Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

Zili always felt that it was a little inappropriate, but Jia Mu had already agreed, so she had to do so. She went to call Yingchun and Tanchun first, and said that she wanted to go to the palace to see Baochai.Yingchun was not surprised by the news, but just silently listened to Zili's instructions.Tanchun was thoughtful, but she also remained silent.

"The palace is different from other places. Since I am Bao girl, I still think about the relationship between your sisters before, and talk to each other when you meet. It's just that there are big rules in the palace, some things can't be said casually, and you are both girls. You must know that at least you should not talk about other people's affairs casually." Zili hinted that they should control their tongues and say everything else.Yingchun and Tanchun stood up together and agreed, Zili looked at the clothes on their sisters and said to the autumn equinox: "I remember that their new clothes are ready, show them to try, I have some jewelry here, you guys You should also dress decently when you enter the palace." As he spoke, Qiu Equi brought out the newly made clothes and a box with the little girl.

After a while, both Yingchun and Tanchun changed into new clothes, and Qiufen smiled and said, "It's so beautiful. This is the fresh material from this year that my uncle sent me. Originally, the old lady said to keep it, and keep it for the girls. As a dowry, my wife said that if there is something fresh, I can wear it, and it will be bad if I leave it alone, so I made new clothes for the girls. It happened that I used them to enter the palace. This is much better than rushing to make clothes now. Already." Yingchun laughed and said, "Madam loves us, but I don't really care about new clothes, as long as I don't embarrass my family when I enter the palace."

Zili held a phoenix hairpin inlaid with silk and gemstones and said: "The second girl has a stable temperament, but this colored gemstone doesn't suit her. I remember that there is a set of Hetian white jade. You can try it for the second girl. The third girl just uses it." This gem." Yingchun and Tanchun's clothes are the same style, but the details are adjusted according to their personal preferences, Tanchun is dressed in light pink, while Tanchun's is fresh green.Autumn Equinox immediately brought over the set of white jade jewelry and put it on for Yingchun. Tanchun looked at the white jade with a lustrous color and lustrous color. It was carved with lifelike figures on towers. The facial features and clothes of those figures were inlaid with gold and jewels. Yes, it is much more delicate than my own silk goldware.In fact, Tanchun wouldn't think about anything when they were together, but these days she would think of herself when she saw everything.

Seeing that Yingchun is just Zili's niece who got something better than her concubine daughter, she couldn't help thinking, she is a concubine's daughter, so I'm from here, but my wife took out her own My own things make her dress elegant and out of the world, I just suit the occasion casually.Pity me, no one cares, I used to lie to myself, but now I can't even lie to myself.Thinking about it, Tanchun's eyes became indifferent, Zili only focused on trying on the jewelry for Yingchun, and from the corner of his eyes, he caught sight of Tanchun's eyes, and was slightly surprised, the third girl seemed to have something on her mind.

Zili arranged the clothes for Yingchun and Tanchun and the servants who followed them. Finally, Zili called Tanchun and waited until there were only the two of them left in the room. Okay, but are you feeling uncomfortable?"

"Thank you, my wife, for thinking about me. I'm fine. It's just that I'm going to bed late when I'm doing needlework these days. I want to make a pair of shoes for my wife. I also made a pair of shoes for my wife's birthday last time. My wife said it was very good. It fits well, I just want to make another pair for my wife." Zili felt that he must have been delusional just now, and Tanchun in front of him was still that caring third girl.

"Of course there are needleworkers. Don't be tired. Those who are filial and not filial are not the ones. You have grown up too. Girls always want to marry. I asked you to stay here today to hear what you mean." , your father will spot someone for you." Zili beckoned Tanchun to sit down, and told her about Wang Deming's situation.Tanchun kept her head down and kept silent. After talking for a while, Zili suddenly realized that Tanchun's mood was not right. She sighed: "I know your girl is shy, so I told you that this person doesn't want you to do something. You Father can never harm you. I know you are high-minded. I am most at ease with the girls in our family. You are a sensible child. Although marriage is about being in the right family, what does it mean to be in the same family? The bell rings and the food is eaten? It’s still a way of life, and the three views are the same. I think the life of a husband and wife is even if they live in the jungle all day long, but what’s the fun in such a life when they can’t say a word. Don’t look at Wang Deming now. Speaking of which, the Wang family was much more prominent than ours back then. His ancestors were also heroes of the founding of the country, and his father became the minister of the court just after his forty years. People. Second-class people like us can’t even reach the threshold of others.”

Tanchun originally thought that this marriage was Zili's intention, but unexpectedly, it was Jia Zheng who presided over it. She lowered her head after hearing what Zili said, and remained silent for a long while before saying, "I don't want to interfere in the marriage of a girl's family. Just listen to the master and wife." Seeing that Tanchun's words were not warm, Zili knew that she still had other thoughts in her heart.It's just that she is always separated from Tanchun, and it's impossible to talk to her with confidence.Zili waved his hands and sighed inaudibly: "Forget it, you go back." Tanchun stood up and said goodbye.

Zili rubbed his brows and told the girl: "I'm tired and lie down for a while." Saying that Zili was lying on the couch, the girl stepped forward to beat her leg slowly, Licorice was beating Zili's leg while whispering softly Said: "Actually, I didn't want to say this. The third girl didn't like this marriage very much. She also begged Aunt Wang and said that she didn't want to marry into the Wang family. The girl next to her complained about her own daughter. Becoming a princess, but looking for a small official with sesame seeds and mung beans for the concubine, it can be seen that you don't like other people's children. Madam, listen, this is clearly complaining about the wife's meanness."

"Don't talk about it, I thought of it when I heard the master talk about this Wang Deming. It's really embarrassing to say that I didn't raise it myself. If my own daughter is annoyed, it will be easy to scold and beat her a few times. Wait Well, it was affectionate again. At the beginning, Yuan girl told me everything. Although we are mother and daughter, we are like sisters. It is difficult for the third girl. After all, I have some grudges against her, but she never took it I treat her as my own mother. We are called mother and daughter, but we are like hosts and guests, maintaining each other carefully. In the end, it didn’t work out.” Zili sighed wearily, and the relationship between Tanchun and her was like a relationship between the eyes of her throat. I choked on a bone, couldn't swallow it, couldn't spit it out.

"I'm also sad for my wife, thinking that Miss Lin and Second Miss are so affectionate to their wife, and even the coldest Fourth Miss takes her as their own mother from the bottom of their hearts. It means that the wife is merciful, if it is placed on others I met a mean wife at home, how can the life of the third girl be good, she is not satisfied with her life like this!" Licorice was indignant.In this environment, the difference between concubine and concubine is like clouds and mud. The third girl's mother offended the old lady and was kicked out. If other people's wives were more cruel, the third girl might not even be as good as a girl at home.But Zili was able to teach in person, and he didn't criticize Tanchun harshly. It's a pity that he ended up being complained, how could he not be angry.

When Zili was sad, Tanchun's heart was also up and down. She split into two voices in her heart, and one said: "My wife has treated you very well. After all, it's the difference between the concubine and the concubines. What do you have?" How can such a mother compare with big sister?"

One is a secret reminder to Tanchun: "Don't be stupid, the Wang family is completely in decline. They just want to send you out of the house casually. How can they find you a good family? They are still worried that you will live well in the future." It makes them look angry. You think Baoyu can do nothing, and it will make her lose face if she compares with you in the future. If your child is not good, you will not see others as good. Fortunately, you still respect her as before. You are here Is this girl better than others? Not to mention the second and fourth girls, even Miss Lin and the former girl Bao, they are still serious relatives, and they are more respectable in front of their wives. Some things should be done normally. Pay attention, if you don't treat you very well at ordinary times, can you count on treating you well at critical moments?" Tanchun's heart was controlled by two forces.

When Tanchun was in a trance, the waiter came in with tea: "Young lady has been with the wife for half a day, and it's time to rest. I don't know why the lady asked the girl to come over."

Tanchun came back to his senses and said perfunctorily: "It's just a matter of going to the palace to see Sister Bao, it's getting late, let's go to bed early." The servant looked at the things Zili had sent and said: "I've been here for a few days. Seeing the girl's preoccupation, I quietly went to Aunt Wang's side to help her inquire about the news, but unexpectedly, I heard the words of the master and Aunt Wang. When I came back and thought about it carefully, we misunderstood this marriage It is really the kindness of the wife."

Tan Chun hesitated for a moment and hurriedly asked, "What's the matter, I told you not to walk around and talk nonsense."

"I grew up next to the girl, how can I watch the girl suffer alone, to be honest, a girl with such a background doesn't have a mother by her side, if she is placed in anyone's house, she will be bullied, I really don't feel at ease. I inquired quietly. I went there at noon, thinking how the girl was raised by Aunt Wang. I quietly went to Aunt Wang's back window, thinking to check the situation first, but I accidentally heard the words of Master and Aunt Wang." The servant said slowly.

"Master hasn't gone to Auntie's place for a long time. Why did Master go there just after you went? What did they say?" Tanchun was curious. Aunt Wang and Aunt Zhou had long since lost favor. How could Master be there? This juncture is over.

"Don't worry, girl. I heard what the master said. I was worried that Aunt Zhou was worried about the girl's marriage. I came here to talk to her. My aunt asked whose son the master liked. The master told Aunt Wang and his wife. It's the same, Aunt Wang, the little son from Wangge's hometown, was a little worried when she heard that she had a good family background, but now that she has fallen, don't let the girl be wronged. After being a criminal minister, the girl who is worthy of our family is not so good. What if he can't be promoted because of his life experience. The master said that Aunt Wang, like his wife, only cares about the wealth in front of him. How can there be such a hard-working child in a prominent family. He also said that Wang Ge was always demoted for protecting the first emperor. Although the emperor does not dare to rehabilitate Wang Ge now, he will not neglect him because of his status as a criminal minister. In the future, he will have more opportunities to be promoted than others. The master sighed and said, one of my daughters has become a princess, and one of my daughters has become a concubine. My son was also entrusted with important tasks at a young age. From the outside, our family looks very prominent, but I am trembling on thin ice. Now the prince has married and established a business, but the emperor is still in his prime. Our family does not want anything but safety, don’t It would be nice for people to catch the opportunity to criticize the prince. If I marry with the big clan again, I might be accused of forming a party for personal gain. She is my daughter, so how can I harm her?" The secretary told Tanchun what he had overheard one by one. Having said that, Tanchun heard a fever on her face, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt ashamed, "It turned out that I was insane, but when I think about it, I am really unfilial, and I really don't deserve my wife and grandpa to treat me well." Spring's tears fell rustlingly.

The waiter was busy persuading: "The girl is a sensible person, why is this so. After all, the girl has never experienced it. It is inevitable that she will be biased when she encounters something. Since she knows her mistake, she will correct it. The wife is a generous person, and she will not let it go. I hated the girl, and now that she knows that the wife is sincere to the girl, the girl will be more filial to the wife, and the mother-daughter relationship is complete. There are so many knots between mother and daughter."

Tanchun calmed down after listening to the girl's words: "You are right, I will apologize to my wife tomorrow."

There was nothing to say all night, and the next morning when Zili came back from Jiamu's, she saw Tanchun come in with a face of shame, Zili probably just came out and Tanchun thought it through, and came here to express his love.She didn't wait for Tanchun to open her mouth and pulled her to sit next to her: "I always like your straightforward temper. Although you are not my own, you have grown up so big in front of me. I understand your thoughts. The past is yours. Tell him to come over. I won't argue with the child, and you don't have to take it to heart, this page is over. Aunt Wang is also worried about your marriage a lot, you might as well go and see her when you have time. "

"Thanks to my wife's teachings, I am what I am today. If I fail to live up to my wife's kindness, call me—" Tanchun felt ashamed and sad. She wanted to say something, but was stopped by Zili: "Our mother and daughter Why is this so, I have been worried that you will enter the palace with the second girl, I have something to tell you." Tanchun listened to Zili's words and hurriedly said: "If you have anything to tell my wife, just say it."

"You are a smart child. I told you some things directly. Although Aunt Xue has always loved you, Rijinbao's identity is different from that of the past. In the past, you sisters always talked and laughed together. It’s okay to make fun of it casually. But this time, the separation between your monarchs and ministers is no longer the time when you were at home. It is said that people’s hearts are fickle, and Bao girl is a good one, but after a long time in the deep palace, it is different from before. You You should be more careful when you talk and do things with the second girl in the past, one is that the girl in our family must not make a fool of herself in front of others, and the other is that you are all the treasures in my heart, I really can't bear you." Zili said For this reason, Tanchun also understood. She had a plan in her heart when she heard Baochai calling them into the palace.Now listening to Zili say this, he understands the meaning behind it even more.She hurriedly said to Zili: "Madam is planning for us so much, if we don't know who we will become anyway." Hearing Tanchun's assurance, Zili felt relieved.

Waiting for a car from the palace to pick up Tanchun and Yingchun to enter the palace that day, Mother Jia was worried and watched them go out of the second gate before going back. Wang Xifeng and Zili supported Jiamu, Wang Xifeng said, "Old lady Let's go back first." Mother Jia sighed and said to Zili, "I'm getting old, and I didn't sleep well last night, so why don't I worry if Aunt Xue is with me?"

"The old lady is just worried about her granddaughter. The girls in our family are outstanding wherever they are placed. They are all taught by the old lady. I have asked someone to prepare fresh vegetables. Didn't the old lady say that she wants to eat freshly picked vegetables from the field?" Coincidentally, it's here today." Sister Feng joked with a smile, and Zili knew from what Sister Feng said that it was Grandma Liu who brought fresh vegetables.This Grandma Liu is also a person who knows how to be grateful.

Leaving aside the matter of the Jia family, Tanchun and Yingchun followed Aunt Xue to Nanyuan. Although it was only a separate building from the Palace, the majesty and magnificence was already astonishing.Tanchun watched quietly from the car window, couldn't help being a little dazed, after all, it was a royal style, no wonder he thought about it a lot—just thinking that the car had stopped, Tanchun and Yingchun got out of the car, and a small inner prisoner stepped forward He said to them and Aunt Xue: "Xue Cairen asked Miscellaneous Household to pick you up. Miss and wife, please follow and don't look around casually."

The three said yes together, and followed the small inner prisoner into it. Tanchun looked at the Qionglou Yuyu along the road, thinking that he didn't know how Sister Bao was doing here.When they arrived at Baochai's sleeping hall, the little inner eunuch told them to wait outside the hall now, and went in to report by himself.Soon an elderly nun came out, but she was dressed like a female officer.She bowed her knees to Aunt Xue and smiled kindly: "It's Mrs. Xue, and I have two girls from the Jia family. I was asked to go in. Coincidentally, Grand Concubine Nan'an is also here to pay her respects to Xue Cairen."

As he spoke, he led the three of them into the dormitory, only to see Baochai in a fine attire talking and laughing with Concubine Nan'an.Aunt Xue was naturally happy to see her daughter. Although she was excited, she could only greet Baochai according to the rules. Baochai hurriedly asked the palace servants to help her up. Greetings, "My poor children, the last time I saw you was the old lady of the Jia family's birthday, and you are getting better and better." Mrs. Nan'an stretched out her hand to call Tanchun and Yingchun over to praise the two girls of the Jia family.

Both Tanchun and Yingchun stood beside the concubine and agreed with a smile. Tanchun suddenly found a person dressed as a concubine Ji standing beside the concubine Nan'an. She was staring at him without blinking. uncomfortable.Baochai has Aunt Xue in her heart, but she can only put it lightly when the concubine is present: "When I lived in my aunt's house, I had a very good relationship with the sisters. The old lady and aunt are in good health, and everyone in the house is safe. .”

Tan Chun hurriedly responded: "Thank you for your concern, the old lady and the wife are in good health, and the old lady often misses the lady. The whole family also misses the lady."

Aunt Xue said from the side: "Your brother often goes out and is not at home, thanks to the help of relatives."

Concubine Nan'an looked at Tanchun's words and demeanor with cold eyes from the side, she said to Baochai, "Since Xue Cairen's natal family is here, I don't want to disturb you. But the two girls of Jia's family I But I like it very much, the third lady is willing to go out with me." Speaking of Nan'an Grand Concubine stretched out her hand to Tan Chun, Tan Chun was a little stunned and busy supporting the Grand Concubine's hand: "The Grand Concubine takes pity on herself. Please accompany me.” Baochai’s eyes were full of smiles, she stood up and nodded to the concubine, “Come on slowly, concubine.” She personally sent her to the door of the bedroom hall and saw the concubine and Tanchun go out before turning around and smiling at Yingchun. "It's so boring here. I asked someone to take my second sister out for a walk." Yingchun knew that Baochai had something to say to Aunt Xue, so she squatted down and left. There was a little girl who took Yingchun to another side hall and sat there without mentioning it.

There are only two mothers and daughters left in the dormitory here. Aunt Xue said to her daughter: "It is so easy to see you, and I am relieved to see that you are safe and sound. Now that you are here, our mother and daughter are hard to see. You go The first time you asked someone to come to the house and say what is the purpose of calling Si Yatou into the palace?"

A trace of displeasure flashed across Baochai's face when she heard her mother's words, but soon her face became calm, and she was still the gentle Xue Cairen: "I think it's probably because my aunt is overthinking, and I'm thinking about things." It's not thorough, but it's just seeing what happened to Si Yatou's house and picking her up to relax. Probably because the uncle's affairs over there are too involved, and my aunt is worried about what Si Yatou will be involved in entering the palace." Baochai laughed at Yan Yan, but There was no warmth in her eyes.

Aunt Xue naturally listened to her daughter, and she believed what Baochai said. Instead, Aunt Xue followed her daughter and talked about the gossip she had heard: "It's really chaotic over there. Now that Master Zhen is gone, Rong'er didn't win the title, and I heard that someone has already impeached Rong'er for mourning, it seems that something bad is really going to happen. That is to say, your aunt rushed to make a marriage for the fourth girl, even if something happened at home, it doesn't hinder her. "

"Yes, my aunt is always kind. She is very kind to everyone. She took care of Sister Lin wholeheartedly and made long-term plans for her. Now she is the fourth sister. Others say that the fourth sister is a poor person, but I think the fourth younger sister is more fortunate than me. Although she has no mother and father, she has a good relative." Baochai twitched the corner of her mouth, showing a sarcastic smile: "It's me, pity us orphans and widowers, No one has planned carefully for us. Now I am in this place—" Baochai said with red eyes.

"Don't cry, it's all your life! At first, I thought I'd live a peaceful life in Jinling, but with your brother's temper, you also persuaded me to come to the capital to seek refuge with relatives and friends. It's my wish come true, you originally Not to mention girls from other people's families, they are in their prime now. It's just that we can't see each other often, but there is nothing perfect in the world, and I hope that the mother can take care of her body. If she can give birth to a son and a half, she will rely on her for life. This It was your aunt who sent you off, and she also told you to take care of yourself so that you can have a child. You see, the princess is more stable now." Aunt Xue comforted her daughter. Although she felt that Baochai's tone had changed, she still didn't understand Baochai's words. The meaning in Chai's words is just to persuade her daughter to take care of her body with peace of mind.

Seeing that her mother didn't understand her thoughts, Baochai stopped talking, and Aunt Xue suddenly asked about Princess Nan'an: "I saw that Princess Tai is very familiar with you, I heard Now the king of Nan'an County is not very proud of the emperor, so don't get too close to them. Why does she like Sanyatou so much? Could it be that she wants to tell Sanyatou about her marriage? But your uncle has already talked to Sanyatou relative."

Baochai showed a deep smile: "Mother doesn't know what things, so don't worry about it. I think my mother is too honest and believes everything others say. Speaking of the third girl in their family, I think she might thank us The concubine mother next to Concubine Nan'an saw it? Who do you think she looks like?"

Aunt Xue recalled the concubine beside the concubine just now, pondered for a while before saying: "I saw it very familiarly, but I couldn't remember who it was."

"That person is Sanyatou's own mother, and now she has become the concubine of the King of Nan'an. The fate of her life is really unexpected. When we came to the capital to entrust relatives to the right, who would have thought of me today? I didn't expect that person either. I still have such a deep relationship with my aunt’s family, since it’s someone asking to come, I can’t see mother and daughter not being able to recognize each other!” Baochai revealed the mystery that the concubine next to Concubine Nan’an was actually Fang who was kicked out at the beginning. Son!