The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Jia Lian fell into a deep sleep, and when he was in a daze, he felt something moving his eyes and nose.

"Nurse, take eldest sister away and let Lord Hou rest well."

It was Wang Xifeng's voice. Jia Lian opened his eyes, and saw a pair of big eyes staring at him with childlike interest and curiosity.

Jia Lian suddenly smiled, turned over and sat up, beckoning to the little girl in front of her: "Come here, give father a hug."

It was his daughter with Wang Xifeng.The little girl has a delicate makeup, whether it is her appearance or her attire, she is very delicate, she is obviously the little princess of the family.

Seeing Jia Lian waving to her, the curiosity in the little girl's eyes faded, and she hesitated, leaning against the nurse behind her.

Seeing the embarrassment on Jia Lian's face, the nanny couldn't help but smiled and said, "Master Hou, don't mind, the elder sister is still young, and she hasn't seen Master Hou for a long time, so she is a bit of a stranger."

Naturally, Jia Lian didn't mind. When he left Beijing, sister Qiao couldn't even walk on the ground. Now that it's been more than half a year, I'm afraid he has a lower impression of him.

Speaking of which, Grandma Liu should have helped to pick up the name Qiaojieer, and it should be born on July [-]th, Qiqiao Festival.

However, Grandma Liu has not yet entered the Grand View Garden, nor has she met Qiao Jieer, so Qiao Jieer does not have a boudoir name yet.

Jia Lian thought about giving Qiao a nice name, but after thinking about it, she didn't.Anyway, most of the people at the time were very late when it came to girls' names, and if they missed Grandma Liu's naming, he, the father, would just add the name "Qiaojie" to him.

Wang Xifeng, who was fixing her makeup in the back room, heard Jia Lian's voice and came out. Seeing that Jia Lian was being helped by her nanny, she was able to hug Sister Qiao, and said with a smile: "Who told you not to go home for half a year? When the eldest sister was recognizing someone, she naturally doesn't get close to you now, and you can't blame others."

Jia Lian smiled and asked, "Can you talk?"

He had just seen that the little girl could walk by herself.

"It's okay to be able to speak, but she has a shy personality. She's not like me at all. It took me a long time to coax her to speak."

Wang Xifeng said with a smile, and taught to Qiao, who was forced into Jia Lian's arms, "Quickly, call Daddy, ask your daddy to buy you something fun..."

Perhaps Sister Qiao still had some impressions of Jia Lian, she stopped after only a while, raised her head to look at Jia Lian, and saw that Jia Lian also looked down at her with a smile, her face was ashamed, and she threw herself under Jia Lian's elbow to hide , and did not respond.

"You little girl, don't you hurry up and call him Daddy? It's only been more than half a year, and you don't recognize him?"

Wang Xifeng came forward and urged.

She didn't want Jia Lian and sister Qiao to have a separation.

"It's okay, I won't be traveling for a short time when I come back this time, there is plenty of time for her to speak, there is no rush."

Jia Lian was very open-minded, picked up the little girl, teased her for a while, and winked at her, and soon the cheerful look rekindled in the little girl's eyes, and she started giggling.

Seeing this, Wang Xifeng rolled her eyes, waited for a while, and then said to the nanny: "You can take the eldest sister down, I have something to talk to Hou Ye."

The young nurse smiled and took Sister Qiao from Jia Lian's arms and took her out.

"I heard from Lin Zhixiao's family that you ordered them to gather people from the two prefectures, and Xu Chu gathered in the front yard?"

"Ah."

"In order to reward everyone?"

At noon, Jia Lian came back in a hurry, and she hastily asked if she would give everyone some rewards for such a big happy event, so that everyone could feel happy.

Jia Lian only told her to leave it alone, he had already made arrangements.

"That's a little bit, but I have more important things that just need your assistance."

As Jia Lian said, he discussed with Wang Xifeng on the way.

Although Wang Xifeng was amazed at Jia Lian's thoughts, she had no objection, but said: "Speaking of which, there is no distinction between the elder master's side and the second master's side in the family now, and both sides are in one place.

Things like giving money to everyone because of happy events should be paid from officials, but you are selfless and paid for it yourself. "

Wang Xifeng's account was very clear. Seeing that Jia Lian didn't care, he immediately said, "You don't know. In the afternoon, the empress and empress dowager in the palace gave you a reward. The wife also said that now the official The money is not enough, so let those things be filled with officials.

I even instigated the old lady to join me. If I hadn't reacted quickly, those things would have been put in the official treasury by now. "

Jia Lian frowned: "Then how do you deal with it?"

Wang Xifeng briefly talked about what happened in Rongqingtang earlier.

Jia Lian saw that Wang Xifeng was still a little bit wronged, so he took her hand and let her sit on the kang, and said with a smile: "As expected, our Second Mistress Feng is smart, even the old lady and the wife can't compete with you, she is beautiful."

Wang Xifeng is not willing to wear such a high hat, and said anxiously: "What is fighting me? However, the old lady and the wife are still looking at you, and they all know that you are the one who can earn the most money in the family. Afraid of being in a hurry, we made a fuss about separating.

However, the family is indeed not as rich as it was before.

Last winter, as soon as the money from Zhuangzi in various places was handed over, they all went to their own places immediately.

Also, you don't know, the garden behind, under the supervision of the master, has been built to perfection.I went in and took a look a while ago, it was really like entering the fairy house Beppu.

However, it was so well built that it cost way over budget.

Not only did the general's money almost run out, but his wife also borrowed 8 taels of silver from Mrs. You in the East Mansion, so that he can cope until today! "

"Eighty thousand?"

Jia Lian was surprised at first, saying that the garden in the back was basically completed, and only needed decoration.

In Jia Lian's calculation, let Jia Zheng, a benevolent gentleman, have the full power to supervise the production, so it's no wonder that the servants under him are not greedy for ink.

Therefore, the previous budget should not be enough.

However, after he came back, he didn't find that the family had become poor. On the contrary, just judging from the celebration banquet held for him, he knew that the family's wealth remained the same.

It turned out that the money was borrowed from Dongfu.

"That's right, a total of 8 taels! At the beginning of the shortfall, the wife asked Sister-in-law You to borrow [-] taels, and later borrowed [-] taels."

As Wang Xifeng spoke, his eyes lit up.

8 taels of silver, in the past, was a number he couldn't even imagine.

After all, based on her dowry and the hard work she saved during the first two years of her marriage to Jia Lian, the cash in her hand was less than eight thousand in total.

But now, she doesn't care much.

Now in her hands, the ready-made gold and silver alone is more than one hundred thousand, not to mention other valuable goods and some fixed assets.

The money came from different sources, but it was all the wealth accumulated naturally by the family after Jia Lian became successful.

Now, she thinks her yard is too small.Because, apart from the main house, the few empty houses in the backyard are now filled with all kinds of valuables!
She is a real rich woman.

And she also knew that not all of Jia Lian's assets were in her hands.

Among other things, she knew that there was a lot of Jia Lian's private money in the room of the two sisters, Ah Qin.

There is also that boy Zhao'er, there must be one too.They also opened a restaurant called Zuixianlou in Xicheng without their mother behind their backs.

She didn't see any of the money and money in there.

She didn't think too much about it, she admired: "At first, I thought that Sister-in-law You was a silent gourd, timid and unscrupulous.

It's unbelievable that she has such courage to lend us the entire treasury of Ningguo Mansion. "

Wang Xifeng was only surprised, but Jia Lian secretly sighed.

As one of the people who knew Youshi best, Jia Lian didn't understand why Youshi was willing to lend this silver and so much money.

It was just a helpless move.

Now in Ningguo Mansion, there is not a single male.

But Youshi's own foundation is weak, and if he wanted to keep Ningguo Mansion, he naturally didn't dare to offend Rongguo Mansion.

Therefore, even if the official treasury is exhausted, she has to borrow it.

After all, even if the Rongguo Mansion is short of money, it is only temporary, and it will naturally recover in the future.

At that time, with the dignity of the Rongguo Mansion, it is unlikely that the borrowed money will not be returned.

But if you don't borrow...

Now that Rongguo Mansion is building the Grand View Garden with the whole family, at this time Ningguo Mansion obviously has money and will not help. In the future, if Ningguo Mansion has something to do, Rongguo Mansion may not help.

It's impossible for Youshi to see these places clearly, so she borrowed it decisively and generously.

All of a sudden, he won the great favor of a group of people headed by Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang.

Of course, Jia Lian knew better that Youshi was not afraid that the Rongguo Mansion would not return it, and there might be his reasons.

She was pregnant with his child, and the money of Ningguo Mansion was the money of their orphans and widows.Even if the Rongguo Mansion doesn't want to return it, I'm afraid Jia Lian won't agree.

If Youshi really thinks so, Jia Lian will be happier.

"Since she is affectionate and righteous, the money will naturally be returned when our mansion recovers in the future."

Without saying anything more on this point, Jia Lian returned to the previous topic.

"As for the fact that Madam wants to fill the official treasury with the Queen Mother's reward, it doesn't matter if you didn't stop it at the time.

The reason why I don't use the official money this time is because of my own plan.

But if they are jealous of even a little reward, then I will naturally not be polite to them. "

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng immediately asked, "How much money did you take out this time?"

"About 8000 taels." Jia Lian didn't hide anything, and spoke bluntly.

"so much!"

When Wang Xifeng heard this, she regretted it a little. In the Rongguo Mansion, Mrs. Wang should have asked Mrs. Wang to take the Queen Mother's reward. In that way, they could immediately withdraw 8000 taels of silver from the official. Wouldn't it be a profit instead?
She felt a little distressed: "Actually, whether you want to distribute rewards, pay for those who died in battle, or build some 'Loyalty Shrine', it is all official business. Naturally, official business must be done publicly. We should get the money from officials." Take it."

Wang Xifeng persuaded earnestly, with the shadow of a money fan on her ruddy face.

Jia Lian couldn't help pinching her nose, it was still early, so he explained to her in detail.

"First, although the two houses in the mansion have lived together before, the master and I are both officials in the court after all, and there must be conflicts in some places.

Now I am willing to let my wife and them, but just like the old lady, I want to maintain the stability of the family.

However, it does not mean that I will give up my right to speak.

Now the family has spent almost all the money from the officials to build the garden, and even the old lady and the wife's private house have spent a lot of it.

We are different from them. The money they saved cost less than one penny, but we are still young and have a lot of opportunities to earn money in the future.

This is a time to buy people's hearts, whether it's giving everyone reward money, or paying for the guards, or building the Loyalty Shrine, and I don't want the masters and wives to get involved.

Second, there is a shortage of money in the officials now, if you want to withdraw money from the officials, you will have to fight the master and wife, which is troublesome, and you will not be able to get enough money.

As for matters such as pensions for personal guards, it is related to my prestige, I don't want to make a mistake, it is better for us to pay the money ourselves.

third……"

Speaking of the third, Jia Lian laughed.

"Aren't you always thinking about my private house that I hid outside? I don't mean to ask you to pay money this time, it's all my private house money.

I have run out of money in my hand, isn't it just convenient for you to control me? "

Wang Xifeng was listening carefully, but when she heard the third point, her brows suddenly raised, and she sat up and stared at Jia Lian.

"You tell me clearly, when did I want to control you?
Most of the money in this family is earned by you, I have never denied it.Moreover, since you became an official, when did you want to use money, I said half a word?

Now that you have come to say such words, it is clearly plucking out people's eyes.

Don't you want me to manage the money at home?Just say it straight, don't swear in such a roundabout way! "

Sitting next to Jia Lian, Wang Xifeng's eyes were burning, and she still had unspeakable grievances.

It is Wang Xifeng's nature to be irritable.

As for the grievance, it is because the current Wang Xifeng lacks a sense of security in his heart.

Although Jia Lian in the past was incompetent, she was under her control. She was not afraid that Jia Lian would not want her.

Today's Jia Lian, if he changes his mind, he can kick her away with a wave of his hand.

So it's a little more sensitive.

Jia Lian originally just wanted to play a joke on Wang Xifeng.

I didn't take money from Wang Xifeng before, it was just for convenience.Now it's just to make fun of Wang Xifeng along the way, who would have thought that this woman is supercilious.

Seeing her tearful eyes, Jia Lian could understand Wang Xifeng's thoughts a little bit, so he hugged her into his arms and said with a smile, "Okay, okay, I'm just joking with you, why, do you still want to cry?" No?"

"Who wants to cry."

Wang Xifeng threw an elbow in Jia Lian's arms, and it was fine if he didn't break free.

"You're joking now, but just now I think you're telling the truth.

I'm not joking with you, if you dislike me, just tell me, I'm not that shameless, I will rely on you. "

That's what I said, but when I think of the things that were threatened by the queen mother and despised by the people in Jia's house, and now being hugged by Jia Lian, feeling the warmth of my husband's chest, no matter how hard my heart is, I can't help but feel weak, and I can't help falling. Shed a few tears.

Who can understand her heart?
She was happy with the phoenix coronet and Xiapei that Jia Lian had earned for her, but sometimes when she calmed down, she felt that what she gained was bound to be lost.

She is very possessive.The previous Jia Lian basically belonged to her alone, but now, although Jia Lian has become so good, even perfect, it is difficult to belong to her alone.

She understood, and had a premonition.

For example, the last time Jia Lian came back, he brought back a pair of sisters from the grassland.

This time I went back to Beijing and brought one with me.

It happened to be a reward from the princess, and she didn't even have the qualifications to refuse it.

She was even very tactful and didn't ask much.

It was always like this in the past, but now that Jia Lian has become a Marquis, how many more things like this will happen in the future?

Did she know that she had no other advantage other than having the opportunity to marry Jia Lian.

It is said that the princess wanted to snatch the marriage back then, and caught her for the crimes she committed.If it hadn't been for Jia Lian to protect her, let alone being Mrs. Hou now, it is not certain whether she will survive.

"Hehehe, are you really crying?" Wang Xifeng wept, but Jia Lian laughed instead.

He held her pretty face and joked.

Seeing this, Wang Xifeng was furious, and if she refused, she turned over and wanted to stay away from Jia Lian.

How could Jia Lian do as she wished, seeing his beautiful wife newly put on red makeup, so charming and so beautiful.

Before, he was just teasing the little girl for a while, but he never got serious, so he didn't have to bear it any more, he turned over and pressed Wang Xifeng on the kang.

Although Wang Xifeng was mentally prepared, she was shocked at this time.

This is an outside heated kang, what if someone comes in and sees it.

"Don't worry, Ping'er is outside, she will watch the door."

Sure enough, Wang Xifeng looked up and saw that Ping'er, who was fiddling with cups and saucers in the tea room, had disappeared at some point.

But the curtain that was originally rolled up at the door has already fallen.

Now, Wang Xifeng felt a little relieved, allowing Jia Lian to peel off the clothes she had just tried on one by one, and gradually scattered them all over the floor.