Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

Time flies, and Zili's life has passed day by day. Since then, she and Jia Zheng have become acquainted strangers. Although they are close at hand, they are unfamiliar and polite. That Fang'er has completely fallen out of favor, but she By giving birth to a daughter, there is no danger of being kicked out.

Jia Zheng was quite satisfied with Aunt Zhou and Aunt Wang. After all, they were gentle and considerate, sensible and general, and compared with Fang'er, they were more suitable for long-term relationship.For Jia Zheng, Fang'er is like a beautifully packaged drug. He once wanted to use Fang'er's young and vigorous body to regain his youth, but the dead are like this, and what is lost is always lost, even if it is barely retrieved. Come on, it can only be a bizarre dream.Now that she has woken up from the dream, Fang'er is like being trampled on by a cigarette butt still on the ground in the sun.

When the news came that Fang'er had given birth to a daughter, Zili was reading leisurely under the window, listening to the girls' reports, she just said lightly: "Tell the old lady if you didn't, even though it's a daughter, it's a happy event." While doing her needlework, she said: "I told you a long time ago. The old lady said that the wife can handle it. There is no need to make a fuss. She is just a girl, and besides, her biological mother is not a decent person. There is no need to go back to her." Mint stopped her hand. Needlework, said with emotion: "Fang'er didn't expect that she would have this day. At the beginning, she insisted on her own identity, thinking that the old lady sent people and didn't pay attention to others. How many people were offended. Now everyone Waiting to see her joke."

This child is Tanchun, and Zili thought to himself, what kind of daughter would such a mother give birth to? There is no such person as Jia Huan anymore.For the concubine who came out, Zili would not be sure how to deal with it for a while. Tanchun is not a particularly pure person in terms of conduct. Many people think that Tanchun's fierce personality is caused by her background and environment. , If you don't show your fangs, you will be bullied.But in Zili's view, many things have more to do with environment than with nature.

"You ask the nanny to take the child away. There is no reason for a girl to raise a girl and a young master. I have no time and energy. I don't even have the energy to care about Baoyu, let alone her. You teach the child to Aunt Wang Keep it up, at least teach her to know how to advance and retreat, don't be like her mother, isn't it a waste of the child. By the way, what do you say?" Zili remembered that Jia Zheng was the father of this child, and he didn't know that Jia Zheng was also a father. What do you think about politics.

"Don't mention the master, madam. How can the master care about this? Both Mr. Zhou and Mr. Shan are unwilling to come back to work. The master is worried about others. Where does he settle accounts every day? Listen to the people on the master's side saying that every night until the third watch She rested later, when the little girl went to announce the good news, the master was worrying, not only did she not get the reward, but she was reprimanded in vain. The girl complained to Fang'er for a long time when she came back, and she was so angry that she cried all night with her head depressed. I heard that all the milk has gone back." Xiao Ai came in from the outside with fruits, Mint looked at the bright red lychees and bayberry on the huge white jade plate, and couldn't help but admire: "The fruit that looks so good, I can see you in the capital." It is rare to have such fresh lychees and red bayberries. It was common in Jinling before. Where did this come from? Could it be that the fruits from Zhuangzi in the south came here?"

"Where are the fruits on our Zhuangzi? The fruits on our Zhuangzi have to wait more than ten days to come down. It was Zhu'er who asked someone to deliver it. She said it was rewarded by His Royal Highness. She didn't dare to enjoy it alone and asked someone to bring it to Mrs. Eat." Xiaoai put the plate on a large copper basin with gold chiseled flowers, and the basin contained crushed ice stored in winter, which can not only keep fresh but also increase the taste.

Zili's heart moved when he heard Xiaoai's words, but there was no fluctuation on his face: "Bring some to the old lady, so many lychees are not fresh anymore. If there are more, give them to the old lady and the people from Dongfu over there." Sister-in-law sent it."

After hearing this, Xiao Ai agreed, and called the girl over: "Bai Lu, on the spring equinox, you two take some fruits and send them to the eldest wife and the wife of Dongfu, and say that it is the filial piety of Master Zhu, please ask the wife to try something new." The girl agreed and left together.Xiao Ai watched the two girls go out, and said to Zili: "My wife has a better vision. The vernal equinox, Bailu, Xiaoman, and the rain sting the eight girls are all good. Now they all know the rules and can do things. I don't know if Madam Prepare how to distribute."

"You and Bohe are going to get married after all. They are called Liqiu, Bailu, and Fuling Licorice will serve by my side. The rest of the vernal equinox and rainwater will be given to Zhu'er, and Jingzhe Xiaoman will be given to Yuanchun. Baoyu doesn't need me to send someone here, of course he will." Arranged by the old lady. By the way, according to Yingchun's example, add the same girl and woman to the three girls. You have to be careful not to choose those who are involved with Fang'er's family, and be honest. Those who play tricks and like to gossip will not be used. Do you know?" Zili had long planned that Jia Zhu would grow up, and his brothers would always put a few girls in the house to make materials for physical hygiene practice.Chun Equinox is a bit older, quiet and gentle, and careful in doing things. The most important thing is that Chun Equinox is a bought girl, and will not be involved in the matter of forming cliques. .

"Speaking of Zhu'er, Shixin from my uncle's family heard that they were going to talk about marriage. In a few years, it should be our family's Zhu'er. I still remember that when I was in Qingzhou, Zhu'er was so little, climbing the wall all day long. I didn’t expect that I would become an adult in a blink of an eye.” Bo He suddenly felt emotional, time flies, and the lively and active boy has become a half-grown man.

"It's not because my father is in poor health. My brother brought it up to make me happy. Shimei has already booked someone, but my husband's family has been promoted to Guangdong, so I can't come and marry this year." Zili's father, Wang Dingqian, is in poor health. It is not optimistic.Both Wang Ziteng and Zili were secretly sad, and Wang Ziteng tried his best to heal his father. In addition to seeking medical advice and medicine, he even used magic divination. The eldest son Shixin of Wang Ziteng's two sons is only 15 years old. too early.

Wang Dingqian's illness was not so serious that he could not be cured. In the next year, Baoyu was already two years old.Mrs. Li and Mrs. Xing, who came to greet Mother Jia on this day, called: "The fifth day of August is Baoyu's birthday. I am not partial to my grandson. I want to celebrate the children's birthday. I am thinking of an excuse for the family to be lively. I want to make the old lady over there Please come here, in the summer we have enjoyed the honor of respecting brother and daughter-in-law over there, we can't eat other people's food and not return the table."

Jia Jing and the Lan family reached a compromise. The Lan family can pretend that nothing can happen, but they must clean up Aunt Li's lineage. In the future, the Lan family will have the final say on all matters in the Ningguo Mansion, unless there is something important Reason Jia Jing can not object.Afterwards, there were a few servants in Ningguo Mansion, and the Lan family completely controlled the power of Ning Mansion. However, Jia Zhen seemed to have lost the energy of the long-term eldest grandson overnight. When I got home, I got into the study and dared not come out.

Jia Jing changed his face to Jia Zhen's only son overnight, and every now and then he found a reason to tie Jia Zhen up and beat him up.Zili once heard someone mention it: "The uncle over there is really powerful. Whenever something goes wrong, he will tie up and beat Mr. Zhen to death. After all, Mr. Zhen has become a man with a son. It's as pitiful as a rotten sheep's head." In fact, Zili knew that Jia Jing was educating his son, and he was obviously venting his dissatisfaction.

Aunt Li's sister is from that Wu Ming's family. Lan's family has been harmed for years, either she didn't get pregnant, or she lost her pregnancy with great difficulty. Many concubines in the mansion didn't get pregnant. They were all from Wu Ming's family and a group of people bought by her. What the hell.Jia Jing valued having a full house of children and grandchildren, but he didn't know that his children were not prosperous. He searched for medicine, gods and divinations, and took in many concubines, but he was still busy.Just when he thought that his destiny was about to give up, he found out that it was his previous abuse debt.Aunt Li died a long time ago, and Jia Jing could only vent his anger on Aunt Li's son.

On Baoyu's birthday, Mother Jia set up a few banquet tables in the garden, and called a troupe of small operas over there, Jia Jing and Lan Shi to bring Jia Rong, and Jia Amnesty and Mrs. Xing naturally came to join in.Before the banquet began, Zili came out wearing a fresh dress and holding Baoyu. Jia Mu smiled and said, "It's my son's birthday, mother's hard day. I should ask Baoyu to kowtow to you." As the nurse took Baoyu, she wanted to give Baoyu to him in her arms. Zili kowtowed.

Zili waved his hand and said, "Forget it, I came to kowtow early this morning. It's just that the old lady took advantage of Baoyu's birthday to gather together."

Unexpectedly, Baoyu tilted her head to look at the people present, and suddenly broke out of the nanny's arms, walked up to Zili in a few steps, knelt down and kowtowed seriously, and said in a childish voice: "Mother has worked so hard." Everyone present laughed, and Mother Jia held Baoyu in her arms: "Who dares to mutter that I am biased, because Baoyu is so painful."

Mrs. Xing's complexion was a bit bad, and Lan hurriedly smiled and said: "The old lady's words are reasonable. This Baoyu looks better than others, and her behavior is even more likable. I can't even love it, let alone the old lady." My grandmother. In fact, the old lady treats her grandchildren the same. It’s just that Baoyu is young, so naturally she cares more.”

"That's right, the old lady loves her grandchildren, and the second girl and the third girl are also by her side. Baoyu is young now, and she will go out to study when she grows up in a few years." Zili stretched out his hand to Baoyu, and Baoyu All of a sudden, she threw herself into Zili's arms.

Jia's mother was noncommittal to Zili's words, she looked at Jia Rong and suddenly thought of something: "Why don't you take the second girl and the third girl out too. Today is their brother's birthday, and girls should come out to congratulate them."

Speaking of which, the nanny immediately came out with Yingchun and Tanchun in her arms. Mother Jia asked the nanny to watch carefully and not eat too much greasy food that is not easy to digest.Baoyu saw the two younger sisters coming in Zili's arms, and immediately struggled to go over to play with the younger sisters, so Zili handed Baoyu to the nanny and told her to take Baoyu there.

Everyone was watching a play when Jia Zhu came from the palace. "Today is my brother's birthday, so I came out to see him." Jia Zhu's face became more and more like Zili's. Now Jia Zhu is a head taller than Jia Zheng, a handsome and handsome young man.Because she likes outdoor activities, Jia Zhu's complexion is not so fair and tender, but a light wheat color, with a tall and straight figure, and a pair of long and narrow phoenix eyes with slightly upturned eye tails.Seeing her son grow into a handsome young man, Zi Li was always proud. She smiled and waved to Jia Zhu: "I came here on horseback again. Look at the sweat on my face. It's still hot now, so be careful of heatstroke." It's gone." After Jia Zhu greeted Jia Mu, she went to Zili and stretched her neck to ask Zili to wipe his face with a handkerchief: "I'm riding a horse. If I walk slowly, I'll still get sunburned. It's better to run a few steps faster." .By the way, tell my mother a good thing. The Empress Dowager Grace asked the eldest sister to go home for a few days every month. Okay!"

When Zili heard that Yuan Chun would be able to go home for a few days, she nearly shed tears of joy. Her two children are both in the palace, and it is difficult to even meet each other. "Really?" Zili grabbed Jia Zhu's hand in disbelief.

"Really, the queen mother said that my sister is young, so it's unreasonable to go home only once in ten days. She specially allowed her to go home for a few more days every month." Jia Zhu seemed to have something to say, but he glanced at the scene people shut up.

Mrs. Xing smiled and said: "This is even better. Yuan girl can stay at home for a few more days, and your mother and daughter can get closer. Considering that there are many rules in the deep palace, Yuan girl is still a child, and she has to be with the queen mother every day. The empress and all the noble ladies flatter in front of you, and if you are careless, you will offend someone, so it is better to do as you please at home."

Mrs. Xing's words imply that Yuan Chun offended the Queen Mother, which is a sign of being kicked out. Jia Zhu frowned slightly when he heard Mrs. Xing's words, and he glanced at his mother. Shi speaks.Jia Zhu swallowed back the words that came to her lips, and turned to look at Baoyu.Baoyu was having fun with Yingchun and Tanchun. He kept giving Yingchun and Tanchun fruits and various vegetables. As long as they pointed out a dish, Baoyu would happily take it and put it in front of his sisters.Seeing Baoyu happily playing the dog with slippers, Jia Zhu also came up and said, "I want to eat that fruit, brother bring it to me." Unexpectedly, Baoyu frowned and turned his face away to ignore Jia Zhu. .

Jia Zhu was stunned on the spot and couldn't get off the stage. The nanny hurried up and said to Baoyu, "Why don't you get a fruit for the elder brother. You are a younger brother and you must respect your elder brother."

Unexpectedly, Baoyu frowned and said firmly, "I don't like him because he stinks!" Jia Zhu suddenly petrified, he didn't stink at all.Jia's mother couldn't help laughing when she heard Baoyu's Tong Yan: "What a Baoyu, she's getting smarter." Said to Jia Zhu: "Okay, you go out first, go wash up first."

Lan said with a smile: "Pearl has grown up. Children of this age can't be idle. They either go out riding or hunting all day long. They seem to have endless energy."

After the banquet, Mrs. Lan stayed to talk. Mother Jia was a little tired, so she left Mrs. Xing and Zili to accompany Mrs. Lan.Mrs. Xing asked about Lan's body, Lan sighed and said: "I invited several imperial physicians to look at it, and they all said that I hurt my body, and it would be difficult to conceive. But the imperial physician Wang you recommended is good at me. Or take his medicine."

"Illness comes like a mountain, and sickness goes like a thread. Don't worry and you will get better." Mrs. Xing is very concerned about Lan's body. She and Jia She have been married for so long and there is still no movement. I feel that I and Lan's share the same disease.

Just as I was talking, I saw Lin Zhixiao's family come in and said beamingly: "Someone from my aunt's side said that my aunt is happy." He said, "Go and tell the old lady."

In the next year, Jia Min gave birth to a daughter, and Jia's mother was busy ordering a generous gift for someone to send to Suzhou. Jia's mother said with some regret: "Poor Min'er, after all these years, she always has a child." It would be even better if it was a boy." Although Jia Min finally had a child of his own after many years of marriage, it was a pity that the child was a girl, and Jia Min had not yet gained a firm foothold in the Lin family.

Mrs. Xing looked at the colorful gifts eagerly. Hearing what Mother Jia said, she hurriedly said: "Bloom first and then bear fruit, and you can always get what you want."

Zili thought that Jia Min didn't know what was going on, but according to her body, she must have been pampered and lacked exercise during pregnancy, and it must be difficult during childbirth.I don't know if I will be able to conceive the next child.But Zili didn't want to make Jia's mother unhappy, so he followed Mrs. Xing's words and said that Jia Min would bloom first and then bear fruit, and there would be boys. Jia's mother was very happy to hear that.She turned to look at Zili and suddenly thought of something: "If it comes to Min'er, I should thank you. If it weren't for you, the husband and wife may be in trouble now. When Min'er comes back, I will ask her to thank you."

Jia Min's glass-hearted princess temper, Zili thought I can't stand her thanks, "It's all a family, so why bother to see others like this."

When Zili came back from Jia Mu's side, he saw Bai Lu greet him: "Ma'am, my uncle told someone to report that the second and third uncles have all returned to the capital." Zili couldn't help but said happily when he heard that, "Ziji and Zisheng are both Come on, the house is very lively now."

Bai Lu went on to say: "My uncle said that we will hold a banquet in the new garden the day after tomorrow, which is regarded as a hot house. I want to invite my wife to watch a play." Wang Ziteng became the admiral of the nine gates, and the emperor specially rewarded Wang Ziteng with a piece of land to build a new mansion. After the mansion was built, Wang Ziteng invited his family to warm the house first, and it was lively and lively.

"Naturally, of course I want to go. Have you prepared all the gifts?" Mr. Zili couldn't come to the banquet empty-handed. Since it was a housewarming, he naturally wanted a gift.

"It's all ready. The master saw the gift and said that he will go with him tomorrow." Bai Lu subconsciously glanced at Zili's face.

"Since the master is free, let's go there together." The face that should be given must be given.In the past few years, Jia Zheng had shown great respect to Zili, and he always asked Zili's opinion on everything.If Zili had a different opinion, Jia Zheng would follow Zili's wishes.It's just that Zili's heart is dead. She and Jia Zheng are more like roommates living together. The feeling of intimacy and oneness as husband and wife is gone.

The next day Zili returned to Jia's mother, and went back to her mother's house with Jia Zheng.Of course Jia Zheng was outside with the male guests. Wang Ziteng's wife took Zili in and met Mrs. Tang first. Wang Ziteng's wife was going to take Zili to see the newly repaired garden.

"I have something important to tell my sister, the garden can be visited at any time, you go outside to entertain the guests first." But Wang Ziteng suddenly came in and asked Zhang to go to meet Wang Ziji and Wang Zisheng's wife first, and pulled Zili by himself. just go.

Following his elder brother, Zili walked through the rockery and followed the wisteria trellis, and arrived at an extremely clean and secret place. "Just say what you have to say. Why are you being so secretive? If there is anything you can't say in front of your sister-in-law." Zili was a little puzzled, and couldn't help blaming Wang Ziteng.

"After all, it's better to be cautious. You can go see him yourself." Wang Ziteng turned around and made a face at his sister, pointing to the exquisite house that was almost covered by trees.

Zili looked up and saw the emperor wearing a common color uniform, looking at her.