Prequel to the Red Chamber: I Am the Second Wife

"Grandma, great joy, great joy! Someone from Jia's house said that the concubine would be invited to the banquet with you." The little girl rushed in all the way, startling Aunt Zhao. "You fucking little hoof, scare me!" Aunt Zhao's old Fang'er threw down her needlework, raised her eyebrows and started cursing.She scolded for a while before she recovered, and immediately changed her color of joy and stood up, looking in the mirror, tidied up her head and body, and said to the little girl, "Hurry up, let's go announce the good news to the princess. "The little girl could only go forward to help Aunt Zhao change her clothes, tidied up and went out with her.

The girls on Princess Nan'an's side saw Aunt Zhao approaching from a distance, and first made contemptuous expressions on each other, and when Aunt Zhao approached, they all put on amiable smiles, and they greeted Aunt Zhao together and said affectionately: "It's my aunt who's here. The princess was still talking about it just now, please hurry up!" As the little girls rushed in to report, Aunt Zhao was flattered by the girls, and she immediately felt refreshed and high-spirited.

When she arrived at Wangfei's door, Aunt Zhao first smiled at the little girl who was pulling the curtain and said, "Wangfei is resting?"

Auntie, let's go in quickly, the empress is in a good mood today, she won't lose her temper with you anyway, the little girl covered her mouth with a smile and opened the curtain to ask Aunt Zhao to go in.Princess Nan'an is sitting on the couch with a book reading, and beside her is her close girl Chuntao.Seeing Aunt Zhao come in and Chuntao made a silent expression, Aunt Zhao was too frightened to say anything, and stood there holding her breath.The room was very quiet, and I don't know if the princess was too engrossed in reading the book or if she didn't notice that Aunt Zhao was there at all. It took a full half a day before the princess slowly raised her head from the book to drink tea, and the princess found out Aunt Zhao said to Bitao angrily: "You little hoof, why don't you say anything when you come here."

Bi Tao smiled and said: "It's Aunt Zhao who doesn't want to disturb the princess." Aunt Zhao hurriedly said: "Yes, I won't disturb the princess, but it hasn't been long. I received the news over there, and they are willing to let me see their daughter I remember. I haven't been with me since she was born. Now she has grown into a big girl." As she spoke, Aunt Zhao wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief in a pretentious manner.A look of disdain flashed in Wang Hao's eyes, but she said persuasively: "Mothers have the same thoughts, and you have survived it. It's a shame that your mother and daughter are finally reunited after all these years." Lowering his eyes, he sighed softly.

Aunt Zhao was busy telling the concubine the good news: "Now that the third girl is willing to recognize me, I can feel at ease. In the future, the third girl will rely on the concubine to promote her more." The princess waited for Aunt Zhao's words, and she said with a smile: "I like girls the most, but it's a pity that I only have one daughter under my knees. Now that you have found your own daughter, I will naturally take her as my own daughter. Bi Tao asked someone to invite the prince over to discuss this matter."

Hearing that the prince was coming, Aunt Zhao's eyes lit up. She watched Bi Tao go out eagerly. The princess was disgusted in her heart, but she could only endure it because her daughter's future was hindered.Let's see how long she can be proud, I'm slowly cleaning her up after the marriage is over.The concubine sneered in her heart, and on the surface she was still talking to Aunt Zhao calmly.The prince of Nan'an hurried over when he got the news of the concubine. He has been worrying about gains and losses recently. The emperor finds several kings with different surnames disliked, and the king of Beijing is the most powerful.Unexpectedly, the king of Beijing was actually in the hands of a woman. Seeing that it was his turn, the emperor proposed to send his daughter to marry him. He said it nicely, what title was given to the princess, but who cares about the title of the princess.Not to die!The Prince of Nan'an felt sorry for his daughter who couldn't stand the begging of the princess and the concubine, so he agreed to choose another girl from the eunuch's family as a foster daughter to replace his daughter.

But whoever is willing to send his daughter to that place can't just ask a little girl to marry her under the title of princess.Just when King Nan'an saw that the will of the marriage was about to come down, a concubine beside him actually stood up and said that he would take the daughter born to him and the former master to marry his daughter.Aunt Zhao was originally a plaything brought up by the servants as a filial piety. She was originally a plaything like a cat or a dog.

However, this Aunt Zhao has some tricks, and she quickly obeyed the Nanan Prince's service. Although Aunt Zhao was favored, she was suppressed by the concubine and the princess, and she was still a girl without a name.If she hadn't proposed to use her own daughter as a substitute, she would still be a concubine without a title.Maybe he was rejected by the prince that day and just gave it away casually.

When the prince arrived at the princess's room, Aunt Zhao's eyes were all on the prince. If it wasn't for the presence of the princess, Aunt Zhao would lean on the prince with coquettish words.It's a pity that the prince's mind is not on the wind, flowers, snow and moon. Impatiently, he pushed away the towel that Aunt Zhao handed over and asked coldly: "What did the Jia family say?" Aunt Zhao hurriedly said: "They are willing to ask me to see the third girl. I'm thinking about—"

The prince ignored it, turned to the princess and said, "Since this is the case, I would like to invite the concubine and the concubine to come. I don't think the Jia family may be willing to give up their daughter. If their family is not good at talking—" The concubine smiled slightly, thinking Cheng Zhu: "With the one in Nanyuan, what can their family do, unless they are willing to let their daughter not marry for the rest of their lives. I heard that even the princess has an ugly face recently." Yuan Chun was not there that day, if he was there How embarrassing it must be to see my father's former concubine become someone else's aunt.

The prince waved his hand: "Anyway, she is a daughter raised by others, you just need to bring more gifts." In the view of Prince Nan'an, any family relationship can be measured with money.

Jia's family cleaned the courtyard a few days earlier, and waited for Nan'an Princess and Princess to come after the banquet. Although Jia's mother was uncomfortable, she weighed the pros and cons carefully and felt that it would not be a bad thing for Tanchun to marry the daughter of the Wang family in Nan'an County. .She can get the title of princess anyway, and the Jia family can also improve their face.

Zili couldn't see anything on her face, but from her frowning, she could see the worries and worries in her heart.The people from Nan'an Palace came the next day, and Zili listened to Li Jin's report on the arrangement of the banquet with a blank face, and he didn't say a word for a long time.Li Jin peeked at her mother-in-law's face, knowing that Zili was unhappy these days.Although Tanchun was not her own, she was raised so big in front of her eyes.There is always some reluctance!In fact, Zili is not angry with Aunt Zhao, nor Nan'an Palace, but Baochai. The news from the palace is that Baochai personally directed the story of acknowledging his mother in order to curry favor with Concubine Ning.Now not only Tanchun's reputation is ruined, but Yuanchun's face is also ugly.In fact, it is not uncommon for three wives and four concubines in a wealthy mansion in the capital, but it is not uncommon for a child to have a status. decent.But Jia Zheng kicked out the concubine who gave birth to him, and Aunt Zhao climbed up the high branch after switching hands a few times!This topic was so evocative and explosive that it became the gossip headline in the capital.Those speculations with various colors reached Yuan Chun's ears. As a princess, Yuan Chun always felt embarrassed.

Naturally, what Zili loves the most is his daughter. Seeing her suffer, Zili now has the heart to tear Baochai and Nan'an Palace apart.It's just that the time has not come, and patience is needed.

"Our relatives and friends are invited, what do they say?" Zili half-closed his eyes and suddenly interrupted Li Jin's words.

"We've been notified, and relatives and friends have said they're going to join in the fun. Madam, don't worry, if they see so many people present tomorrow, they will be ashamed if they really make a fuss. I think the third sister is doing as usual these days, and she's done. " Li Jin personally brought tea to Zili.Zili took a sip of the tea, and the warm tea immediately flowed down her mouth. She let out a long sigh of relief: "Three girls are ready, she is determined to give them a good look. I admire the third girl more and more. In fact, because of her mother, I also disliked her, but there is something wrong with the child, and my hatred of her gradually faded. It is amazing to have such a mother in the world. It's an eye-opener!" Zili thought of Aunt Zhao's viciousness and shallowness with a disgusted expression on his face.Jia Zheng has been hit hard these days, probably because he thinks about the absurd things back then, and the more he thinks about it, the more sick he is.

On the second day, Princess Nan'an came to Jia's house in full ceremonies, accompanied by Princess Nan'an. Mother Jia took Mrs. Xing and Zilihe's people to greet her in person. Princess Nan'an and Princess Wang sat down in the main hall, and Mother Jia waited. People wanted to come up to see the ceremony, the concubine hurriedly said: "It's so easy to accept the ceremony today, the old lady, you can avoid it." After the greetings, everyone sat down.Concubine Nan'an came today in the name of visiting Jia's house, so naturally she wouldn't ask Tanchun and Aunt Zhao to recognize each other as soon as she came.Of course, there is no arrangement for this item at all. In fact, it only needs to wait a while for the young lady of the Jia family to come out to meet the concubine Nan'an Wangfei and act like she likes Tanchun, and the job will be over if she is recognized as a goddaughter.There is nothing about Aunt Zhao here.

Sitting there in full dress, Zili saw Fang'er standing behind the princess - Tanchun's biological mother at a glance.Although Aunt Zhao was no longer young, Zili recognized her at a glance.Fang'er has long since lost her beauty and cleverness in the past, only resignation and calculation are left in her eyes. Although the outline of her face is vaguely similar to that of Tanchun, the temperament of mother and daughter is very different.It is really impossible to make people think of them as mother and daughter.

The concubine said something polite, she suddenly saw Daiyu sitting next to Jiamu, and asked with a smile: "The old lady is so lucky, her granddaughter is so beautiful, and the granddaughter is naturally better. Why don't you see them today?" " Jia Mu hurriedly said: "Their sisters are not used to seeing people, and they are very shy." Then Jia Mu called Yuanyang to invite Yingchun and Tanchun to come out.The concubine over there hurriedly said: "It's the old lady who is being modest. A few days ago in Nanyuan, I met the second and third girls of the mansion. They are all very good." Sister Chun came in.

The two girls greeted Princess Nan'an, and Mother Jia smiled and said, "These are my two granddaughters." Before the words fell, Aunt Zhao, who was behind the princess, suddenly stepped forward and took Tanchun's hand and cried: "My Son, I've finally seen you!" Before she finished speaking, Aunt Zhao was slapped hard on the face.

Aunt Zhao covered her face in disbelief, and stammered, "I am your own mother, why did you treat me like this! If you don't believe me, there is a rose-shaped birthmark on your back, you can see for yourself, I was wrong! If it wasn't for my wife who couldn't tolerate me and provoked the master to drive me out, how could I have left you!"

"What kind of thing are you? It's just for the sake of the concubine and princess that I won't argue with you today. You're still waiting for me to quarrel with a servant!" Tanchun withdrew his hand from Aunt Zhao's hand with a cold face. , the servant came over to separate Aunt Zhao and Tanchun: "You are also from the palace, so you are so unruly. The concubine and our old lady have not spoken yet, and you are a slave coming out and talking crazy. Who are you?" Your daughter? You are a slave, how dare you talk nonsense about our girl! If the concubine and concubine are not here, I will definitely ask the women to beat you out!"

The reason why Aunt Zhao came here was because she wanted to put on a show of face, but also to express her sulking.It was Zili who kicked her out back then, which made her suffer a lot.Every time I think about it, if she is still in the mansion, she will be a decent aunt, because Zili made her look like a ghost! "You, you little whore who has forgotten the basics, if you don't believe me, ask your uncle to ask!" Aunt Zhao went all out, pointing at her daughter and yelling loudly!

"Uncle, my uncle is from Hangzhou Weaving! But I don't know any other uncles! I only recognize the old man and the wife, and everything from anywhere comes to try to find relatives! Everyone knows that I am not my wife's own, but I still belong to this family. Girl. You come to talk to me about your biological mother! You are also worthy. A slave girl has been honored by the master's grace to ask you to go in and serve her. She doesn't want to serve the master wholeheartedly, but only thinks about crooked things. How many people saw what you did back then That's right. This mansion has always treated the servants kindly. Do you want me to call all the old people back then and talk about how you served the master in front of everyone! Why were you kicked out? This family has slaves and bought them from outside. There are quite a few servants here, and you are the first one who has a child kicked out! You look at the people outside and don’t know, talking nonsense about your wife’s refusal to tolerate you, and you don’t even look in the mirror. The wife is not worthy of carrying shoes. The toes of Aunt Zhou and Aunt Wang are higher than your head! You said that the wife refused to tolerate you! Why didn’t you tell me what you did! Instead of a slave like you No one can tolerate your misbehavior!" Tan Chun sternly revealed the reasons and consequences of Aunt Zhao's expulsion.

The people present were all surprised when they heard this, thinking to themselves that this Aunt Zhao is really an incomprehensible woman, she is just a servant of the family, and being a housekeeper is already a grace.But taking advantage of the unpreparedness of the wife of the main house, she wanted to take over the house and take charge of the housework.The most important thing is that she got acquainted with outsiders privately and took their black money.Doesn't this often kill people!Princess Nan'an and Concubine Tai both showed embarrassment when they heard Tanchun's words.How could a family like them leave something like Aunt Zhao in their hands, making people look as if they are not strict in running the family, and the prince is greedy for sex and can't tell right from wrong.

Seeing that the faces of the concubine and concubine Wang couldn't calm down, Zili hurried out to smooth things over: "Three girls, don't make people feel sad because you don't deserve it. The concubine and concubine are still here. You are a girl, but you are too loud and call yourself People read jokes."

What am I afraid of seeing a joke!Now the one in Beijing who doesn't know that I'm a worthless slave was born.What face do I have to worry about being laughed at by others!Tanchun threw herself into Zili's arms and burst into tears.Mother Jia looked at Aunt Zhao with cold eyes and snorted coldly: "Your whole family are slaves here. I'm not being kind to you. When you made a mistake and kicked you out, you just hated me. I didn't expect you, a black-hearted old woman, to be attached to you." I don’t let my own daughter go! Both the concubine and the concubine are good people, and they must be kind to their servants. But you have been deceived by her. This Fang’er has been serving me since I was a child, and she was very clever at the beginning. I saw that she was smart, so I put her in Baoyu's father's room. As a result, this girl—forget it, it's because my son is not good. She only stayed when she was pregnant. In the end, this girl turned out to have a big heart. She did a lot of things that violated the rules of the ancestors. She meddled in the affairs of the men outside, and even made wishes in nonsense! I dare not want her like this!"

Mother Jia's words proved to be true. What Tanchun said was true. The faces of Princess Nan'an and Princess Wang turned red and white. It was the princess who understood first. She stared fiercely at Aunt Zhao and did not wait to speak. Came up and drove her out: "Old lady, don't be angry, it's our mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who were deceived by her. At the beginning, she was an underground sect filial piety, and she came up and said that her background was very pitiful. Now I think it's a lie. What kind of family did she say? I didn't believe it at the time, thinking that my family has always been a benevolent family, so I definitely wouldn't treat a little girl like this. However, the prince was also fascinated by her, so he left her without thinking too much Yes. I just found out today that she was the one who played the trick! I will deal with her immediately when I go back, and I will pay the old lady and the wife for it."

Why do you ask the concubine to compensate us, but my third girl is very pitiful.The life of the child is not good, and there is such a careless mother.Fortunately, although my Shan girl came from a bad family background, she has high ambition since she was a child, and she has not been contaminated by those crooked things at all!Jia Mu immediately came down the steps and praised the benefits of Tanchun.

Zili had already asked someone to take Tanchun and Yingchun down, and she went on to say, "Three girls were raised by me as my own daughters, and I usually don't care about anything, except for one thing - very protective." Listen. Zili said so, and the princess was busy talking: "Everyone knows the reputation of the second wife. It's because of Aunt Zhao's fault. I'm not in good health, and I don't care much about family affairs. Who knows that there are so many goblins?" , It seems that I have to rectify it when I go back." The princess looked apologetic, and she hated Aunt Zhao in her heart, because she had deceived herself with such sweet words back then.She also promoted Aunt Zhao to be her aunt. Thinking of this, the princess hated Aunt Zhao even more.

Now that Princess Nan'an has spoken, Zili will give her a step down: "The princess is a charitable person, and there is always a moment of negligence."

Since this is the case, it is us who wronged the third girl. I am so old that I can't watch my child be wronged.I thought to myself—the concubine felt ashamed, and she couldn't give up halfway. The life and death of the Jia family girls had nothing to do with her, and Aunt Zhao had nothing to do with her.The most important thing is that her granddaughter cannot go and kiss.The concubine still refuses to relax and wants to recognize Tanchun as her goddaughter.Zili and Jiamu's heart sank when they heard the concubine's tone, they still couldn't avoid what should happen.

Suddenly there was excitement outside, and I saw Lin Zhixiao's family come in with an inner eunuch: "The old lady has an order from the emperor, and the master outside has set up an incense table to receive the imperial order. Please hurry up to receive the imperial order, old lady and wife."

At this juncture, the emperor's imperial decree came, and everyone present was shocked. Concubine Nan'an lowered her eyes and wondered whether I had underestimated their family.That Jia Cunzhou has always been submissive, always avoiding things.Their family just got out of Dong Mansion, the emperor might be annoyed with them, at this time there is a decree, not to investigate them.If that's the case, the third girl in their family can't use it either.

Just thinking that Jia Mu and Zili had already gone to receive the order, a little girl came in after a while and said: "Big happy event, great happy event, our third girl has become a princess!"The concubine was busy asking people to inquire about the news. After a while, her confidant came in and said: "The emperor ordered the third girl of their family to be a princess, and she will be named as King Qin. I will wait for the Huns to come to congratulate me in a few days." When the time comes, the marriage will be given."

Concubine Nan'an and Princess Wang felt uncomfortable when they heard this. The emperor gave Nan'an Palace a resounding slap in the face.Concubine Toffee and Concubine Wang looked embarrassed, Zili and Mother Jia came in and said with a smile, "I have neglected Concubine Toffee and Concubine Wang. There is no way, it is the will of the Holy One."

"The old lady doesn't need to be too polite. The emperor's will is important. I said that the third girl in your house is a good one. I think it's all well-educated by the second wife. I wanted to recognize her as my daughter, but it's a pity. We have little luck, we don’t have that kind of blessing.” The concubine was very annoyed in her heart, she had calculated well, but Jia’s family had no power to fight back, but the emperor came out on the way and canonized Tanchun directly. As a princess, she is still recognized as the king of Qin.The King of Qin is the real prince of the close family, and the Nan'an Palace is just a king with a different surname. Now they are slapping themselves and showing embarrassment.The concubine and concubine could only leave hastily, and never dared to mention Tanchun's marriage in place of their daughter.

Waiting to send off the concubine Nan'an's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, all the relatives and friends congratulated Tanchun on receiving the princess conferment.After a while everyone dispersed, only Daiyu Huanxiangyun was left to comfort the old lady in front of Jiamu.Zili looked down at Daiyu and Xiangyun and said, "You go and see the third girl first, she is also feeling sad today." Daiyu and Xiangyun stood up and said goodbye together and went to see Tanchun.

Here Jia Mu sighed: "After all, it is the emperor's grace, but now she must marry far away." Zili couldn't say anything at this time, but kept silent, but Li Jin and Sister Feng said together "It's not a good thing to know about the third girl. Although she got angry today, her words are terrifying. If she is still in the capital, it is inevitable that no one will talk about that matter. Don't the third girl be sad and depressed for the rest of her life. It is better to go outside Go, the sky is high and the sea is wide, and it is a great effort to let go of your hands and feet. The third girl is a sensible person, so she will be happy."

Listening to Li Jin's words, Jia's mother turned her face slowly, and she said to her daughter-in-law: "You have worked hard all these years, and it was all my selfishness at the beginning. By my side. Now I understand that, not to mention marrying a wife and a virtuous man, even the girls around the young master are good. What good is good-looking! I used to choose the girls around Baoyu based on their beauty, you You should be more careful in the future, those who are good-looking are bound to be proud, if there is anyone who flatters you, you don't have to tell me, just drive them out immediately!" Zili was very surprised that Jia's mother could say such a thing. Surprised, is Mother Jia apologizing to herself in disguise?

"I can't accept the old lady's words. I don't have any grievances." Zili wanted to say something but Jia Mu held her hand, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law said nothing.

Outside, Jia Zheng, Jia Zhu, and Jia Lian Wang Shixiang were discussing the emperor's intentions together. Jia Zhu said: "It's not hard to guess. It's probably because the prince loves the princess and said something in front of the emperor. The emperor called the daughter of King Nan'an to marry her." It also meant to test him. Who would have thought that he jumped up and down by himself, obviously singing against the emperor, and feeling resentful towards the emperor's will. How can the Holy Spirit hide it from him!"

"My cousin is absolutely right, and the news I heard is the same. Don't worry, uncle. Although you are reluctant to ask your third cousin to marry far away, this is the best way out now." Shixiang nodded and echoed Jia Zhu's words. statement.

"God's favor is so great, I can only repay it with all my heart." Jia Zheng was silent for a while before saying this.

Tanchun soon married far away from outside the Great Wall, and Zili's eyes finally became moist as he watched the motorcade going away at Shili Pavilion in the suburbs.Tanchun has been very peaceful these days, and she even looks forward to leaving this humiliating place as soon as possible. Zili has also fulfilled the responsibility of being a housewife. She has carefully prepared a dowry for Tanchun, and has prepared a lot of things outside the Great Wall. Useful stuff.It's just that Zili doesn't feel like sending her daughter off to get married, it's more like she's completing a job.It's just that Zili saw Tanchun dressed up in the palace this morning, and the moment Tanchun knelt in front of her eyes, Zili's heart suddenly felt sour.The mother and daughter looked at each other silently for a while, neither of them spoke, but thousands of words were in each other's hearts.

"Before the third sister left, she entrusted me to comfort my wife well. She said that it was the best result for her to leave like this. She was already satisfied to have her wife protect her and plan for her! It can be seen that the wife took it as a She has given birth to a daughter! She thanked her wife for her kindness in nurturing her over the years. Without her, her life would be unimaginable. In her heart, she has always regarded her as her mother." Daiyu obediently supported Zili's arm, Softly comforting Zili.

"Okay, I'm not a fool. Sanya is a sensible person, so I don't worry. I just hope that everything will be safe for her. Are you going to follow me home, or wait for Shixiang to pick you up?" the princess said. The wives who are married to the capital have to send off their relatives according to the order, and everyone will go back in a mess.Before Shixiang came, he asked Zili to take care of Daiyu.

"I'll stay with my aunt for a few days." Hearing Zili mention Wang Shixiang, Daiyu's face was full of shyness and happiness. She leaned on Zili's arm, looking like a little girl.

"Okay, that's what you said, don't wait to start regretting it just one night!" Zili smiled and pinched Daiyu's face. If a woman is doing well, you can tell by looking at her appearance. Daiyu is more beautiful than before she got married. Plumper, it seems that she is very satisfied with life and feels very happy.

"Ma'am, Second Master Bao is in a daze when he comes back from seeing off his kiss. You should go and have a look!" Zili had just returned home when Baoyu had an accident.