[Red Mansions] The big maid struggles daily

Nanny Zhu managed to get away and went to the back garden to see her daughter.

Zhu Xiuzheng stared at the embroidery frame stitch by stitch in a daze, the study was deserted, and several girls who were close to her all ran out to watch the ceremony for her, saying that she would learn from her.Zhu Xiu could hear the noisy drums and music in front of her, and even faintly heard her uncle's loud laughter, so she couldn't help but pouted: It was obviously her own marriage, but this cumbersome etiquette seemed to have nothing to do with her; I can join in the fun, eat, drink, laugh and laugh, but the girl who is about to marry has to sit in the boudoir in shame, not showing her face, listening, asking, or speaking.

Just as Grandma Zhu raised the bamboo curtain, she saw her daughter's appearance, angrily and amusedly took out the letter of appointment from her sleeve and said, "Again, it's from the Zhan's family, let me show you, I'll give you a confession later." Go to your ancestors."

"What?" Zhu Xiu smiled at her mother, took it, and sighed with her neck up: "You and uncle are both busy, we can talk together when we have time. We can't go out first, that's all, if we don't go out, I will return I can walk around in the garden, but now I can’t even go out the courtyard gate. Mom, why is it so troublesome to marry someone! I’m in a panic. It will take a few months to lift the ban..."

In the past in the Rong Mansion, when Mu Ma returned to the south, she was accompanied by Qing Jin, no more. At that time, her mind was full of saving money for the future, and the days were always short. Unlike now, the long days are long, except for embroidery. The dowry is to read a few miscellaneous books.In this day and age, women can listen to operas, but they can't read opera books, and even the scripts are pitifully scarce. Naturally, the ones in the study are not out of the ordinary and can be read by ladies, which is even more boring.On the two huanghuali bookshelves, the cabinets are full of books neatly, but after flipping through them, there are only a few travel notes and agricultural books that can be read to pass the time.There are history books, but when people write history today, they strive to be concise and incisive. In modern times, they can write hundreds of thousands of words of wonderful life, but now they can finish writing with only a few dozen words. Reading history is not a pastime, but a pain. go down.

Grandma Zhu also knew that her daughter was ruthless. Seeing her acting like a spoiled child, she laughed and said, "It's your uncle who spoiled you. You were so ruthless when I was not around, but now you just have to correct your temper and give me peace." Stay alive, ask the girls to play Shuanglu with you, it's fun to play chess, as long as you are not allowed to leave the hospital!"

Zhu Xiu made a grimace, and then carefully looked at the things in his hand.In his hand is a red brocade-faced post, with the word "Employment" written in gold letters on it, and inside is a golden paper with flowers, a total of [-]% off.On the one hand, Zhu Xiu thought that it was made like a memorial, and on the other hand, he opened it to see, and saw that it was written in Taige script, Fuqi, Yangpan, Qiao Ke respectfully hired Your Excellency as his servant Zhandong and the sixth grandson of Zhanmen Shigong The daughter thought of her as a helper, passing on the words of the Iceman, repairing the book of Yuelao, respecting art, ... what kind of words are there behind the words of Jin Nuo respectfully handing over the book of Luanfeng.

"Appointment letter from their family?" Zhu Xiu pinched it with her fingers, and suddenly remembered that her wish in her previous life was to complete the stage of regular training as perfect as possible, and to receive the red letter of appointment from the hospital of her choice as soon as possible. The pole was stunned here, but now he is holding a letter of appointment that he never thought of in his previous life.

Grandma Zhu hurriedly took out the letter of appointment from her two fingers, put it back into her sleeve pocket, and said with a smile: "You are obedient, Mama has something to do, be obedient..." After saying that, Shi Shiran left, originally He just took the time to ask his daughter to take a look, so as not to look like a daughter from another family, she didn't even see Sanshu who came out of the cabinet with her own eyes.

"Hey, mother, mother!" Zhu Xiu called out twice, fearing that she would act coquettishly, she didn't turn her head back.

At the end of the day, it was about three o'clock, when Uncle Cheng sat down to have a cup of evening tea, and he was particularly distressed when he heard what his niece said: "Everywhere in this Zhan's house is good, but his boy is a bit older and can't wait. Otherwise, Xiuxiu can still make us suffer for a few more years at home. Now, it’s just a transit, Tongzhou, Zhili, Tianjin, and the south. ,Why!"

Nanny Zhu glanced angrily, "I still think I've been waiting for a long time today, and I said I was panicked. Fortunately, Master Lin returned to Beijing early, and if I don't come back, you two will be turned upside down! Is there not enough theater and teahouses to play? According to me, the Zhan family wants to hire in October, so October will be fine, so you won’t be bored, dear niece.”

Uncle Cheng originally planned to stretch out the appointment, next year's appointment in the apricot month, and welcome him in person in June.It is common for a girl who is valued by the family to go for a year and a half at Liuli, but this is the result of a compromise after consideration.But this six rites is to make the girls in the family suffer, and my family is not as prosperous as other families. There are countless juniors, and the daughters and sisters who are about to marry are not very boring.But there is only this little girl in my family, and there are few elders, so it is difficult for the child to lock Xiuxiu alone in her small courtyard when she is busy.

Uncle Cheng felt sour: "Then... the next time the official media comes to the door, we will be in October?"

After Uncle Cheng agreed, when the official media came to the door, he really nodded and accepted the appointment on the [-]th day of Liangyue.Matchmaker Lu was so happy that he couldn't close his mouth, he would flatter him with good words without money.She has handled a lot of marriages, so it is natural to see that Master Cheng is really reluctant to marry his niece, and the Zhan family naturally knows it too, and they are all thinking that they will have to wait until the twelfth lunar month before they can be hired.Now for some reason, Master Cheng has let go and agreed to the date chosen by the Zhan family. The Zhan family still doesn't know how to thank her, and the gift of thanking the matchmaker is so generous.

Unexpectedly, it would not be a good month, and in late autumn, Juyue Zhanda brought Zhandong, and the two father and son came to the door in person to pay a solemn visit.

Uncle Cheng was puzzled, welcomed him into the main hall, ordered tea, and asked, "Master Zhan is here now, why?"

Zhan Da looked troubled, glanced at Zhan Dong, smiled wryly and said, "Don't blame my uncle and master, it's really... this kid is not worrying, so I asked my mother to come and hear about it. Brother Ruoxian doesn't want to, just listen to your family's advice." My Zhan family has absolutely no complaints." Zhan sighed, saying that he would obey orders, but his face was full of hope and prayer.

Uncle Cheng froze, and hurriedly ordered to invite his sister to come. When Mammy Zhu came, the father and son of the Zhan family hurriedly got up to pay respects.

After returning to their seats, Zhan Dong got up, cupped his hands and said, "A few days ago, the imperial court ordered the boy to move to the post of guard in Fengtai camp. He will take up the post soon."

Uncle Cheng and Mammy Zhu looked at each other, Uncle Cheng smiled and said, "This is a happy event, brother Zhan, your son is promoted, young and promising. Besides, Fengtai Daying is not far from Beijing, so it's not a bad thing."

The post of garrison is the fifth rank, which is higher than the sixth rank and the commander of the five city soldiers and horses, directly surpassing the sixth rank, and it is also a position of real power.Although it is no longer in the middle of Beijing, the Fengtai camp is in the suburbs of Beijing, and it is set up to defend the security of the capital. How far can it go?Uncle Cheng thought to himself, in Fengtai Daying, let alone the future of the Zhan family boy, it is much easier to get promoted than in Wucheng Bingma Division.The boy of the Zhan family is only a few years old, and he is already a fifth-rank guard. Uncle Cheng only thinks that this niece and son-in-law are looking for a good one.

Zhan Da glanced at the hall, the housekeeper of the Cheng family was very savvy, and had led his mother-in-law and servants out of the way as early as after the tea was served.

Zhan Da also got up, and said shyly: "Fengtai camp has increased troops, and there are mobilizations everywhere. I'm afraid that the imperial court will use troops against An Nanguo. At that time..."

"What!" Uncle Cheng stood up awkwardly. Does this mean that the boy from the Zhan family is going to go out with the army?

Zhan Da smiled wryly, he was almost fifty, and only Zhan Dong was the only child under his knees. His son had been self-disciplined since he was a child. Although he had no good words, he was full of pride for this brat. How could he be willing to let his only son go to the battlefield to fight for his life? .It's just that the emperor's order is hard to follow, and the Ministry of War dispatched it, and no disobedience was allowed. It was Zhan Dong who took the dispatch order himself, and the deal was done.Besides, Zhan Da took a look at his son. Dongzi has been fond of dancing knives and clubs since he was a child. He has been practicing martial arts diligently since he was a child. Hope, a boy shrouded in horse leather on the battlefield.

If you don't want to, you have to make it clear that you won't hurt his good girl, Zhan Da endured his embarrassment and forced a smile: "So that your family can know. I'm afraid that [-]% to [-]% of this brat will go out with the army At that time, there will be no eyes on the battlefield... If there is an emergency, wouldn’t it bring down your family’s daughter? The Zhan family really dare not hide it, how about this marriage, I only listen to you two orders."

After thinking about it, he said: "We are all for the sake of the children, so we can speak up as much as we can. If we give up, it is because of my family. The Zhan family will bear it all and try our best not to damage the reputation of Xian's niece. It is this kid who is not worthy of Xian. niece."

Uncle Cheng waved his hand and looked at Madam Zhu. Nanny Zhu frowned. She really didn't expect this to happen when the marriage was halfway through.It's just that both sister and brother know the order of the court, and the Zhan family can't do anything about it.

Mammy Zhu looked at Zhan Dong who was standing tall in the hall, she was really interested in it, and sighed: "It's late autumn now, if you want to use troops, when will it be?"

Zhan Dong replied: "It won't be until next year's spring. I'm afraid that the rivers in the north will go south if they can pass through." Now the imperial court is still covering the lid, and it may be opened in two months.

After hearing the words, Grandma Zhu made a calculation in her heart, and also let out a long sigh.There are still half a year left to use the army in March next year. This Zhan family is a rare and kind family. If his family wants to hide it, they can only urge their own family to marry, and they can ask their own family to marry their daughter before going south.After all, even if they heard the news of the imperial court's use of troops, they would not know that they would transfer troops from Fengtai Camp.What's more, there are many families like this. When the only son goes to the battlefield, they are all eager to leave roots first. I'm afraid there will be more marriages in the first half of the year.

Uncle Cheng also said: "Brother Zhan is kind, we accept this love. How about..." The marriage was over.There is no eye on the battlefield, what if there is an emergency, how about embroidery, it will ruin most of your life, even if you are talked about, you can't take this risk!

Madam Zhu stopped the conversation and said with a smile: "Now at this juncture, we don't pay much attention to etiquette. Although it is the order of the parents, the two children are really a good match. Now we should listen to what they say."

Hearing this, Zhan Da was overjoyed and said with a smile: "That's right, that's right! My brat doesn't need to say much, he is willing in every possible way! For this marriage, even the wild geese used by Dianyan were hunted and caught by himself... "

Zhan Dong pursed her thin lips, and said: "For old father, for... family's sake, Dong will take care of himself and do his best to win and return. Just listen to Miss Zhu's wishes."

Uncle Cheng nodded, Mammy Zhu took a deep look, stood up and said loudly, "Go and invite your girls to the back hall."

Zhu Xiu is making shoe uppers, and the appointment period has been set. When Zhan's family comes to hire, they will get back the shoes, socks and clothes they made by themselves.The population of the Zhan family is extremely simple, with no mother-in-law and sister-in-law, so Zhu Xiu only needs to be the father-in-law and Zhan Dong.Men's shoes, socks and clothes don't need much embroidery, and they are easy to do.At the time of Xiaoding, the Zhan family had already included the measurements in Wendingli, and it only took a few days for Zhu embroidery to get them all.

At this moment, what Zhu Xiu is holding is a pair of yellow satin vamps with Wanfu flowers, but they were made for Zhan Dong's deceased mother.According to Nanny Zhu, although Master Zhan did not remarry, Zhu Xiu, as a daughter-in-law, should have a complete set. It is also a sign of respect and filial piety to enshrine the clothes, shoes and socks embroidered by himself in front of Zhan Dong's deceased mother's tablet.

With a solemn face, Chunliu whispered a few words into Zhu Xiu's ear.

Zhu Xiu was taken aback, took a deep breath and said, "Go. Go to the front."

After finishing speaking, he got up and adjusted his clothes, and took Chunliu's hand to the side room at the back of the main hall.

Nanny Zhu has already waited here, and told all about the Zhan family's intentions. She stroked the back of her daughter's head and said lovingly, "Mother Mo Ruomu, mother knows your thoughts. I won't mention you, just mother mother. I am very satisfied with the young gentleman of the Zhan family. It’s just that now, if I don’t tell you, I have made up my mind for you, and Mom is afraid that you won’t want it, and I am afraid that your uncle and I will regret it in the future.”

Grandma Zhu was in a dilemma at this time. In all fairness, the Zhan family's visit this time made her more willing to this marriage. The family has a clean and honest personality, and it is really a rare match.But when it came time to use soldiers, swords had no eyes, no one could guarantee that the little man of the Zhan family would come back alive, let alone come back with all his beard and tail.Whether it is death or disability, my daughter will have a sad life in the future.

When Zhu Xiu came here, she thought that the Zhan family was going to regret the marriage, but now that she heard about it, she knew why.

Seeing Muma's embarrassment, Zhu Xiu felt uncomfortable, but she still asked, "An Nanguo? But in the south of Guangdong Province?"

Grandma Zhu said: "Exactly, there are many chieftains in the area, and it has always been uneasy. Now the court is unwilling to tolerate it anymore, so it wants to use soldiers. I heard from your uncle that the place is extremely hot and humid, and there are many snakes, ants, and poisonous insects. I will go to the south." It’s still hard to get used to going there, not to mention that the Zhan family has been from the north for generations, and the water and soil alone is a big problem. Your uncle said that even the locals in Annan die from the mouth of poisonous snakes and insects every year. Xiuxiu, can you You have to think about it!"

Mommy mentioned her uncle's words twice, and Zhu Xiu knew that her uncle loved her very much, which meant that she didn't want to continue the marriage, even if it hurt her boudoir's reputation, she had to put safety first.

Zhu Xiu thought for a while, she never had much expectation for marriage, never in her previous life, let alone this era when it is reasonable for concubines to share a house.But ever since the little military master surnamed Zhan sent a pair of shoes, Zhu Xiu didn't want to admit it anymore, and knew that there was a trace of that person in his heart.Besides, for the Zhan family, how good would it be to find another family? Can she expect to be a couple for the rest of her life?If there are a few aunts and concubines who are waiting by my side every day, it would be better to be a widow these days.What will happen to Mr. Zhan's little man in the future, even Zhu Xiu can't tell, but she thinks in her heart that it's all a gamble, and since she has made a bet, she should have no regrets.

"Mom, I know what you and uncle mean. But, I still want to..."

Grandma Zhu couldn't help crying, and slapped her daughter: "You child, why are you so stubborn! What has Mama taught you, no matter what, keep your heart and your own life It's the most important thing, no matter how good the others are, you have to leave room for yourself! Why don't you forget it!"

Zhu Xiu's eyes were red, and she said with a smile: "I haven't forgotten. Mom, I don't have to be a king, I just want to live a clean and peaceful life. How his family is, it just depends on the family style."

When the Zhan family proposed marriage, they secretly mentioned that they would like to follow the example of the Yueshan Gao family in the previous dynasty, who only took concubines when they were forty and childless.This is also the most pleasing sentence Zhu Mama listened to.

Nanny Zhu shook her head and said, "People's hearts are changeable, how do you know that this young gentleman of the Zhan family will not..."

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "Since he is ruthless, I will let it go. Mother and uncle taught me this idea, and my daughter still has the decisive spirit! But now, the future is uncertain, so why not give it a chance? To enter someone's house is not to go Bet, anyway, I will try my best to make myself live well in any situation. Mother and uncle have worried enough about me, just rest assured, I am not a self-suffering temperament. "

Zhu Momo heard this, thought about it, and suddenly said: "Otherwise, tell the Zhan family to procrastinate and wait for his family's son to come back before getting married." She nodded repeatedly: "Yes, this can be regarded as the best of both worlds. I My son is still young, so I can wait for a year or two."

Zhu Xiu wiped her mother's tears with a handkerchief, and said with a smile: "If we change places, I'm Xiaolang who is going to the battlefield. The Zhan family has divorced the marriage. I'm afraid that uncle and mother would like to marry me a daughter-in-law right away." Come on, firstly, it makes me feel worried, and secondly, it may leave roots. Our family is like this, and the Zhan family is probably not far behind."

Grandma Zhu was right, she couldn't do anything about it, she was going to continue and give up, but now that she was hugging the sweet and soft little girl, she couldn't let go.He was full of reluctance, he was not willing to ask his daughter to gamble her whole life, but seeing her expression, she had already made up her mind.

Although she regretted it, Nanny Zhu couldn't help it, and she couldn't give up, so she had to clean her face to cover her expression, packed up and came out from behind.As soon as he went out, he saw his brother's serious face, obviously he had heard what he had just embroidered.

Uncle Cheng heaved a long sigh and said, "Let's go, that's what Xiuxiu meant."

In the main hall, Zhan Dazheng anxiously tapped the small table with his fingers.His in-laws and his family were all behind, and there were only his father and son in the hall. Zhan Da could clearly hear the voices in the back room, but he couldn't hear them clearly. It was more and more difficult to pass the wait.The in-laws are clearly unwilling, and the in-laws are ambiguous. I just don't know how the girl chose.The more Zhan Da pondered, the more discouraged he became.

Zhan Dong sat quietly with his eyes down, without saying a word, just as he said, he listened to Zhu Xiu's wishes.Only the big hand with well-defined joints shows the restlessness of its owner.

Suddenly, Uncle Cheng's sister and brother came out, and the Zhan family father and son hurriedly got up. Uncle Cheng looked at Zhan Dong carefully for a moment, and then forced a smile: "Our family means, on the [-]th of next month, your family will come to hire you."

Zhan Da seemed to be listening to the fairy music, he was so happy from ear to ear, he agreed again and again.

Neither of them mentioned a word, which was what Miss Zhu's family meant later.Zhan Da is full of words: "My mother-in-law, my uncle-in-law is benevolent and righteous!"

Zhandong's eyes were like falling stars, he clasped his hands together, and bowed to the ground: "Winter will never fail!"

Only then did Mammy Zhu ease her expression, and she looked sideways slightly behind the screen.

Behind the twelve screens in the main hall of Cheng's house, there was a slight smile: "I will remember that."