Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

Mrs. Tang supported her daughter-in-law's hands and looked eagerly at the door, feeling her mother-in-law's expectation. Mrs. Zhang advised Mrs. Tang very intimately: "Madam should go back and have a rest first. She has already sent someone to meet her at the pier. It's still early." , you can only enter the city after noon." "As people get older, they become more impatient, so let's go back after standing for a long time." Mrs. Tang smiled self-deprecatingly and helped her daughter-in-law's hand in.

Today is the day when Zili and Jia Zheng bring Jia Zhu to the capital. Jia Zheng can't come to his father-in-law's house with Zili like before. Now that Jia Zheng is a member of the court, he has to report to the palace to see when the emperor will see him. He can go home only after reporting to the emperor.Therefore, the Wang family has sent people to wait on the pier to welcome Zili back first.After a while, the family members who went to greet them came back beaming: "The second aunt and the young master have arrived at the intersection."

Zili took the child back to her natal home. Seeing her grandson, Mrs. Tang hugged her fondly and refused to let go. Mrs. Zhang pulled Zili up and down and looked him up and down. Seeing that Zili grew more confident and unrestrained, she said with confidence: "I and Your brother is always worried about your hardships outside, but today he seems to be relieved. Your journey is going well." Zili and Mrs. Zhang greeted each other warmly, and exchanged pleasantries for a while: "I'm fine outside, I only think about you. Where are Niuniu and Mavericks?" Zili asked about his nephew and niece.Wang Ziteng's son was born on Chou Ri, and his name was Xiao Niu in order to feed his mother.

The two children have grown up a lot, and when they heard that the little brother was coming, they kept clamoring to give good things to the little brother.Mrs. Zhang said that the nanny had already arrived with Niuniu and the calf in her arms. Seeing Zili, Niuniu sweetly called her aunt to rush over and wrap herself in her arms, acting like a spoiled child.The calf was still young, hiding half of his head in the nurse's arms, looking at Zili curiously.Mrs. Zhang reproached and said, "My aunt hugged you when you were a child, you heartless little thing." Zili smiled and carried Maverick over to look at the first great-grandson of the Wang family.Maverick looks more like Zhang's, except that his eyes are rolling around, which is a bit of Wang Ziteng's cleverness.Maverick in Zili's arms probably smelled the fragrance of milk and didn't cry or fuss, he became familiar with Zili after a while as he put his arms around Zili's neck.

Seeing Mrs. Tang holding Jia Zhu and refusing to let go, Mrs. Zhang smiled and said, "Madam, let's go in, my little nephew is still young, so don't catch a cold." Mrs. Tang was reluctant to give the child to the nanny: "I am Huanxi I’m so confused, hurry up and visit the old lady.” Saying this, everyone went to greet the old lady together.

After waiting to meet the old lady, Zili came over to salute Mrs. Tang again, and the nanny also kowtowed to Mrs. Tang with Jia Zhu in her arms. "Get up quickly, I have already cleaned up the yard you lived in, and you still live there. Those of you who came with you should go and rest, we girls sit down and talk slowly." Mrs. Tang waved her hand Tell the servants who came with Jia Zheng to go down to rest, and she wants to have a good private conversation with her daughter.

The room became quiet, and Mrs. Tang glanced at the girl outside the window: "I heard that your mother-in-law is going to take Zhu'er with her. But what happened?"

Zili didn't hide anything either, she nodded in acquiescence. "It's really deceiving. She is also a mother, so why doesn't she know that children are her mother's heart. It's not that she has no grandchildren except Zhu'er. Doesn't their uncle also have a son. He will grab the child with you!" Mrs. Tang clearly expressed her dissatisfaction with her in-laws' actions.

"This time when I came to the capital, my mother-in-law asked Lai Da's daughter-in-law to come with her. She brought several maids, mother-in-law and two nurses with her. She said she was worried about Zhu'er, but I understood that she was Ask everyone Lai to wait for us to take the child back to Jinling when we go to Qingzhou." Zili didn't have to hide his emotions towards his mother.She frowned slightly and complained to her mother about Jia Mu's stubbornness.

"You don't have to worry about this. I'll ask your father to tell your father-in-law. I don't believe it anymore. She can do her own way, and she can't do anything if she doesn't get in. I didn't think she was a stubborn person before. Why did she become weird when she got old? Get up." Mrs. Tang said that she would support her daughter and told Zili not to worry.

"People are selfish. My brother is promising now, and he can stay by his side all day. Of course, my mother doesn't have to worry about her other things. She just cares about making fun of Sun Xiangfu. But it's different from our family over there. Mom puts herself Think about it in my mother-in-law's seat, and you should understand why she is like this." Zili persuaded her mother not to tear herself apart with Jia's mother, after all, it was the friendship between the Jia family and the Wang family for many years, so Madam Tang and the Wang family should not be left behind.

Mrs. Tang wanted to put her daughter's words first, and said helplessly: "I heard that the uncle of their family is not very motivated, so it seems to be true. Forget about your own affairs, I will not interfere. But there is one thing, my family will never be humble. If their family bullies too much, I will talk." Zili smiled slightly, leaning on Mrs. Tang's shoulder: "I know my mother loves me."

"You girl, you are a mother and you are still like a child. After your sister is married, there is nothing around me. She is in Guangdong now, and you are going to Qingzhou. I have had a few of your children in my life, but in the end there is nothing around me. There is no one else." Mrs. Tang thought about how lively the children were around her knees at the beginning, but as a result, the children all left her side one by one when they grew up, and as she watched her getting older, there was nothing around her.

Zili lowered his voice: "I know that my mother is worried about the eldest sister. She is now in the village in the countryside, and the husband and wife are still safe. After this experience, I look at Hu Liangren with admiration. The husband and wife are like birds in the same forest, and they will go their separate ways when disaster strikes." Fei, if it happened in other people's family, the husband and wife would turn against each other, and the brothers would become enemies. It's hard for Hu Liangren and the eldest sister to stay together." Zili talked about Ziqian's current situation.She knew that Mrs. Tang had a tough attitude on her face, and as soon as anyone mentioned Ziqian, she would be angry and sternly stop others. In fact, how could Mrs. Tang let go of the flesh that fell from her body.Therefore, Zili was secretly concerned about Ziqian's activities, and pretended to be casual and revealed it to Mrs. Tang.Mrs. Tang didn't feel particularly disgusted, and Zili also knew what her mother was thinking.

"Hmph, that means you are young and stupid. Hu Liangren is facing your sister and is sincere. If it is sincere, where did Yingying and Yanyan beside Hu Liangren come from when the Hu family was prosperous? Your sister is just It’s just a dead duck’s mouth. Now their Hu family has suffered a complete defeat. If Hu Liangren didn’t catch your sister, he might have been arrested and interrogated for three thousand miles. Of course he should treat your sister now. Whoever replaces him will treat your sister Isn't it good? Our family will never watch your sister being arrested and questioned, will we?" Mrs. Tang has experienced a lot, and she sneered to expose Hu Liangren's selfishness.

The mother and daughter talked privately for a while, and then heard the servants report that Jia Zheng, Wang Dingqian and Wang Ziteng had all returned.Just as Jia Zheng came in to greet his mother-in-law, Wang Dingqian and Mrs. Tang were invited to the main room, Zili and Jia Zheng knelt down and kowtowed again.Wang Dingqian looked at Jia Zheng with a complicated expression: "Get up, you must also remember the instructions of the Holy Majesty. At the beginning, I only thought that you were shy and young, and you were easy to be deceived by others when you were not familiar with government affairs, but that's good. No Thinking of you, you are willing to study hard, and you will be promoted in a few years. It’s just that this place is different from other places, and the forces of all parties are intertwined. You have to weigh it carefully and don’t be impatient.”

Jia Zheng hurriedly agreed, and Wang Ziteng was booing at the side at this time: "This is not in the cabinet, it is a good thing that the son-in-law has been promoted. Stop kneeling, hurry up and set up a banquet."

Wang Dingqian gave Wang Ziteng a cold look: "You still have the face to speak here, what did I tell you? Tell you to go to the Ministry of Officials to inform you not to send your sister-in-law to Qingzhou. What about you, you What did you do?" After being exposed by his father, Wang Ziteng fell silent immediately.Only then did Jia Zheng and Zili understand how the prefect of Qingzhou came to be.It's just that the situation in Qingzhou is delicate, so why would you ask Jia Zheng, a newcomer, where to go?

After all, Mrs. Tang felt sorry for her son, so she hurriedly interjected: "What's the matter with you father and son? Usually, you are flying around. Today, my daughter and son-in-law brought their grandson. This is a great event. I am very happy. If you want to If you quarrel, go out and quarrel with me." Seeing Master Tai Zuo showing his power, Wang Dingqian changed his tone very wisely: "I haven't seen my little grandson yet, go and bring Zhuer here."

The nanny immediately came over to show Wang Dingqian holding Jia Zhu. Wang Dingqian held Jia Zhu and put him on his lap, and took out a white jade pendant to tease Jia Zhu to play.Zili thought he hadn't seen Wang Changchun yet, so he asked, "Why don't you see grandfather?"

Mrs. Tang sighed: "Your grandmother has been feeling unwell these days, and your grandfather went to the temple to fast." As she spoke, the maids carried the table and arranged the banquet.Jia Zheng met the emperor today, and he was even more uncertain about Qingzhou. He had been sitting next to Wang Dingqian, wanting to ask his father-in-law for advice, while Mrs. Tang and Mrs. Zhang instructed the maids to open the table.While everyone was busy giving birth, Zili pulled Wang Ziteng's sleeve, and the two siblings slipped out to talk quietly.Zili glanced at Wang Ziteng, and said slowly, "My brother is getting more and more embarrassing in front of the grandson. Congratulations."

Wang Ziteng covered it up: "Sister, you really know how to joke. You worked hard in Shanyin County. Did you receive all the things I asked your sister-in-law to send you?"

"I'm not blind either. Your string of counting beads is not ordinary. If it's not a gift from His Royal Highness, someone must have given it to you. But based on your current position, who will give you that thing? The tassels are still bright yellow, and you don't know." Do you think you're wearing ostentatious? What's the matter with Qingzhou? Even if you don't look at the bureaucrats, they can't send your brother-in-law there. How can the emperor agree?" Zili stared into Wang Ziteng's eyes and asked Jia Zheng took office behind the scenes in Qingzhou.

"I obey you. I don't know what's going on. You know. I'm a guard now. I wasn't on duty that day. When I woke up in the morning, my father sent someone to go to the official department to say hello. I'm afraid I won't be able to convince others, it's better not to be promoted too fast. Who knows that I was called by His Highness the Grandson just as I left the house, waiting for me to rush to the official department—the day lily is cold." Zili frowned. Wrinkled gradually, Wang Ziteng had no choice but to comfort his sister: "I don't think the king of Wei will rebel for a while, and the grandson's seat is very secure. You and your brother-in-law just go to Qingzhou with peace of mind. Although the mountains and rivers in that place are not as famous as those in the south of the Yangtze River, but It is also a land of exquisite beauty, compared to that Shanyin County, it is much better."

Zili gave Wang Zi a look of "Do you believe it?" and sighed: "It would be better if you didn't pass the exam and stay at home and wait to die. Back then, you only thought about being able to come out at home. It's more tiring than being at home. At home, everyone is just living their own lives, so let's just let go of your hands. But in officialdom, you can't help yourself."

"It's normal for people in Longwangshu, let alone people like us who can escape? Unless you stay at home as a dandy all your life. Without power, it's not easy to be a dandy." Wang Ziteng sighed and looked inside: "I see My brother-in-law treats you pretty well. He neither flirts with women nor goes out to have sex. You are also content with obeying your words. You gave birth to him a son, and he should confess you. Contentment is always happy, you can’t take all the benefits .”

After the banquet, Zili and Jia Zheng went back to rest.On the way back, Jia Zheng kept looking at Zili as if he had something to say, but it was a pity that Jia Zheng hugged Zhu'er and stopped talking.Along the way, the husband and wife were silent, waiting to get back to the house, and then Jia Zheng said, "I saw you talking to the elder brother, how is it?"

Zili looked up at Jia Zheng, a little surprised, wasn't he talking to his father?He even noticed her whereabouts.Receiving Zili's gaze, Jia Zheng smiled and said, "I'm just a piece of wood in your eyes? Although I'm talking to my father-in-law, I'm still thinking about you. I can't even look after my wife. I'm doing it for nothing." I have married your husband. I started to have doubts in my heart at the interview today. It is hard to figure out what the emperor means. I asked my father-in-law for some advice, but my father-in-law always talked about him. He even urged me to hurry up and take office." Jia Zheng He sighed helplessly: "Where did I offend my father-in-law?"

"You're thinking too much. I asked my brother, but he couldn't figure it out. Wait until you discuss it with Mr. Zhou and Mr. Shan tomorrow. You also know that you have no choice but to be in that position." Zili was also in a mess. The fog, let Jia Zheng rest in peace.

There was nothing to say all night, but someone came from the palace the next morning, saying that the queen invited Mrs. Tang to the palace to enjoy the flowers, and when they heard that Zili was returning to the capital, she also asked her to bring Jia Zhu to the palace to pay her respects.Mrs. Tang hurriedly asked Zili to tidy up, and brought Jia Zhu into the palace.Seeing the empress again.Zili was surprised to find that the queen was much more energetic than a few years ago. It may be because she got over the pain of bereavement, her grandson's position was stable, and she felt relaxed.

"You girl is getting better and better. Now that you are a mother, you are indeed much more stable than before." The queen waved to Zili with a smile.Zili had no choice but to go forward a few steps to the empress, the empress smiled at a woman dressed in a court dress beside her and said, "You guys know each other, has she changed?"

Following the Queen's gaze, Zili saw that the woman standing next to the Queen turned out to be Grandson Liangdi. Facing Grandson Liangdi, Zili felt mixed feelings for a moment.It was obvious that grandson Liangdi was also a little uncomfortable when she first saw Zili, but she casually smiled and said gently, "Compared to that time, Mrs. Jia is better off. I heard that you also got a little brother, but that's great." Blessing."

Looking at the grandson Liangdi who was smiling decently, Zili vaguely remembered the girl who always smiled shyly. The few years of court life had completely reshaped a person, so that Zili couldn't even recognize her. "Thanks to Liang Di's concern, thanks to the Queen's Empress, everything is going well." Zi Li replied to Liang Di's words very respectfully.Liangdi seemed very satisfied with Zili's humble attitude, and the maid next to her brought a plate with some children's collars and long life locks: "It's nothing good, this is Qingxu Guan just yesterday. The few things I sent were consecrated in front of the Buddha and read the scriptures. Children are most likely to be frightened at night, so give it to your little brother." Zili knew that Taoist priest Zhang of Qingxu Temple was Jia Daishan's substitute, He also has a lot of face in front of the emperor.She hurriedly thanked grandson Liang Di, and took the plate herself.

The empress looked at the interaction between grandson Liangdi and Zili, her eyes were full of smiles: "It's better for you to be considerate and careful. Since you brought your little brother here, why don't you bring me to have a look. By the way, bring your son over too." , the weather is fine today, so it’s good for the children to come out and relax.” The queen ordered the nanny to rush over to greet the queen with Jia Zhu in her arms.

The queen saw that Jia Zhusheng was fat and white, and he didn't cry in the nanny's arms, but just looked around with a pair of big eyes.His dark eyes met the queen's and suddenly smiled.The queen has also seen many children, but she has not seen a few children who refused to admit their birth when they came to the palace for the first time.She stretched out her hand to Jia Zhu, and the nurse looked at Zili hesitantly, and handed the child out when Zili nodded.

A nanny had already come up to take Jia Zhu and put it on the Queen's lap. Mrs. Tang and Zili stared at the baby nervously, for fear that he would burst into tears suddenly or tear the precious decorations on the Queen's body. It would be embarrassing to flood the Seventh Army or something.It may be that Jia Zhu felt the ardent hope of her mother and grandmother, the little thing lived up to expectations, she leaned on the queen's arms very cutely and cutely, raised her long eyelashes, and grinned her tender mouth like petals, revealing the newly grown few teeth.The child's smiling face was like the most gentle comfort, making the queen's heart soften in an instant. "What a cute little thing, as smart and sensible as your mother." The queen's eyes were so tender that water could be squeezed out. She hugged Jia Zhu and touched his face with her slender fingers.Children are the most sensitive, and Jia Zhu realized that the queen really liked him, so she stretched out her arms to hug him with confidence.

The life in the deep palace has long since hardened the empress's heart. Even the great-grandson has a son, but as a great-grandmother, she can't get close to her great-grandson as casually as a common woman.The soft and immature body in the arms exudes a faint milky aroma, and the child's complete dependence and trust make the queen's heart soft.The queen hugged Jia Zhu, her eyes suddenly became hot and moist.What could soften the heart more than the comfort of a new life.

At this time, Shizi was also carried by the nanny and surrounded by a group of palace people. Zili looked at the queen and seemed to have no intention of letting go of Jia Zhu, but the nanny who was holding the son looked at the queen holding someone else's child, not knowing what to do. What to do.She stood there awkwardly, opened her mouth but couldn't speak.Fortunately, at this time, the nurse next to the queen reminded the queen in a low voice.The queen put Jia Zhu on her lap and said to the nanny, "How is the son today." The nanny was busy hugging the son to greet the queen, stood up and answered the queen's question, and the embarrassment was covered up.

Zili and Mrs. Tang, who were standing by the side, were both heartbroken. Their own children stole the crown prince's limelight, which seemed a bit overwhelming and annoying.Zili peeked in the direction of grandson Liangdi, hoping that she would not mind her son being left out in the cold.Who would have thought that Di Liang didn't notice it, she was still smiling and didn't feel any displeasure at all.Instead, she praised Jia Zhu to the queen for being good-looking and educated.

What's happening here?Ever since Zili became a mother, she has realized what a mother thinks her child is the best.But grandson Liangdi could bear the empress's neglect of her son, even if it was just a small detail, if it was Zili, she would definitely feel uncomfortable for a while.But Concubine Liang seemed to be fine, judging from the conversation between Shizi's nanny and the queen, the queen was very familiar and affectionate with her only great-grandson.There is really no family affection in this palace, no wonder grandson Liang Di became like that.

The queen asked the son about his daily life and put his mind on Jia Zhu. Di Liang took over her son and showed a real smile on her face. Zili and Mrs. Tang immediately came up to flatter the son for his good looks.The eldest son is half a year older than Jia Zhu, and he can walk very steadily now.The toddler, eager to explore the world for himself, struggles to get down in his mother's arms.Taisun Liangdi reluctantly put the child down.Unexpectedly, Shizi actually walked towards Zili, Zili hurriedly squatted down and stretched his arms to prevent His Highness Shizi from falling.Shi Zi stood a few steps away from Zili and tilted his head to look at her, maybe because he also smelled of milk, Shi Zi walked towards Zili and threw himself into her arms.Zili could only carefully hug His Royal Highness Shizi. Maybe it was because of Zili's aura that Shizi felt safe, or Zili's outfit was different from others. Shizi became interested and played with Zili's earrings.

The nanny was worried that the son would hurt Zili's ear and hurriedly said, "Ma'am, be careful about the earrings, let me hug them." Unexpectedly, the son turned his face away and ignored the hand that the nanny extended, and went to Zili's arms instead. tie.Both Zili and Mrs. Tang started to sweat, worried that grandson Liangdi would feel uncomfortable.Just when Zili was about to hand the child out and was worried that the son would hurt him due to his struggles, grandson Liangdi smiled and said: "The child is the simplest and most straightforward. Since he likes you, please ask Madam to suffer."

Hearing the grandson Liangdi's tone, there was nothing unpleasant, so Zili felt a little relieved: "Thanks to His Highness's love, I am very honored to be a concubine. Liangdi is very lucky to have such a lovely and caring child." Zili praised the eldest son for a good time After a while, the atmosphere calmed down, and the empress said to Di Liang: "I think Mr. Jia's sons are good-natured. When they grow up and go to school, you can invite Mr. Jia to be your son's companion."

Zili became nervous when he heard the Queen's words, and was about to resign, but Liang Di smiled and agreed: "Grandmother is very right, Mrs. Jia is young, promising, and knowledgeable, Mrs. Jia is also a famous lady, Mr. Jia is naturally wrong." No. Although Shizi is still young, I am already planning for his future. His studies are the most important thing, and Shizi has a good student by his side, so I feel at ease."

Damn it, Jia Zhu is an unweaned child.Why did I book you to be child laborers!Zili watched helplessly as the queen and Liangdi's grandparents and daughter-in-law sang together, but couldn't utter a single word.Mrs. Tang glanced worriedly at Zili and gave her daughter a calm look. "What a good thing that makes grandma so happy." The grandson unexpectedly came out to join in the fun.Zili suddenly felt that the queen's summoning today was calculated.

Zili and Mrs. Tang were busy paying respects to the grandson, but the grandson waved his hands casually: "Forget it, let's get flat. I disturbed grandma's interest by coming uninvited. The son is here, ask dad to hug him, and watch Shen Are you done?" The grandson was wearing ordinary clothes, with a relaxed expression on his face.Seeing the son in Zili's arms, His Royal Highness directly stepped forward to hug him.

Inevitably, the two of them came into intimate contact, and the incense from Taisun's body rushed into Zili's nose, encircling her domineeringly from top to bottom.Zili handed the child over to his grandson, and hurriedly bowed his head and took a step back to stand aside.His Royal Highness Taisun didn't have much experience in dealing with children, and the eldest son was uncomfortable being hugged, and he seemed to be about to make a fuss.The nanny hurriedly stepped forward to pick up the child, comforting him softly.

The queen cast a reproachful glance at her grandson: "You've been making troubles for us since then, did you come from His Majesty's side?" Then the queen handed Jia Zhu to his nanny, and talked to her grandson.The prince here stopped crying soon. When he found Jia Zhu, he walked over and reached out to touch Jia Zhu's hand. Seeing that Jia Zhu didn't show any disgust, he pulled him to play together.

After exchanging greetings with the queen, the grandson seemed to have just discovered Zili and Mrs. Tang, and said to Zili, "Yesterday His Majesty summoned Jia Cunzhou and I was by my side. I didn't expect Jia Zheng to look like a frail scholar, and that's it. Who knows, he has a bit of skill. A messy county has been governed within a few years. This time Jia Zheng was asked to take up the post in Qingzhou, which was ordered by the emperor himself, and I recommended it in front of the emperor." So it turned out to be the case No wonder Wang Ziteng was recruited when something happened, no wonder Wang Changchun avoided seeing them when they came back this time, Wang Dingqian was careful.

"If you are serving the country, how can you pick and choose just because of your personal fortune? Our husband and wife will definitely live up to the expectations of the emperor and the grandson." Zili immediately expressed his determination, but he was speculating in his heart about the purpose of the grandson's visit.The grandson is now supervising the country, and the trivial government affairs of the emperor's age are all handed over to the grandson. He absolutely doesn't have the time in the United States to gossip.

"You husband and wife are both smart people. As a prefect, Jia Zheng must understand what to do. I heard that when Jia Zheng first arrived in Shanyin County, he also used severe punishments to clean up the place. Within a few months, the banditry was quelled, and he put in effort to clean it up. Only after the lawsuit is settled, can we be able to renovate the river and prosper the people's livelihood. This is the right way. To be a magistrate must maintain the dignity of the court. We cannot tolerate the powerful local bandits and raise rape. We must first have a stable Only when the environment is bad can we use our abilities to benefit the village, right?! Only good politics can make people harmonious.” Taisun expressed his position.

... Zili has black lines. It turns out that the emperor and his grandson did not agree, and Jia Zheng became a sandwich cake.The emperor met Jia Zheng yesterday, and he emphasized the need to maintain stability, and now the grandson wants Jia Zheng to rule the country according to the law and pay close attention to *.The biggest unstable factor on the ground in Qingzhou was the king of Wei. Whether Jia Zheng beat him according to the emperor's wishes or according to the grandson's wishes, it seemed that neither of these methods would work.

Oh god, why is Jia Zheng put in that seat?