The Jade of the Red Chamber

The situation is changing, at this time, the four great masters of Jinling on the official amulet have disappeared for many years, and the generation that was young and romantic at the beginning is also old.Thinking of the past, thinking of the unique Grand View Garden in the capital city, thinking of the girl who cried and laughed in it back then, some people smiled lightly, and some fell into the past and longed for the absence of time...

Xue Baochai sat under the crabapple tree, and suddenly remembered that many years ago, there seemed to be a hearty and generous girl lying drunk on the stone platform, and the crabapple was sleeping in spring. She opened her eyes to look at the surrounding rich and noble gardens, and a slight bitterness appeared at the corner of her mouth.

A woman in a light red jacket with silver hairpins on her hair and pearls on her ears hurried over and said with a smile, "Second Wife, Master and Third Master are back!"

Baochai was pleasantly surprised, and hurriedly stood up. The woman supported her as if she was used to it, and smiled: "No, I saw that the third master has grown taller again. My wife is very lucky. The third master is motivated and filial. In the future, my wife will My commandment cannot be lowered..." Just as she finished saying this sentence, the woman's face froze suddenly, and she hurriedly stopped talking.

Looking down at the freshly dyed nails of Impatiens on her hand, Baochai said lightly: "Ying'er, when will you change your rough temper, Wu'er is going to be a big girl soon, you mother is still so talkative Unobstructed."

That woman, who was also Xue Baochai's maid since she was a child, is now her aunt in her room. Ying'er apologized, a trace of dissatisfaction quickly flashed across her lowered eyebrows, she raised her head with that smiling and straightforward expression, and said with a smile "My girl, don't you know me for so many years? I dare to say that because there is no one else here. The third master is so competitive. Could it be possible that it will be cheaper in the future?" A magnificent courtyard.

Baochai glanced over there, and only asked about the description of the master and the third master. Years of prudence in words and deeds, humble and polite manners made her used to not saying what was in her heart, no matter how wronged she was, how much resentment she felt It will only cause misfortune and is of no use at all, why not do it without saying anything, otherwise she would not be able to be the second wife.

Second wife?Baochai sneered in her heart. When she was young and the Jia Mansion was at its peak, this title was what she dreamed of. She hoped that after becoming Bao's second grandmother, one day she could become the second wife of Rongguo Mansion and the housekeeper's wife like her aunt.But now the title of "Second Wife" is the biggest irony!There is only one room in this Cao family, so where is the second wife? To put it bluntly, her identity is only a common wife of a merchant family and is not recognized by the government. She is just an aunt with the title of wife!

He took Ying'er and the big maid in the room to the main hall, and saw the master, wife and son talking and laughing together, smiling like a family of three.Baochai suppressed the discomfort in his heart, saluted the master and the "big wife" gracefully, and then got up and pulled his son who was happy to ask the cold and warm. Master Cao liked Baochai's polite manner, and seeing her loving mother at this time Xinxin's face was full of smiles, and she laughed and told her about the compliments of the school's teachers and classmates to her son.Baochai listened very carefully, and there was a look of innocence and concentration that only a little girl could have on her face, which made Master Cao even more happy.

Mrs. Cao, who was sitting in the upper seat, had a gloomy look in her eyes, and she would make such an appearance to seduce the master. The master kept praising her for being talented and beautiful, and having everyone's demeanor.snort!What does a de facto aunt do like everyone else, the lady in the seat will associate with a "second wife" who is not well-known.Talented?Can a talented woman seduce men as a vixen, can she know the rules and let the master order the whole family to call her "Second Wife"!

This Mrs. Cao is the wife of Master Cao, who was the magistrate of Baoding Mansion at that time. He married the daughter of a squire in his early twilight years. She will be Mrs. Cao. I became a local official, and I have been promoted step by step over the years. Naturally, I feel that the back house is empty. Like most men, I not only took some maids of some color in the wife's house as aunts, but also hired girls from good families to be maids outside. .

Mrs. Cao came from a simple background and was not very good at looking at people. If it hadn't been for the years of fighting with Xue Baochai and gaining some insight, and when she couldn't get used to it, she would always act like a wife and force herself not to speak much. Respecting the original spouse who has suffered together, I am afraid Xue Baochai has long been disgusted by others.If that's the case, wouldn't she also cede the land and pay the city, and she became the "big wife" for nothing, and she was on an equal footing with Xue Baochai, a sister.

Mrs. Cao's eyes were stern, and when Xue Baochai saw her, she moved the corner of her mouth slightly to attract the master to look at the eldest wife, and said: "Master, you and Zheng'er are tired too, my sister loves you very much, and I have prepared hot water for you. Taking a bath. The other children didn't call over because you were tired. They thought about you too. You and Zheng'er rest first. The kitchen is already ready. I'll go and have a look. Dinner When the time comes, we must set up a good table and we will welcome you."

Master Cao was overjoyed with these words, and was surprised that he was neglecting his wife by talking to the second wife. He glanced at Baochai appreciatively, and then looked at his wife cheerfully.

The old lady next to Mrs. Cao pulled Xue Baochai's sleeves from behind when she opened her mouth. When Master Cao looked over, Mrs. Cao's face was stiff but her sternness was put away earlier.Mrs. Cao hurriedly got up and helped Master Cao to go to Dongyuan. Cao Zheng was also surrounded by people and went to his yard. When the old woman turned around, she cast a cold glance at Baochai and Yinger.

Ying'er's face was slightly stiff, and she snorted coldly after she left: "This old godmother is really smart, but it's a pity that the master didn't see the eldest lady like that!" As she said this, she was actually very sour in her heart, because the master only cared about talking to the two. When the wife talked, why did she only forget the wife?Standing there, she almost froze from laughing, and she didn't see the master sympathizing with her.

Xue Baochai gave Yinger a blank look, and said with a smile, "You talkative parrot! Well, let's go to the kitchen and have a look." When I went out, there were maids and mothers-in-law saluting and saying hello from time to time on the side of the road, only to hear Baochai whispering Sighed: "The eldest wife doesn't care about the family, but she doesn't know that oil and salt are expensive. Our master is a good official with integrity and virtue. How can we be as extravagant as those luxurious and arrogant people? Although I know that the eldest wife is thinking about the master, but this reception If you go too far, I'm afraid it will make the master unhappy. But if you don't listen, you may offend the eldest wife, this..."

Ying'er has long been used to this "style", and answered smoothly: "Second wife, don't worry, you forgot that my uncle sent two baskets of very fat crabs with good wine, although it is not as good as the shark's fin sea cucumber that the old lady said, It's enough."

Baochai smiled in satisfaction, thinking that after a short while the family would know that the second wife's brother had brought something good "again". In comparison, the eldest wife's house was really shabby, and she was delusional about shark fin sea cucumbers.

Baochai glanced at the kitchen, left Ying'er behind, and went back to her room. She opened the dowry and carefully selected the jewelry. After the banquet, the master should rest in the West Garden.

Ying'er, who stayed in the kitchen, clenched her veil tightly, feeling resentful in her heart, touched the creases at the corners of her eyes, and felt sad again. She was younger than the girl, and she had wrinkles because of hard work.Thinking of Baochai's fair skin and well-proportioned figure, I was even more envious and jealous.

However, Ying'er and Baochai have long been able to express their anger and anger, and their usually blunt and rough temperament is just for others to see. Said: "I know that the second wife is strict, and you are panicked. But as the saying goes, there are human feelings above the law. You are all old people who are used to it. There is a moment of negligence. This lost enamel plate It's not a big deal, it will be recorded in the list of items sent to the third master later, there are many people in his place, and the master and wife dote on him ruthlessly, and the best porcelain is often broken. "

The kitchen steward was very grateful, and pulled Aunt Ying to say a lot of good things. Ying'er listened and said a few words in a nice voice from time to time.

After Ying'er finished her work, it was almost dinner time when she returned to her room. Ying'er hurriedly washed and dressed. In addition to the eldest wife and second wife, there are five or six aunts in the house. If the master pays attention tonight Seeing her, I'm afraid that the second wife will carry Hongqiao in her room to be a roommate tomorrow. Men love children, so there is nothing the second wife can do.Now the east and west sides are on equal footing in the house. She is considered the aunt in the second wife's room. She is not young and not as good as the second wife's appearance. Over the years, the second wife has promoted several young and beautiful maids one after another. If it weren't for her, she would be a dowry Girl, because of the love of being a child, I'm afraid there will be no room for her and her fifth son.

In a hurry, a girl of eleven or twelve came in, pulled the clothes on her body and pouted: "Auntie, look how many times I have worn this clothes, when will you talk to the second wife?" Give me two bolts of brocade from the south."

Ying'er put pearl pendants on her ears, looked at the girl, frowned and said, "Wu'er, didn't I just make you a lotus-colored dress? Why don't you wear that?"

Wu'er frowned, and said unhappily: "The clothes are the same as Fourth Sister's, but the material is much worse than Fourth Sister's. Today Fourth Sister must wear that dress. I don't want to be laughed at by others!"

Ying'er stopped what she was doing, and told a little maid waiting in the room to step back, and then said: "Your fourth sister is a concubine, what do you compare with her? Listen to your aunt and change the clothes, so that you can call your father." Glad to see your sisterhood!"

Cursing her lips, Wu'er said angrily: "What kind of concubine, the third brother is the concubine who is recorded under the wife's name, and the fourth sister is raised by the second wife. It sounds nice, but she is a concubine like me! She looks like a good sister, showing off her dignified and ladylike appearance everywhere, I want to see what the second wife can do for her!"

Hearing this, Ying'er was anxious and angry, she stretched out her hand to hit her, but she was reluctant to lift it up.Seeing this, Wu'er cried and said: "She didn't come out of your stomach. Why does my aunt have to do everything to her? No matter how much you do, she won't be grateful to you. She has high eyes. Miss Biao doesn't like it either!"

Ying'er remembered that the fourth girl was named "Qi". "Wu'er" has been called for so many years, isn't Wu'er just "Wu'er", tears fell at the thought of this, pain and pity, he pulled her into his arms, and persuaded: "My son, don't cry, wait for you!" The fourth sister is out of the family, so I will ask the second wife to find a good family for you as well."

After thinking for a while, she whispered again: "The second wife married the master and became a child when she was young. This matter has always been a thorn in her heart, so the fourth girl must have married early. When she goes out, you are still young." Well. Anyway, my aunt still has some face in front of the second wife. When the time comes, I beg her to find you a good family. My aunt has saved a lot of money over the years. When the time comes, you will marry into the door and be a grandma. Who would dare to underestimate it? You? Just bear with it now. The fourth girl is happy. The second wife must see you well, so that you will have a future. You didn’t see the second girl’s high-sightedness and looked down on the fourth girl. What will happen in the end? , but after all, it’s the stepwife, there are a lot of aunts in the house, not to mention, there are two original spouses who are not younger than the second girl, and a girl with good looks and family background... Alas, every second When the girl came back, I saw her haggard and thin, and my heart ached. "

When Wu'er heard this, she was a little scared and didn't dare to make trouble anymore, so she obediently changed her clothes and went to Dongyuan to wait for the fourth sister to go out.

In the evening, at the family banquet, Mr. Cao was very happy to see his wives, concubines and children, especially the fourth daughter, Cao Qi, who was sweet-mouthed, and he was very happy to have five children to help coax him.After the remnants were removed, Master Cao was half drunk, squinting at the beautiful fourth daughter in new clothes, and said to Baochai with a smile: "Zheng'er is promising, although Xiaoliu is not as good as his third elder brother, he is still good." It’s hard work, but these girls are the only ones left, Madam has to take good care of them.” Madam Cao’s face froze, Baochai’s smile became softer, and the girls all blushed and bowed their heads in silence, but hesitated. did not leave.

Sure enough, Master Cao said again: "Recently, the right servant of the Ministry of War went back to his hometown to worship his ancestors and passed by Baoding Mansion. The brother-in-law of the right servant of the Ministry of War is the new crown prince and Taifu. I heard that he is the chief examiner of Xiake Qiuwei. The trip back home was very low-key, if it wasn't for going back to the academy, Zheng'er's teacher loved him very much, and he had some relatives with the Xi family, Master Zi wouldn't know about it." He patted Cao Zheng on the shoulder in relief, He told his wives and concubines: "Be sure to entertain the adults' wives and relatives well." Then he took a deep look at the dignified and beautiful four daughters, and said with a meaningful smile: "I heard that the eldest son of the right servant is only one year older than Zheng'er. , is a well-known young talent in the capital, and has not yet married..." Master Cao was never impatient to tell his wives and concubines about the court affairs, and it seemed that he was really happy at this meeting.

Baochai's eyes lit up, and she instantly forgot the inexplicable sense of familiarity just now. Marrying a daughter who is tall, Qi'er is good-looking and well-behaved, and has a motivated brother, maybe this will really work.Immediately, he was thinking about how to win the favor of the servant's wife.

Cao Qi blushed a little, pretending she didn't understand, she turned around and whispered to Wu'er, but Wu'er, who knew him very well, could clearly see the smug look in her eyes and the smile on her lips.

At the dinner table, Ying'er, who was dressed in water red, attracted Master Cao's glances several times. A trace of unwillingness flashed in her eyes when she heard this, and it disappeared in the blink of an eye, with a smiling and happy look.She glanced at Cao Qi, who spoke softly, in a trance, as if seeing a girl more than 20 years ago. Yinger touched her nails. This girl Qi really crawled out of the second wife's stomach. The means are similar, but there is a gap in her heart than her own brother.

In a few days, the garrison leaders of Cao Zhifu and Baoding Mansion waited at the post station for the right servant of the Ministry of War. The hospitality was hard to be rejected, and the cars and horses were exhausted, and the place was not far from the capital, so it was good to rest for a few days.Cao Zhifu had long ordered someone to tidy up a three-entry courtyard on half a street of Cao's mansion as a temporary residence for the servant and his family.

On the second day, officials of all sizes in Baoding Mansion greeted Mrs. Minister, Mrs. Cao and Mrs. Li also handed over a post and visited Mrs. Mrs. Minister together with the wives of the officials below.

Back at the mansion, Mrs. Cao, who has always been rigid, also praised the demeanor of Mrs. Xue Baochai. Second Wife” revealed.Baochai had no choice but to step up the arrangement of the rare flowers and plants collected. In the evening, he bypassed the eldest wife and asked Mr. Cao for instructions to hold a flower viewing banquet. The next day, he invited all the wives to come. Mr. Cao praised her for her beauty, but this matter Or I can only send posts to the wives in the name of Mrs. Cao.Baochai felt uncomfortable, but she didn't dare to show it.

On the day of the flower viewing banquet, the Cao Mansion was filled with fragrant flowers, and the arrangement was very delicate and beautiful.

After Baochai was busy, she took a break to look at the mountains, rocks, flowing water, corridors and pavilions in Cao's mansion, and felt a little bit of pride in her heart. These were all built by the master slowly to please her after she entered the door and gave birth to Zheng'er. It has quite a Jiangnan flavor, and some shadows of Jinling's hometown back then.Thinking of Jinling, Baochai's eyes flashed a little lonely, but she regained her spirits in an instant, and said in her heart: If she had listened to her brother at that time and married someone he valued, wouldn't she follow her mother's old path and be a businesswoman for the rest of her life?No matter how rich it is, as luxurious and majestic as my own home was back then, it would collapse instantly without the protection of power.Even if her elder brother didn't forgive her, she didn't regret that she never came to the door after so many years of etiquette!The Cao family's wife is old and decrepit, and she is sad that her eldest son died early. How long can she live?Zheng'er strives for success, and then he will also be an upright wife!

Not long after, wives from various families arrived one after another, and the first ones were the family members of low-ranking officials in Baoding Mansion, and other wives who had good friends with Cao Mansion soon also came, seeing that there were one or two young girls beside them, Baochai Pursing his lips, he felt a little displeased, but in a blink of an eye, he saw the slim daughter beside the eldest wife, and he immediately felt better again.

When it was almost time, the daughter-in-law from outside ran in and said, "It is said that Madam Shi Lang's carriage is coming to the door!" He sneered and said, "Second wife, let's see what's wrong inside and out, don't make Mrs. Xi see the joke!"

The word "Second Wife" was full of irony, and the wives around who looked down on Baochai's identity covered their mouths and laughed lowly.Baochai lowered her head in embarrassment, and Yinger beside her was a little puzzled when she heard the words—"Mrs. Xi"?

After a while, this suspicion was confirmed, Yinger opened her eyes wide and looked at the beautiful and luxurious woman surrounded by her, her mind was buzzing, it was really Miss Lin!Ying'er was on the side corridor and wanted to go in and talk to her second wife, but looking at the figure, she couldn't move her feet in a daze: God, Miss Lin is only a few years younger than the second wife. Mo Yang is a bit more mature than back then, how could he be so young?

With this hesitation, those wives hugged Mrs. Xi and went into the main hall.

Mrs. Xi was naturally seated at the top, and Mrs. Bing and Mrs. Cao sat next to her. The very kind Mrs. Bing with white hair first pulled a seven or eight-year-old girl who was described as being dressed differently to ask her how she was. You can see that you like it.

Even if Mrs. Cao didn't want to, she introduced Cao Qi who was behind her to Mrs. Shilang with a smile on her face. Mrs. Xi called to come forward to have a closer look, and said with a smile: "I think this girl from Mrs. Cao's family has a very kind face. Like I've seen it before."

The seven or eight-year-old girl next to her smiled and said, "I've seen this sister before."

Mrs. Bing loved her appearance and said with a smile: "You have been out of the house a few times for such a small person, and the girls of Mrs. Cao's family have never been to the capital, so where can you see them?" Face.

The little girl smiled coquettishly, and said crisply: "Really. Mother, do you think this elder sister looks like the person in the picture of the fourth aunt?" Then she took the hand of the guarding wife and said with a smile: "I saw you This elder sister likes it, Madam, introduce me to Lan'er?" Everyone in the circle who said this laughed.

Just as they were talking, the maids brought various flowers and fruit snacks and placed them on each small table, and replaced them with new tea.Baochai personally brought a plate of rare fresh fruits to the seat, and when she raised her eyes, she was shocked.

Daiyu smiled and asked her daughter to give a watch gift to her sister who seemed to have known her before. Xiao Lan'er was not stingy, and took off a green jade bracelet from her wrist, and said with a smile: "This is my birthday gift from Uncle Zhen. , I have a pair, I will give one to my sister." Cao Qi was a little apprehensive, it was too expensive, and she took a peek at Daiyu, it would be great if Mrs. Xi took off the bracelet and gave it to her.

The guarding lady next to him was a little puzzled. Speaking of which, their master was a general under Mr. Xi's back then, and he was familiar with the Xi family, so he spoke more casually, because he asked, "Uncle Zhen?"

Daiyu touched her daughter's forehead and said with a smile: "It's my elder brother who loves this little girl the most. Lan'er is naughty. When she was young and ignorant, she insisted on calling her Uncle Zhen, and brother let her..." As she spoke, she raised her head , Seeing Baochai not far away, he was stunned for a moment.

When the ladies saw this, they all followed her gaze.Mrs. Cao gave a displeased "cough".Baochai came back to her senses, hurriedly came over with a smile on her face, put down the silver plate, took Daiyu's hand, and said pleasantly, "So it's Sister Lin. I haven't seen her for so many years and she's still so young."

Daiyu was also surprised. In the early years, she had heard from her elder brother and Xichun that this elder sister Bao seemed to disdain the marriage arranged by the Xue family, and married into an official's family that was released outside. So she was an official from Baoding Mansion.Daiyu looked at her with doubts, Baochai's attire did not look like a visiting wife, and she saw Cao Qi who looked very similar standing together, she seemed to understand but couldn't believe it.

Mrs. Cao and Mrs. Li who were on guard here were a little surprised when they heard what Baochai said.

However, Daiyu was taught by the mother in the palace, and she has been in charge of the affairs of the palace these years. He smiled and said, "It turned out to be the elder sister of the Xue family." Then he smiled at Mrs. Bing and the others: "When my elder brother went to Beijing to rush for the exam, we three brothers and sisters went to the capital a few months earlier, and my elder brother led us to visit relatives. , at the same time that Xue’s elder sister and mother and brother also came to the capital to live there, and got along with the girl from a relative’s family for a while.”

When people around heard it, they all knew that this sounded intimate, but it actually meant that Mrs. Xi and this "second wife" didn't have a deep friendship.These wives are already tired of Baochai's concubine who is dishonest and delusional, but seeing her licking her face as if she is familiar with her and ignoring them, the wives present rushing to talk to Mrs. Xi, it is even more so. Tired of three points.

The smile on Baochai's face froze too, but fortunately Daiyu heard that it was the daughter of an old friend who gave Cao Qi an exquisite purse from the maid behind her, and she didn't embarrass them.

Daiyu guessed that this elder sister Bao might be on the wrong track, so she didn't ask her identity, and only occasionally asked Cao Qi a few words when talking with other wives.On the contrary, Mrs. Cao smiled and said: "Since you and Mrs. Xi have known each other before, then you don't have to go to work elsewhere, and talk to Madam." Then she smiled at Daiyu: "Madam I don't know, my sister is the most capable. The most considerate thing is how much she saves me."

Daiyu smiled and said nothing, Madam Cao didn't care, and said loudly to the maidservant behind her, "Cuilan, bring the second wife a house. She has been busy for such a long time today, how can she stand still!"

The atmosphere became subtle, and the smile on Baochai's face could hardly hold back.Cao Qi was also in shock and did not dare to speak more.

Fortunately, Mrs. Guard could talk, so she crossed over with a smile.

Everyone was chatting, admiring the flowers, playing and eating, and finally waited until noon, when a woman came in outside and said: "The three sons of the Xi family outside came to pick up Mrs. Xi."

All the wives praised Daiyu's good life, praised the child's filial piety, and were very curious about the three young masters of the Xi family. Daiyu couldn't resist, and waited for the young girls and maids to hide behind the screen before calling them in. , Pianpian young man.

Although the three brothers are all a few years apart in age, it can be seen from their appearance that they more or less have the shadow of Mrs. Xi, plus the little girl who is very similar to Mrs. Xi, these ladies have heard of it before they came This waiter had three sons and a daughter, but now he looks a little strange.

After the three sons of the Xi family left with their mother and sister behind, a young lady whispered: "Unexpectedly, these are all descendants of Mrs. Xi." During the conversation, she was very envious of Mrs. Xi's doting on Mrs. Xi.

Guarding Mrs. Li said with a smile: "What's the matter? You don't know it because you are far away. The practice of this Xi family is to marry only one wife, and there are no concubines! The first generation of the Xi family has come here like this. This Mrs. Xi is even worse, don't look at Mrs. Xi's appearance, in fact, this one is over [-] years old, Mrs. Xi is six or seven years older than Mrs. Xi, Mrs. Xi's natal family only has this girl, I regard it as a treasure, and when I marry it, it will be almost too late. Just like this, because Mrs. Xi heard that giving birth too early is not good for a woman's health, she still insists on waiting until Mrs. Xi is sixteen to have her first child!"

There was an instant silence in the flower hall, and it took a while to hear a lady who was always cheerful and said with a smile: "Madam Xi has such a demeanor and appearance, I don't blame Master Xi for being so meticulous."

……

When the banquet was over and the wife went back to the residence, Baochai didn't even care about the aftermath of the banquet, saying that she was tired and closed the door to prevent people from entering.

Sitting in front of the makeup mirror, Baochai touched her still delicate face and wanted to smile, but thinking of Daiyu's seemingly unchanged appearance, her eyes dimmed instantly.Look carefully, Baochai is well maintained, but there is already a faint "Chuan" line between her eyebrows, small fine lines around her eyes and mouth, no matter how gentle she smiles outside these years, but when she is alone in private, her eyebrows When it is rare to stretch, it is better not to know that the two girls who used to be peony and hibiscus are more than a thousand years old, but now they stand together, and they look like they are more than ten years apart.

Xue Baochai sat facing the mirror, and suddenly covered her face and began to cry silently, teardrops fell one by one on the gold hairpins carefully placed in the mahogany box.Master Cao, who was drunk outside, was being helped into the room of the newly opened aunt while talking and laughing.

In the past, even if it was ruthless, it was also touching.

Now, once the spring is over, the beauty is old...