The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 502 The Second Lady's Feet

"Family affairs are restless, let Hou Ye see a joke."

Seeing the clansmen, who had always been arrogant, leave honestly and dejectedly under the escort of Jia Lian's personal soldiers, Zhuang's expression could not hide his envy.

This is the status quo of the Xue family, the backbone is weak, not only the servants and shopkeepers are not afraid, even the clan members have to come up and step on it.

Jia Lian shook his head, and asked Zhuang with a little smile: "Your wife really asked me to help deter greedy shopkeepers and buddies?"

Jia Lian wanted to know whether this was just an excuse for Zhuang to intervene in Xue's affairs, or something else.Because he was very sure that before leaving Beijing, Aunt Xue just asked him to bring a letter from home, and he also sent someone to Xue's home when he was in Jinling to transfer troops last time.

Who knew Zhuang Shi actually laughed.

"Don't blame Hou Ye, this is indeed what our wife meant. However, our wife knows that Hou Ye has a heavy responsibility and doesn't know if he is free. She dare not disturb the Hou Ye's schedule because of her own trivial matters, so she just He didn't personally entrust the Marquis.

I just told me in the letter that if there is any trouble that is difficult to solve, and you happen to be in Jinling, Lord Hou, I might as well ask you for help. "

It turned out that Aunt Xue also knew that if the second master of the Xue family died, there would be some troubles in the family.But she has made such a big determination to move her family to the capital, so naturally she won't give up halfway and come back to solve these things.

Therefore, only a few stewards were sent down to convey new appointments and arrangements.But a slave is a slave, and it is useful to the servants, but it is almost meaningless to the clansmen in the clan, so the Zhuang family can only let the Zhuang family take care of it.

Knowing that the Zhuang family is a person who is used to leisure, I am afraid that he will not be able to fight well with those in the family.It happened that Jia Lian was going to Jiangnan, so she thought about it.

In the eyes of Aunt Xue, Jia Lian's identity and ability are beyond doubt.If Jia Lian was willing to lend a helping hand, even if he just stood behind Zhuang, it would be able to frighten Xiaoxiao.

That's why she specially asked Jia Lian to help pass the letter, that is, to let Jia Lian go to Xue's house to give Zhuang and others a chance to ask for help.Otherwise, a letter can be delivered by any servant, so why ask Jia Lian for help.

Who knows, Jia Lian didn't have time to go to Xue's house that day, so he just sent someone to send him there.

This is actually the reason why Aunt Xue did not entrust her directly.He knew that Jia Lian was on an imperial errand, so he didn't dare to trouble Jia Lian casually. If Jia Lian didn't plan to go to Jinling at all, she would be embarrassed to ask Jia Lian to make a special trip for her, but if Jia Lian came to Jinling City, based on her understanding of Jia Lian, Wouldn't mind helping out with this.

Jia Lian also laughed, and he could easily understand Aunt Xue's plans.To be honest, he was very satisfied with Aunt Xue's behavior.

In fact, even if Aunt Xue asked him to visit Xue's house when he was in the capital, he would not refuse. After all, this kind of trivial matter is just a piece of cake for him, but no one likes to be treated as free labor to make progress.

Aunt Xue's approach can be summed up in one point, please help if you are free, and forget it if you are not free.

"Your wife is indeed too polite. We are all close relatives, and it is our duty to help each other.

Well, what my aunt wants me to do, just say it. "

Aunt Xue, mother and son are as tall as the emperor, and it is inevitable that the people below will be rampant. All they need to do is beat and beat, which is really easy for him.As for how effective it will be and how long it will last, that's not something he should consider.

In the final analysis, the current difficult situation of the Xue family should be solved by the Xue family themselves.An outsider could help him for a while, but he couldn't help him forever.

Seeing that Jia Lian agreed to help without hesitation, Mrs. Zhuang also seemed very happy.However, she didn't express her plan right away, but said that it was getting late, she had already ordered someone to prepare a dinner party, and it would not be too late to discuss everything at the banquet.

Jia Lian did not refuse either.In fact, he brought Daiyu over in the afternoon, just because he wanted to have a meal.Since it is a leisurely stroll, it is natural to have a process of visiting relatives and friends and eating free food to be considered complete.

Soon it was time for dinner, when Jia Lian came to Xue's dining room led by Xue Biao, Xue Baoqin also appeared with Daiyu.

After greeting each other, Jia Lian saw that Daiyu's face was blushing, and there was a little sweat on her forehead, so Jia Lian helped her brush a few bangs on her forehead, and asked with a smile, "What did you and girl Qin do? Look at you." Little blushing."

In front of Xue's family, Daiyu was a little embarrassed, took a step back, and said in a low voice: "I didn't do anything, just swinging under the pear tree for a while..."

Jia Lian was in a trance, and then remembered that it was the season of peach and plum blossoms. He thought of Daiyu and Baoqin, two rare and beautiful girls, swinging under the pear tree, accompanied by the spring breeze and the fragrance of flowers, and sprinkled snow-white flowers all over the ground. Pear blossoms, what a beautiful scene it should be.

It's a pity that he couldn't see such a scene.

So I asked Daiyu if she liked playing on the swing.Daiyu didn't answer directly. Swing is a game that every girl of this age likes. It's just that Daiyu has been living with Jia Mu in Rongguo Mansion, but it doesn't seem like she is with her parents. She can ask for anything she wants.

Perhaps it is not respectful for girls to play on swings, so the girls in Jia's mansion basically do not have this entertainment facility.

On the contrary, after the Sanchun sisters moved out of Jiamu's Courtyard, they lived alone in the three small buildings behind Mrs. Wang's Courtyard, and they were more free.Tanchun was very active. Back then, people hung ropes on the beams on both sides of the house, installed swing boards, and built a simple swing frame. When Jia Lian passed by, he even watched the Sanchun sisters play.

So I made up my mind that after returning to Beijing, I must prepare a swing for Daiyu in the Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

"Everyone is here, Tiao'er Qin'er, what are you doing standing up if you haven't greeted your second elder brother Lian and sister Lin to take their seats?"

Mrs. Zhuang personally brought a big dish into the hall, and greeted everyone to sit down with a smile.

After some prevarication, just when everyone was about to take their seats, they suddenly heard a voice that was not very neat, but charming and pleasant, coming from outside the room door.

"Sorry, I'm late."

Following this female voice, a long-legged, slender-waisted, graceful beauty, who appeared to be in her 20s at a glance, walked over slowly.

She has a coquettish face similar to Qin Keqing, but her facial features are quite different from those of the Central Plains people.

High nose bridge, deep facial features, and the most noticeable thing is that pair of azure blue eyes, so bright and charming.

Jia Lian was astonished when he saw it, especially when he saw Xue Biao and Xue Baoqin bowing to salute, and called the woman "Second Mother", he felt inexplicable admiration.

It turned out that when Jia Lian saw the Zhuang family before, Jia Lian felt emotional in his heart, the second master of the Xue family had good eyesight, and he got such a beautiful wife. He did not expect that besides the Zhuang family, there would be such an exotic woman. Gorgeous concubine!
With such a wife and concubine, the second master of the Xue family is willing to do business all year round. It seems that he really likes to do business and travel.

It's a pity that he died young, leaving behind this orphan and widowed family, which is also pitiful.

From the day of Daiyu's birth to now, most of the time she stays out of the gate, and even if she rarely goes out, it's just a trip between the north and the south.

She has basically never seen a foreigner, but only heard about it from books. Seeing the second wife of the Xue family at this moment, she naturally opened her curious eyes wide.

Immediately realizing the other party's impressive beauty, Daiyu subconsciously turned her head to look at Jia Lian.

It's a pity that Jia Lian was scheming, and before she could react, she had already restrained her expression, lowered her eyes slightly, and acted like no one else was there.

Mrs. Zhuang seemed to be aware of Jia Lian's curiosity, so she explained: "This is my husband's second wife. She is not from the Central Plains, but met my husband in the Western Regions when he was traveling a long way with his elders.

Because it has only been more than ten years since she came to our Central Plains, she still speaks Chinese with some original accents, I hope you will not be offended. "

Jia Lian and Daiyu greeted quickly, "I have seen the second lady."

Although according to the current rules of big families, concubines are generally not qualified to meet guests.But since the second wife dared to come out generously, and the Zhuang family didn't show any displeasure, whether it's because the Xue family's wives and concubines are in harmony, or for other reasons, both Jia Lian and Jia Lian should be respected.

After all, one of Jia Lian and Daiyu is determined to break this rule, and the other is also a concubine, so naturally it is even more so.

The second lady is very tall, not much worse than Jia Lian. She first took a look at Jia Lian, then set her eyes on Daiyu, and said with a smile: "I heard from my sister before that Lord Hou and Mr. Lin Xiang are together. Handsome and unrestrained, he is well-behaved and looks like a fairy. Now that I see it with my own eyes, I know that my sister is right.

It is her honor that you can come to visit Qin'er, and I would like to thank you for your kindness on behalf of her. "

Be polite, Mrs. Zhuang smiled and asked everyone to return to their seats.

Zhuang and Jia Lian had been too polite before, and sat in the middle of the chair, while Jia Lian took the lead.Jia Lian's first movers were Daiyu, Baoqin and Xue Bian, so the second wife sat on the other side of the Zhuang family.

Seeing her casual appearance, no matter whether it is the Zhuang family, Baoqin, Xue Biao, or the maids and servants of Xue's family, there is nothing unusual. It can be known that the second lady should also eat with them at ordinary times.This point of the Xue family is still commendable.

Although there are not many people here, but their identities are different, restraint is inevitable.

Fortunately, Baoqin also seemed to understand this, so she took advantage of her youngest age, not only to greet the two guests, Daiyu and Jia Lian, but also to liven up the atmosphere on purpose.For example, at this time, everyone looked at each other without saying a word, so she deliberately asked with a smile: "Second Brother Lian, I don't know how Sister Qingran is doing now? I haven't heard from her since I returned to Jinling, and I'm still a little worried about her." .”

"She is fine now. After returning to Beijing, she also moved out of the palace, and her father rewarded her with a super large and luxurious house, where she lives alone.

Next time you arrive in the capital, you can go directly to her to play without worrying about being stopped. "

"Is that so..."

Baoqin was obviously moved, but she knew that it was too difficult for her to go to Beijing to meet Princess Zhaoyang.

"Qin'er, who is the 'sister Qingran' you are talking about?"

Zhuang's and the others didn't seem quite right.

Baoqin glanced at the two of Zhuang's, and whispered, "It's the princess sister I told you about when I came back last time..."

The complexions of the two of the Zhuang family changed, and they quickly reprimanded: "Nonsense, you are a commoner girl, how dare you call Her Highness the Princess by her name."

Baoqin's expression was a little gloomy, she lowered her head and dared not speak.

Jia Lian smiled and waved her hand: "Auntie, don't blame Baoqin. The fact is that when Princess Zhaoyang saw Baoqin girl outside the Great Wall, she fell in love with her and immediately recognized her as a godsister. The name of this sister is also Princess Zhaoyang asked Baoqin to call it that.

Otherwise, how could the name of the princess be easily known to others. "

Mrs. Zhuang and the second wife looked at each other, and they both saw the surprise in each other's eyes.If someone else said such a thing, they might not believe it easily, but they dare not question what Jia Lian said.

Glancing at Xue Biao, Xue Biao also explained in a low voice: "At that time, my sister also told my father about it, but my father said that the princess was just talking about it for a moment of pleasure. Let us guard ourselves, and don't cling to the prince at will. Longsun, that's why my sister didn't tell you..."

The Zhuang family didn't know what to say, and the second wife's eyes lit up even more.If girl Qin really has such a relationship, the Mei family would not dare to regret their relationship!
She didn't think it too weird, anyway, being good-looking is easy to be treated preferentially by others.It is especially nice to see beauties of their level, such as her, who have been in the Central Plains for these years, and even the Zhuang family who should have regarded her as a thorn in the flesh, have gradually been taken down by her, and they are as close as sisters to her. Cooperate in caring, and help each other during the years when the husband is not at home.

After all, the Zhuang family was born and raised in the Central Plains gentry, and they were extremely awed by the imperial power. Even though they believed that Xue Biao and the others were not lying, they still warned Baoqin with gentle words: "Even if the princess told you to call me that, you shouldn't call me that anytime, anywhere. Not to mention anything else, but the name of the princess is taboo, and you should not reveal it to outsiders casually."

"Yes, I see." Baoqin turned from worry to joy, and responded with a smile.

After this little episode, the atmosphere at the banquet seemed to open up.

The Zhuang family was no longer polite, and after letting Xue Biao accompany Jia Lian to have a glass of wine, he took the initiative to mention the matter of asking Jia Lian to help deter Xue's slave shopkeeper.

According to Zhuang's meaning, she has actually confirmed the fact that several people were greedy for ink and embezzled the owner's property. It's just that those shopkeepers who have a foundation in Xue's family are all cunning and cunning, and they are related to each other.

She is also known as being inappropriate, if she doesn't want to make a scene known to everyone, such as suing the shopkeepers in court, she is really not good at helping Aunt Xue deal with these people.

Therefore, she wanted to ask Jia Lian to deal with a few people on her behalf, and to deter others by the way, so that she could kill chickens to warn monkeys.

Jia Lian also thought it was the easiest way, so he asked Mrs. Zhuang to make preparations and call the main shopkeepers and assistants of the Xue family here tomorrow afternoon, and he would just come over again at that time.

Seeing that Jia Lian accepted the matter lightly, Zhuang couldn't help feeling the same emotion as Aunt Xue once saw Jia Lian.

It would be great if their Xue family had such a man!

The Xue family lacks nothing but a man!
When Xue Biao was mentioned, there were a few complaints, saying that he didn't study hard, who should they rely on in the future, and so on, which made the already shy Xue Biao's face burn.

That day in the frontier fortress, after being stimulated by Jia Lian, Xue Bian returned home, but picked up his books and prepared to do a big job.This undoubtedly made Zhuang and others very happy.

Who knows, in just a few days, Xue Biao felt the powerlessness of studying at the beginning.In addition, his father died of illness immediately, so he completely abandoned his ambitions and never wanted to take books again.

After hearing these words, Jia Lian couldn't help but look at Xue Biao a few more times, then shook his head and laughed.

"I think that what my aunt said is not only biased, but also unfair to Brother Tad."

Since parents are always condescending in front of their children, it is difficult to empathize.It's just that Jia Lian's identity is here, even if what Jia Lian said is wrong, they have to pretend to listen respectfully.

"There are all kinds of people in the world, and there are all kinds of ways.

Some people are born to read, and they are also smart. They can gain fame and future by virtue of reading. This is just one of many ways.

And other people who can't read, or are not as good as others, are not necessarily unintelligent.

Just like brother scorpion, I feel as if I am enjoying the spring breeze when I talk to him. I think the so-called modest gentleman in ancient times is exactly the character described by brother scorpion.

Therefore, even if the scorpion brothers don't like reading, it doesn't mean that they don't have a good future in the future. "

Jia Lian's remarks are like Jia Baoyu's coquettish remarks, which are against the world, so Zhuang can't help frowning and asking: "Although that is the case, if he doesn't study hard, he can't get fame and win an official position. Like his father and uncle, he will be a traveling merchant all his life, so how can he be called promising?"

"It is said that reading thousands of books is not as good as traveling thousands of miles. Is it not good to be like Xue Shishu, who traveled thousands of mountains and rivers, traveled around the world, and looked at the world with a broad mind?"

Uh, Jia Lian talks about her man, what can Zhuang say?
"Besides, who said that one must be an official to have a future?
There are tens of thousands of people who study in the world, can everyone be an official?As far as I know, there are only a few thousand civil and military officials in Beijing and China.

Even if it is placed in all the prefectures and counties of the entire Wei Dynasty, all of them are added together, and there are only tens of thousands of officials.

Everyone wants to be an official, but who knows that there are so many officials for people.

Furthermore, even if you become an official, how can an official have a future?

Don't you hear that officials all over the world are mediocre, there are many people, but few people who can do a lot.

Even some officials made a wrong step, which not only caused their own bodies to be decapitated, but also caused their families to suffer. "

Jia Lian's topic was a bit high, but everyone present was either women or children. However, because Jia Lian himself was qualified to say such things, they all sat upright and listened very carefully.

"Therefore, I feel that being an official is just a well-known way to achieve ambition and value, but it is not the only one, and it may not even be the best choice.

The so-called 360 lines, every line leads to the champion.

Just like Shang Zhidao, if it is done well, it might not be able to benefit the people of one side, and even benefit the whole country.

For example, Guan Zhong and Fan Li in the Spring and Autumn Period, Bai Gui and Lu Buwei in the Warring States Period, they all entered Taoism through business, and then ruled a country, and finally passed down their names in history.

Therefore, it would be great if the scorpion brothers can study and become an official. If they can't, in the future, their sons will inherit their father's career, and they will be better than blue. "

As soon as Jia Lian finished speaking, Xue Biao immediately became excited.

He had never heard of such remarks, and this was the first time since he found out that he was really not good at reading, he felt that maybe he was not so useless.

He followed his father since he was a child, and what he saw and learned were all related to business.

A lot, he finds it very interesting, and he also intends to inherit his father's business.

But people around him, including his mother, told him that there is no future in being a businessman, and that it is only reasonable to study and take the imperial examination.

He couldn't refute it, but he thought, even among those who study, how many of them can produce a boy student, a scholar, and how many scholars can produce a juren, how many juren, can they be a Jinshi?
Reading imperial examinations is too difficult!

Now after hearing Jia Lian's words, Xue Biao suddenly felt that Mo Chou had no confidant in the future, and there was another village in the dark.

Except for Xue Scorpion, the same is true for the other four women of all sizes.

Mrs. Zhuang, the second wife, and Baoqin are very different in appearance. They all look at Jia Lian with reverence and admiration, just like listening to the evening drum and the morning bell.

Sure enough, only a person like Jia Lian can say such different remarks, but it sounds like enlightenment and cleansing the soul.

Daiyu looked at Jia Lian blankly, then lowered her head and took a sip of wine silently.

No wonder the old ladies at home said that the second elder brother was born to be an official.

He also said that becoming an official is not the only way to realize his ambitions. Who doesn't know that the second elder brother has been busy going out every day in order to become an official, and he rarely even returns home.

Fortunately, although Lian's second brother has integrated into the secular world, he doesn't act in the same way as ordinary people in his daily behavior and speech.

Reluctantly, he is considered half elegant.

At this time, Zhuang also had to agree with Jia Lian, sighing: "I am a woman, and I didn't understand these principles.

But since you have said so, brother Lian, why should I be confused again?

Forget it, you are still young anyway, from now on, even if you learn to manage the family business and study hard at the same time, it would be the best if you can get fame in the exam. If you really fail the exam, I won't talk about you anymore .

Anyway, with the family business that your father and grandfather laid down for you, the family will not be short of your food and drink.As for how far you can go in the future, it depends on your own good luck. "

Hearing this, Xue Biao immediately stood up, bowed down to Mrs. Zhuang seriously, and said, "Thank you, my son, for your mother's understanding. From now on, I will work harder to study and live up to my mother's high expectations."

After finishing speaking, Xue Biao turned sideways again and bowed to Jia Lian: "Xue Biao thank Lian's second brother for your kindness."

Jia Lian pressed his hand slightly, and was about to say that there is no need to be polite, but suddenly realized that someone had kicked his calf hidden under the table.

The touch is light and fluttering, like a daughter's little feet.

Jia Lian remained calm, but his eyes immediately swept to the person on the table.

Everyone else was doing as usual, only the second lady, who had been sitting across from him and didn't talk much, showed an apologetic look at him the moment he looked over. Presumably, she kicked herself accidentally.

(End of this chapter)