The Jade of the Red Chamber

Jia Amnesty glanced at Mrs. Wang, and said angrily: "Let's separate the family, let's invite the elders in the clan to be a witness, so that it won't be said that I, the eldest brother, took advantage of the family property because of my brother's absence in the future! Lian'er, go invite cousins!"

Jia Lian went to take orders. Mother Jia looked up at her eldest son and said nothing.

This was probably the most responsible and dignified moment in Jia Shen's life. He sat next to Jia Mu, closed his eyes and did not speak.The rest did not dare to leave.Sister Feng and Yuanyang called the masters who were crowded in the upper room and the two courtyards.

After the house was ransacked, the street on the side of Jia's house that originally belonged to the family members was also taken back. Those clan members who followed the Ning Rong family and left Jinling to settle down in the capital also felt resentful towards Li Zhi. It was quite far away, Jia Lian found a place, and after a lot of talking, he invited several respected uncles of the clan to come.

But Jia Lian did gain some knowledge in recent years, fearing that there would be some troubles in the future, he quickly asked the young man who accompanied him to take the money and go to the yamen to invite a small official to witness together.Jia Lian wiped his sweat, now they really can't stand the trouble, and in the future he just wants to live in peace and stability, there is a man named Baoyu in the second room to set up a family, so there is no need for them to get involved.

It was very quiet in Jia Mu's upper room, and it was almost noon when it was time to set meals, and everyone was still watching.Aunt Zhao also wiped away her tears and stood with Jia Huan, but the two girls Tanchun and Xichun did not come out. There are so many people on such an occasion, it is really not the place for these girls to be there.

Finally, a voice came from the front, Jia Lian came back, and several people were overjoyed, but seeing Jia Mu's gloomy face, they quickly lowered their heads to cover their urgency, and did not dare to say anything.

Several family uncles took their seats, exchanged some polite words with Jia Mu, and said one by one: "I won't say anything else, let's start." Because these are very old family uncles, there is no need for the female relatives to avoid going out.

Just at this time, Jia Lian, who was waiting outside the courtyard just now, led a small official into the courtyard gate, and ordered the young servant to tell the female relatives to avoid behind the screen. When Jia's mother heard that the small official's face became more and more gloomy, it was a clan uncle who said: " It’s great to have the government come to witness, and it saves us old guys from going to the government to report.”

Jia Mu ordered the mandarin ducks to lift the four-fold big screen so that the female relatives could hide behind it.This little official was alert, so he stood still in the outer room of the upper room, and said with a smile, "You don't have to go in, it's fine here. Since Mr. Jia invited the clan elders to witness, I'm here to listen, and I'll make a pledge after I'm done." That's it."

Jia Lian breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly ordered the servant girl to bring tea and fruit, and asked someone to wait in the outer room before going in.

In the inner room, Mother Jia had long been leaning on the couch, with a cold face and a weak look.Seeing Jia Lian coming in, Jia's mother said coldly, "Uncles, please be a witness."

It is clear to everyone here that the family is separated, but apart from these two courtyards, the Jia family's property is only owned by Jia's mother. .

The mandarin duck handed a small box to Jia Mu, and Jia Mu stroked half of the leaf, opened the box, and sighed: "The silver here is 3000 taels to Jia Amnesty, and you and the eldest wife can share it. The 3000 taels will be given to Zhen'er." If Zhen'er is not around, I will give it to his wife, so that he can take care of the men who are outside. The remaining 3000 taels belong to Zheng'er, who is also my son, and I am not biased. Zheng'er is closer. These are used for his future flowers, and it’s not in vain for me to raise him. Zhu’er’s daughter-in-law wants to come to honor me, Lan’er is also good, Zhu’er has gone, I have to think for their mothers, this 3000 taels Give it to Zhuer's daughter-in-law, put it away." After all, Jia Mu is old and frail, and she can't speak very clearly. Now she has said so much, her mouth is dry, and Yuanyang hurriedly handed over a cup of tea.

Mrs. Wang was staring at Li Wan now, but Li Wan folded the bank notes carefully and put them into his purse with a low eyebrow, as if he didn't notice it, and the purse was put into his inner sleeve in the blink of an eye.The same goes for You Shi, who exchanged glances with his daughter-in-law Hu Shi, and put away the banknotes.Mrs. Wang could only watch as Jia's mother put aside the 3000 taels she gave to Jia Zheng, knowing that it was hopeless for her to manage the money, and she hated Li Wan's lack of dignity.

Mother Jia moistened her throat, looked at everyone and said, "Lian'er and Feng girl have been worrying about it for so many years. I love them too, but it's easier than your sister-in-law Zhu. I'll give you 2000 taels. Third girl, fourth girl The girl's future marriage is still my business. Now our family is having a hard time, and the two girls can't be wronged. It's only 1000 taels per person. I'll keep the money for now. When the two girls have money, I can buy them a dowry. This is you The clothes left by Blessing, as well as the clothes and jewelry I wore when I was a teenager, are not needed now. For the men, they are called Da Lao Ye, Er Lao Ye, Zhen Er, Lian Er. , Zhen’s daughter-in-law, and Feng girl took the points. The 2000 taels are given to the uncles, since the family is having a hard time now, it’s good to use it to do something.”

After resting for a while, Mrs. Wang could hardly sit still, and Jia Mu said again: "Now this house and some gold and silver are all left. I want to live in the house. Baoyu hasn't married yet in your life." Wife, these are probably worth a few thousand taels of silver, and they are all left to Baoyu. I just said it, and we will spend our days separately in the future. The house is in one place. If you don’t want to, you can move out. The owner of the big house will return. The big house is in charge, the second house is in charge of the second house, how to figure out how to explain it, you can discuss it yourself. This is the end of my business."

Jia Amnesty and the others were upset, remembering that the old lady hadn't mentioned welcoming the spring, and when the second master was exiled, the old lady had already put out so much money to pay, and now she said these things.

Everyone knew that the old lady's furniture could not be limited to this, but it was difficult to bring it up.

Jia Sheyin said: "Son, seeing so many people living here is too boring. I want to buy a small house outside, and I want to take care of the old lady. Look, how about it?"

Jia Mu raised her eyes and glanced at him, and said neither coldly nor indifferently: "As the saying goes, 'You move your breath, you raise your body'. I've lived here all my life, and I'm used to it. If you squeeze first, you'll find a house to move to. Go out. I'm fine here, if you're worried, just ask Lian'er to come and have a look." One sentence actually drove the big house out, even the elders were a little surprised, Mrs. Duwang was very happy.

Just as Jia Mu wanted to end the separation, Jia Huan pulled Aunt Zhao and knelt down in front of Jia Mu, saying, "Old lady, now that I'm grown up, I want to take my aunt to live outside, and I beg the old lady to help me."

Mother Jia's eyes were fixed on Jia Huan deeply, she couldn't see any emotion. Aunt Zhao was afraid that the old lady had been afraid for so many years, and now she couldn't stand it anymore. Fortunately, Jia Huan was by her side to calm down.After a while, Mother Jia said, "Huan'er thinks that I have treated you and your aunt badly by separating the family?"

Jia Huan kowtowed and said: "The old lady made a clear decision. My aunt and I are convinced. It's just that I am old and don't want to be sheltered under the care of my ancestors, so I ask the old lady to make it happen."

Now that Jia Huan is already a scholar, Jia's mother doesn't want him to be separated from her privately, but seeing this posture, she can't stop it. Moreover, she is afraid that Jia Huan will overwhelm his brother in the future because he entered the officialdom earlier than Baoyu. , thinking about kicking the ball to Mrs. Wang, said: "Second wife, what do you think?"

Mrs. Wang's eyes had already burst into flames, the old lady didn't give her any money today, although she knew in her heart that most of the old lady's body was probably her own treasure, but she was still full of anger in her heart, now Hearing that Aunt Zhao and Jia Huan were going to separate out, she was even more angry.

In the heart of such a jealous and unclear mistress, the aunt is probably the servant who wants to serve them until death, and the concubine is even more dedicated to the son-in-law.Mrs. Wang is envious of Jia Huan's fame now, and she thinks that he should support his elder brother, and he doesn't need to go to that academy to study anymore, he should be ordered by his first brother!

Mrs. Wang straightened her clothes, and when she was about to speak, she heard Jia Huan say: "Old lady, although the wife is a aunt, but her grandson has achieved fame. This... the old lady loves her grandson, so let the old lady decide this matter." .”

After being humiliated in public, Mrs. Wang almost couldn't bear it, she only closed her mouth when she caught a glimpse of Mother Jia whose face was as heavy as water, and made a look of aggrieved.

Jia Mu said coldly: "Master Xiucai is using your fame to suppress me, an old lady?"

Jia Huan kowtowed again, and said: "How dare grandson. The family business is difficult, and grandson doesn't want to burden Grandmother Gaotang, so he wants to share it out and spend money on studying, so grandson doesn't know. The second elder brother is a hundred times more talented than Huan'er. In the future, Sanyuan Jidi is also expected, but the cost here is huge, and the family is not prosperous, so it is better to work together to help the second brother."

These words are reasonable, Jia Huan's talent is indeed not as good as Baoyu's, and Jia's mother heard Xiren and Wang's saying that Baoyu is working hard now, and her heart was also moved.After a long while, Jia Mu said, "Huan'er is right. The child is caring. Even so, I won't say anything. I'll take your aunt out and take out 300 taels from the second room's money." You two, come back to me if you have any difficulties."

The amount of money was too little, and Aunt Zhao was a little unwilling, her mouth was about to speak, Jia Huan glanced at her hurriedly.Jia Huan took a breath and said, "Huan'er can't take this silver." But she didn't even want the silver, and Jia Mu looked at him suspiciously.

If you heard Jia Huan say again: "The old lady is merciful, although the houses you mentioned to the third sister today are for the benefit of the third sister, but Master Liu from Zhili and Master Ke from the capital are really wrong. The third sister has a stubborn temper. Huan'er was afraid that she wouldn't dare to make the old lady angry after hearing about it, but she couldn't think about it, which would actually hurt the old lady's heart."

Jia Mu's complexion suddenly changed, the smile just now had long since disappeared, and her two hooked eyes stared fiercely at Jia Huan.Hearing what Jia Huan said, even the little official sitting outside was surprised that the old lady was cruel. The names of Mr. Liu and Mr. Ke are very famous, a shrewd, cunning, greedy, lustful and a tigress in the family It is famous, the reputation of a restrained wife resounds throughout the capital, there are these two, I am afraid that other people are not very good, I heard that the third girl of the Jia family is an excellent girl, and the old lady of the Jia family is also very good. I like it, why would you push your granddaughter into the fire pit?

The clan elders looked at each other a few times, and they wanted to reprimand Jia Huan, but now they all shut their mouths and remained silent.

Mother Jia hated it very much, and said coldly: "The marriage of the third girl, the orders of the parents, and the words of the matchmaker, are they still left to her daughter's family to pick and choose?"

Jia Huan said calmly: "The old lady misunderstood. The third sister is the most knowledgeable and reasonable. How could she make it difficult for the old lady? It's just that Huan'er thinks that if the third sister marries into this family, it will really hurt the second brother's reputation. Now Mrs. And I can't teach the third sister, so I thought about asking the third sister to go with Huan'er and Auntie..."

Jia's mother hated her for breaking the fig leaf in front of others, she was angry and angry, and she was already tired, Jia Huan was right, the third girl's temper was not the same as the second girl's, if she didn't want to get on a rope It is still the Jia family who are humiliated, and it may bring some disasters, so just send it out now.

Then he sneered and said: "You don't have to say that, since you think so much about the third girl following her mother, I'm old and I can't control it anymore, it's up to you! It's just that the third girl is following your aunt, this status is different, It turns out that her dowry is the same as that of the fourth girl when she was raised in front of his wife, so let’s take half of it now, and let me take care of it after we get married.” This is actually saying that Tanchun’s dowry is not going to be given, and Jia’s mother said: “ Leave it to me again" No one takes it seriously.If the family is separated, it will be two families, and whoever cares about the life and death of the other.

Mrs. Wang's face turned pale, not only did Jia Huan go, but she couldn't keep a Tanchun, and the good betrothal money was gone.Gritting her teeth again, she wants to see, what kind of noble family does this girl with a bad reputation (referring to Qian Xiangguo's refusal to marry) want to marry?

Mother Jia waved her hand, and the matter was settled, she slumped on the couch, she had to admit that now she couldn't control these children and grandchildren, she was no longer the uncompromising old lady in Rongning Second Mansion.Go, go!Baoyu is a man of good fortune. He is promising, and it is not in vain for her to love him all these years.

The clan uncles pressed their fingerprints, followed by Jia Amnesty, Baoyu who represented the second room, Jia Huan who was separated out to be independent, and finally the small official, and then there were five copies in total, one each for the big room, one room for the second room, and Jia Huan, and one for the clan uncles. There is also a copy of the official record.

Da Fang, Jia Huan and the others were still very quick in their movements, and after a hasty meal, they went about their own work.

Jia Lian and Jia Huan had already discussed and found a place. Jia Lian naturally had a family background, but Jia Huan was not bad. Aunt Zhao saved a lot. Seeing that his sister and nephew had lost their wives and children at the moment, he devoted all his attention to his nephew, saving all the money and everything for his sister.

The two families found houses next to each other, but the big one was bigger, which is also convenient. Zhao Guoji had already cleaned up the house, and he was very happy when he knew that his nephew was going to live with him. Aunt Zhao alone The stingy man who can only get in and out also gives Jia Huan all the money in his hand this time.Feeling happy and sour, Tanchun quietly sent the jewelry and money saved over the years to Aunt Zhao, which made Aunt Zhao's eyes turn red from crying.

The author has something to say: Note: Some of Jia's mother's words are quoted from the original work.