Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

"Second Lord, don't worry about the year, let's find a good doctor to have a look. It's not a problem to delay like this." Zhou Rui's family interrupted Jia Zheng's words, and directly pointed out Zili's situation.

Jia Zheng was stunned by what Zhou Rui's family said. He still didn't understand what Zhou Rui's family meant: "What do you mean? You and Zhou Rui have worked hard, and this matter has been done very well. See you, third sister, she is better now." It's gone." Zili hurriedly told Zhou Rui's family to go out: "You go out, I will tell the second master." Jia Zheng watched Zhou Rui's family go out in a fog, and sat on the edge of Zili's bed: "Wait for the New Year and you I should be able to walk around now. It’s rare to be free recently. I’m going to take you out to see the flowers. I have been in Qingzhou for the past few years and said that the flowers on Nanshan Mountain are good. I can go there every time. How about some jewelry? Jia Zheng put the box in front of Zili as if offering a treasure, talking about the spring outing plan with great interest.

Zili was powerless to complain about Jia Zheng's carelessness. She leaned on the pillow and said weakly, "I don't know if I can get up in spring. Maybe I'm going to die here. Zhou Rui's family told me that the third sister was The situation of the Lin family makes me envious of her, what good is it to have a child? One foot into the gate of hell, although the child was born safely, but I can't watch her grow up." Zili said thinking about his own suffering The torment, the teardrops rolled down.

It's okay to talk about frustration, you suffered a lot when you gave birth to Niuniu, but now everything is over when the hardship is over.Why are you suddenly sentimental?Jia Zheng wiped Zili's tears with a handkerchief.On the other hand, Zili pulled the handkerchief angrily. Her movements were a little too big, and the wound on her lower body hurt. Suddenly, the sound of the pain changed, and she shrank into a ball and broke out in cold sweat.Jia Zhengcai realized that something was wrong with Zili, he quickly helped her to lie down, and called the girl to come in in a series of voices: "What's wrong with grandma? It's all because of your poor service. Hurry up and ask the doctor to take a look."

Mingqian stood still, and Jia Zheng became angry when he saw that Mingqian didn't speak and didn't go to ask the doctor: "Why are you still losing your temper? Grandma is obviously not feeling well. It's all because you didn't take good care of me. You didn't even say anything back to me." , and don’t serve wholeheartedly, don’t you want to rebel?”

"It's not that the slaves are not dedicated, it's all because grandma is afraid that the second master is worried and won't let us tell. Grandma suffered a lot in order to give birth to the eldest sister, and a big wound was torn under her body, and the wound that is dripping with blood every day has not yet healed. , the medicine prescribed by those doctors is useless at all. Wen Po said that when the eldest sister is born, the fetal position is not correct and tearing is very common, and it can only be seen that God's will grow up slowly. There are still many women who have too much tearing wound They will die or they will no longer be able to have children. We take care of grandma all day long, and our heart aches." Mingqian couldn't help crying as he spoke.

Jia Zhengcai realized the seriousness of the matter. He looked back at Zili's pale face and stomped regretfully: "Why didn't you say it earlier? I wanted to invite a better doctor. How can I do this?"

"I won't be able to die for a while. The doctors hired now are all good. Although the wound healed slowly, he died before he had a fever and infection. You don't have to be sad when I die. I think your grades this year are either excellent or Excellent, getting promoted in a few years will not be a problem. If I die, you will get promoted and get rich, and your wife will die, and all the good things in life will catch up. I only worry about my two children." Zili joked with Jia Zheng in a half-truthful tone .

"What did you say, bah, bah, bah, it's too unlucky! If I have a different intention, I will die here immediately. I will write to the capital right away, and invite a good doctor to treat you. By the way, send a message Go out and call Li Yangde, I have something to tell him." Jia Zheng suddenly became frightened when he heard Zili's half-truth and half-false words, and he deeply regretted that he was careless and didn't notice Zili's discomfort.Jia Zheng thought that this time the delivery was the same as the last time, and that Zili quickly recovered and became full of life again.But when he thought about it carefully, Zili's illness had already begun, but he didn't take it to heart.Since giving birth to her daughter, Zili has never mentioned feeding her daughter herself, and she spends more time lying on the bed every day and lethargic.But I thought it was just that Zili had to rest too much during childbirth, so I didn't take it to heart, thinking that she would rest for a few more days, and find something to cheer her up, and she would recover in a few days.But Zili's body didn't improve at all. The last time Zili became plump after Jia Zhu was born, but this time she became visibly thinner.In the past few years outside, Jia Zheng and Zili depended on each other for life. The two of them built a family and supported each other. No matter what happened, Jia Zheng always had someone to talk to.If Zili is real—Jia Zheng suddenly remembered that when he was in Shanyin County, when he went to the grassroots level, he boarded in a village. In that village, a mother died, and her children looked sad. .

Chilling all over his body, Jia Zheng didn't dare to think about it anymore. He was full of regret: "Why didn't you say it earlier! I was also confused, and I didn't realize that you are not good." It's complaining about my carelessness, and it's scolding the girls for being ignorant, why didn't they come back earlier.

Seeing Jia Zheng's performance, Zili felt a little more comfortable, and he still had his own thoughts in his heart: "Don't complain, I told you, it's not the same as asking the doctor to drink medicine. Qingzhou City is just those few The doctor is gone, and their ability is at the end. I just need to support it. I have delayed your affairs. If you are in the capital, you can help with a large family. Now you can only rely on yourself. These few days It's Chinese New Year, and it's the end of the year to settle accounts and make clothes, and Zhu'er doesn't even have time to take care of it." Zili found helplessly that the young couple with two children was really too busy.

"Don't worry about it, just take it easy. I'll take Zhu'er with me, and I'll just take care of the family affairs. I'll go and ask Li Yangde, he's from this place, and he's well-informed. I'll find a good doctor to show you. You just need to rest assured that it will be sealed tomorrow, and I have nothing to do with government affairs. I asked people to refuse all visitors who could refuse, and I will take care of you and your children in peace of mind. What is the frugality of this year? I don't have to worry about running out of firewood. You just need to make up for it next year when you recover." Jia Zheng comforted Zili by holding Zili's hand.

"Second Master, there are rumors that Li Yangde is here." The girl announced outside, and Jia Zhengcai got up and told Zili not to worry about resting in peace, before going out.

Mrs. Zhifu gave birth to a child but her body has not recovered. Mr. Zhifu is in a hurry to ask a doctor to treat Mrs. Xian.When Li Yangde went back to Qingzhou City, all the officials and officials knew the news, and immediately the famous doctors on the ground in Qingzhou were all told one by one.The back door of the magistrate's yamen suddenly became lively, officials and gentry coming and going either recommended doctors, or gave away some ancestral secret recipes, but Zili was well enough to see the doctor several times a day.Her wound is in an embarrassing place. Fortunately, this year is about the defense of men and women, so she doesn't have to show the wound several times a day.

Those doctors are also the Eight Immortals crossing the sea to show their magical powers. One said that it was a bet on dampness and poison to clear away heat and dampness, and the other said that the wound had not healed for a long time, so it needed to be putrefied and regenerated. Remove the carrion on the body, and then apply your ancestral ointment.Zili's head was full of black lines when he heard the treatment plans.The husband and wife looked at each other, and finally Zili broke out first: "There are people there to save lives and heal the wounded, and they all take the opportunity to climb up to curry favor with the boss. The fawning has not yet reached the point! I have resigned myself to fate, let fate!"

Although Jia Zheng didn't have to worry about government affairs in the past few days, the pile of housework at home made him even more restless and unable to do anything about it.There are not many people in the family, but there are many things. Jia Zheng has a headache every day just because of the accounts of human relations. In the same year, the teacher's gift was favored.In the past, it was all done properly by Zili, so Jia Zheng didn't bother.But now that they were all piled up in front of Jia Zheng, he was too busy to attend to one thing and lose another, not to mention the trivial matters of cooking in the kitchen, tailoring new year's clothes for girls and servants.In addition, Jia Zhu will not go to school at the end of the year.Jia Zheng had to be distracted from taking care of the children, so he just felt like he was busy.

"I just found out today that it's not easy for you. I just realized that being a housekeeper is not much easier than being a county magistrate. It's hard for you to take care of me all these years so that I don't lose my manners. Don't worry, I will hire a good doctor no matter what. You're cured." Jia Zheng patted Zili's hand comfortingly, and looked at her face.

"What do you want to eat, I'll ask someone to cook it." Jia Zheng didn't finish a word, and Ming Qianjin said, "Zhou Rui is waiting outside to talk to the second master." Zili's heart moved when he heard Ming Qian's words, Zhou Rui is his slave, so he asks Jia Zheng what to say. "What's sneaky, ask Zhou Rui to come in and talk." Zili directly called Zhou Rui in to answer.

Zhou Rui stood outside and greeted the inside through the curtain, only to hear Zili ask: "What's the matter?" Zhou Rui hurriedly said: "It's nothing important, I was going to talk to grandma, but the second master ordered Don't bother grandma's recuperation. The second master went out to talk and disturbed grandma. I met an acquaintance outside today. He used to rent our shop in Jinling to do business. Now he comes out to sell cloth. He just came from the capital. Come back and say that the first emperor was also a big celebrity beside Wei Chaozhong. Eunuch Wei Chaozhong got sent to Guangdong by the current emperor. He also met Wei Eunuch on the road. In the past, Eunuch Wei always greeted and hugged when he went out, and the magistrates all went to the edge of the jurisdiction He was greeted, but the fallen phoenix is ​​not as good as a chicken. He was pitifully harassed by the local government on the ground in Shandong. I asked when it happened, and he said that it is now. He watched Eunuch Wei with his own eyes at a station in Shandong. The horse died, and the postman randomly stuffed a mule on the way. I guess that Eunuch Wei will be on the ground in Qingzhou in the next day."

Zili and Jia Zheng had an inexplicable look in their eyes when they heard this, they really belonged to the emperor and courtiers.A thought flashed through Zili's mind, and he sat up abruptly, regardless of his physical discomfort: "Why are you standing there stupidly, quietly bring a few able-bodied people to meet Eunuch Wei. Be sure to be quiet, so as not to disturb others!" Jia Zheng also thought about it and hurriedly echoed: "Very well, you must be quiet, don't ask Wei Wang's people to take the lead." If Wei Wang saw Wei Chaozhong and asked for clues, there might be some disturbances.

Seeing Jia Zheng and Zili's serious tone, Zhou Rui knew that the errand was very important, and he didn't dare to be slow and hurriedly agreed: "Don't worry, second master and second grandma, I will quietly take a few shop assistants there without disturbing the family. People, how should we arrange for Eunuch Wei after receiving it?"

"The Zhuangzi outside our Qingzhou city is very quiet. If anyone asks, they will say that they are from my natal family in the capital. You have to be careful and don't let it out. If you finish this errand, I will naturally reward you. If you do it It's a big deal, but human life is a matter of fate. You told Eunuch Wei that you should have come to greet him in person, but I am not in good health and can't come in person. Please don't mind the old man. Back then, all the members of the Wang family were taken care of by Eunuch Wei. , we are grateful for the father-in-law's kindness, and we should repay him. You must settle down with Eunuch Wei well." Zili ordered Zhou Rui word by word, and Zhou Rui's forehead suddenly burst into cold sweat, and he promised to leave in a hurry.

The room was quiet again. Jia Zheng and Zili looked at each other and fell silent.Thinking back when Wei Chaozhong went on tour, it was almost half a car, and civil and military officials would kneel down to greet him.Who would have thought that in a blink of an eye he would become an old eunuch who would be abused by others, how could the fate of his life not be embarrassing? !

In the Rongguo Mansion in the capital city, Mother Jia was squinting and listening to Biyu read Jia Zheng's family letter. After Biyu finished reading the letter, Mother Jia sighed: "It's fine if you are a girl, and you have both sons and daughters. It sounds good. Does the Wang family know? What's wrong with the master?" explain?"

"The Wang family has already sent gifts. The master was very happy to hear that the second master had won a daughter. He said that the first granddaughter wanted to give a good name. A few days ago, the winter jasmine and plum blossoms bloomed together in the garden. Shockingly talked about it for the past few days. The master said it was a good omen, and it happened to belong to the eldest girl. The master had already drawn up a good name for the eldest girl, Yuan Chun. The meaning of the name was Yuanchun, which means to monopolize the new year." Biyu saw that Jia Mu was absent-minded, and also Then I changed the subject: "Grandma Sangu sent someone to say that Grandma Sangu was recovering, and Uncle Lin also felt sorry for her face and apologized to Grandaunt. Now she is still the housekeeper, and the old ladies and wives of the Lin family love her very much. The wife has been worrying about Er Ye and the third girl for the past few days. Since they are in peace, they should relax for a few days. Outside, Lai yelled and asked his wife, should I ask the opera troupe outside or the little opera troupe at home? "

"Although the theater troupe at home is good, it's annoying to hear. Spend a few more money and call a small theater outside. There are many guests every year. Your master said that you will invite some important guests during the New Year. You call it the kitchen." Prepare the banquet well, don't make people laugh. Although your master is not busy yet, you can't make people laugh at our family's collapse. The more things go wrong, the more you have to support yourself." Mother Jia ordered to invite guests at the end of the year things.

Suddenly a little girl shouted in panic from outside: "It's not good, grandma is gone." Jia's mother heard the news of Zhang's death, and was silent for a while: "It's really not good for the Chinese New Year. I thought she could Survive the new year. Who knows, but I am unlucky. I won’t let it go when I’m not good. You go and have a look. Now it’s the end of the year, and the master just got sick again. Isn’t he still at home thinking about his mistakes, so it’s not easy to make a fuss. You Tell the uncle to keep the funeral simple. Ask someone to write a letter to the Zhang family, and you should tell whether it is their girl."

After hearing what Jia Mu said, Biyu tightened her hand holding the handkerchief, she immediately lowered her head and went out to deliver the message.

Mother Jia sighed. Since Jia Hu's death, Mrs. Zhang suddenly lost all energy and energy, and spent more than a year in bed every day before she breathed her last breath.Jia Amnesty lost her main wife, so she would always have to continue her marriage, but the succession must not be comparable to that of her daughter-in-law. In the future, Jia Amnesty's daughter-in-law will definitely not be able to choose the best one.Jia's mother suddenly thought of Jia Zheng's letter saying that Zili gave birth to a daughter with dystocia, and her body has not recovered yet. "It shouldn't be, but it's dead. God's will tricks people." Jiamu murmured something to herself.

The atmosphere of the New Year is still hanging over the city of Qingzhou, but the government office of the prefect of Qingzhou is filled with a depressing and gloomy atmosphere.Zili started to have a fever during the New Year, and her wound was infected. The doctors prescribed countless decoctions and trauma medicines, but none of them were particularly effective.Jia Zheng stayed by his wife's side with a dark face every day, but Zili's waking hours were getting less and less.

"Go to the pier and have a look. It doesn't mean that some doctor has already set off. He should arrive from the capital to Qingzhou anyway. Why is there still no news?" Jia Zheng stood in the yard and urged Wu Qing to see Jia's family from the capital. Has the invited doctor arrived yet? "Second Lord, I have sent someone to check on the young one along the river. I have traveled more than 100 miles and there is still no news. I'm afraid I won't be able to come in the next few days!" Wu Qing said helplessly that there were too many changes along the journey and he also no way.

Jia Zheng stomped his feet, his heart was on fire with anxiety.Suddenly Yan Xiaoer ran in and said pleasantly: "Good news for Second Master, two people came outside the door saying that the imperial doctor and Mrs. Wen from the capital came to treat grandma specially."