Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

Zili was looking at the little girl in front of her. She never dreamed that Ziqian would bring her daughter to Qingzhou to see her. Zili looked at Ziqian's face, although bumpy along the way, but his complexion was much better than when the Hu family just fell down. Hu Qizhong and his wife had already become a handful of loess, and Hu Liangren also served as a small military support in the bitter cold outside the Great Wall.On the contrary, Ziqian, who had been in an awkward position in the Hu family, became the sole heir of the Hu family.

"I haven't seen you for many years. I didn't expect our sisters to meet again. It's a pity that you came a few days late. The third sister is doing business with her master. After passing through this place, I will keep her for a few days. If you come earlier, our three sisters will be complete." Zili talked about Zimeng's whereabouts with a bit of regret.

I am now a phoenix that is not as good as a chicken. She is the head wife of the Xue family. She gave birth to a son and a good husband. I am a down-and-out poor woman. How can I have a relationship with her? Not being someone else's concubine is already the kindness of the mother back then.Do you still want to see my jokes now?Ziqian opened his mouth still full of complaints, Zili listened to what his sister said and stopped talking.Now in Zili's eyes, everyone owes her, and it is right to help her. Her current predicament and dissatisfaction are all the fault of others.Zili couldn't figure out why Ziqian had such a big resentment.

"She is also kind. You only see her as the head lady of the Xue family, but you don't think that she will follow her husband all over the world. If she stays at home, she might not see her husband for a year." Seeing Ziqian's expression became uneasy. Getting impatient, Zili quickly changed the topic: "Okay, let's not talk about Zimeng, we sisters should talk about something else. I heard my brother said that you are living in Jinling City now, how can you still live? Where are all the relatives at home, and you have someone to take care of you. I can feel at ease. This is Yu'er, who grows up like Hua'er and is quiet and quiet. Compared with my family's Yuanchun, she is really much cuter. The girl Yuanchun is spoiled by her father. She runs outside all day long." Zili pulled Ziqian's daughter over and looked at her carefully.

Yu'er's face flushed, and she glanced at her mother with some embarrassment. Seeing that Ziqian had no objection, she walked up to Zili. Ziqian smiled when she heard her sister praise her child: "This child is like me. If it is like her father, it will be a worry. What are the relatives, they are all more ruthless than wolves, knowing how much money I have in my hand, they will plot against me, I am very bored in Jinling, so I come out to relax." Speaking of which, Ziqian and his sister complained that the relatives in Jinling's hometown were not authentic.

Zili quietly listened to her sister's complaints, and she suddenly discovered a problem. The relatives Ziqian said were not good to their mother and daughter, and the calculation of her money was all fantasy, and Ziqian was a woman. It's hard to come forward and say that I can only ask my relatives to help me come forward.She sent messages back and forth to discuss the price with the middleman, and ran to help her collect the rent. She should have sealed the money to thank her for her hard work.No one is a living Lei Feng only does good deeds and does not eat.Ziqian refused to even give the due thank you gift, and even muttered that someone took advantage of her!Zili could only smile wryly when he heard Ziqian's complaint.

"You think too much, and people can't see anyone. When the teacher gave a lecture, he said that you can't be deaf or dumb. You, a woman, can't come forward in person. If they help you, you should thank them. As for the inside Zang Ye, if you don't pursue it, it's because you are generous, and if you pursue it, you are justified. But you don't have any thanks, and if you don't have evidence, you will blame others for hiding things first, and what is reasonable becomes unreasonable." Zili couldn't help persuading Ziqian relaxes his mind and doesn't push himself and others too hard.

Unexpectedly, Ziqian glared: "You said it lightly, I have no one to rely on, don't you want to be more careful? You don't have back pain when you stand and talk. How much Jia Zheng made by thinking about it outside, you can do it even with 1000 million silver now." Take it out. Don’t forget, if I hadn’t made you perfect, you wouldn’t know where you are now!” Ziqian stood up abruptly and walked back and forth a few times. She was like a bomb that exploded at any time, hurting with everyone around me.

Zili felt wronged for a while, and the little flame suddenly rose up, it was her fulfillment!If Ziqian hadn't eloped, she wouldn't be doing something like an unlucky Mrs. Wang here now!Maybe she is domineering in the palace.Zili suppressed her anger and was about to retort when Yu'er quietly tugged at her mother's sleeve: "Mother, sit down first, Second Aunt didn't mean it."

Zili was already so angry with the mother and daughter in front of her that she couldn't laugh or cry. She picked up the teacup and glanced at Yu'er. Hu Yu was good-looking, but her eyes were always expressionless and didn't have the vivacity and vigor that a girl of this age should have. Missing frowned, looking indifferent to everything.

"Do you want me to tell you what happened back then? I think you've forgotten what happened before you lived in Jinling for a long time!" Zili also had a temper, she immediately lowered her face and pushed back.Ziqian didn't argue any more, but softened his attitude, and yelled at his daughter: "You little brat, what are you talking about!" set up.

Zili persuaded her, and asked the girl to take Yu'er out to play with Yuanchun.Here Zili and Ziqian said some homely things. Although they are sisters, but after so many years, the sisters Zili and Ziqian gradually drifted away, and they no longer had the intimacy they used to have.Ziqian stayed here for a few days and then left.Thinking of her sister's changes, Zili couldn't help feeling emotional. Ziqian got deeper and deeper in her own world and gradually drifted away from the outside world. The most worrying thing was Yu'er, a very smart and clever girl who was raped by her mother. The more you raise, the more extreme you become.Seeing Yu'er looking at Ziqian's words and expressions with trepidation, Zili can guess the normal situation of their mother and daughter getting along.

Jia Zheng received a letter from home that day, and when he opened it, his face turned pale. Jia Daishan was seriously ill and felt that his time was running out, so he urged Jia Zheng to go back to see him for the last time.Thinking of his father's love for him, Jia Zheng couldn't help feeling sad.Jia Zheng called Mr. Zhou to discuss with Mr. Shan. After reading the letter, Mr. Zhou frowned and said, "If the Duke has something to do, I'm afraid the Lord will also have Ding You at home. Do you have any plans?"

"As a son of man, you must be filial with all your heart! Naturally, I'll stay at home for three years. What's the point of this, but it will delay the two gentlemen." Jia Zheng thought that Mr. Zhou and Mr. Shan wanted to find another employer.These two are Jia Zheng's right-hand men, thinking of them leaving, Jia Zheng couldn't help but feel even more sad and uncomfortable.Ding You stayed at home for three years, and he didn't know what kind of official he could be when he waited for his filial piety to come out.Jia Daishan's death immediately disrupted Jia Zheng's promotion.

"Your Excellency is overthinking. A few days ago, Madam told our brothers that if Your Excellency Ding You is at home, you should invite us to stay. If Your Excellency does not dislike our brother's lack of knowledge, we are willing to accompany you to study." Mr. Shan cupped his hands at Jia Zheng. , indicating that they will not leave Jia Zheng to find another way out.

"Thank you two gentlemen for not giving up!" Jia Zheng couldn't help being overjoyed when he heard that Mr. Zhou and Mr. Shan were still willing to help him. He quickly stood up and bowed deeply to the two masters, thanking Zili for taking a step ahead for him comprehensive.

Jia Zheng was busy making a statement, and wanted to go home to visit his father. The emperor's instructions came down quickly, asking Jia Zheng to come to the capital to report on his work, and he had another appointment.Jia Zheng immediately handed over the government affairs and took his family back to the long-lost capital.On the day of arrival, Jia Zheng first disembarked and went to the palace to hand out a sign to meet the emperor, while Zili took Yuan Chun and his family on the abandoned boat and came to Jia's mansion.People from Jia's family had been picking up Zili on the shore, and along the way, people kept flying horses to report to Jia's mother and others. When they reached the gate of Rongguo Mansion, they saw the stewards waiting eagerly for Zili's arrival.

As soon as they came in, Zili brought Yuan Chun to meet Jia's mother. Looking at Zili and Yuan Chun, Jia's mother couldn't help but said, "I haven't met Da Niuniu yet, and now we are finally reunited. Can't we go back to the master?" The girl replied, "I have told the master that today the master feels better and wants to see the eldest girl." Jia Mu hurriedly asked the girl to take Yuan Chun to see the grandfather.Here, Jia Mu said to Zili, "Sit down. You have sons and daughters, and you have orders. Do you want to behave in front of me? This is your eldest brother's new sister-in-law Xing." Jia Mu Pointing to a daughter-in-law to introduce Zili.

This is Mrs. Xing. Zili looked at Mrs. Xing. She did not have the image of a sour middle-aged woman as she had imagined. Instead, she was a shrewd woman. Compared with those young daughter-in-laws who were eighteen or nineteen years old, Xing The madam is a bit old, she doesn't have the shyness of a new wife, but she looks like a capable housewife.Zili greeted Mrs. Xing first, and Mrs. Xing also politely took Zili's hand and asked about the hardships of the journey. "My sister-in-law is tired because my second master and I are out at home." Zili thanked very politely.Mrs. Xing also smiled and said: "It's all the things we should share as daughters-in-law. I dare not say it's hard. Since the brothers and sisters are back, just feel at ease. Everything is up to me and my wife." Zili listened to Mrs. Xing's clear oath The power of the housekeeper chuckled inwardly, the power of this family has always been in the hands of Jia Mu, don't you know?

Zili didn't answer, but just asked about Jia Zhu's situation, and thanked Mrs. Xing and Jia Mu for their hard work in taking care of Jia Zhu.Jia's mother smiled and said, "Pearl is a good child, but she rarely comes out of the palace most of the time. It's your sister-in-law who takes care of her. You should thank her a lot."

"Naturally, Zhu'er has repeatedly said in her heart that her aunt is very kind to him, and my second master and I have nothing to show for it. Please don't laugh at some local products from Qingzhou." As she spoke, the little girl came up with a list. , inside are gifts and local products that have been prepared long ago.Jia's mother glanced at her and smiled and said, "Zheng'er and you are both filial. You are tired too, go back and rest." Only then did Zili leave from Jia's mother.

Yuan Chun had already returned from Jia Daishan's side, and was watching the maids arrange their luggage.Seeing Zili come back, he immediately stuck to it, pulled Zili's sleeve and whispered to her ear: "When are we going to grandparents' house, can brother come back today?"

Seeing that the girls were almost settled down, Zili said to Xiao Ai, "You guys are tired and go rest. I'll lie on the bed for a while." Xiao Ai took everyone out knowingly, leaving only Yuan Chun and her nanny, Nanny Fang.Zili asked Nanny Fang: "What does the eldest girl say when she sees the master?"

"It's nothing. The master just asked the girl what books she read. This is home at that time. Just talk about what you want and don't feel wronged. The rest is nothing." After hesitating, Mother Fang added: "I don't understand The master wants to see the girl as soon as the girl arrives home, but he doesn't seem particularly affectionate when he sees her. People in this place are unpredictable."

Zili couldn't help but smiled and pointed at Nanny Fang: "You are an honest person after all. The old man has never met Niu Niu. The love between grandparents and grandchildren will naturally want to see his granddaughter when he hears her coming. The old man is in poor health and mentally weak. What else can the granddaughter say. From today on, the girl will stop running around all day. You can follow me safely. There are many people here and your uncle's family. I will take you to see your uncle and aunt tomorrow. And your elder brother Lian'er. You have to go to Dongfu too. This place is different from Qingzhou, you have to restrain your temper, don't make people laugh at you for being unruly, even your father and I will be told that you haven't taught your daughter well. "Yuan Chun was like a man in Qingzhou, studying in the morning, riding a horse or taking a walk in the garden in the afternoon, playing with girls on swings or even rowing in the water. When he heard that he could only be locked up in the house every day, he felt bitter. Those who stomp their faces and twist their bodies want to act like a baby.Zili said with a serious face, "I told you to calm down, but you didn't listen. Your father spoiled you and would do anything you want. Now you can take care of yourself. I'll ask a few nuns to follow you, if How dare you take a step out and watch me break your leg!" Of course Zili was reluctant to make his daughter suffer, but this is not Qingzhou, where Jia Zheng can call the wind and call the rain.Yuan Chun is a girl, even if she does not enter the palace to be a concubine in the future, she will still marry.The relatives saw Yuanchun's current appearance, and there may be many discussions behind it. The girl's reputation is important, and Zili can only succumb to the pressure of the world.

Seeing that Zili's road was blocked, Yuan Chun could only dejectedly keep silent.Mother Fang persuaded her from the side: "Girl, don't lose your temper. Grandma is doing it for your own good. Think about it, girls are always well-behaved when they come out. It's no wonder that you are so different from them. It's no wonder why people call you .I mentioned I've heard whispers whispered about you."

Zili raised his eyebrows, as expected of the Rongguo Mansion, when the chairs were warmed up when he came back, someone began to gossip. "What did they say?" Zili's expression froze.

"They didn't say anything, they just whispered that the girl is not fair, she doesn't look like a pampered girl and a kid outside. The rest they didn't say anything else." Mother Fang hurriedly explained .After hearing this, Zili sneered and said, "I think what they said, my own daughter can harm her. I have my own idea, you can take Niuniu down."

The nanny was about to leave with Yuan Chun, when suddenly a girl's surprised voice came from outside: "Master Zhu is back!" Zili stood up in surprise when he heard his son's arrival, and shouted: "Call him in!" Before the words were finished, Jia Zhu ran in, rushing towards Zili.

Mother and son were naturally happy to meet each other. Jia Zhu got out of Zili's arms, straightened her clothes and knelt down solemnly: "My son pays his respects to mother. It's all my fault for making mother worry about me. Today can be regarded as a family reunion." I will never leave my mother again."

Zili hurriedly pulled Jia Zhu up and looked up and down: "My Zhu'er has grown taller and is sensible." As he spoke, tears began to flow involuntarily.Yuan Chun on the side stepped forward and took Jia Zhu's hand: "I didn't recognize you when I came in, brother, how are you in the capital? I brought you a horse."

Jia Zhu couldn't help pulling Yuan Chun's bun off, and said with a smile, "Okay, you said in your letter that it would be good to bully Shuang a few times. I'll go hunting in a few days and I'll ride it right away. If I win Now, even if you didn’t brag, if you lose, it depends on how you end up.” Yuan Chun’s eyes lit up when he heard that he was going to hunt, and just asked Jia Zhu to take her there, when Zili Lenglian coughed, Yuan Chun stuck out his tongue. spoke.

"Good sister, take a good rest at home first, and you will have the opportunity to go out to play later. I will definitely take you with me when I go hunting in the Western Mountains in winter." Although Jia Zhu and his sister were separated when they were very young, the two of them often corresponded , The relationship is not very strange when we meet each other.

Zili waved his hand helplessly: "You still tease her! If you really love my sister, tell her the rules here. Don't make people laugh!" Zili asked Jia Zhu to take Yuanchun down.

Jia Zhu understood what his mother said immediately. He took Yuan Chun's hand: "Let me tell you about the habits here. Although this is my grandfather's house, there are many places that are different from ours. Those women and girls Yes, some are good, and some are hateful." Saying this, the two brothers and sisters went to Jia Zhu's house.

Here Zili watched the girls pack up their things, they were almost settled down, and it was getting dark outside, Zili glanced at the chime clock on the table, and knew that it was time for Jiamu to deliver dinner, she changed her clothes and brought a The girl went to serve Jiamu.A little girl had announced the arrival of the Second Mistress, and Jiamu smiled and saw Zili come in: "You just came back and didn't say you had a good rest, what are you doing here again?" Zili said with a smile: "It's my wife who loves me." , but I can’t trust you, it’s my duty. I used to think I couldn’t be filial to my wife when I was outside, but now I’m back, and my wife doesn’t want me to serve me because she dislikes me.”

Listening to Zili's words, Jia's mother became more and more satisfied: "What a sweet talker, I feel so lonely when you and Zheng'er are not by my side. Now that you are back, I have someone to talk to." Madam Xing also came, and Jia The mother called for dinner, and the maids brought over a black lacquered Eight Immortals table, Mrs. Xing wrapped the chopsticks in a white towel, and Zili took the delicacies from the maids and put them on the table.Zili saw that it was a bowl of chicken marrow and bamboo shoots, and thought that Jia Mu would like to eat it, so he put it in front of Jia Mu.Mother Jia watched silently as the daughters-in-law waited on her for dinner, and was very happy in her heart.

When the dishes were ready, Mother Jia said to Mrs. Xing and Zili, "You are tired too, go back. I don't know if Zheng'er can come back." Zili hurriedly said, "I'm afraid I won't be back until tomorrow, so deliver today Please see the sign, but the emperor did not catch up with the others, so he is staying in the court today and will not come back until he meets the emperor tomorrow. The second master is also thinking about mother and father."

"I'm already back, so don't be in a hurry. I'll see you tomorrow." Mother Jia picked up her chopsticks and started eating, and Zili said goodbye to Mrs. Xing.

Mrs. Xing said to Zili after coming out of the upper room: "I'm new here, and I still have a lot of things to learn from my younger siblings. You just came back, if there is something missing, just send someone to tell me."

Zili listened to Mrs. Xing's words and said with a smile: "Thank you sister-in-law for your concern. I don't see anything missing, so I will ask you. It's not early today, and I will talk in the past tomorrow." As he spoke, he had already arrived behind Jiamu. On the sidewalk, Zili and Mrs. Xing broke up and went back separately.

At night, Zili was lying on the bed feeling very upset and didn't feel sleepy at all.Returning to the capital, Zili was full of joys and sorrows, half of which was to return to the capital, to be able to visit her natal family often, Mrs. Tang and Wang Dingqian were getting old, Zili was worried about her parents, so she had to visit them often.But when he came back, he had to face the complex relationship between the Jia family and those eyes that were staring at him like a tiger. Jia's mother didn't change much. Jia Amnesty's previous wife, Mrs. Zhang, was gone, and there was Mrs. Xing.As soon as I met Zili today, I felt that Mrs. Xing seemed to have no hostility and guard. In fact, if she was in Mrs. Xing's position, she would be wary of the returning sister-in-law.There can be no two tigers in one mountain, the two daughters-in-law are easy to have a heart of comparison, Jia She's official is not good, Mrs. Xing has something to fill in the house, her family background is not as good as Zili, and she lacks confidence.But she seized the opportunity, Jia Zheng and Zili were outside, and Mrs. Xing was always serving her mother-in-law.Now that a control group suddenly came to compare with her everywhere, Mrs. Xing seemed to lack confidence.

Moreover, Mother Jia liked Zili very much, and when she came back, she only praised her for being good, and praised her and Jia Zheng for their filial piety. Mrs. Xing heard it, and inevitably felt uncomfortable.Zili turned over on the bed and sighed deeply. She didn't plan to compete with Mrs. Xing. Jia Zheng would definitely live in Jia's mansion when he came back. Zili's real goal was that one day Jia Zheng could go out and set up his own family.But the parents are still there, and the family is separated without a son.Thinking about how long it would take, she felt even more depressed.

Hearing Zili sighing inside, Mint said softly outside: "What's wrong with grandma, but can't sleep? I'll beat grandma's legs, and she will fall asleep after a while."

Zili opened the curtain and said to Mint, "Who else is outside?"

"There is no one else outside. A few women are coming for the night, so I sent them out." Mint sat on the edge of the bed holding a pair of beauty fists and beat Zili's legs.

"I'm not tired, it's just that I'm not used to it when I'm in a new place. You sit down and we talk. This place isn't a new place, it's just that you've been away for a long time. It's different from Qingzhou. You tell our people Speak tighter, don't be careless about being talked about." Zili leaned on the pillow and stared at the curtain in a daze.

"Grandma used to say that this place is different from ours, but now it seems that it is true! Nothing else, after all, the mansion of the Duke is grand, and the clothes of the third-class girls and servants in their family are better than those of our second-class girls." Fortunately, the food is also very good. It’s just a little greasy, and there’s a lot of leftovers after a meal. It’s a pity. I just don’t understand the same thing. They say that the wife and the old man are very good people to the younger generation, the wife I have a partiality for our second master, but I see that my wife is not particularly affectionate towards our girl and Zhuer. I thought the wife would call the girl over tonight for dinner. Who knows, there is still no movement!" Zi Mint said Yuan Chun expressed dissatisfaction with Jia Mu's seemingly unintentional negligence.

"My wife has a lot of rules. It is a special kindness to ask grandchildren to eat. Yuanchun has just arrived, and even granddaughters of direct relatives should have a step-by-step process. This is the first time Yuanchun sees grandma, and it is inevitable that she will be unfamiliar. You will take Yuanchun to do needlework tomorrow." Don't tell her to run around, I should also tell Second Master to find a gentleman for Yuan Chun." Zili really hoped that Jia Mu would not pay attention to Yuan Chun.She vaguely guessed in her heart why Mother Jia was not very close to Yuan Chun.It's really that Yuanchun is far from the lady in Jiamu's heart.Mother Jia is a refined person, so she won't bother with useless people.

But that's good too, Yuanchun should have a happier and more free life.

The next day when Jia Zheng came back, he went to see Jia Daishan first, and then came to see Jia Mu. The mother and son wanted to see each other with emotion. Jia Mu hugged Jia Zheng and burst into tears: "My son, I thought I would never see you again." .”

Jia Zheng also looked sad when he heard his mother's cry: "My son is unfilial, come back today to make amends to my mother!" As the mother and son cried, Zili and Mrs. Xing were busy persuading him: "It's a good thing to have come back. , my wife should be happy. We will be together from now on."

Mother Jia gradually recovered, she wiped her tears and looked at Jia Zheng: "In a blink of an eye, you are also a man with sons and daughters, what does the emperor say?"

"The emperor asked me to work in Dali Temple." Before finishing the sentence, someone came to report: "Master is not good!"