The Ring of the Red Chamber and the Nine Heavens

The next day, Wang Xifeng first called all the housekeepers and daughters-in-law over in his small courtyard, and assigned the tasks of the past few days one by one, and then went back to the house and asked Ping'er to tidy up her clothes.Wang Xifeng saw in the mirror that she was pink and fat, her hair and makeup were in perfect order, so she took Ping'er out.

All the way through halls and corridors, everyone met on the road bowed and saluted, saying: "Second Grandma." Wang Xifeng asked Ping'er to support one of her arms, nodded slightly, and walked past with her head held high.

When we arrived at the main hall, we turned around behind a red sandalwood shelf and marble screen, and then turned around three uninterrupted small flower halls, and finally arrived at the main courtyard of Jia Mu.There were a few girls in red and green clothes sitting on the stone steps, and when they saw Wang Xifeng coming, they all stood up and greeted her: "Second Grandma."

Because she is a maid in Mother Jia's room, don't be negligent, so Wang Xifeng smiled kindly, and said gently: "This place is cool, there is a draft, no wonder you are all sitting here to rest from the cool."

I went in for a while, but saw Aunt Xue and Mrs. Wang were there. Wang Xifeng swallowed what she had planned, and went to have fun with Mother Jia, Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue.

After talking for a while, they said that they were playing dominoes. The four of them sat down and started playing. Wang Xifeng only paid attention to the gestures and winks of Jiamu's big maid, Yuanyang, deliberately lost the money to Jiamu, and at the same time made jokes to tease Jiamu. happy.

On a whim, after Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue left, Wang Xifeng took a peek at the moment when Jia Mu was in a good mood, and said coquettishly: "Old ancestor, Feng'er has helped his wife with housework for so long, such embarrassing things are still a head When we met once, I really didn't know what to do. Feng'er heard from the old man in the family how the old ancestor was in charge of the family in the past, how decisively and how dignifiedly he managed the huge Rongguo Mansion. Properly posting, Feng'er guessed that he might not even be able to catch up with his ancestor. Good ancestor, please give Feng'er a good idea."

The wrinkles on Jia Mu's face were all flattened by her praise, and she laughed and said, "You are so cute! I guessed, it's not that you don't have an idea, but you have an idea in your heart, you just want someone Is it for you to back up or pick the head? Tell me, what do you want me to do for you?"

Wang Xifeng said with a smile: "Look at the cleverness of the old ancestor, I can't hide anything from you! That's the case, isn't Aunt Zhao pregnant now? I think Brother Huan is also a half-grown young man who is ten years old. It's not a problem to live with his mother all the time, so I thought about taking this opportunity to change Brother Huan to live in another place. However, every time I mentioned this matter, my wife always said yes Okay, there is no more. I didn't say where to go, how many maids and wives, and monthly schedules. I didn't say anything clearly, and I couldn't chase after my wife to ask, so this matter was delayed. After much deliberation, I decided to ask an old lady for advice, rather than figuring it out by myself and finally offending my wife."

Mother Jia also suppressed her smile when she heard this, thought for a while, and said, "In your opinion, where is the right place to live?"

Wang Xifeng smiled sweeter, boldly, and said: "There are three wing rooms next to Baoyu's house, and now they are piled up with his things from childhood to adulthood, and no one lives in them. In my opinion, those things are still collected. Pick it up, store it in another place if you need it, fill the hearth with it if you don’t need it, and free up the three good side rooms for people to live in. The house can’t be lived for a long time, but it’s a nest for mice. Not as good as Huaner It's very suitable to live there. They are brothers, they should be more intimate, and they study in the same school. Even if they have any questions about their studies, if they live close together, they can often discuss together .It depends on what the old lady wants."

Jiamu closed her eyes and thought for a long time, then said, "Living next to Baoyu? Isn't this just raising Brother Huan's worth? No wonder you didn't tell your wife, but came with me to fight the famine!"

Wang Xifeng said with a sneer: "It's not for the sake of flattering anyone, it's really for the sake of doing things cheaply."

Jia Mu thought about it for a long time, then sighed and said, "That brother Huan is very clever, and I think he will be successful in the future. But treat him better now, and when he is successful in the future, he will also think about our interests."

Wang Xifeng hit the snake with the stick, and said: "Isn't it? No matter whether the grandson is born or concubine, they are all descendants of our mansion, and it is the glory of our mansion to be successful. Old lady, please let Huan'er stand next to you!" Living in Baoyu means that you have taken over him from Aunt Zhao, and Huan'er will be successful in the future, and you will also have a share of the credit."

Jia Mu just nodded and said nothing.

Wang Xifeng asked again: "Also, about the number and number of maids and wives of Brother Huan, I don't dare to make a claim, and I have to ask my ancestors for advice."

Jia Mu said nonchalantly: "The residences are all set to the same standard as Baoyu, and the quotas are nothing. Just like Baoyu, it doesn't cost a lot of money, and it doesn't have to be talked about."

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "I think so too. Although brother Huan was not born in his wife's womb, he is still a serious concubine in our mansion. It is said that he should have the same status as Baoyu. If it spreads, it will not make people laugh at our mansion." Rick buckled the bastard, acted at will, and broke the rules."

Mother Jia frowned slightly, and said: "Oh, the water here is deep. You are the head of the family, and you should have a steelyard in your heart. How can a concubine and a concubine be the same? I just see Brother Huan's behavior is different, and he may have some success in the future. , that’s all.”

Wang Xifeng hurriedly praised Jia Mu for her foresight, and said, "The old lady just knows people. Brother Huan is really young, but he is really clever, although he is not as grand as Baoyu." In fact, Jia Huan has a better future than Jia Baoyu, but Baoyu's position in Jiamu's heart is detached, so she has to say so in order to please Jiamu.

Wang Xifeng said again: "Old ancestor, since you have made up your mind, let's see when it is convenient to talk to your wife in front of everyone. It's better to settle this matter. After all, it's not easy for us juniors to say this, and my wife is mine. dear aunt."

Jiamu knew very well that she didn't want to offend Mrs. Wang, so she said: "Monkey monkey, you don't want to be such a villain yourself, so come pester me! It's not because you know how to be filial to me, so I ignore you. Stupid, tell you to go to a belly lawsuit with your aunt!"

Wang Xifeng tried to be nice again to make Jia's mother happy, and then she backed out, letting out a long breath.

The next day, the two daughter-in-laws and the granddaughter-in-law both came to pay their respects to Jiamu. When Jiamu saw that everyone was present, she said, "Come, come and sit down, and I have something to say to you."

After the maids served the tea, Mother Jia took a sip first, and saw that everyone was drinking tea with their heads down, and then said, "I have something to discuss with you. Aunt Zhao is pregnant again, so I'm afraid she won't be able to take care of the ring." Brother Huan is supposed to go to his wife's house to support him, but his wife is busy with housework all day long and has to serve the Bodhisattva, so she can't even take care of Baoyu, so it's not easy to take Brother Huan Go, why don't you live with Brother Huan next to Baoyu, there are three connected empty rooms next to Baoyu's wing, and now they have piled up some messy things, and after tidying them up, they are just for Brother Huan to live in. Look at you how do you feel?"

Although Jia Mu's tone was tactful, everyone present knew that this was not a solicitation, but just an announcement.This matter has been decided by Jia Mu, and it will be implemented in this way immediately, and there is no room for objection.

Although Mrs. Wang's complexion didn't change, her expression was a little stiff, and the hand holding the handkerchief seemed to be a little tight, and even her tendons seemed to be tense.

Mrs. Xing glanced at her, feeling very comfortable, and said first: "The old lady acts the most just and peaceful way, as it should be, but what can we say? It's just admiration."

Madam Wang seemed unintentional, but in fact she swept Madam Xing's face with resentful eyes.

Mrs. Xing glanced back at her, but the smile on her lips deepened a bit.

Mrs. Wang said resentfully: "Since the old lady has said it all, let's do it like this."

In the evening, Wang Xifeng called Jia Huan again, busy showing his merits, and said with a smile: "Brother Huan, it took me a lot of effort to persuade the old lady to arrange you next door to Baoyu." Living here, even the role of maids and mothers-in-law is the same as Baoyu's."

Jia Huan appreciated it very much, bowed to Wang Xifeng and said, "Thank you sister-in-law, I knew that only my sister-in-law can do this embarrassing thing, who else can do it?"

Wang Xifeng smiled complacently, and said: "Your ability is not small. The important matter of sister-in-law is all up to you, younger brother. You must take it to heart." I haven't finished talking here, Ping'er Then she came in and said, "Second Grandma, Madam asked Caiyun to come and tell you to come over. I asked Caiyun what happened, Caiyun said she didn't know, but the wife had a bad face since she came back from the old lady's room, and even dropped a cup .”

Jia Huan and Wang Xifeng looked at each other, and they both understood why his wife was in a bad mood.

Wang Xifeng sighed softly, and said, "Huan'er, I have stabbed a hornet's nest because of you. Two years later, if you don't give me the pill and make me think about it for so long, I will forgive you." I can't miss you!"

Jia Huan hurriedly said: "Sister-in-law, don't worry, I will always remember this matter, even when I sleep."

Wang Xifeng poked Jia Huan on the forehead with his finger, and said, "You go back first. Pack up your things and help you move them tomorrow."

Jia Huan said, "Okay. If your wife makes things difficult for your sister-in-law, you can just push it on me."

Wang Xifeng spat, and said: "What are you pushing against you? What can you do, a monkey boy? At worst, we just break up with her. I'm not afraid!"

Of course, compared to the heirs who can help her gain a foothold in Jia's mansion, is Mrs. Wang's idea of ​​taking care of her a fart?Besides, I have to offend my parents-in-law, who say that "the bird is picking up the tall branches and flying".If that's the case, it's better to just break away from Mrs. Wang, and from now on just flatter the old lady, and keep the others impartial.Wang Xifeng made up her mind and went to Mrs. Wang's upper room with a very calm mind without panic.

Sure enough, when she arrived at Mrs. Wang's place, Mrs. Wang accused Wang Xifeng of being heartless without saying a word, thinking of outsiders and not of her aunt, it was useless to love her.

Wang Xifeng cried out: "Madam, you really wronged me. I just acted according to the wishes of the old lady. Do I dare to disobey the old lady as a granddaughter-in-law?"

Mrs. Wang said sharply: "The old lady doesn't want to see Brother Huan at all on weekdays. How could she think of asking him to move to live next door to Baoyu, which is the same as Baoyu's monthly routine? Isn't this the same as talking to Manfu?" Some people say that he and Baoyu are equal? ​​It is unreasonable! A concubine born to a lowly maidservant is the same person as my Baoyu. Isn’t that slapping me in the face? With the seeds, if they stand up one by one like this, wouldn't it mean that they are trampling me and my precious jade?"

Wang Xifeng said softly: "Ma'am, that's not what you said. The rules passed down from the ancestors in our house are that all brothers and sisters, no matter whether they are concubine or concubine, have the same monthly rules."

Mrs. Wang snorted and said: "This matter is not that simple! I don't believe that no one is responsible for it! If there is such a great ability to persuade the old lady, you are the only one!"

When Wang Xifeng heard this, she pretended to cry, and said: "Auntie doesn't know how I treat my aunt? She came to suspect me! If that's the case, why don't I just let go and ignore these things from now on? So as not to be complained by my own decent mother-in-law! Why did I come here!"

After making trouble for a long time, Mrs. Wang finally got tired, and comforted Sister Feng, who was desperately crying for injustice, and said: "Forget it, forget it, forget about this matter, you have to do something in that Aunt Zhao's stomach, don't call me She was born, this is not peeling off my face!"

Wang Xifeng sneered in his heart, but said on his mouth: "Let's just watch, this matter cannot be rushed, you have to figure it out slowly."