[Red Mansions] The big maid struggles daily

"Hey! Miss Zhu is here, please take a seat! Ping'er, bring me some tea." As soon as Zhu Xiu entered the warming room, she heard Wang Xifeng's laughter.

In the warming room, sisters Sanchun, Daiyu, Baochai, and Xiangyun were all there. Sister Feng still had a sick face, and she was sitting on the couch with a rabbit fur blanket covering her legs.Seeing Zhu Xiu come in, they all hurriedly got up to see each other.

Zhu Xiu hurriedly returned the gift and thanked her, but said in her heart: If you are a slave for one day, you will not be able to straighten your body for the rest of your life.Sure enough, what Mu Ma said was right, no matter how firmly she stood, no matter whose family she was, only in Rongguo Mansion, she was always half a dwarf.It's not that others look down on it or something, but from my own heart, I can't do things like charging the master's money in this mansion.

After seeing each other, they return to their seats.Daiyu asked with a smile, "How soon did you arrive? Why did you rush over here without a break? But have you never met the old lady?"

If not to say that Zhu Xiu and Daiyu are very close, it is because this girl is careful and alert, she puts her own interests on the table with just a few words, and mentioning the old lady is a way to remind herself.

When visiting someone's home, the first thing a sensible guest does is of course to greet the elderly.What Daiyu meant was that she was afraid that she would come to this mansion, so she went to Luo Cuiwu first to ask people to talk, but she stopped her with a single sentence: "Come to the Upper Court before you have time to rest, what else can the people around you say."

Zhu Xiu just laughed: "It's only half an hour since I arrived. When I came, I greeted the old lady first, but I didn't see the girls. Just now the old lady called, saying that the girls are here, let me come too Play hard with the girls." He then asked Xifeng: "Why isn't the second mistress in front of the old lady?"

Wang Xifeng pouted to the back, and said with a smile: "The old lady and the wife, and the sister-in-law are discussing things inside. I am like this at the moment, I can't control things and don't talk about it, even walking a few steps makes me feel flustered, why don't you?" Poor eyes looking in the mirror—it’s boring yourself, it’s better to talk and laugh with the sisters, it’s serious to raise my body.”

Xiangyun looked at Chunliu and Qiugui who were following Zhu Xiu, the two girls advanced and retreated appropriately, and they had winks, and said with a smile: "Sister Zhu Xiu is also delicate now, we sisters are too tight to follow, sister Zhu Xiu still plays With two of them by my side, the ostentation is getting bigger."

Before he finished speaking, Jia Baoyu slammed into the warming room, holding a flat box in his hand, full of interest.As soon as he came in, he saw seven or eight women with their own beauty, each with their own beauty, sitting around the smoked cage in the middle. They were charming and charming, and they couldn't help being overjoyed. They laughed and said, "It's a beautiful picture of a boudoir collection!"

Sister Feng scolded with a smile: "You're in such a panic again, why are you so anxious? There's no way a dog is chasing you after you! Take a careful fall and knock your teeth out to see how you can still say these strange things."

Before she finished speaking, another person followed Baoyu in. Everyone looked carefully and found that this delicate and panting person was an attacker.

Just asked Baoyu if there was a dog chasing you behind, and the attacker came in, making the sisters unable to hold on, and laughed with a "puchi".

Xiren's cheeks were pink when he ran, and after a few steps, he wiped sweat with Baoyu and took off the thin cloak tied around his neck. Eight horses can’t be held back, he’s in such a hurry, we’re all worried.”

Sister Feng's eyelashes drooped slightly, and she called Ping'er: "Sister Xiren, please accompany me for me. I didn't know that she was chasing after Brother Bao, so I said it offended."

Ping'er thought to himself, if grandma is still in charge of the house, when the attacker sees grandma in this room, he must first salute grandma and say hello, this is the girl's rule.But now grandma retreats due to illness, and this assailant is overbearing, and grandma is no longer in his eyes.Thinking like this in my heart, but with a gentle smile on my face, I really wished Xi Ren a blessing: "My good sister, don't blame those who don't know."

The bluffing Xiren hurriedly avoided, "No way! No way!" Seeing that she was still confused, Cui Ling hurriedly suppressed a smile and said, which made everyone laugh again.

Xiren blushed, but he had no choice but to make Jia Baoyu laugh, and he laughed too, holding a box in his hand like a treasure, intent on showing off his new work.Xiren was very angry, but he didn't dare to offend Ping'er. Although Lian's second grandmother didn't care about things, her wife was in a bad mood, and the eldest grandmother never took care of the house. Borrow the director.

After laughing for a while, their girls brought hot tea to the master again, and Baoyufang asked Xiangyun: "What's so grand? What did you just say?"

Xiangyun pouted at Zhu Xiu, who was sitting with Daiyu, and said with a smile, "Sister Zhu Xiu is here, and I'm talking about her."

I don't know where my family is piercing her eyes again, making these weird words.Zhu Xiuxin said that in the past, he could still be said to be a heroic and straightforward person. Although he was a little cautious, he was able to get by in the end, but in the past two years, he was raised in the cross courtyard of Rongqing Hall, and his vision became more and more narrow. , and his temper is also a lot weird.

But after hearing Jia Baoyu say hello to Zhu Xiu, he hurriedly said to Baochai, "My dear sister, do you use the pair of gold and silver lockets that you gave me earlier? If so, please give me some." In a moment, I'll exchange some for you. There are many other styles in my place, please choose from my sister."

The persimmon Ruyi's persimmons are newly made in the palace. They are all cast in the shape of persimmons, and the fruit handles are delicately made, very cute.When Concubine Xiande returned to the province, all the masters in the family rewarded gold and silver carousels, and even Daiyu who was not present did not hesitate, but the new styles of the carousels were different. Among the brothers and sisters, except for Jia Baoyu, only Jia Baoyu You Baochai also got a pair.

At that moment, Baochai laughed and said, "Brother Bao, just take it if it's useful. Don't talk about giving it to me. It's not enough to make people laugh. Instead, it's just putting it in a box for auspiciousness. Don't talk about yours." There are so many, I'm afraid I can find two boxes in my house."

While Zhu Xiu said goodbye to Daiyu and Sanchun, she looked coldly at Xiangyun's face.Zhu Xiu secretly sighed: a little girl lives under the fence, and every day there is a sister Bao who is good at everything; the second brother who wants to rely on is the most unreliable, and he is like a butterfly. The girls all want to be coaxed.This kind of life is aggrieved all day long, and it is the years of establishing character concepts, and any kind of temper can be cultivated.

Just thinking that Jia Baoyu should feel pity for being a girl, Zhu Xiu was slapped.It turned out that Jia Baoyu was holding the box and smilingly came over to offer the treasure, but was stopped by his own Chunliu, the second master of Bao changed his face: "Who are you? I usually take care of you for nothing, and now I am getting more and more complacent." Put me in your eyes, I'm talking to my sisters, why are you standing in front of me!"

As he was speaking, Zhu Xiu had stood up, and Daiyu sneered and said, "Our sister's girl has never been the care of the second master. This is ridiculous! The sisters gather together to laugh and relieve boredom, and the girls who are interested will stay. Take care of me, and we don’t argue when you are naughty. This girl hurried forward to hold the box for you, because she knows the rules! If we offend the second master, just tell us, don’t make embarrassments What a good girl!"

Jia Baoyu was originally oppressed by Luo Cuiwu's gatekeeper and the mother-in-law who was in charge. In the past few months, except for Daiyu's occasional visit to the old lady, he has never been able to enter Daiyu's house. .There are so many sisters in the family, he went, and none of them were allowed into the house with laughter and joy, but Daiyu, let alone the boudoir, had never stepped into the boudoir, even the study and warm pavilion.Every time he went to Luo Cuiwu, the door was blocked, or he was welcomed into the hall for tea. In other places, if he had any intentions, several nuns would come and stop him.Jia Baoyu's anger had been suppressed for a long time, and now she dared to stop an ordinary girl, so she let it out.

Sister Feng said with a smile: "I'll be annoyed for a while, and I'll settle your lawsuit."

On the one hand, Baoyu said: "You are the most considerate of girls in the past. What's the matter today? Where do you get angry? Just send it to the person who made you angry. Why are you angry at the person who embroidered girls? The old lady only accepted it." She came back to have fun for two days, how can you make her face like this?"

Pointing at Xiren again, he said: "It must be that the screwdriver in your yard has good or bad hooves and annoyed him again. I just went to a Bihen, so I'm not careful. Seeing that he has a softer temper, he just didn't go up." I didn't stop laughing wildly, just made fun of him and didn't take it seriously, carefully annoyed my wife, so I'll send a few more."

Baoyu said that he was embarrassed, and hurried forward, bowing and bowing to apologize.What else could Zhu Xiu do? If it wasn't for verifying the thoughts in his heart, who would come here to see people's faces?She patted Chunliu's hand lightly, and Chunliu smiled, still standing behind her.

Baoyu might as well be this very dull and serious girl, who laughed rather charmingly. She regretted it for a while, and then hurriedly asked Chunliu's name, where is her family, etc., and hurried to apologize for her annoyance.Chunliu's words were perfunctory, Tanchun and Baochai were chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere in the hall heated up again.

Inside Jia Baoyu’s box were several official kiln porcelain boxes, and inside the box were two rows of hosta flower sticks, “…the seeds of mirabilis were crushed into fine powder, mixed with twelve kinds of spices, and sifted through fine tribute gauze. It took three times to get it. This powder is light, white and red, and it fits evenly, and can nourish and moisturize the face. Sister Xiu, let's see, it is better than your previous ones, okay?"

Zhu Xiu took out one, and it was really a good makeup powder, much better than those lead powders sold outside. Jia Baoyu really has some talents in it.

She nodded and said with a smile: "It's better than mine. The ointment I formulated can beautify the skin and moisturize the skin. It's usually used for makeup, but yours is even better." It can be used as a powder, which is not the same as my own. .

At this time, she was not as particular about it, she would apply powder after cleansing, this powder was used for both skin care and makeup, but it didn't have the principles of skin care, foundation, concealer, face powder, etc.

In the end it was the girls, even Wang Xifeng tried it in the palm of his hand.Jia Baoyu was so happy that he became more and more excited, and said: "The rouge sold outside is not clean. I am doing it right now. They are all high-quality rouge that is wrung out to squeeze out the juice, and then steamed out with floral dew..."

Lala talked a lot, Sanchun sisters, Daiyu and Zhuxiu cleaned out the rouge together, and they did a great job.

At the end, Jia Baoyu said: "It's easy to get good rouge, but this flower dew, where does Sister Lin have extra?"

Zhu Xiu's heart moved, she was sleepy and came to the pillow, she quickly grabbed Daiyu, and said with a smile: "The girl and I made two urns, buried under the flower tree, and they haven't moved yet."

Baoyu danced with joy.Xiangyun covered his mouth and said suddenly: "Sister Zhuxiu is also very strange."

He pointed at Daiyu, "She calls you sister Xiu", and pointed at Zhu Xiu again, "She calls you girl".Clap your hands: "This is messy, just like what is sung in the opera, 'The number one scholar wears a red robe, and the palace flower is in the hat, so wow, so fresh'!"

As soon as Zhu Xiu was in the sun, did he say that he was proud of himself, or that he did not distinguish between superior and inferior.

Sister Feng just felt pain in her head. These girls were together, and it was hard to say that the words were witty.

"The relationship between the two of us is nothing more than we know, so what do we ask others to say. Besides, we think it's good, so how can anyone else talk about it?"

"Miss Yun was joking. I don't know much about drama and non-drama. I just want to persuade Miss Yun. I know that there is a group of female operas here. Girls just listen to it. I don't want to talk about it." Ethics in this dynasty were fairly tolerant, and it was common for the female relatives in the mansion gate to ask those outside or at home to sing a few operas.It is especially taboo for girls who have not left the cabinet to read operas.

The former sentence was choked back by Lin Daiyu slowly but not in a false manner, and the latter sentence was Zhu Xiu's "good intentions" advice hidden in a smile.Wang Xifeng took a sip of tea, and praised in her heart, this pair of sisters, both soft and hard, have taken up all the truths, and they have such strong lips.

Shi Xiangyun's face was purple. She couldn't understand Baoyu's careful and attentive treatment of Daiyu, and the old lady loved Daiyu very much.Seeing Zhu Xiu come back today, Zhu Xiu is best with Daiyu again, she was picking up the soft persimmons, and wanted to be mean to Zhu Xiu to vent her anger, but instead was robbed and taught, she was ashamed and angry.

It's just that who cares about her here, Daiyu is someone who treats me well, and I treat people with three points, she is offended, and the rest, there is no sister who is sincerely close to her: Sanchun has always been Don't get involved with the affairs of the other sisters, Baochai is good at being separated from everyone, only Baoyu is in a dilemma, she wants to please everyone, and she doesn't want the sisters to start a quarrel.

Xiangyun watched it, and felt more and more uncomfortable. He couldn't help stamping his feet, but he acted like Baochai and said aggrievedly: "Sister Bao, I'm just a naughty joke, look at them!"

Baochai smiled, and just wiped the teardrops from the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief, but she didn't say a word of truth.

Seeing this, Zhu Xiu felt that the small talk that oppressed Zhengfeng was all obstinate talk, and it was so boring to dare to say it but not to admit it.Then he laughed and said: "It's all naughty talk, let's just laugh it off. It's getting late, and the old lady has no time to relax. Let's go home first."

Sister Feng also supported Ping'er: "Forget it, my energy is getting weaker and worse, and now I'm sleepy again after being stubborn. You sit down, and I'll go back and rest."

After coming out of Rongqing Hall, Sister Feng grabbed Zhu Xiu and said with a smile: "It's only been a few months since you left home, and you're getting more and more dignified."

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "Everything Second Grandma Lian said, whether she was imposing or not, she was just fooling people. There was no reason for it, but people slapped her in the face, and I didn't say a word. I was in front of the old lady. I don’t feel this anger at all times.”

Hearing that Daiyu was walking ahead, she pursed her lips and smiled.

Zhu Xiu whispered again: "Second Grandma's complexion is not very good, it is serious to have a good life. Other flattery and money are trivial matters, and the bones are my own."

Sister Feng smiled, if it wasn't true, people wouldn't be able to say such things, who doesn't know that their family loves to gain power, and even the maids would say some kind words, for fear that they would lose the power to be in charge of the family.

Sister Feng nodded, supported Ping'er's hand, and went home at the fork in the road.

This corridor, which was bustling with housekeepers and daughters-in-law a few months ago, is deserted now, and it is rare for Sister Feng and Sister Feng to walk peacefully on the road.Ping'er said: "I've been lingering for so long today, I even missed the time to take the medicine. In the middle of the night, I have to have a second meal and take the medicine."

What Ping'er said, because she saw that since she was better off as a grandma, after she was able to go out, every time she went to the upper courtyard or the main room to sit, Miss Lin was always there, and her grandma was on good terms with the Lin family.Fortunately, Miss Lin didn't come out too often, otherwise she would be really worried about grandma's health.

Sister Feng didn't answer either, she knew very well that this disease was three parts true and seven parts false, and the imperial doctor prescribed Tai Fang Zi for health maintenance, so it's fine to eat it.Ginseng antler and Ganoderma lucidum, enjoy it for a day, take care of yourself, and have the strength to support yourself when the family fails.

After dinner, Mother Jia asked people to say that the fried quail served today was very useful to her, and rewarded her with two cloth heads and two gold rings.The girls in Zhuxiu were no more serious than others, after hearing this, they had to change into the clothes they were going out again, and went to the Upper Court to thank them in person.

Mother Jia seemed to like something, talked for a while, and gave two palace silk cloth heads.

All of a sudden, Zhu Xiu came out and invited the girls to Luo Cuiwu tomorrow to have the new tea she brought, so she settled her mind.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I arrived in the Xikua courtyard, I heard Shi Xiangyun and Jia Baoyu lose their temper in the east room: "...these trivial gossip and crooked words are for those petty people who love to annoy you and rule you over. Listen!"

"It's okay for others to make fun of them, but I can't do it! They are high officials and girls from royal merchants, and I am a commoner girl..."

Zhu Xiuzheng bumped into her, covered her mouth and smiled and said, "Miss Yun's words are always incomprehensible to people. Who is this petty and annoyed? Who loves to govern and dare to govern the second master Bao? Besides, the emperor The girl from the merchant, you’re talking about me as Miss Bao, if you’re talking about me, I’m here, when have people made fun of me before. If you’re talking about Miss Bao… Miss Bao is kind and generous, and won’t argue with the sisters.”

Shi Xiangyun was only angry for a while, and also wanted to invite Baoyu to coax him, but he didn't pay attention, so he told the Lord to listen.Seeing Zhu Xiu looking at her with a smile that was not a smile, she suddenly realized that she was the one who was usually angry with Baoyu.

Shi Xiangyun blushed, and repeatedly scolded Cuilu: "The more you lose the king's law, are you dead! The master speaks, and you don't look at the situation..."

Cui Ling felt aggrieved.Zhu Xiu didn't want to listen to her anymore, so she smiled at Baoyu and said, "I brought a few catties of various new teas, and I invite everyone to come and taste them tomorrow, and Second Lord Bao must show you his face."

Baoyu hurriedly said, "Sister Xiexiu, I must go."

But Baochai was not here, the little girl said that she had gone home, Zhu Xiu didn't have a theory, turned around and left, completely ignoring Shi Xiangyun's face.

Along the way, they invited sisters Sanchun and Qiugui to the courtyard in the northeast corner of Xue's house to invite Baochai.

Daiyu was puzzled: "Didn't you say that we used the two urns of flower dew for ourselves, why did you promise them?"

Nanny Chen was watching Juyue settle accounts, and said with a smile: "Aren't there several big jars? Give it out to clean the ears. Otherwise, after a few days, the old lady will open her mouth, and we will still look stingy." This Second Master Bao is now The younger brother of the imperial concubine is becoming more and more arrogant. If he wants anything, even if he doesn't ask for it, someone will stab the old lady in the ears. This young man is messing around.

Daiyu pondered for a while, then shook her head and sighed.

Xingyue laughed and said: "The few of us, if we can say that Mother Chen is half true, we must belong to Xiu'er."

Zhu Xiu secretly thought, if it hadn't been planned in advance, who would be willing to give away the nectar that his family has collected so hard, or give it to someone who doesn't care.

The author has something to say:

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Note: "The number one scholar wears a red robe, and the palace flower in the hat is so fresh, so fresh" - the libretto of "The Female Consort" in Huangmei Opera.As for whether there was such a play at that time, it probably didn't exist, everyone will worry about it.

"Speak these insignificant gossip and crooked words to those who are petty, irritated by their actions, and will rule you!"——In the original book, after Xiangyun said that Daiyu was like an actress, Baoyu came to persuade her. That being said, there are minor changes.