for you." Zili changed the topic with a smile.She was secretly surprised, it stands to reason that Jia Min would never come to her door to tell her this in person, when she was at her mother's house, she used to study housekeeping with Madam Tang, and later Wang Ziteng's wife was housekeeper, Madam Tang wanted Zili to continue her studies They all talked to their daughter-in-law first, and then called Zili over.Why is Jia Min, a girl, rushing to talk to her first?Just when Zili was wondering, he saw someone from Jia Mu's side passing a message: "Madam asked Second Mistress to come over and have something to say." I'm afraid that's what Jia Mu wanted to say.Jia Min also said goodbye and left, Zili hurriedly dressed and took the girl to Jiamu's side.

Seeing Zili coming, Jia's mother smiled and said, "Come quickly, I have something to tell you. Min'er's father has taken a fancy to the only son of Mr. Lin's family and wants to marry their family. This matter is very accurate. , Waiting for the results of this year's scientific examination to get married. Although I am reluctant, I can't delay my daughter's life. I called you here today to discuss with you that Min'er should learn how to manage housework. There is one more thing I need your help with. "

If you really want to ask for a different face, it is rare for Jia Mu to speak to Zili who is as gentle as she is on the outside.Since she is someone else's daughter-in-law, Zili is also willing to cooperate in acting: "Madam, just tell me, I will do whatever you want."

"I know you are filial. It's not like some people talk about filial piety and avoid things when they encounter problems. That Lin family is Qingyuan Hou Lin's family, and the four generations of his family should also be big family members. It's just that their family was not much like ours before. Friendship, I don't know what kind of character that Lin family boy is. I think your father and grandfather are both in the capital, can you help me find out. I don't worry about their family's wealth or not. That's it." Wang Changchun and Wang Dingqian are in the center, especially Wang Dingqian is also the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and all the files of officials in the world are archived in the Ministry of Officials, and Jia Mu wants Zili's father to investigate the files privately. charges.

Zili pretended to be confused: "Although I am young and ignorant, I have also heard from my father and grandfather that the Ministry of Officials has files on officials from all over the world, but they cannot be opened and inspected without the emperor's order. Anyway, I don't know anything about the officialdom outside. If you don’t know why, why don’t you tell the master to write to my father. Don’t ask me to pass the message on by mistake, and it will delay things even more.”

Jia's mother was blocked by Zili's words. She was about to get angry, but she kept her composure after thinking about it: "You are an honest person, and you don't know what's going on outside. Wait until you call Min'er over tomorrow, and you'll teach him how to manage the house." You are a sister-in-law, and she treats you like a real sister, so don't let her down." Jia Mu came out with the relationship between her sister-in-law and sister-in-law, implying that Zili should not trip her precious daughter.

"I also take the third sister as my own sister, but I must tell the third sister everything I know." Zili immediately said that she was definitely looking after Jia Minhao wholeheartedly, and she was not the one behind the scenes.

Waiting for Zili to come back, Jia Zheng actually sat in the room.Seeing Zili come back, Jia Zheng smiled and said, "Grandma is back. You will be a master now, congratulations."

"Why did the second master come in? You also know about the Lin family's marriage. Today, my wife asked me to write to my father to find out the details of the Lin family. Since our family is going to be married to someone, why do we have to investigate behind the scenes. Since we do Isn't it too late to find out about the marriage?" Zili was very curious, Jia Min is Jia's mother's sweetheart, shouldn't it be necessary to investigate the man's details before getting engaged?

"It's my mother's overthinking, and my father has already inquired clearly. Although the Lin family is honorable, it is rare to be a scholar. A real scholarly family. I also met Lin Ruhai today. He is really out of character. I am in front of him. I'm ashamed of myself!" When Jia Zheng saw Lin Ruhai's situation, he felt a little envious and inferior.

Lin Ruhai is not an extraordinary person, how could he raise such an extraterrestrial fairy like Sister Lin, only with a mother like Jia Min, without Lin Ruhai as a father, Sister Lin is just a beautiful little girl, her talent is far from good . "In that case, the third sister should find a good family." Zili said what Jia Min came over today.Jia Zheng watched the tea being served after the rain: "Where did that Ru kiln cup go?"

"It was the third girl who saw that she liked it, so she took it." After the rain, Jia Zheng spoke quickly, and Jia Zheng immediately told about Jia Min's taking away the Ruyao cup today.She was a little bit pained by that cup.Originally, she didn't plan to take that cup after the rain, but Jia Min and Zili were unhappy, so she took it out to please her.Unexpectedly, the third girl took away Zili's favorite things without being polite. Since Jia Zheng asked, Zi ah, Jia Zheng complained to him immediately after the rain.

You are too used to her.Wouldn't it be a waste of money if it was broken?It would be a pity if such a cup could be preserved after all the wind and rain, if it broke in her hands.When Jia Zheng heard that the cup was being asked to leave by his sister, he immediately felt pain.Although there were no auction houses and record-breaking auctions of cultural relics in those days, Ru kiln cups were also very rare treasures.

"Don't complain about this. Why are you being so stingy as a brother? How long can she stay at home when she sees someone else? I'd better write to my mother. She meets a lot of people in the capital and ask about the family tradition of the Lin family. It's good to have a bottom line." Zili asked the girl to write a letter to Mrs. Tang.

"I'll write it tomorrow. My mother is too fond of the third sister, and spoiled her to the point of lawlessness. How can I marry into the Lin family in the future?" Jia Zheng held Zili's hand and looked at his wife with distress.

Zili raised his eyebrows slightly at Jia Zheng: "I don't want to cause trouble again, but the third younger sister also has no intentions. Why should things outside of me be serious. If you really feel bad, why don't you give me something else to make it up to me."

Jia Zheng suddenly smiled ambiguously, leaned close to Zili's ear and bit her ear: "Of course I will do my best to serve grandma happily." As he spoke, taking advantage of the girls' mistaken eyes, he stuck out his tongue up and down Zili's ear After licking it a few times, Zili felt an electric current rushing to his tailbone, making his body numb.Zili blushed, and glared at Jia Zheng: "You're going to die, so many people are watching!"

Jia Zheng hugged Zili into his arms, and said helplessly, "It's really boring. Everywhere I go, my eyes are staring at me. Today, my husband praised me. I'm happy to be happy with you, and I have to worry about others. I just Thinking of getting out of the house quickly, the two of us live in peace."

Zili leaned against Jia Zheng's arms, and unconsciously drew circles on his chest with his finger: "Don't worry, things have to be done step by step."

Time flies, and when it comes to May, the time for Chunwei is getting closer and closer.Jia Zheng is already full of confidence and ready to show his talents.Although Zili was dissatisfied with Jia's mother's lawlessness, she asked Mrs. Tang to help find out the details of the Lin family. The Lin family was indeed good but the population was sparse. Lin Ruhai's father was still a child when Lin Ruhai's grandfather died. Gone.The emperor thought of the merits of the Lin family and added grace to make Lin Ruhai's father inherit the title.The Lin family is run by Lin Ruhai's grandmother. The old lady Lin was born as a princess, and she is also a well-read poet and well-informed person.Lin Ruhai's mother is a mild-mannered person who doesn't like housekeepers very much. She married into the Lin family as a husband and godson, so there is no special news.

Zili told Jia Mu about the news, and Jia Mu had a reassuring smile on her face: "Don't make fun of me for being partial to my daughter. You really don't know what it means to be a mother." You can't take it if you love your daughter. Others are acting as gunmen, and Jia's mother's posture of taking her own privileges and flouting all legal rules makes Zili can only laugh.

"What the old lady said is that although I don't know what it means to be a mother, the minds of mothers are the same all over the world. Before I was going to get married, my mother was worried in every possible way. This can be regarded as a certain news. The Lin family With a small population and few things to do, the third younger sister is not in good health and needs to rest. It just so happens that she doesn't need to worry about trivial matters." Zili said a lot of flattering words, and Jiamu coaxed her into a ecstasy.

Zili was talking about housework with Jia's mother, when he suddenly saw Jia She's wife coming over, he said beamingly, "Congratulations, madam, grandma is happy."