Honglou Xing

Mrs. Wang was stunned, "Sister-in-law, you can't keep telling us about the separation as soon as something happens, thinking we are really afraid?" Mrs. Wang was extremely dissatisfied with Mrs. Xing's blunt tone, so she pretended to be polite when she spoke.

Jia Zheng wanted to face his own family.In addition, he had a long-standing grudge against his elder brother for transferring him.Because Erfang didn't have much to offer before, he had to swallow his anger.Now that he has a concubine in his second wife, it is unspeakably expensive, why should he endure it?

Jia Zheng hurriedly echoed Mrs. Wang and said, "We have nothing to fear!"

Jia She raised the corners of his mouth slightly: "Okay, you deserve it, don't back it up." Jia She couldn't bear the troublesome second wife. Before the eldest girl was not a concubine, he felt short of breath and could be more honest.Now because there is an invisible and intangible concubine in the palace, her waist is hardened, and she loves to make trouble more and more.The matter of the banquet should only be regarded as the beginning, and it may be so arrogant in the future.Jia Amnesty has seen through the second brother and his wife, they are restless in their bones, instead of living with them in fear, it is better to simply break up.

Mother Jia couldn't speak, her lips trembled with anger.She hesitated to speak several times, but when she saw the two brothers bickering and ignoring her, she reached out her hand to shake the teacup angrily.

The crisp sound of porcelain breaking interrupted the confrontation between Jia She and Jia Zheng brothers.

"It's against you, do you really think that my old woman is dead? I gave birth to you in vain, and I worked so hard to raise you. You two are good, good, this is how you honor your mother!" Mother Jia was so angry that her cheeks were red, Straight on the table.

Everyone was quiet.

Jia's mother continued to reprimand loudly: "What did I say at the beginning, wait until my wife is dead, you can go on and on! Do you still have me in your eyes!" After Jia's mother said, she stared at Xing with cold eyes. Shi, "And you, how did you promise me back then!"

"Mother, you said that I am the master of this family, but now I can't be the master." Xing lowered her eyes and said in a low voice.She wanted to manage the family well, but because of Yuan Chun's concubine, the second room became more arrogant and refused to listen to the arrangements and persuasion, what else could she do?It wouldn't be so kind that he would risk his life with the second room and lose the lives of the eldest family's family.Since Jia's mother wanted to support the second room, and the eldest room really couldn't control it, she had to make a wise choice to withdraw.In short, the second room now has only two options.Either honestly listen to the arrangement of the big house, and still be able to live a peaceful life; or the family will be separated, and no one will care.

"You are still in charge of our second room receiving gifts?" Mrs. Wang sneered, unable to accept it.

Jia She frowned, and turned to Jia Zheng and said, "That's the way it is. Our two families have different opinions, so we don't need to talk too much. Now there are two ways. One, you should take the gift in a safe manner." Send them all back; second, separate families." Jia She's idea coincided with Xing's.

Mrs. Wang didn't want to lose face in front of Dafang anymore, she looked at Jia Zheng expectantly.

Jia Zheng looked at Jia's mother in embarrassment.

Jia's mother was panting with anger and scolded Jia Amnesty for being unfilial.

Jia She then explained: "Mother, there is a reason for my son's actions. Now the Holy Spirit intends to investigate corrupt officials in various provinces. Before this thorough investigation, we must establish authority. Where does the authority come from? You can't find it nearby. From our These are the aristocratic families in Beijing. Think about it again and again, compared with the Ningguo Mansion, which is unknown to the court, which one will the emperor choose to kill chickens and monkeys under the same conditions? In short, the two If you want to cut down a tree, one big and one small, you want the fire to last longer and prosper. Mother, if you were you, which one would you choose?"

Jia Zheng frowned, disliking Jia Amnesty's metaphor. "It seems that there are so many families in the capital, and the emperor is just staring at our family eagerly." There are many aristocratic families.

"Second brother, how do you know that the Holy Majesty doesn't see our family?" Jia Amnesty asked with a light smile.

Jia Zheng choked, where was he going to figure out what the emperor was thinking?

Jia Mu's brows were almost twisted into a knot.She couldn't refute the elder son's words, and she didn't want to hurt the second son's feelings, so she was in a dilemma.

"Since the elder brother is afraid that we will be troubled, we have to be sensible, so let's just split up." Jia Zheng sighed, since these words were brought out on the bright side.Even for the sake of his own face, he insisted on dividing the family.

Jia Amnesty raised the corners of his mouth slightly and nodded at Jia Zheng, seeming to like Jia Zheng's decision very much.

Mother Jia was so angry that she slapped the table again, got up and shouted: "No!"

Jia Zheng knelt down with a thud, kowtowed to Jia Mu and said: "Mother, if we disagree, you will agree to your son's request."

Mother Jia's eyes widened in astonishment, and she pointed at Jia Zheng with trembling fingers: "Unfilial son!" Mother Jia was so angry that she couldn't speak.Mrs. Wang was in a hurry to comfort her, but Mother Jia stretched out her hand to stop her.She got up supported by the mandarin duck, and before returning to the room, with tears in her eyes, she pointed at Jia She and Jia Zheng with shaking fingers.

Mrs. Xing had expected that Jia's mother would be unbearable, and when she started to mention the separation, she had already winked at Xiaohong and invited the doctor.The doctor prescribed a dose of calming soup to Jiamu, and when Jiamu rested, nothing happened.

After Xing dismissed the doctor, he turned and went back to the original flower hall, where Jia Zheng and his wife were still waiting.

Obviously, Jia Amnesty had discussed with Jia Zheng, and when she saw Mrs. Xing coming in, she settled the score with her.

The Xing family asked someone to bring out the account books of the past few years, and presented the assets that the Rong Mansion still had, and took a look at it with the abacus. "Throwing away the property of the ancestors who were granted titles and entrusted with the title, now there are more than 5000 taels worth of things left, including Zhuangzi, shops, and some gold and silver items. According to the practice of succession by the second son of the first son, seven or three points. How about this, make up [-] taels for you guys."

"Twenty-five thousand taels? How could it be so little?" Jia Zheng looked at Xing in surprise, his eyes full of doubts, obviously she didn't believe the number Xing said.What can the second room do with this little money?If you buy a house and buy some furniture, it will probably be gone.There are also quite a few people in the second room, and the big family will spend money on eating, drinking and drinking in the future. Is it possible to live on his salary of twenty stones a month?

Xing smiled slightly: "Second brother doesn't believe it? You can ask your younger brother and sister, she used to manage the family, and she knows best how much property the family has. We have been living on our laurels this year, and the rest of the stuff is almost exhausted. In other words, annual festivals, birthday banquets, various celebrations, entertainments, and gifts are a huge expense. Let me make it clear Some, the people who dealt with these properties back then were all younger brothers and sisters, but I didn’t move either. Fortunately, the income is relatively equal, so this thing can be kept.”

Jia Zheng listened for a while, how did he hear that the prodigal was his own daughter-in-law instead?He turned to look at Mrs. Wang, why can other housekeepers make ends meet, but not hers?

Mrs. Wang quickly looked at Jia Zheng wrongly, and said innocently that she really did nothing bad.

Mrs. Xing smiled lightly: "Second brother, don't be surprised. In fact, our big house will privately post some of the family's expenses now. Your elder brother has been promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and he also has a share of land. Counting the salary, it is enough to supplement the family."

Jia Zheng looked at Xing in surprise.

Xing hurriedly smiled politely: "Second brother, don't worry, I don't count your salary, it still belongs to your second wife."

It's fine if Xing doesn't say this, but Jia Zheng is ashamed and has nowhere to put his face.It was their first wife who gave way to the second wife, but now it seems that their second wife is stingy and deliberately picks things up.

Jia Zheng really wanted to speak forcefully, telling Xing that there was no need for such a calculation, and that he could do whatever he wanted.But Jia Zheng was afraid that if he said this, and then settled the accounts, the 5000 taels originally distributed to the second room would be gone.At that time, wouldn't it be a joke for him to say a word about separation?

At this point, Jia Zheng regretted agreeing to the separation.

But a person lives with a breath, a tree lives with a skin, he can't just be subdued like this.

Jia Zheng sighed, looked at Xing Shi and Jia She, and hurried away with his hands behind his back and his head bowed.Mrs. Wang stared blankly at Jia Zheng's leaving back, stared blankly for a while, cast a hateful glance at Mrs. Xing, and then hastily stepped up to chase Jia Zheng who was leaving.

Jia Amnesty smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.He gently grabbed Xing Shi and walked back.

As soon as Xing returned to the room, she rubbed her head tiredly and lay sideways on the imperial concubine's couch.Jia Amnesty sat there before Xing Shi fell down, using his own legs to make a pillow for Xing Shi.

Feeling the warmth from Jia Amnesty, Xing slowly raised the corners of her mouth and smiled.

"What are you laughing at?" Jia Amnesty reached out to smooth Li Xing's temples, and asked her with a smile.

"I think it would be great if it could continue like this."

"Well, I feel pretty good too." Jia She said affirmatively.

Thinking of Xing Xiuyan's marriage, Xing asked Jia Amnesty for his opinion. "The family that Miss Xing saw was not bad. My ancestors were also from everyone, but they fell into ruins later. This child's life is hard, his parents died early, and now only his grandmother and them are left in the family. Although the ancestral property is not much It is enough for the whole family to eat and wear. It is said that a child whose parents died early is not good, but I think that child is a very good-looking child, with a dignified appearance, and his manners are very elegant. Promising."

Jia She smiled: "You can see people, you can't make mistakes. As for those sayings about fate, they are just nonsense of ignorant ordinary people. Since ancient times, many heroes in troubled times have lost their parents and can still achieve great things. , the one who died well in the end? I don’t even bother to give examples.”

"I think so too. Besides, without her in-laws, Xing girl has actually suffered a little less. After coaxing his old lady, she is the only one in the back house. The child is here to stay with me." In a short period of time, she doesn't learn as much as the second girl, but she is still shrewd. Marrying and adapting, there shouldn't be any problem."

"Well, you've thought everything through, but you still need to discuss this matter with your elder brother." Jia She said.

"They want to take care of it. Don't worry about it over there. I have to trouble you to find out who Xing is betrothed to. His name is Qi Feng. He is seventeen. He will take the provincial examination this autumn."

Jia Amnesty nodded: "Sure, I'll ask someone to find out later. If this person is good, we have to start with his closest friends. For example, his classmates, the husband who taught her, etc. Good wife, don't worry, I will definitely help you." Investigate his morality to the bottom."

Xing nodded in satisfaction, closed her eyes tiredly, and fell asleep in a daze.

Mrs. Wang and Jia Zheng can't live in peace here.Since Jia Zheng promised to separate the family, he probably won't be able to take it back.If Jia's mother is better tomorrow, she can speak up and reprimand her elder brother, so that the two families can reconcile for the time being, and give them a step down from the second room.Perhaps Jia Zheng could still choose to stay, but if Jia's mother didn't care anymore, he had to make complete preparations on his side, at least to harden himself under the oppression of the big house.

Jia Zheng immediately ordered Mrs. Wang to count the private houses of the second room to see how much money they could raise in total, and whether the second room would be enough for the second room to set up its own house in the future.

Mrs. Wang checked and checked, and filled up the dowry for her own size, but it was only 2 taels of silver.

When Jia Zheng heard about this data, he found it unbelievable, and stared at Mrs. Wang in astonishment: "How is this possible?"

"Master, you don't care about your family, so you don't know how difficult it is. Just how much money did we spend to enter the palace? She has been in the palace for these years, step by step, and finally won the empress's favor. One step less money?"

It's not that Jia Zheng is ignorant of the tricks in the palace. He only bribes those close to his master with a little bit of status, and now it costs two or thirty taels.The eldest daughter has stayed in the palace for ten years, and spending money is like running water?

Jia Zheng couldn't help frowning after hearing Mrs. Wang's counting of Yuanchun's expenses, and sighed: "It turns out that we used money to pile up her concubine position!"

Mrs. Wang also sighed and fell silent.She immediately pulled Jia Zheng back, and said earnestly, "Master, we don't want to pay for this. It can be said that we are lucky. How many families have sent their daughters to the palace, piled up mountains of gold and silver, and there is still no movement in the end." .Our daughter is now a noble concubine, the person next to the Holy Majesty's pillow. If we have any problems in the future, if we ask her to blow the pillow breeze, we will have everything?"

Jia Zheng nodded and stroked his beard: "What you said is very reasonable."

Mrs. Wang thought of her up-and-coming eldest daughter, and smiled comfortably, forgetting the melancholy in front of her for the time being.Seeing this, Jia Zheng couldn't help feeling sorry for Mrs. Wang's hard work over the years, and he took his wife into his arms, sighing and comforting him.Although the two are already old couples, they haven't communicated for a long time, this saying has enhanced their relationship.Both of them recalled the feelings they had back then, and when the feelings were strong, they couldn't help themselves.

The two had a good night's sleep, and when they woke up together, the worries of last night came back to their minds.

Mrs. Wang remembered the settlement yesterday, and asked Jia Zheng with a guilty conscience: "My lord, I'm afraid we only have so much money in our private house. Once the family is separated, we have to move out, and the house is not yet ready. After all the calculations, we still suffer.”

Jia Zheng pondered: "You reminded me. We can use the excuse of finding a house to take our time and delay this matter. After a long time, everyone will forget it, so we won't mention it. If there is If you mention it, the old lady will not agree."

Mrs. Wang nodded: "This is a good way."

Jia Zheng frowned and said: "It's just an expedient measure. After all, we have no money and we don't have any confidence. Take advantage of this opportunity, you should also think of a way to save more money."

Mrs. Wang nodded with a busy smile, and promised Jia Zheng that she would look back and find a way.

When they went to Jia Mu's place to say hello in the early morning, neither Mrs. Xing nor Mrs. Wang took the initiative to mention the separation of the family.Mother Jia couldn't help it, and anxiously asked her what the two of them were planning.

Xing didn't speak, and turned to look at Mrs. Wang.Mrs. Wang smiled silly twice, and took a special look away from Mrs. Xing, with a slight look on her face as if she was at a disadvantage.

Mother Jia saw something, squinted her eyes and asked, "Why, it's all settled? Even the family has been divided without me?"

"Daughter-in-law dare not!" Mrs. Wang hurriedly bowed her head.

Xing Shi smiled, but still didn't speak.

"Hmph! I don't agree with this matter! You can split up if you want, Yuanyang, go and get a knife, you guys will kill me here today, let's split up!" Mother Jia said fiercely.

Mrs. Wang was overjoyed, but with an anxious and concerned look on her face, she hurriedly stopped Jia's mother, knelt down and admitted her mistake: "Mother, don't worry, we will not be separated. I made up last night and we will not separate. Isn't that right, sister-in-law?" Mrs. Wang turned her head to look at Mrs. Xing, staring fixedly at her mouth.

Xing smiled, what else could she say at this time?I can only nod.It is useless for her to explain and clarify the problem, but it will be used as an object of dislike and disfiliality.Besides, when she mentioned splitting up the family, she couldn't bear the fact that the second room held a banquet and accepted gifts without authorization.As long as this problem is solved, she can leave them alone for now.After all, Jia Amnesty was an official in the court, so he had a lot of scruples, and it was not easy to spread rumors of unfilial and brotherly disrespect.It is better for the family to be harmonious on the surface.

"Really? That's good!" Jiamu smiled cheerfully, patted her chest, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Mrs. Wang smiled frankly, with a happy expression on her face.Obviously, she felt that she had succeeded in her calculation.

Mrs. Xing smiled and looked at Mrs. Wang who got up, and said to Jia Mu: "Second brother and younger siblings understand the righteousness, understand the difficulties of our husband and wife, and understand the reason why this gift should not be accepted randomly. Yesterday, their husband and wife He expressed his willingness to return all the heavy gifts received. Mother, you see, the second brother and the second younger sibling are really rare."

Mother Jia looked at Mrs. Xing in surprise, and then at Mrs. Wang who looked embarrassed.She didn't expect the always rigid second room to back down, and she asked Mrs. Wang confirmingly, "Is everything your sister-in-law said true?"

"Yes, it's true!" Mrs. Wang glanced at Mrs. Xing and gritted her teeth.She just said, how could the Xing family cater to her so cheaply, it turned out that there was such a trick behind.How can she refuse at this moment?In order to stay in Rongfu, she had no choice but to swallow her anger again.Wait and see, this time she made a wrong estimate and didn't figure out the cost of money.Next time, I will never give Da Fang another chance to take advantage of her!

The farce of family separation ended without a problem again, and even Mrs. Xing felt tired.After leaving Jiamu's flower hall, Mrs. Xing didn't even bother to talk to Mrs. Wang, so she went straight back.

Mrs. Wang was not reconciled, and called Mrs. Xing to stop.Xing pretended not to hear and continued walking.Mrs. Wang called out again: "Sister-in-law is afraid of me, isn't she?"

Xing smiled lightly and stopped in her tracks. "What did my younger brother and sister say? I have important things to do over there, and Xing girl's marriage has to be decided by me."

"Hey, congratulations to sister-in-law first, remember to tell me when the date is fixed, and when girl Xing gets married, I will give you a big red envelope." Mrs. Wang smiled.

Mrs. Xing looked at Mrs. Wang with strange eyes: "Your brother and sister are really carefree. If I were you, I would have devoted all my attention to teaching my son. Baoyu is not young now, and she is still self-willed like a child. I think He is unmarried and uncertain, it is better for younger siblings to settle for him earlier."

Mrs. Wang smiled lightly: "You really like to worry."

"That's right. I'm not only worried about him, but also my niece. He sends maids to my place every few days. I'm making a fuss just watching it." Xing laughed.

The slap she slapped Baoyu was so effective that Baoyu was always afraid of her.Baoyu was afraid of her, but wanted to see Daiyu who lived in her courtyard.Baoyu had no other choice, so he had to send a servant girl to run to Rongxi Hall diligently.

Mrs. Wang felt ashamed when she heard this, she frowned and said nothing.

Mrs. Xing smiled, patted Mrs. Wang's arm, raised her eyebrows and said, "I think he's been busy recently, and he's in good health. Why doesn't he go to school?"

Mrs. Wang's face turned even darker when she heard this.Recently, she has indeed neglected Baoyu's management.It's really embarrassing to ask Xing's incident to be used as an excuse to laugh at himself.

As soon as Mrs. Xing left, Mrs. Wang went straight to Baoyu angrily.

It's early morning at this moment, and Baoyu didn't have a chance to see Daiyu yesterday, feeling sad in his heart, so Xiren persuaded him warmly.Baoyu was grateful to Xiren, and hugged Xiren to complain. Later, late at night, the two of them had another toss for some reason.Baoyu got up later today because he was tired.Xiren got up early, and came to wake Baoyu up after washing up.Baoyu didn't want to, stayed out of bed, and dragged Xiren to sleep with him.With such a delay, Mrs. Wang came in without any notification. Seeing this scene, Mrs. Wang scolded the attacker without saying a word.

"I thought you were virtuous and loyal. It turns out that you are a vixen, and you know how to seduce the master all day long. I said, why didn't he go to school these few days? You are in the room." Mrs. Wang said angrily.

Xiren hurriedly cried and knelt down to apologize for his mistakes, clarifying his grievances.

Mrs. Wang was willing to listen, and immediately asked the woman beside her to slap the attacker.

Baoyu looked at the tears and wanted to intercede.Mrs. Wang glared at him and scolded him.Baoyu didn't dare anymore, and shrank his neck in a temperless manner, standing by the side and weeping silently.

After Mrs. Wang had finished spreading the flames, she listened to the swollen-faced Xiren explain what had happened.Mrs. Wang raised her eyebrows: "Just to wake him up? It's really rare. It's the first time I see a maid rolling on the bed to wake the master up."

At this time, Qingwen stood up and spoke for her: "Second master can't afford to be shameless, I'm tickling her."

Mrs. Wang stares at Qingwen, then at Baoyu.After a while of silence, she let go of her mouth and asked Xiren to get up, then gave Baoyu a scolding, and told her to go to school tomorrow.Baoyu shrunk her neck and answered while crying.

As soon as Mrs. Wang left, Xiren hurriedly knelt down to thank Qingwen. "My good sister, thanks to your words just now, otherwise I don't know where I have been thrown right now."

Qingwen laughed softly: "I told you that you don't want to take care of him, so you know the lesson."

Xiren was choked so speechless, he bowed his head and remained silent.

Just after noon, someone from the palace issued an order, the emperor approved Concubine Xiande's family visit, and the date was set in March of the Yangchun next year.

The entire Rong family was overjoyed, especially Mrs. Wang Jia Zheng, who finally felt proud again.

Mrs. Wang thought that this opportunity should not be missed. Since she is visiting relatives, she must build a palace.The construction of this palace is a big project that costs money, and there is a lot of oil and water.Mrs. Wang decided to take advantage of this to make a fortune, filling the purse of the second room.When it comes to separating the family in the future, the second room no longer has to be afraid of the big room.