[Red Mansions] The big maid struggles daily

Jia Lian lifted the curtain and entered the room by himself, stomped his feet, took the hot tea handed over by Ping'er with both hands, suffocated it, and exhaled a mouthful of hot air, before complaining: "It's cold and evil, and there is no snow falling, only cloudy. It was heavy and dry and cold. I stood outside for a while, and there were ice balls between the bones."

Sister Feng came out from the room and said with a smile: "Second Master has worked hard. The newly prepared food and wine, as well as the Huiquan wine sent by Uncle Lin from the south, are already hot. I don't know if Second Master will appreciate your face One bite?"

Jia Lian said with a smile, "Don't dare, thank you very much." Ping'er opened the curtain himself, and the two waited on Sister Feng and sat down on the kang. Master, have a drink. Besides, I still have something to say, you and Zhu Xiu are good friends, maybe you know nothing."

Ping'er insisted not to go up the kang, so she had to call Feng'er to set up a table under the edge of the kang, and Ping'er moved her feet and sat on it.Sister Feng picked two plates of dishes from the table to reward her, and put them on the small table.

Jia Lian squinted his eyes and drank two cups of hot wine to warm his stomach. Fang Jue regained his strength, put down the golden blue colored group longevity cup, and asked, "But take the wine outside, and the soldiers and internal officials of the five cities must also It’s good to eat two bites to warm up. Don’t think that these little pawns are inconspicuous. If there is something wrong, or there is dirt on the street, or there is a gap in the guard curtain, it will be seen by others, and even the empress’s face is not good. It looks good, and our family can't get any good ones."

Sister Feng said with a smile: "It was passed down earlier that people carried out urns one by one. I am afraid that they will get drunk and make trouble. It is good Shaoxing wine." Then, she snorted and said, "It's just the rewards for these people's food. In three days, the mansion spent more than a thousand taels of silver, which is still a small head, when the big eunuchs come out later, how much silver do you need to pay for just one reward?"

Jia Lian picked up a chopstick of hot and sour beef, and said disapprovingly, "What is this? Our house is measured in our own home. It is easy to build, and the cost is also saved a lot. Wu Tianyou, the father of Concubine Wu, Not to mention a lot of trouble, it is also very inappropriate to buy a place outside the city. Our family has already set a date for visiting relatives. Their family’s relatives’ house has only been built halfway, and it is said that 200 million silver has been spent. .Fortunately, two branches of his family's main clan are big salt merchants, otherwise, just this other courtyard would be exhausted."

Sister Feng had something on her mind. Although she was good at drinking, she didn't dare to drink too much. Hearing this, she hurriedly asked, "But I heard that the imperial court granted the title of title to Concubine Wu's elder brother, and even her mother and sister-in-law in the back house were appointed as imperial concubine. ?”

Jia Lian looked up at Xifeng, and said with a smile, "You are well informed, but you are only a second-rank baron, and you didn't even get a first-class baron, but a third-class one. Concubine Wu went to her residence to serve the present and gave birth to another Princess, although I didn't stop, it's not too much to reward the Wu family."

The anxious Sister Feng hurriedly said: "My good second master, could it be that our mother's service time is too short? But all the officials and nobles ordered him to add awards and rewards, and there is nothing! This lady is in the palace... What benefits do we get? For the construction In this garden, not only the foundation of the family has been emptied, but even the relatives have made great efforts. Now there is less than 2000 taels left in the public account. How can this be supported? Let alone the Wu family, why are we not? Madam Visiting relatives once, I made my mother's family very poor." The wife would only open her mouth to order, the old lady never cared about these things, the two of them just said that they didn't care where they saved a sip, and that was enough.But tell her where to give birth to silver!

The bluffing Jia Lian hurriedly squeezed her mouth and said anxiously: "Shut up! This will be heard by others, but what to do! The big happy event of the whole family is up to you to talk nonsense!"

Sister Feng also said that Jia Lian was busy looking at the curtain. Ping'er knew what was going on, so she hurried out and came back to report: "It's okay. No one wants to freeze outside in this cold day."

Jia Lian took a sip, and then said in a low voice: "Usually, you are said to be shrewd, but you are only shrewd about small things and confused about big things! How do we know what is going on in the palace and the saint. Even if the empress is not favored, as long as the position is there, it will be beneficial. Since you are an empress Concubine Feng, the invitations on the door are put in baskets, and there are rich family members throwing them under the door, isn't this brought by the empress?"

Seeing that Sister Feng stopped talking, he said again: "Besides, is this a family matter? This is a happy event for the whole family. Even the relatives and old relatives are thinking about it, and they all contributed. At this time, your words will spread. , you are against the whole family and even your relatives, standing in two teams! Others will not think about whether your words are reasonable or not, they will only treat you as a target, and don’t even think about it with me and the old lady Everyone thinks this is a great happy event, everyone is proud of it, and you are the only one who is going to break it, but you have become a sinner in the eyes of relatives in the clan."

Sister Feng was startled, and Ping'er's hands shook twice. There were two masters and servants.Jia Lian smashed his mouth and said with a smile: "Besides, those rewards are not very good. Anyway, your master will be awarded the title sooner or later. If you get the benefits, you will have a lot of money. You have to make a fortune of thirty to fifty thousand to build this garden. , and took back all the [-] taels in Grandpa’s hand, it’s time to cast a star. We can do it if we have silver, and we don’t care about that. Even if there is no money in the public, you can tell your wife, now our family lives I have two imperial merchants, why can't I borrow some first?"

Sister Feng's mouth seemed to be dripping with bitter juice, "The Xue family has given [-]. This is several generations of relatives, and there is something to talk about. What does the Cheng family have to do with us, and they just gave the money? Besides, Uncle Lin It's a waste of money and favors, how much work the Cheng family saved us, most of the things made of cloth in the garden were sent by the Cheng family, and now they are all building gardens and other courtyards, if they can, let's pick them first It's an adult's favor." Besides, the girl who is closest to the Cheng family is going home today, and Mammy Zhu is a sperm, and she has the status of a nanny in the palace. Absolutely impossible.Even if the old lady came out, she didn't move.

Jia Lian took a sip of the wine, and it seemed beautiful: "Then there is still Xue's family. The big idiot Xue has lived in Jinxiangyuan for a while, and he has booked a head card, leading a group of children to have fun all day long. I'm so uncomfortable. The money that fool Xue spends these days is no less than three thousand, which shows that Xue's family is very rich." As he spoke, he glanced at Sister Feng inexplicably: "Your Majesty visits relatives, these old relatives are old friends. Holding the money and rushing to work hard, you don't want them to blame you."

But he said in his heart: Your Wang family also has this kind of virtue. Usually, what you say to sweep the cracks in the floor is enough for our Jia family to chew on. The eyes grow to the top of the head, and the nostrils grow to the eyes, but this time it’s not just like that. Pingan Prefecture sent 5 taels.After the concubine was conferred in Jin Dynasty, those surnamed Wang did not dare to pierce their wings in front of those surnamed Jia.

Although King Xue of Jia Shi was originally from Jinling, this Ping'an Prefecture is the place where several families made their fortunes. Even after a few generations, there are still many old connections in the local area.Therefore, the Wang family's money was secretly transported from Ping'an Prefecture, and it was only said to the outside world that it was sent by Mrs. Wang Ziteng, and Jia Lian didn't take it to heart.

When mentioning the past, Jia Lian became impatient when he recalled that the younger generation of the Wang family had become more and more domineering since the prince was released. Jia Lian squinted and asked, "You said just now that there is business, what is it?"

Sister Feng was in deep thought, and hurriedly recalled what she said earlier: "That girl Zhu Xiu will be fifteen this year. I heard what Madam Zhu said, and it seems that there is a special intention to give her a wedding ceremony. After the wedding, the marriage It's time to start walking. Such a girl is good everywhere, and now she has even made up for the background of the only dwarf. I thought about it, no matter whether it is in our clan, or the royal family and the historian family, there are those brilliant young children who say Wouldn’t it be good to give it to her? Firstly, it’s not wronged her. Even if these people know that she has served the old lady for several years, they can only be happy and proud, and they don’t have to look down on her because of this; secondly, she is the lady of the Royal Merchant. , the children of our family are also suitable for it. Her uncle is a rake of money. He is completely different from Big Xue. Now the few big Zhuangzi in our family are very ugly, their income is getting less and less every year, and even the family is almost out of supply, and they are expected to sell the excess to serve the master, just dreaming!"

Ping'er flapped his eyelashes twice, and stood silently on the ground.

Jia Lian thought for a while and said, "That's all. You just have to find out what her mother thinks quietly. Her uncle, Mr. Cheng, I have also heard of. Besides, his family is close to Uncle Lin's family, so it doesn't matter if the marriage is done or not, just tell them that they know our good intentions, so don't offend them."

I heard that Master Cheng also has a very powerful old lady-in-law and adoptive father in the palace. Jia Lian threw down the wine cup. What kind of luck is this?He also recognized his adoptive father. With this relationship, he can get along well, so he can make a lot of money.Compared with others, my mother-in-law didn't get the honor yet, so my grandson pretended to be it first.

Jia Lian knew in his heart that in the final analysis, he was the one who took over the title in the future, and logically [-]% of the Rongguo Mansion would belong to him. Wouldn't he feel sad and regretful when he saw the warehouse gradually empty.It's just that the situation is stronger than others. To build this garden, others dare not be ruthless to fish for oil and water. Du Jia Lian has a cruel eye, and besides the [-] taels that Sister Feng wanted, he also paid [-] taels in private. I don't know, even Sister Feng didn't notice.

Before he could say a word, the youngest child on the second door came to announce: "A great eunuch has come to the palace, and the master asked the second master to go to the front to meet him."

After Jia Lian heard this, he hurriedly adjusted his clothes, and said: "Don't look at it, even if you are just a eunuch without roots, we still have to pretend to be grandsons in front of other eunuchs!"This empress's cousin did it, very aggrieved!

Here, Sister Feng asked Ping'er: "You are close to girl Zhuxiu. Has she ever told you what's on her mind?"

Ping'er said: "Mother Zhu's rules are very strict. How does she know this? Besides, I don't think she has gotten the hang of it yet. This marriage must be what the Cheng family's uncle said. According to me, grandma said something. That's all, if you think about what the second master said, the Cheng family can eat well in both the north and the south, how many good relationships do you have, but the Cheng family has a thousand seedlings, this niece's marriage must not be carefully considered, and find the most promising one. What about the relatives of the beneficiary family? Even though our family has power and status, it has nothing to do with their business.” Historians don’t know yet, but there is no good person among the young children of the Jia family’s Wang family who are well-matched. Then the uncle of the Xue family turned around and coaxed him to take food, drink and whoring to gamble.

Ping'er thought to himself, finding a stable farmer's family is better than getting stuck.

Just as they were talking, another servant from the upper house came to invite Xifeng: "The old lady is waiting for Second Grandma in the flower hall."

Sister Feng hurriedly rinsed her mouth and was about to leave. Ping'er held the basin to wash her hands. Sister Feng said, "Don't walk around. Brother Qiang will come to something later. You can tell me."

When they arrived at the flower hall, Jia Mu was looking for Baoyu one after another.All the women and maids hurriedly replied, "Going to Luo Cuiwu."

When Jia Mu heard this, she hurriedly said: "Okay, okay, okay! Let the sisters play together. If his father wants to call, come and tell me, tell me what I say, don't arrest him, lest he feel uncomfortable, sit down I'm sick, and I won't be able to answer my mother's call in two days."

Seeing Sister Feng coming again, I thought about it and asked, "Has the curtain been prepared a few days ago?"

Sister Feng said with a smile: "Fortunately, Madam Zhu reminded me, so I didn't make it first. Now the officials in the palace have told the size, which is completely different from what we prepared before. But the curtain is easy to make, and it has been cut tightly. Don't worry, the old ancestor, with me watching, I will guarantee that everything will be in order tomorrow."

Sister Feng scanned the article with her eyes, and found that Miss Shi and Miss Bao were sitting in the small warm room on the side of the flower hall, drinking tea and talking.I muttered in my heart, is the old lady looking down on Miss Shi again?If not, where Baoyu goes, the old lady will definitely send Miss Shi, saying, "It's interesting to have fun together."Look at him, don't be naughty, you are a neat kid, I am also relieved' and so on.

After just looking around, there was a commotion outside, and Baoyu was served by attackers. Seeing his dejected look, Jia Mu asked, "What's the matter?"

Sister Feng also asked with a smile all over her face.

Could it be that he didn't go through the threshold again, and people pushed him back?

Jia Baoyu sighed and said: "Sister Zhuxiu has gone to her house, and sister Lin is not well enough to see people. I sat in the living room for a while, and it was boring. Oh, what are you doing at home? Isn’t it good for the sisters to be together, I just wish that the sisters could stay together for a long time!”

Sister Feng was taken aback for a moment, and took it back with such quick hands and feet.It's just that she has already agreed to Mother Zhu's promise, so she hurriedly turned around in front of Mother Jia.

After a long while, Jia Mu said: "Forget it, it's also because of the intention of the two of them not to cause trouble. The mother will return to the province soon, and it is really not easy to keep outsiders in the family." This free girl is naturally an outsider.

He comforted Baoyu again: "Wait a minute, I'll send someone to pick her up. Don't act like this. Just now your sister Yun said she wanted you to play Shuanglu. Go and see if they have played."

Zhu Xiu hugged the stove, stepped on the foot stove, and was wearing a big cloak of pea green satin squirrel, the cloak was edged with white rabbit fur, and the fluffy neckline lined the small face, making it more crystal clear and tender.

There were also two maids sitting in the carriage, specially sent by Uncle Cheng as personal servants, one or two years older than Zhu Xiu, one named Chunliu and the other Qiugui.When Zhu Xiu came to her house, she was very reluctant to part with it, and said that she would follow her to serve her.It's just that Zhu Nai's words are reasonable, giving silver and gifts is fine, but asking her to wait can't, both of them were girls in the past, even though Zhu Xiu's status is higher, Jiuqiu and her are never treated like a master and servant. Besides, to put it bluntly, the two of them, Mei Xiang, are slaves; but if Jiu Qiu is asked to go to Cheng's house, will it be treated according to the way the little sisters were treated before, or if they get along with masters and slaves, neither of which is appropriate. The family members were at Lin's house, and they were relieved to give some items as souvenirs, and Jiuqiu was also persuaded.

At this time, Zhu Xiu was thinking about Qing Jin, Qing Jin was one year older than herself, sixteen years old, and was planning to ask her 'aunt' to redeem someone.Thinking about this, the base of my ears became hot.

Zhu Xiu squeezed her ear beads, who was talking about herself?

"Who?" There was a shout from outside the carriage, and the carriage stopped.

Chunliu and Qiugui were startled, Chunliu stood sideways in front of her, and Qiugui held Zhu Xiu's arm.

Outside, Uncle Cheng Six was driving the car, and Mother Dali was pressing the car.Zhu Xiu shook her head, indicating to Qiu Gui that she was not afraid, and raised her voice to ask, "Sixth Uncle, what's wrong?"

Uncle Cheng Liu said: "Girl, don't be afraid, it's the military master of Wucheng Bingma Division who is on patrol, ask for clarification and we'll go there."

Two young Wucheng soldiers blushed. They were ordered to go to Menjing Street, West Street, Rongning Erfu, and saw a green curtained carriage coming over. This carriage was not big, and the decoration was simple. The Daqing curtain Zhulun chariot is commonly used in Rongguo Mansion.When I walked in and looked carefully, I saw that the black lacquered wooden sign hanging on the carriage was neither "Rong" nor "Ning" engraved, not even "Jia", but a "Cheng" character.Before they came, the Shangguan had already said that this area was all Jia's place, and they had heard of the "Jia Shi Wang Xue Si family". Where did the Cheng family come from.

Only then did I catch up to stop, and I had to ask clearly, who would have thought that the soft-spoken voice was actually a young girl.

It is said that after serving in the army for three years, a sow is better than Diaochan.Although the soldiers from the five cities are all children from the nearby suburban counties, they are extremely strict with the senior officials. Except for the [-]-day rest when they can go home to have a look, they are either patrolling or training on weekdays. The two of them are not married yet. I spoke recently.

This time, soldiers from the fifth division were dispatched to guard the concubine's relatives and clean the way. The young men of the soldiers and horse divisions all broke their heads. They just hoped that they would be able to stay on the street for several days and perform well, so that the fathers and folks in the streets and alleys Take a look at yourself, maybe someone with a daughter will take a fancy to us.Even the cold weather can't quench the fiery hearts of these children, all of them are full of energy, and it's very exciting to patrol and clean.

The voices of the two little soldiers became quieter, and even their aura dropped again and again. They blushed and said with a smile: "As usual, ask a question, ask a question."

"Yes, yes, don't be afraid. We are ordered to clean the street, old man, whose family's carriage is this? Where do we go, and how do we get on this street?" Strange, why did we come here by detour to this West Street, at another intersection? There are people guarding it.

Deng Ji saw it from the window of the temporary class room at the street corner, hummed, and scolded with a smile: "These boys are really worthless! When they heard that it was a girl, they became so soft-footed. We are ordered to purify the Tao, who said we can't have The female assassin is gone, no, I have to go and see!"

Behind him, Xu Hai said in a stern voice: "Bah! Returning a female assassin, which assassin is going this way at this time." Besides, she is an unfavored concubine, and the soldiers and horses of the five cities can be said to be the middle ears of the gods. The deviousness of these eunuchs can't be hidden from them. It is obvious that this nobleman is not taken seriously, so he dares to exploit him so hard.

It's just that this is the first incident that the emperor decreed to allow the concubine to return to the province. The soldiers and horses of the five cities are particularly valued, because the northern city is mostly the residence of high-ranking officials and nobles, and the commander of the northern city is responsible for guarding and inspecting the various mansions. Your Excellency ordered Zhan Dong, the Commander of Nancheng, to take care of the provincial relatives to protect the clean way.From the tenth to the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, Zhan Dong was stationed on Ningrong Street for the past few days.Ben only brought along one deputy commander, Deng Ji, while Xu Hai and the other two deputy commanders were still on duty in the south city, but Xu Hai was used to worrying, and he was catching up with Xiu Mu the day before, so he also came over to have a look.

Seeing the mouths of the two little soldiers were all sloppy, Deng Ji cursed secretly, "Short boy", and approached him and asked loudly, "Whose carriage? Who's in it? Why are you on this road? Where did you come in from?" Old man, we are ordered to inspect, please forgive me."

Uncle Cheng Liu hurriedly said: "Cheng's house on the back street of the Drum Tower, and the Jinxiu Silk Shop on the West Street in front of it is my master's shop. He came to pick up my girl. My girl has an old relationship with the cousin of the Rongguo Mansion, and she was left as a guest for a few days... just now Before our carriage enters this West Street, the military master has already registered it."

Deng Ji understood that because of the cold weather, these soldiers were rotated every hour, and they had just changed defenses.He laughed and said, "So it belongs to the Cheng family, and we used to guard the southern city. We are all familiar with that area. It's just that there is an order, and in this carriage..."

The two little soldiers stared at the curtain of the carriage with burning eyes. The carriage must be inspected, but this is the carriage of the women's family, so they only need to lift the curtain to take a look, and there are no dangerous people in it.

When Zhan Dong heard Deng Ji's loud voice saying "Cheng's family", he got up, Xu Hai was at a loss, and the cold Nancheng commander had already left.

The two little soldiers shivered, "Commander!" Immediately stood up straight with their chests up, one hand on the Yanling Saber, their eyes still looking eagerly at the car curtain.

Uncle Cheng Liu's face fell off, if it was just two little soldiers, it would be fine, he lifted the curtain and took a look, no one could comment on walking according to the rules, but a sloppy military master came in front, followed by another stern-faced commander, Surrounded by four big men, could it be that the girl from the Cheng family is not allowed to be seen by you!

Uncle Cheng hurriedly stopped him, and said with a forced smile: "Master Jun, we are not blocking Mr. Jun's business. It's just that my girl is timid. Please take a look at the person on duty."

Deng Ji hurriedly said: "It's the duty, the old man doesn't dare to do this." Fang shirked and went back to benefit, and from the corner of his eyes, he saw the two soldiers competing with each other with elbows and arms, and they all wanted to take this job.

Deng Ji's face turned dark, and Zhan Dong said: "Punish!"

The two soldiers jumped in fright and quickly stood up. Hearing this sound, they had to go to the squad room at the intersection of the street to receive the punishment in dejection.In this room, apart from Xu Hai, there is also an old clerk, the old clerk smiled: "Come on, let me see how many violations..."

Here, Zhandong held the Yanling saber in his hand, lifted the curtain of the car with the scabbard, looked inside, and saw Zhu Xiu who was listening to the movement outside with the arms of the spring willow.The two looked at each other, Zhu Xiu was startled, and nodded slightly to Zhan Dong outside.

"Oh, what a handsome girl!" Deng Ji, who was thick-skinned, saw Zhandong picking up the curtain and looking inside the car shaft, and he was still muttering when he went back to the classroom: "Xingzi has bright eyes, a delicate nose, The mouth is rosy, and the white hair around the neck makes it even more beautiful. Oh, no, no, no, Cheng's, Cheng's, it seems that I need to patrol that place more, who has such a beautiful girl, don't pay attention It's on."

He babbled endlessly, Zhan Dong's face was darkened.

Deng Ji patted him on the shoulder carelessly: "I heard that my uncle is about to settle down for you? Then the girl from the Zhu family is not as good-looking as this girl. See if you are so angry. Listen to my brother's advice, don't delay other girls, Stop uncle as soon as possible, you only look for the sweetheart of your town house god tiger purse."

Salivating and leaning closer: "Good brother, you have always been in charge of Gulou West Street, you can give it to your brother. Brother promises that under absolute control, the house will not be closed at night and the road will not be picked up. Don't talk about hunting for robbers, every spark will be wiped out by him. !"

Xu Hai raised his eyebrows and said doubtfully: "It's also a coincidence that the house that Dongzi talked about is also on Gulou Street. Is there a house surnamed Zhu on Gulou Street?"

Zhan Dong held the Yanling Saber tightly and looked at Deng Jidao: "The other three are in charge of patrolling this month, you and I are on duty at the training ground."

Deng Ji opened his mouth wide and wailed, "Good Dongzi, good brother, please forgive me!"

Xu Hai looked at his nose, nose and heart, secretly swallowed a mouthful of saliva and said nothing, a dead fellow is not a poor fellow, brother, let's go!