Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

This was Jia Zheng's first time stepping into the Eastern Palace. With yesterday's experience at the bottom, Jia Zheng would not lose his composure even if he went to Longtan and Tiger's Cave.He followed the little servant who led the way step by step, entered the palace gate, and turned around from the east lane. In front of him was no longer a resplendent and resplendent red wall, but an exquisite garden full of vitality with the fragrance of birds and flowers.The little eunuch who led the way said: "This is the place where His Royal Highness retreats. Generally, foreign ministers can only visit outside." Jia Zheng knew from the little eunuch's words that this was the grandson's inner room.

As soon as I arrived at the door, I saw a few inner eunuchs standing in the corridor with their hands down, and two small inner eunuchs stood at the door with their hands down, waiting to be called from inside. "Is Jia Zheng here? Tell him to come in." The grandson's voice came from inside. Jia Zheng wanted to straighten his clothes and sign up, but was urged by the eunuch: "Sir, please come in."

Inside the warm pavilion, the windows were all inlaid with glass, so when Jia Zheng entered, he didn't feel that his eyes were getting dark, but instead, the beautiful scenery outside was reflected in the room.Taisun was casually wearing a homely robe and was reading a book under the window with his feet up. When he saw Jia Zheng coming in, he held a book and looked at him with a half-smile: "You look a little good in official uniform. I just saw your When I took a quick look, I thought Wang Ziteng was coming out with a girl. When I got closer, I realized it was a man."

This is blatantly wrong, Zhen Yunlong's tone, Jia Zheng thought about Wang Changchun's instructions before he left, and still respectfully knelt down to pay his respects to his grandson according to the etiquette. "I didn't know the identity of the grandson before, so please forgive me for being rude." Jia Zheng knelt on the ground and begged the grandson for forgiveness.

"Get up, you are really a dull and serious old master. You are so old-fashioned in talking and doing things that people can't joke with you. I didn't see you like this when I was in Xishan. You sit down and talk. If you are still serious I'll kick you out right away." Taisun asked the eunuch to move a chair for Jia Zheng to sit on, and when Jia Zheng was about to decline, Taisun pressed his shoulders and sat down.Jia Zheng was thinking about what Wang Changchun told you not to be too cautious in front of your grandson. You two are similar in age so you don't have to be so superstitious.As long as it is not presumptuous.

Jia Zheng thanked him for his seat, but he didn't dare to sit there in a pretentious manner. He only slanted half of his body to talk to his grandson.Taisun was really easy-going and unassuming as Wang Ziteng said.The grandson asked Jia Zheng about the situation at home, and then asked him about his experience in studying.Jia Zheng slowly regained his composure, and he was no longer embarrassed, and he became more and more sensible when he talked freely.

"By the way, how about my grandpa and I asking you to be my prince's guest? You stay in the capital, so I can have someone to talk to. After a year and a half, I will find you a fat job in the Imperial Academy. Or go to study in Liubu, what do you think?" Taisun threw out a tempting suggestion to Jia Zheng.Although Xinke Jinshi sounds nice, the key is the first step in entering the officialdom, how to allocate work after passing the exam.Even if you win the first prize in the exam and are assigned to a cold yamen, you can only be a fool for the rest of your life without getting ahead.The Taisun's proposal was too tempting for Jia Zheng and any new Jinshi, so Jia Zheng almost agreed when he heard it.

But a voice pulled him out of the ecstasy: "You are a little Jinshi, is it worth being so courted by your grandson?" Zili's figure suddenly flashed in Jia Zheng's heart.Jia Zheng almost bit his tongue: "Uh, I, I would like to thank His Majesty Taisun for your kindness, but it depends on the officials. No matter what position I serve for the country, I can still pick and choose. If that is the case, I will be a caring individual." A villain who gains and loses is even more unworthy to serve His Highness."

Taisun looked at Jia Zheng in surprise.This person has a bit of backbone, and any person who heard the words just now would be as happy as picking up gold.This Jia Zheng has a bit of character, the grandson was not angry because of Jia Zheng's refusal, on the contrary, he was more kind: "Well, you are an ambitious person. I'm not worth your time because of my lack of knowledge." Lost sigh.

Jia Zheng was so frightened that he quickly stood up and wanted to explain: "The minister is so incompetent and inexperienced that he can't bear the heavy responsibility, absolutely no intention of taking it lightly. I'm nothing but a fluke. If I have other thoughts, let me die immediately..."" You are really interesting, why can’t you hear the joke. It’s a good thing that you have the heart to contribute to the country. If you just said it, others must be happy. Now the officials in the court are all focused on climbing the ladder, fame and fortune It's fate, all the sage books are in vain. If you say that you want to be an official, you have to find a job, and you look ugly! You are different, you only want to make achievements and don't care about your own gains and losses. But you didn't think about it Zhouquan." Taisun nodded and told Jia Zheng to sit down.

what is itJia Zheng looked at Taisun suspiciously, he had rehearsed the conversation just now several times in his mind, there was nothing out of the ordinary.Jia Zheng didn't have the right experience yet, so he could only use his intuition to guess what the grandson was thinking.He felt that there was no obvious flaw in Cai Cai's answer, but what did Taisun's words mean?The grandson looked at Jia Zheng looking at himself because he didn't understand, and he couldn't help laughing: "You are also a child of a family. I think that although you have an older brother, you are loved at home and doted on by the elders. Naturally, you are a son of a big family. If it is true How can you bear to put you in a remote place as a petty official? Your elders must be worried about you, and they worry about you day and night at home. You are only worrying about your own ambitions, but you are burdening your family. Isn’t it unfilial Is it?"

An unfilial hat was buckled down, and Jia Zheng felt that his small body couldn't help but take a few steps back, and he almost fell down.How could he be so unlucky!Jia Zheng only felt like a little mouse caught in a cage, while Taisun was the one who lured the mouse with food outside the cage.When I saw some sweets to eat, I was held down and teased.Beads of sweat appeared on Jia Zheng's forehead.He thought about it and said respectfully to his grandson: "Loyalty and filial piety cannot be both. My grandmother and mother are people who understand righteousness and will not spend money on public affairs for personal reasons. I am willing to be a small county magistrate. Within a year If you can’t make a big order, you will resign and go home. You can study with peace of mind and never come out to be an official again.”

The grandson didn't answer, and opened and closed the fan in his hand for a long time and said slowly: "You yourself are willing to suffer, but have you ever thought about it? What about your wife? Your wife is Wang Ziteng's sister, and she also came from a famous family in her natal family." When she was young, she was also Miss Qianjin. She married you and she was also Anfu's honorable young mistress. But you never thought that if you let go of the foreign job, your wife would suffer hardships with you. "

Jia Zheng's heart skipped a beat, and he said firmly, "Chuo Jing doesn't care about gains and losses."

"I'm just saying this casually, and I'm speaking out of my feelings. I didn't get married before and couldn't understand all kinds of things between husband and wife. Now I'm getting more and more entangled in family affairs. Wang Ge is always an old minister, and he's old. He doesn't like his children and grandchildren to be around his knees. He loves his granddaughter dearly, but he doesn't want people to say that he is favoritism. Don't you know that the job assigned to you by the official department is the county magistrate of Shanyin County. The land in that place is barren and the transportation is inconvenient. Bandits. Three county magistrates have been changed in three years. How can you, a rookie in the officialdom, be qualified for that position. The old Wang Ge loves his granddaughter, but he can’t speak up because of the court rules. I’ll be the peacemaker. Go talk to the emperor I want you to stay in my East Palace. It not only fulfills the reputation of Mr. Wang, but also maintains the dignity of the court. Everyone is happy. What do you think!" Taisun said earnestly, only waiting for Jia Zheng to agree.

In Shanyin County, Jia Zheng quickly found out about the situation in Shanyin County.It is really a remote place, separated by mountains, and the folk customs are tough. The most terrible thing is that it is next to the fiefdom of King Wei.To be the county magistrate not only has to deal with the boss but also has to deal with the king of Wei. Maybe the land has already been occupied by the king of Wei.It is much more difficult to be a magistrate in that place than to be a magistrate, and I am just a rookie.It's not enough for people to stuff their teeth!Thinking of this, Jia Zheng was a little shaken.

Seeing that Jia Zheng began to hesitate, Taisun secretly smiled.This Jia Zheng has a good skin, but inside he is just an incompetent and selfish person.I want to see what expression she will have when she knows her man looks like this.I can't see others showing affection, especially Zili and Jia Zheng showing affection in front of me that day.It seems to be a common problem of human beings to make Taisun feel sour and drink a jar of vinegar.

Taisun followed him with a snake-beating stick: "You are still young and have no experience. Letting you out is to exercise, but there is no reason to throw a bird that has just learned to fly into a storm. Besides, your family is for you. Studying is also a lot of thought, if you don’t experience it in the capital first, at least you won’t be confused when you go out. It’s better to wait until you are old enough to go out.” Taisun’s proposal is very pertinent. Sounds reasonable.Jia Zheng's heart became hot, and he thought to himself that he was thinking too much.Who is he?Is it worth using means against me?I am ashamed of His Highness Taisun's love for talent, how can I repay it in the future.

Jia Zheng was silent for a while, but the grandson didn't force him, instead he smiled and said, "I'm tired after saying these things. You'd better go back and think about it, anyway, there are still some days to wait for Ming's hair to go down. Did I ask you to come here today?" Besides, I got a good thing for you to see." Speaking of Taisun getting up, Jia Zheng hurriedly stood up and followed step by step.

"Grandma, there's a letter from Jinling!" Mingqian came in with a beaming Lai Zhong, Zili was sitting in the Nuan Pavilion, Lai Zhong didn't dare to go in and just stood outside.Zili heard that it was a letter from Jia's family, and thought that Jinling and the capital were far away, and that they came so quickly showed that Jia's mother and Jia Daishan were very happy.She hurriedly said: "Please come in Lai Zhong, move a chair and sit down. The journey was smooth, and you are also getting old, what are you doing here? Are the wife and the old lady at home okay?"

Lai Zhong stood up and replied: "Returning to the second grandma, the old lady and the wife were very happy when they heard the news of the second master's high school. I especially asked the younger one to come over to congratulate the second master and the second grandma. Besides, I have something to say to the in-laws here. Say it. I also ask the second grandma to help me, so that the younger one can go to see the master of the in-laws."

Zili knew that Jia Zheng had passed the Jinshi examination, so Jia Daishan began to pave the way for his son's future.Jia Daishan couldn't do anything in Jinling, so he had to ask Wang Dingqian and Wang Changchun for help. "My father and grandfather have been very busy the past few days and went to the palace this morning. Since you are in the capital, don't be in a hurry to say something bad. Even if the master doesn't say anything, my father and grandfather won't treat me badly." My son-in-law. The second master went to the East Palace this morning, and when he comes back, tell him what you have to say. I just feel ashamed that I can’t serve the old ladies and wives these days when I’m in the capital.” Zili brought it up. I can't serve my in-laws at home, and my face is full of worry.

Don't worry, the second grandma, the old lady and the wife asked me to tell the second grandma that filial piety is not at this moment.They have always known the filial piety of the second grandma, and the wife and the old lady both explain the truth. The second grandma served the second master and asked the second master to study wholeheartedly.This is due to the Second Mistress more than anything else.Lai Zhong was busy explaining to Zili to take reassurance.

When Mingqian came in with tea, Lai Zhong stood up and took it himself: "Miss, take a rest and ask the little girls to serve you." Zili said with a smile: "This is what it should be, I have something to ask you. Last time Wu Delai said that Fang Ruoyou was happy, I was very happy. Although I have been married to the second master for a year, but there is always no news. I gave birth to her, and it would be good to have a son and a half. But how did it disappear? But who neglected Fang Ruo?"

Lai Zhong didn't raise his head but just looked down at the ground: "I don't know the details about this matter as an servant outside. But the second mistress can rest assured that no one is slowing down Fang Ruo, it's all because she is out of her mind. Knowing that the second master and the second mistress left Jinling for a few days, Fang Ruo said that he wanted to go home and have a look. At that time, the eldest grandma couldn’t manage affairs, and the wife didn’t care about small things. Thinking that Fang Ruo had worked hard to serve the second master, he agreed Unexpectedly, within a few days of waiting for her to go home, her mother came in and said that Fang Ruoyou was happy. The second grandmother also knew what happened later, and the second master sent a letter to the master. The master read the letter and didn't say anything. Later, the wife asked someone to bring Fang Ruo in, and asked him to take care of him. Later, for some reason, Fang Ruo and the other girls in the second master's room couldn't get along. Jing Shu suddenly went to the wife and complained that Fang Ruo had secretly given to the second master. You have to take medicine to have a child."

Zili slightly raised his eyebrows and said in surprise: "Is this true? That girl Fang Ruo is usually honest to me. How could she do such a thing. Where did her medicine come from? I don't even know!"

"My wife couldn't believe it. She asked someone to check it out, and found the leftover medicine under Fang Ruo's pillow. That Fang Ruo saw that the second master was living in the study outside, so he was tempted, and also I don't know where I got the medicine for wolf and tiger. I took the opportunity of my wife to give the second master a tonic and changed it. When my wife got angry, she asked someone to lock her up and wait for the child to be born. No one knows what will happen someday Something happened, she fell in the yard. Now the child is gone, and the person is crazy. Second Mistress don’t need to be angry about that bastard.” Lai Zhong said that he didn’t know about it, but he knew every detail.

Zili listened to Lai Zhong's words, and sighed: "It's also a service, and you can't blame others for self-torture. When you go back, come to me and take 50 taels of silver to Fang Ruo's home."

Lai Zhong got up and said: "Yes, Second Mistress has a bodhisattva heart. It is Fang Ruo's good fortune to serve Second Master and Second Mistress."

As soon as Lai Zhong left, Jia Zheng came back. "You're back. The family called Lai Zhong." Before Zili finished speaking, Jia Zheng suddenly looked at Zili and said, "Are you willing to follow me to become an official? My father planned to ask his father-in-law I was placed in the capital and studied in the Ministry. But I thought about it, and I will never be able to make a success in the capital for the rest of my life. It’s just hard work outside. If you feel wronged—”

"Don't be wronged, I'll go outside with you!" Hearing Jia Zheng's words, Zili immediately felt like winning a lottery. What she thought about day and night was to leave the capital and Jia's house!