Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

Mrs. Zhang hurriedly stood up: "People from Jia's family are here. Sister sit down first. I'm going to see my wife." Mrs. Zhang just entered Wang's house, and saw that things in Wang's family were different from her own. Although he is also an official, Mr. Zhang insists that he is a scholar and has limited relatives and friends. She has not seen many high-ranking people in her natal family.Suddenly came to Wang's house, and Madam Tang often saw people. She was inevitably nervous at the beginning, but after a long time, she gradually got used to it.

It's just that Jia's family is famous, so Zhang is busy asking Cuizhu, the girl who married with her, to change her clothes.Zili also stood up and said to his sister-in-law: "Sister-in-law, don't worry, the pier is still far away from our house. They and our house have always been on the move, so you don't have to worry. Anyway, there is mother nearby, you just have to watch her wink." Now, I won’t disturb you and I’ll go back first.” Mrs. Zhang remembered something and hurriedly called Zili: “You stand still, your brother asked me to give you something nice. Cuizhu, first, take the things that the uncle brought yesterday Take it out." Zili said with a smile: "There are guests in front of you, you should hurry to greet the people from Jia's family first, if you have any good things, you can ask someone to bring them to you in the evening."

Mrs. Zhang said with a smile: "That thing is really fun. Waiting for it to be under the light at night is not as fun as watching it during the day. By the way, I asked your elder brother to buy you some more makeup powder. I will give you the face powder you like. I tried it yesterday, and it really is better than what we usually use. Your elder brother is going out recently, and I want to tell him to buy more, so that you don’t have to ask someone to go out quietly. How do the errand boys know this, you still have to give them What about favors!"

According to the rules of the Wang family, the things belonging to girls and boys belong to the public, and it is not allowed to ask people to go out to buy them privately. Unfortunately, Zili can't stand the pure white color of the duck egg powder at home.Applying powder every morning is like painting a wall in front of a mirror. She simply resisted powdering, but was told by the nanny and the foster mother: "It's natural for a little girl to dress neatly. A girl who goes out with a plain face is considered a What's going on? If others don't know, they think the girl is blackmailing someone. It's only the widows who keep their faces plain. Girl, stop messing around and be careful to get angry with the wife and the old lady."

So Zili could only quietly use the private money to ask someone to go out to help her buy cosmetics that can be used. Unfortunately, according to the rules of the Wang family, people around the girl are not allowed to go out easily.It was impossible for Zili to find a comprador, because this was a violation of the rules, and Mrs. Tang knew what she wanted to say.She could only ask the girl beside her to beg the boys outside to buy it quietly.After all, it was a very private thing, and Zili not only wanted favors but also rewards. When Wang Ziteng found out, Zili immediately volunteered to help his sister with shopping.

Zili looked at the black lacquer box held by Cuizhu: "When will I use up so much face powder? I'll ask someone to bring the money later." This face powder is made of high-quality raw materials. The colors inside are all natural colors extracted from flowers, and many precious Chinese medicines are added, which can not only modify the appearance but also nourish the skin.A box of incense powder costs one penny, but this box of incense powder costs two taels of silver.

"Where do you want my sister's money? Your brother has an errand now, and he has more money on hand. We should be the sisters who love your brother and sister-in-law. If you want money from you, who have we become?" Mrs. Zhang refused. For Zili's money, Mrs. Zhang likes this sister-in-law very much.

Before Mrs. Zhang got married, her mother worried that there were three girls in the Wang family. When her daughter married, she would not only have to flatter her parents-in-law but also face three sister-in-laws.Mrs. Zhang was worried that her daughter would be bullied, and Mrs. Zhang could only sigh helplessly after listening to her mother's words.Marry a chicken and follow a chicken, what else can she do?Unexpectedly, when she arrived at the Wang family, the three sisters-in-law did not cause her much trouble.The eldest girl was indifferent to everyone, and she didn't particularly embarrass her, but Ziqian's indifference made Zhang feel uneasy for a few days because he thought he had offended her somewhere.In the end, it was Wang Ziteng who said to her: "The eldest sister is like that, she has become more and more indifferent recently. You don't have to worry too much about offending her." After listening to her husband's comfort, Mrs. Zhang was relieved slowly. Seeing that Ziqian treats everyone indifferently, Shi is relieved.

The third girl was too young, and she was raised by her aunt, so naturally she wouldn't think about finding trouble for the new sister-in-law.Seeing that her sister-in-law is young and innocent, Mrs. Zhang suddenly thought of her natal sister.The love for the younger sister was transferred to the third girl. Instead, she took extra care of the third girl. Mrs. Tang and the old lady didn't say anything, but praised her for sincerely caring for her sister-in-law.

Zili watched Zhang's behavior after entering the door with cold eyes, and gradually realized that Zhang was a good person.She and Wang Ziteng are newly married, and the young couple have a good relationship.Mrs. Zhang is very concerned about her sister-in-laws and uncles, and has never talked about it.Zili saw that Mrs. Zhang had just entered the house, trembling in front of her mother-in-law and the old lady, and her life was very hard.

Seeing Zhang's transformation from a well-rounded little daughter-in-law to a pitiful yellow-faced little girl, Zili quietly gave her some pointers and told her some rules and habits of the Wang family.With Zili's guidance, Zhang's life was much easier. She quickly became familiar with the habits of her in-law's family, and things went smoothly.Mrs. Tang saw that her daughter-in-law learned things quickly and was careful and thoughtful. The worry that she would not be able to support the scene was gone, and she gradually let Zhang take care of some trivial matters at home.

After a period of time, it's a bit of a posture to hand over the power of housekeeping to the daughter-in-law.Ms. Zhang stood firm at her husband's house, and was very grateful to Zili who helped her behind the scenes.Feelings are something that needs to be cultivated. With Zili's kindness in front of her, Zhang is naturally willing to open her heart to Zili. The two aunts and sisters-in-law have become good friends and often talk together.

Zili also benefited from his kindness to Zhang. Wang Ziteng and Zhang loved Zili very much. Generally, Zili wanted something outside, and Wang Ziteng would willingly run errands for his sister.Mrs. Zhang is in charge of the kitchen at home, and it is very convenient for Zili to eat whatever he likes.The servants of the Wang family saw that the grandma must be a housekeeper, and they all flattered Mrs. Zhang, and they rushed to do what Mrs. Zhang ordered.Therefore, if there is anything that Zili doesn't want to disturb the adults, as long as he quietly asks Mrs. Zhang, there is nothing he can't do.

"Brother and sister-in-law's wishes, I took it. By the way, sister-in-law, they said that the acacia tree in my yard needs to be pruned. I don't want to cut the tree bare. You know, the branches in front of my window can just block the sun outside. Seeing that summer is coming, it just blocks the sun. Tell them not to cut off that branch." Mrs. Tang likes the clean and bright yard, so she ignores Zili's entreaties, and must cut down the acacia tree in front of her house. of side branches.

"My wife has her own reasons. I'm afraid I can't decide that matter. I know you like the tree branches that cover the window over there. Yesterday, while I was free, I quietly helped you intercede with my wife. My wife said that your yard was originally The yard is small, and a few steps outside the window is the courtyard wall. The inside of the house is already dark, and there is a branch blocking the sunlight. What should you do if your eyes are damaged by reading and sewing every day? Also, if the branches grow too long, they will damage your eyes. The house, and you are still young, you will get sick if you don’t see the sun at a young age. What your wife said is reasonable, and she is an elder, you, you’d better stop messing around. Just follow your wife’s orders. I know you like flowers, and The gardener said to plant more peonies, peonies and roses in your yard. There are flowers all year round. You should go back and ask the girl to change your clothes. Maybe the old lady and wife of the Jia family will see you again. What about you." Mrs. Zhang had already changed her clothes, and went out with Zili towards the upper room.

Mrs. Zhang was right. As soon as she came out, she came to pick her up tomorrow: "Madam asked the girl to change her clothes, and we are going to meet the Jia family together."

Mrs. Zhang pushed Zili with a smile: "Look, I'm right. I heard that Mrs. Jia brought her youngest son and the third girl from their family. I heard that the third girl of their family looks like a fairy in the sky. I often Every day I think the girl in our family is already good, and I don’t know what it would be like. I heard that their second master is also very good.” Zhang smiled meaningfully, and she looked at it meaningfully. In the direction of Ziqian's yard, he took the girl and left.

Mingqian followed Zili secretly laughing, Zili was upset when he heard Zhang's words, if the Wang family and the Jia family were really married, Ziqian and the second young master of the Jia family were about the same age, what would Ziqian do to him? She doesn't seem to care, she will definitely be that Bodhisattva-like Mrs. Wang, the second wife in the future.In that case, wouldn't it be very unlucky for her to have two sons, one died young, the other was Jia Baoyu, the phoenix egg, and a daughter entered the palace and became a concubine. Struggling hard and finally dying for no apparent reason.Not to mention the desolation of Jia Zheng and Mrs. Wang after the decline of the Jia family. If the Wang family and the Jia family were not married, maybe the tragedy of Ziqian would not have happened. Then the tragedy of Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu would not have existed.

Zili was thinking about how to change her fate, but Mingqian's suppressed laughter behind her made her feel annoyed for a while.Zili turned around abruptly, and said with a straight face, "Why are you smirking? It seems that you don't want to be by my side anymore, so I'll go back to my wife and tell you to go out."

Ming Qian suddenly turned pale: "Girl, don't be angry, I heard Fu Ling from the old lady. The Jia family proposed to our eldest girl. It seems that the eldest grandma knew about it, so she said those words. Didn't the eldest grandma Joke girl, she's telling the truth."

The bad premonition became a reality, Zili suddenly felt her heart sink, she sighed, and went back to change her clothes in dismay.

The three girls of the Wang family were sitting in the green gauze cupboard in the old lady's room. Through the light gauze, they could see the shadowy figures outside. The old lady of the Jia family, with the girl and the young master, was chatting with the old lady of the Wang family.When the two families met, they naturally wanted to ask each other about their relatives. After reminiscing about the old days, the old lady of the Jia family smiled and said, "The last time I saw your eldest brother was still a child, who knows that he has already married and started a business in a blink of an eye. Although our two families often move around, it is a pity that one of them is in the house. The one in Jinling is in Hangzhou, and the time to see each other is getting less and less. Why are the girls missing? The eldest girl was still so tall last time, and the second girl still needs a nanny to follow."

The old lady said to Mrs. Tang: "A guest is here, tell the girls not to go to school, come and say hello to the old lady of Jia's family." Inside, Ziqian hurriedly stood up listening to the voices outside, Zili and Zimeng followed suit. When they got up, they arranged each other's clothes and went out with the girl who had come to invite them. "

Sitting next to the old lady was an old woman with pale temples, wearing a fragrant gown, a phoenix hairpin on her head, and a sparkling diamond inlaid on the phoenix hairpin. Although she traveled all the way, she was very energetic.Sitting on the chair next to her was a beauty, who looked about thirty years old, with plump cheeks and picturesque eyebrows, her eyes were like two fish swimming in the water, and she was radiant in the blink of an eye.Zili stared at the two men and was stunned.In her impression, Jia Mu Shi Taijun is a kind-faced old lady who likes to have fun and be lively, but she didn't expect to see Jia Mu who is a shrewd, capable, beautiful and charming lady.That's right, this was decades before the mourning of Jin Yuyu's Dream of the Red Chamber began!

The three sisters greeted the guests together. The old lady of the Jia family immediately fell in love with Ziqian when she saw Ziqian. I like it from the bottom of my heart. Old sister, you are so lucky, let me say a big word, the people I have seen are all inseparable, the eldest girl in your family is a good child."

The old lady smiled and said, "Tuofu, I hope I can lend you a good word." Jiamu seemed to like Zili more, she stepped forward and pulled Zili to sit beside her, holding her hand and smilingly said to Mrs. Tang : "Madam is so lucky. Although I have several daughters, none of them are as good as the daughters in the family."

Zili was pulled by the hand and sat on the chair uncomfortably, wishing to quickly end everything in front of her. When she was feeling helpless, she found someone quietly looking at her elder sister.