The Marginal People of Jia's Family in the Red Chamber

"Mother, I came here this time to visit you first, and to remind you that the palace has been turbulent and mysterious recently, and our family only has female relatives and young children. My brother is not here, and there is no one who can set up a household. I'm afraid you have something to do here." Jia Yuanchun said.

"What, then what should you do in the palace, why don't you take a leave of absence for a while." Mrs. Wang grabbed Jia Yuanchun's sleeve nervously and said.

"Mother, keep your voice low." Jia Yuanchun reminded that although the maids following behind were far away, what if there was someone with good ears or someone who could speak with lips, so Jia Yuanchun always lowered his voice and turned his back to them when speaking, The meaning of precaution.

"What's the matter?" Mrs. Wang asked.

"The crown prince is newly established. Our family has shown our loyalty to His Majesty and the crown prince. Let other people think about it. Let's not talk about it. Among the old relatives of four kings and eight princes, who has paid back the money owed by the treasury? Besides, the son of the noble concubine has always been favored. How could he be reconciled if the throne of the crown prince did not fall on his head? If he made a move, how would he know that there was no oriole behind him, and there was no bird catcher behind the oriole? No matter how high the rank is, it doesn't matter if one of your servants becomes a servant. I'm just afraid that they will use this young bird of ours as a raft to warn all the ministers that our family must not become the chicken that kills chickens and monkeys. It is to set things right in the future and chase after Feng Enrong What's the use, people can't be resurrected after death." Jia Yuanchun explained.

"That's the reason. Don't worry, I will guard the door. The servants in the family have been sorted out several times. They are all loyal, and the guards in the outer courtyard are also sufficient." Mrs. Wang took a deep breath and said calmly.

"Mother, you and I are women, and we can't defend ourselves. Please come here. The two elders have been trained in the army and are the best at this. You invite them to come, and let the news out slowly, so that everyone The uncle also paid attention, and then quietly told the uncle, as far as I know, the uncle has a deep connection with the west, I am afraid that your majesty knows, let the uncle find a way to excuse."

"Well, I see. When you go back, invite them." Mrs. Wang nodded.

"No, wait a few more days. It's best to have some petty theft in the mansion as a pretext, so that you can invite the two elders to the mansion, and tell them not to reveal their whereabouts. Everything is my daughter's wild speculation. Holy will, don't make it public."

"Okay, I know what's going on in my mind. It's okay for us to talk outside, who will watch it specially, but you have to be careful in everything in the palace." Mrs. Wang urged.

"Don't worry, my daughter knows."

Mrs. Wang had a lot to say to Jia Yuanchun, but under the shock of this news, she lost all interest in talking.The two mother and daughter walked around [-]% to [-]% of the scenery in the mansion, and then went back to the main courtyard of the inner courtyard.

When Jia Yuanchun arrived, it would be lunch time. In the main hall, six-year-old Baoyu and Tanchun, and three-year-old Jia Huan were already waiting.

Jia Yuanchun kissed Baoyu and gave him a famous folding fan for later use.He took a piece of red cloth from his neck and gave it to Tanchun. Anything that Jia Yuanchun could carry on his body was naturally a good thing. This piece of red silk was carved in the shape of a rose, so it would be suitable for Tanchun.As for Jia Huan, the three-year-old child was raised in vain and fat, without the barriers of his biological mother and aunt, and was not raised in a lewd manner. The madam said: "Mother, Huan'er is a little light. The prince in the palace is at his age, but he is taller and heavier than him."

"Huan'er, do you hear that, don't be picky eaters in the future, or you will be shorter than others when you grow up." Mrs. Wang coaxed Jia Huan.

"Mother, Huan'er knows." Jia Huan said obediently, holding his finger.

"My Huan'er is really sensible. Come on, I'll tie this for you to keep you safe." Jia Yuanchun took out a suet jade pendant from his purse and gave it to Jia Huan.

"Big sister, why don't you hug me, why don't you hug me." Baoyu ran over and pulled Jia Yuanchun's sleeve and said.

"Baoyu is getting older, and my sister can't hold her anymore. Come on, my sister brought you something good and put it in your room. It's my sister's apology for you, okay?"

"What, don't be a pen, ink, paper and inkstone again." Jia Baoyu muttered.

"You'll know when you go and have a look." Jia Yuanchun said sarcastically.

"Okay, okay, stop messing around, Yuan Chun, put down the ring, it's time to eat." Madam Wang greeted, and her own nanny came to guide the three little masters to the dining room.

Mrs. Wang and Jia Yuanchun were walking in front. Mrs. Wang asked, "What did you bring for your brother?"

"A set of albums, I drew them myself, not looking for charm, just looking for similarity, it is for Baoyu to recognize things. Baoyu was born in a wealthy family, and he can tell the difference between peonies and peonies, but he must not be able to tell the difference between shallots and leeks. Cultivate his disposition not to eat minced meat, let him know how to write folk things. He has used it, and he can also use it for Tanchun and Huaner. I have painted for two years, and I said it was a set, but there are actually about [-] copies. Well, there are still some story paintings." Jia Yuanchun explained.

"Hey, he's a child, what do you put so much effort into, how can you find time to do this when you're a servant in the palace?" Mrs. Wang said distressedly.

"For my younger brother, I'm not tired. Mother, Huan'er doesn't remember much now, and you will help him in the future by raising him like Baoyu."

"That's what I think. Aunt Zhao is a hearty person. Let's see. Since she doesn't want to give birth, that person won't have any heirs in Jinling. Aunt Zhao will let people go past her. Under my name How can it not hurt." Mrs. Wang explained that she really sees it now, without her mother-in-law and husband who put pressure on him all the time, she is also happy and open-minded.Thinking about doing wrong things in the early years and fearing that innocent people would be hurt, he also planned to do good deeds to make up for the debt.

"Yuanchun, tell me, when the dust settles, I will invite the Bodhisattva to pay homage at home, and I will give out a lot of porridge and clothes on weekdays. What do you think?" Mrs. Wang now lives in a good life, is happy, has money and leisure, and wants to do it. some charity.

"My mother is kind. If you are willing, my daughter and elder brother will definitely support it. It's just that it is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. Let's see... the attitude of the new emperor." Jia Yuanchun said the word "new emperor" very vaguely. Madam also understands that it is too early to say these things, let's wait for the future.

The family of five ate lunch in a happy mood. Mrs. Wang asked the nanny to follow the three young masters to settle down, and let the eldest girl take care of her personally, while she personally took Yuan Chun to see her boudoir.

Yuanchun is still in her boudoir. When Mrs. Wang was tidying up the house, she naturally left a yard for her. The layout is elegant and comfortable, and many of Jia Yuanchun's old things are there.Jia Yuanchun watched it, and was also very moved. Mrs. Wang wanted to talk to her more, but Jia Yuanchun had already started yawning.

"Lie down first, and after the afternoon, I'll come and talk to you." Mrs. Wang told Jia Yuanchun to rest well, and she went back to the main courtyard.

Jia Yuanchun slept until the afternoon, and when she got up and dressed, it was time for dinner after sitting down for a while.

"Sure enough, I was very tired in the palace, and I fell asleep so deeply when I came home." Mrs. Wang was very distressed, and she had already ordered the kitchen to cook more Yuanchun's favorite dishes, as well as a few nourishing soups, for dinner Jia Yuanchun's belly was so round that he almost lost his composure.

After dinner, Mrs. Wang and Jia Yuanchun took Baoyu, Tanchun and Huan'er for a walk slowly.This is a habit Mrs. Wang developed after she moved to the new house. To exchange feelings with the three children, she always needs to spend more time with them. A walk after dinner is a good opportunity.

After taking the three little ones for a walk, the digestion was almost over, so Mrs. Wang asked people to stay for a rest. The children were too sleepy. At this time, go back and wash up, and it's time to go to bed.

Mrs. Wang and Jia Yuanchun, two mothers and daughters, were left to light up lanterns to enjoy the flowers in the garden when the sky was gray and the night was about to fall.

"When I arrived in your boudoir today, I realized that your marriage has not been settled. You are already seventeen or eighteen this year, and you can't delay any longer. What are your own regulations? What are your majesty and empress' plans?" The topic of Madam Wang has already been discussed. It's been holding back for a long time. If she doesn't ask to understand today, she won't be able to sleep.

"Oh, mother, my daughter didn't think about it either. It doesn't make any difference in terms of my current status to be married or not."

"Nonsense, how can a woman's family not get married, a woman who is not a mother is not a complete woman, you like Baoyu and Huan'er so much, don't you want to give birth to a white and fat son yourself, why not get married, such words are not allowed anymore. " Mrs. Wang said sharply, she never thought that her daughter would still have the idea of ​​not getting married.

"Mother, don't be angry. I just think about it casually, but I'm not sure."

"I can't even think about it." In Mrs. Wang's view, not getting married is simply treason.

"Even if you want to get married, someone has to marry, otherwise who am I going to marry?" Jia Yuanchun teased.

"My son is a second-rank female officer at a young age. There is only one who is not worthy of you in this world, and there is no one who is not worthy of you. You just say who you like, and my mother will give you a good advice. Let me tell you first, if you I don't agree with falling in love with His Majesty or the Crown Prince, being a concubine is not as comfortable as being a regular wife."

"Mother loves me." Jia Yuanchun was really surprised, she thought that Mrs. Wang expected her to be a royal. Don't all women think like this at this time?

"Why, looking at me so surprised, I really thought I was an old antique. I don't know what you young girls are thinking. If you can be a regular wife, who would want to be a concubine? I don't know you yet, so I must want to pick a look. , a young man with a good temperament, a good family background, and a good talent, I thought the same way when I was young. It’s just that there is no perfect thing in the world. I didn’t marry your father in the end. Well, let’s not talk about these, anyway, the point is, You just find the one that suits you, and you are naturally the best in my heart, but some pedantic people don't want women to stand out."

"Then mother, give me my staff. I was in the palace, and all I saw were eunuchs, and there was no one to choose." Jia Yuanchun teased.

"It's natural, I've already asked about it. I thought that Chu Liulang's sincerity towards you was worthy of consideration, but your brother said that you don't want to be angry with your mother-in-law, and I agree. Above, how can you suffer like I have suffered again."

Jia Yuanchun didn't expect that her brother and mother were still playing and talking to each other, so he smiled and listened to Mrs. Wang.

"Chen Bo is also a good person, family background, character..."

"Wait, who is this Chen Bo?" Jia Yuanchun interrupted.

"It's not that you have commented on this man's poems, even played a game of chess, and admired him quite a lot. I also heard from outsiders." Mrs. Wang said.

"Mother, I am in charge of the Literature Museum. I sit there for an hour every day. Everyone who borrows books has talked to me. I have commented on articles for more than a thousand people in the past three years. There are countless people who have played chess. Where can I do it right?"

"But I heard that he praised your reputation outside, and now there are countless sons and scholars in the capital who want to marry you." Mrs. Wang said proudly, her daughter's reputation is big, even if there is one or two things to say Even the sour words couldn't stop her good mood.

"Those people are mostly here to join in the fun. Before I get married and they get married, if they don't say a few words that they are willing to marry me, it seems that they can't keep up with the trend. Don't take it to heart, I don't think it's shy and ignorant. People who think about it for themselves, and when they meet the right one, they will talk to you."

"Then I have collected the situation of the young masters here. I will give it to you. You can take a look." Mrs. Wang said, and when she returned to the room, the servants brought the things. Jia Yuanchun looked at such a thick pile, Looking at the handwriting written by Mrs. Wang, I was deeply moved.You must know that Mrs. Wang's literary level is the level of being able to read and write. If you want to say how good the writing is, there is no such thing as literary talent. Just looking at these crooked handwriting, Jia Yuanchun couldn't help but wet his eyes.

This is an afterthought.

Still walking on the road now, Mrs. Wang also reminded her carefully: "Your marriage will mostly depend on what your majesty and empress want. You usually go to your empress to flatter you. Seeing that you are well-behaved, your empress can also be more considerate." .”

"I will, don't worry." Jia Yuanchun said.

After exhorting everything that should be exhorted, the mother and daughter wentssip again before separating.

Jia Yuanchun went back to the bedroom, but couldn't sleep anymore, got up and sat in front of the desk, and made an analysis table to see which one would be more beneficial, being married or not.After all the calculations, they were almost the same, which made Jia Yuanchun unable to make a decision.

Suddenly, she remembered that she had served as a teacher in the palace school for three years, and she was the only master who was justifiable. It is too dangerous to become her disciple, in this era of being a teacher for one day and being a father for life.It's dangerous for the owner who changed the bulletin, and it's also dangerous for her.It seems that when I go back this time, the empress must let the female officials share the burden earlier, otherwise, she will be dragged into the water sooner or later.

Now her foundation is still shallow, many veteran palace people don't really buy her, so it's okay to sell her now.

Now that she was like this, her options for marriage were suddenly narrowed.Either marry an external official and never use the resources in the palace for a lifetime, or marry the emperor.Even marrying a prince trusted by the emperor will not work. No matter how trusting, when the prince and concubine can command most of the servants in the palace, they will be suspicious.

Thinking about it this way, Jia Yuanchun felt that he still didn't want to get married.

But on the other hand, the servants in the palace were not fools, they would disobey their master's orders for the sake of fame, and learned that things were not as serious as she thought.

Really!This is also reasonable, and that is also reasonable!This is the most unreasonable moment!Jia Yuanchun thought for a long time, and successfully turned his head into a pile of paste. He had a headache, so he just went to sleep first. The boat will be straight when it reaches the bridge.

After spending four comfortable days in Jia's mansion, he is going back to the palace again.

The first thing he did when he returned to the palace was to tell the empress to increase the number of teachers in the inner school.

"Your Majesty, I'm going to be in charge of the library and the literature library. It was fine at first, but now that there are more and more affairs, I'm afraid that there will be some omissions that will delay the teaching of the palace servants. Why don't you ask your Majesty to assign a few more female officials?" Coaching together, the minister is so lazy." Jia Yuanchun still has a bit of face in front of the queen.

"You, I have no control over this. Your Majesty, the prince, and the senior scholars of the court have all listened to the lectures you taught. What you say is better than the Imperial College. Where can I find someone as knowledgeable as you? Go to the female officer." The empress declined, the emperor has his own considerations for the inner school, and after living together for nearly 40 years, the empress still has some awareness of this.

"My lady, it's just that the grown-ups are merciful because they see me as a girl. How can I dare to compete with the great Confucian scholars of the Imperial College with my little effort. If I can't find a candidate for a while, why don't I use my aunt who teaches manners on weekdays as well?" Master, what do you think? There are tens of thousands of knowledge in the world, not what is learned in books. Knowledge of worldly affairs is knowledge, and understanding of human feelings is writing. Aunts are also female officials. If you mention the matter of rank, you Look?" Jia Yuanchun made up his mind to get rid of this hot potato.

"Well, there is some truth in what I said, I will talk about it after I ask His Majesty." The queen thought for a while and thought it was okay.

After Jia Yuanchun resigned, the queen discussed with her confidant Lady Anzhen, "What's the matter with Lady Jia? After going back, she hurriedly refused, but something happened."

"Go back to your mother, no. I told the maid who went, Master Jia and Mrs. Wang (Jia Yuanchun was promoted to give his mother the rank of wife) talked about some common gossip, mainly about Master Jia's marriage." An Zhen replied, Sure enough, among those court ladies, there are people from the masters.

"Marriage, it seems that Lady Jia thinks it's not good for her to marry outside, and to be in charge of the palace people's teaching. She is too powerful. She is also a sensible person. However, I can not interfere with the internal school's relationship with His Majesty's national affairs. Tonight, Your Majesty When you come over, please remind me to tell His Majesty, we will listen to Your Majesty." The queen consciously saw through Jia Yuanchun's thoughts.

"Yes, ma'am."

In the evening, as expected, Majesty came to rest in the Queen's Palace, and the Queen reported Jia Yuanchun's intentions to His Majesty, and tactfully expressed her approval.

"There's no rush, just wait a bit. Don't say anything, I know this very well." The emperor took a sip of tea and said calmly.

Since the emperor was at such a time, the empress would naturally not refute the emperor's intentions just because of Jia Yuanchun. "Don't worry, Your Majesty, when Lady Jia speaks, only An Zhen and I are listening, and there will be no rumors."

On the second day in the imperial study room, when the emperor talked with the prince, he still mentioned this matter.

"You leaked the news, Jia Yuanchun went back to the mansion, and immediately asked for an increase in the number of teaching places in the inner school." The emperor asked.

The prince's face tightened, and he said: "Only my confidantes know about this matter, and it has not been disclosed so far. The only ones who know the whole situation are my lords and my father. Where did Lady Jia know about it? Ever since Jia's family split Since then, Emperor Father has always been watched by someone, and I believe that the Jia family has no contact with those people. Could it be a coincidence?"

"There are no coincidences in the world, only a well-arranged layout. Just wait, if Jia Yuanchun comes to ask to resign from the literary museum again, then you will really see something." The emperor said lightly.

"Yes." The prince thought that the layout was well planned, and he wanted to use Jia Yuanchun and the maids and eunuchs who followed him closely as bait to lure his brothers who did not give up and the ministers who formed a party in the court.The one in the palace who can enter and leave the inner palace and the outer court on his own, except for passing strict inspections at the gates of the palace, is Jia Yuanchun.She has to go to the Literature Museum of the Outer Dynasty every day. Although the Literature Museum is still within the large area of ​​the palace, it is already the Outer Dynasty that handles political affairs. On weekdays, the ministers also have activities in this area, and the prevention and control is not very strict. .The prince didn't believe that Jia Yuanchun, a woman, could see such a careful layout.

If Jia Yuanchun knew, she would be wronged, she was just preparing for marriage!It's a pity that she didn't know, so in order to reduce her own authority and alleviate the trust crisis that may be caused in the future, she ran to lecture the emperor, and then tactfully proposed to decentralize power.

"The affairs in the library are simple, and the minister is still competent. However, the affairs of the inner school and the literature library are complicated. The minister is alone and has limited qualifications. It is really difficult. Please take pity on your majesty and give me two helpers, will you?" Jia Yuanchun asked. Dao, she really thinks that the management of this library is very simple, and there are many people in contact with the literature library. Didn’t Mrs. Wang say that a message has already been sent out? It’s her business that she doesn’t want to get married, but she was forced to Not getting married is another matter.

The emperor looked at her fixedly, Jia Yuanchun was thinking at high speed in his mind, which sentence was wrong?Or did it touch the emperor's secret thoughts?What's wrong, speak up!Jia Yuanchun slammed the table in his heart, with a look of anxiety on his face.

"Jia Qing don't need to worry, I trust you. You can do it first, after I've been busy for a while, I'll pick someone for you, and you should look after yourself first." The emperor said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jia Yuanchun thought that the emperor understood her meaning and wanted to decentralize power.

The emperor was sure that Jia Yuanchun had seen something, but he didn't dare to say it, so he could only find a way to get himself out.Such diametrically opposed thinking, if you encounter it, you can only count yourself as unlucky.

The emperor called the crown prince and told him that Jia Yuanchun really came to ask for his resignation. He also secretly called the court lady who served Jia Yuanchun close to him for questioning. The mask is covered with big clothes to conform to the palace rules. No embroidered shoes, only boots, and simple headgear, more head hairpins, golden step shakes, falling beads headbands, etc. are not used. Updos, flying fairy buns, and other hairstyles that require more wigs are not used."

This court lady is really talented, she didn't inquire about Jia Yuanchun's dagger hidden in her boots and the sharp hairpin hidden in her hair, but she knew that Jia Yuanchun had ghosts in her heart from her usual attire.Jia Yuanchun was really doing it for the original work, just in case, but in the end he made himself miserable.

"Listen, she really saw it, she is a talent." The emperor said.

"Father, my son went to ask the people who watched Jia's house, and said that there was a thief in the house of the female official Jia, and her mother invited Wang Ziteng and Jia Amnesty to discuss it, and strengthened the protection of the house, and the Wang family and Earl Rong An's house also strengthened. As expected, they heard the wind, and it must be Lady Jia who told them." The prince said.

"Then you find out, who leaked the news."

"Father, I have sorted it out seven or eight times. It is true that no one has contacted the Jia family and the lady of Jia. It seems that the lady of Jia has seen it herself. Like this court lady, she is observant and quick-witted." The prince said, He also couldn't believe that his plan would go wrong in the details.

"Then hurry up, one Jia Yuanchun can tell, maybe there will be another Jia Yuanchun." The emperor waved his hand.

"There is no other person in the world who is as talented as Lady Jia." The crown prince flattered, "It's all about father and emperor's insightful eyes."