[Red Mansions] The big maid struggles daily

Zhandong couldn't guess whether the girl in his heart liked it or not, but anyone with long eyes could tell whether his old man liked it or not.

Zhan Da's face was as long as a horse's face, Zhan Dong had just stepped into the threshold and walked around the screen wall, when he saw his father standing in front of the hall, he scolded: "Where have you been all this time! The people who came to the yamen reported false claims for the first time, tell me, where have you been!"

Zhan Da was panicked, his wolf cub looked old, he was a stunned young man who had never been through the wind and moon, and he was afraid that he would fall into the hole dug by others.In the afternoon, he sent people to look for Zhandong in several places, but his family members said no, but they said that the newly built buildings in the Ruanhong Pavilion were very lively, and there were five city soldiers riding around before dark. The donkey and mule Laban teamed up to go there. Those servants didn't recognize them, but the boots of Wucheng soldiers did.

Zhan Da made a murmur, but he didn't dare to ask his family to look for it in that kind of place, otherwise his reputation would be ruined, so he had to disperse a few relatives to wait at the intersection far away with the steward.At this moment, the daylight was getting longer, and it was about to pass one watch, and the sky was still faintly bright. After Zhan yelled at Zhan Dong, he looked behind him and secretly heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that there were indeed no family members sent out.

Zhan Dong greeted his father first, and Zhan Da waved his hands annoyed, "Where did you go?"

Supporting Zhan Da into the front hall, Zhan Dong said: "Going to Cheng's house."

Zhan Da's eyes lit up, his face turned bright immediately, and he said happily: "Hey, you have opened up your wooden stake." He laughed straight: "Leave you until the general? Good boy! Did you give me anything, I tell you, If you want to be someone else’s son-in-law, you have to be able to do things! I hope you can speak well, we don’t want to in this life, but if you can’t speak, you have to work hard, and you can do it in your heart. Your marriage is different, uncle One day, there is only such a precious niece in Piancheng's family, and this uncle is only more difficult than the old man..."

It's just that the two sides have a tacit understanding, where the Cheng family can stay until just now, and they can't pass a cup of tea.Zhandong saw his father's eloquent expression of joy, helped him back to his room to rest, and listened to him silently.Zhan Da's mouth was dry, and he kept patting Zhan Dong's shoulder, "Good boy, like your father! I think when I married your mother..."

Zhan Dong rested after serving the old man with his own hands, closed the door lightly, and glanced casually at the west wing room. The room was dark, and Mrs. Zhao had been staying at the old man's place chattering on weekdays.

Qiu Guan is very clever, he guarded the corner door and followed Zhandong's eyes, and immediately approached him knowingly, and told about the master sending Mrs. Zhao to the Zhuangzi and the gift to Mr. Cheng.

Zhan Dong didn't say a word about this, but only ordered: "Choose two hardworking and clever young men to watch the night for the master." In the past, Mrs. Zhao could talk and think carefully, but after all, she was able to watch the old man closely. Only a capable boy can rest assured.

Qiu Guanshi hurriedly said: "Tonight I will personally lead someone to guard, and tomorrow I will pick a few good ones and ask the master to personally point out them."

The next day, he really brought a few neat and clean servants to Zhan Da.Zhan Da was going to eat a few steamed buns filled with soup at the teahouse by the river, heard the nonsense of the book twice, and then went for a stroll in the Dashilan Opera Garden, listening to some operas.

"I'm not old enough yet." Zhan Da complained twice, and finally ordered four servants.

After slowly eating half a cup of strong Pu'er tea, Zhan Da went to the street with his hands behind his back.The usual long follower hurriedly followed, and Qiu Guanshi hurriedly ordered the two newcomers to follow.Zhan Da walked ahead, looked back, and said with a smile: "Now I'm really an old man."

Unexpectedly, at noon this day, I heard about the current fury at the Great Court Meeting.The storyteller in the teahouse was also an idiot, and he recited the notice just posted by the government. If the newly wrapped person is not his wife, Zhan Da took a sip of jasmine scented slices and thought to himself, is it the emperor? , this demonic wind can't blow away.

On the [-]th, Zhanda ordered someone to arrange an official matchmaker, and asked them to go to Cheng's house on the first day of June.He himself didn't go out abnormally, and after pondering for a long while, he said to Guanshi Qiu: "Dongzi can't stay at home all the time on his errands, and once his daughter-in-law comes over... I thought, it would be convenient to have a woman in the front yard."

When the daughter-in-law is married, the son can't be at home all the time, but the mother-in-law is gone, and there is no one in the public house. It is nothing for the husband and daughter-in-law to be alone in the same house.Although I can't make a scandal in my family, I'm afraid that people will say something wrong about this matter. How can I justify it when I get shit all over my body?

Qiu Guanshi thought about it, and it was also the same reason. This kind of thing is the most careless, and there are many idlers in the world who make troubles and make lies.What's more, my master is not confused, he just looks like a monk, this situation is probably not a long-term strategy, and a long-term plan can only be done properly.

"Yes. Then, invite a matchmaker?" Steward Qiu asked in a low voice.

Zhan Da thought that since he sent Zhao away, Dongzi's house would come more often. He felt very uncomfortable. After thinking about it for a while, he finally said: "Please make sure." Well, it's not easy to talk to him as a father-in-law. It's also easy to have a woman pass the message.

Qiu Guanshi thought about it, and persuaded: "Why don't you buy one?" With the body deed in his hand, he didn't dare to shake the sky.

Zhanda also thought about it, but he was used to wandering around the city. He knew that Ren Yazi sold people as housemates or aunts. They were all girls in their [-]th or [-]th year. Girls like this were all relying on giving birth to children. As for his idea, he didn't mean to add another brother and sister to Dongzi, so as not to harm other girls.What's more, even if you choose an older one, I'm afraid that if you show your eyes, it will be publicized that he Zhanda bought a woman as a second wife, and Dongzi is in charge of those soldiers, waiting to embarrass his son.

"Look for someone with a clean family background, someone who speaks well, who doesn't care about widows or divorced. In short, don't be like the Zhao family, as long as you live in peace."

Qiu Guanshi had a bitter face. It seemed that the request was not high, but it was actually more difficult than finding a safe young girl.What's more, this matter has to be done in private, you can't hire an official matchmaker, you can only find a few more proper private matchmakers.

Until the 26th, the few private matchmakers I entrusted still had no news, and one of them backed down: "Your master is delaying things, there are plenty of young girls who have not left the court, but this is a suitable widow grandma." Where can I look for it, besides, you are still so busy that your legs are running thin! I can’t do this matter in your house, but you can rest assured that I will keep my mouth shut. Let me tell you, please ask someone else to be wiser!”

Qiu Guanshi had no choice but to send people out with a good voice and a red seal. Well, Duzhong is still too small, so go to Tongzhou and Zhili to inquire.

The Zhan family's carriage was going out of the city, and the four-person sedan chair of Rongguo Mansion was heading to the palace.

The Holy Majesty once made a decree: on the 26th of every month, the family members of the pepper house are allowed to enter the palace, please wait and see.The [-]th period refers to the [-]th day of each month, why did the Rongguo Mansion enter the palace on [-]th?

It turned out that this year's Duanyang Yuanchun was awarded the title of noble concubine, and it was time to appreciate the noon in the palace, so Jia Mu and others could not enter the court to thank them.Immediately after the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, the Holy One was furious because of the evil wind of the golden lotus and Long Yan, and he was not allowed to enter the palace for the twelfth day.After all, it was the queen who was generous and benevolent, fearing to hurt Concubine Jia Gui, begged for mercy in front of the present, and only had the 26 days to see her.

Mrs. Wang was sitting in the sedan chair, and she felt that this time there was no old lady in front of the eight-person sedan chair, and it was really fast.

After entering the palace gate, Mrs. Wang naturally had to go to the Queen's Palace to kowtow to thank her.

"...I didn't even see the face of the mother in charge of the palace next to the master, but the wife knelt outside the palace gate and kowtowed... Do you see?" Baoqin walked in quickly, and whispered in Yuanchun's ear.

Isn't this the grace that the master and empress asked for? Why doesn't it seem to give the wife even a bit of dignity?

Yuan Chun took a deep breath and suppressed the heat in his eyes: "Got it. You go to meet your wife and don't have much to say." Baoqin only knows grace, but she doesn't know that grace burns her hands. If she knew it first, she would have to spread the word Don't let the wife come in - the whole month of May, even the appointment of officials has to be delayed to avoid the poisonous month, not to mention the palace to pay respects.There are many women in the palace, no one dares to greet you this month, except for my natal family.This grace is only given for a good-looking picture, who told you to really come.

At this time, Yuanchun was really a little bit strange, there were only about ten days before the twelfth day of next month, what was the most important thing, couldn't wait for these ten days?

Mrs. Wang held the hand holding the piano, and came into the bedroom with a smile on her face.

The mother and daughter chatted a few warm and peaceful words, and Baoqin sent out all the four maids in the palace with an excuse.

Mrs. Wang hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is overjoyed, it can be seen that there is great grace from the sage! The durian flowers in the Grand View Garden built for your Majesty are extremely red and blooming as soon as May. I knew that your Majesty must have a happy event, and now it really comes true."

Hearing that the pomegranate blossoms were blooming well, Yuan Chun paused, and stroked her abdomen with her plump white fingers wearing a red treasure red gold armor.

When Mrs. Wang saw it, she laughed and said, "The pomegranates have many seeds, and the flowers bloom so well. Madam, don't worry. They will bear good fruits in the future." But she didn't know at this time that the pomegranates in the Grand View Garden were blooming so profusely that they arrived In Zhongqiu, there are very few fruits, and even if there are, they are like green skin and stone eggs, which fall before they are ripe.This is for a later story, let's not mention it first.

Yuan Chun said with a strong smile: "I have something to discuss with my wife. The Grand View Garden is very beautiful, and it costs a lot of money. Wouldn't it be a pity to leave it for nothing? Why don't you let her sisters live in it. This house is more popular, It's also easy to take care of and maintain, how about my wife's opinion?"

Mrs. Wang waved her hand and said: "No, this garden was originally built to welcome you back to the province. It is easy for the sisters to live in, but it is difficult to invite them out. Wouldn't it be troublesome to visit relatives next year?"

Yuan Chun said with a smile: "It was a fluke to go back to the province once. How can it be like this every year? My wife doesn't have to think about it. I have thought about this for a few days. I was going to send an order to the mansion next month. Since my wife If you come in, let your wife know first."

Mrs. Wang was taken aback, knowing that she had already made up her mind and could not change her mind, so she had no choice but to agree.

Then I heard Yuan Chun say again: "There are enough houses in the Zhongxuan Pavilion in the Grand View Garden. Baoyu grew up in a group of sisters since he was a child. He is no better than Huan'er. If the other sisters move in and leave him alone, he will be suddenly deserted. I'm afraid." He is uncomfortable. It’s just that I hope that he will become a tool. It would be the best if he can get rid of his temper and make him study better; if he is not happy, then let him live in the garden.” He also advised the king. Madam: "If you are not strict, you will not be successful, but if you are too strict, you may be worried."

For a moment Mrs. Wang thought of Jia Zhu, and couldn't help but shed tears.

The mother and daughter sat opposite each other and wiped away their tears. Concubine Jia Guifang seemed to remember something and asked, "Sisters in the family, Daiyu, Baochai, and Xiangyun each choose a place, and there are two younger sisters, three younger sisters, and fourth younger sisters. Shang Baoyu, this is just a choice of seven places, there is still more. When I was at home, I got used to that girl named Zhu Xiu. This girl is also very lucky. In just a few years, she is on an equal footing with Baochai. I heard that the old lady likes her very much, doesn't she?"

Mrs. Wang was puzzled, and she said nahan: "That girl has some luck, but after all, she is the root of a slave. Why did the empress talk about her? It was the same last time, and she specially asked her to treat her well. What is the empress's plan? Just That girl has gone home early."

Jia Yuanchun said with a smile: "At first, it was just because her family was able to do something, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs valued her uncle very much, so it was in vain to tell my wife." Concubine Jia has no confidants and internal officials, and the eunuch Xia Shouzhong who often talks is a filler. Dissatisfied with Yin Kong, she had long wanted to find a reliable internal official to win over, but she didn't have the cooperation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.Rongguo Mansion couldn't speak to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Xue's family saw that they couldn't do it, and Yuan Chun couldn't do it, so they tried to make a few detours to make it happen, and they found Uncle Cheng after searching.

It's just that Jia Yuanchun only knew one thing and didn't know the other thing. He only knew that the House of Internal Affairs looked at Uncle Cheng differently, but he didn't know that there was a chief eunuch's face in it.

Although she didn't know the reason, she saw the value of the Cheng family from others, and perhaps what Zhu Xiu could do.

The imperial concubine personally took out a box of rouge from the makeup box and handed it to Madam Wang, "Miss, look at this."

Mrs. Wang was puzzled, she opened the porcelain box according to her words, and saw half of the white ointment and half of vermilion rouge inside, which looked like a picture of Taiji in the porcelain box, which was unique and novel.

Yuan Chun smiled and said: "This is the new white jade swallow branch presented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. If I hadn't used that white ointment, I'm afraid I would never have imagined that girl can make rouge so well."

Mrs. Wang said with a smile: "The empresses use all made by the imperial court. Even if hers are better, they are not as good as the ones made by the inner court."

Yuan Chunyi said: "My wife doesn't know something. The inner court made it. It's good to say so. The roses presented by Miaofeng Mountain must be picked petal by petal. The color is sandy red. If there is a mistake, the rouge color will not be correct. Tens of thousands of catties of petals only cost a few boxes of rouge, and the manpower and material resources consumed are incalculable."

Mrs. Wang was about to speak, but Yuan Chun pointed to the box of rouge and said: "Although this rouge is not as good as the one made by the inner court, it is only a bit worse. If it is not really good, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will definitely not offer the rouge from the outside. Her family does not have any rouge." The financial resources of the inner court's production, my wife thinks about it, but ordinary things are comparable to those made by the inner court, isn't this skill worth ten thousand gold?"

What Jia Yuanchun said was true, but he concealed that when the Cheng family presented the white jade swallow branch, they had clearly stated that the [-]-acre flower farm only needed twenty boxes of this rouge a year, and counting the throwing costs, it was almost the same as making it in the palace.Besides, the most important thing to make rouge is the raw material, the techniques used are similar, it is not a secret, it is well known in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.The Ministry of Internal Affairs only felt that the Cheng family was obedient, but they didn't want the new imperial concubine to fall in love with them. They valued the Cheng family's methods and recipes for doing business, and wanted to "rely on strength with good wind, and white wolves with empty gloves".

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Note: Good Wind Relying on Strength——Original Work.