The Concubine's Survival Manual

Chapter 14

When Qi Niangzi arrived at Zhu Yingtai, everyone had already arrived. Huang Xiuniang was beside San Niangzi, teaching her the needle-picking embroidery method unhurriedly. Comment.

On the contrary, Liu Niangzi looked at Qi Niangzi with concern, and gave her a questioning look.

Seventh Lady took a breath, then shook her head at Sixth Lady with a smile.

Fourth Lady turned around in a rare way, and gave Seventh Lady a look that mixed disdain and pity.

It seems that Fourth Aunt did not hide the matter of Mrs. Feng's visit from her two daughters.

Qin Niangzi threaded the needle absently, and started to embroider on the unfinished plum blossom embroidery screen, her hand was three minutes slower than usual.

She didn't regret what happened at noon today, at the gate of the house, most of the time she really couldn't do whatever she wanted, but Mrs. Feng and Feng Jin were Jiu Yiniang's only relatives in the world.

If even they can't help, what's the use of Jiu Yiniang giving birth to her?

Since Brother Nine came to live in the West Side Courtyard, she has had much less money to spend on: Brother Nine is the lifeblood of the eldest wife, he usually eats whatever he wants, who dares to ask for rewards in any other way?Even carrying it would be cheaper, Seventh Lady, for that matter, after giving Mrs. Feng the 30 taels, she only had 12 taels of silver left on hand.

Less is more, according to Mrs. Feng, one mu of good land now costs two taels of silver, and 12 taels of silver can buy six mu of land, which is not a small amount for ordinary people.

But in the West Side Courtyard, the valuables are all listed and have a price, and they are often worth more than a dozen or a few dozen taels. The little money she has on hand is not worth two or three teacups.

She doesn't have much to spend money on, and everything she eats and wears comes from the public school, but now that Feng Jin is a child, Qin Niangzi always hopes that he can go to a better private school and study for a year smoothly Next year, a scholar will come out of the examination, and then go up to the examination of juren, although it is a bit illusory, but a scholar can sit in the hall, and he is also a person with fame, and a stable and stable life can be expected.

In this way, 30 taels may not be enough!
After buying some land, it will be a bit difficult to find a good private school... You can't let Miss Feng, who has never met, become a female celebrity every day to sell, and follow Mrs. Feng's old path, right?
In fact, if the eldest wife can be persuaded to come forward, hundreds of taels of silver are just a matter of letting go of the eldest wife. The clothes on her are worth one or two hundred taels, let alone anything else!

Although the eldest wife thinks she is good, it is because she is useful and valuable to the eldest wife.

In the past few months of living in the main house, Qin Niangzi has almost grasped the eldest wife's temper.

This is a noble lady with a small heart, but she is not completely confused. She can see clearly about right and wrong, and she is not stingy about money.Ever since I entered the main courtyard, the eldest wife has not treated her badly, food and clothing are all provided according to the share of the fifth lady, and after the seventh lady perfunctory the second wife once or twice, she is always explicit or covert , give some decent, give some benefits.

The rewards and punishments are fairly clear!

If he wanted her to make concessions on the Feng family's affairs, then he had to make a corresponding amount of credit.

But in the deep house compound, where can she do meritorious service?

Seventh Lady couldn't help but glanced at Third Lady. She was holding the embroidery stand with one hand and picking with the other under the guidance of Huang Xiuniang, making a posture of picking needles and embroidering.

She sighed and slowed down her needle.

Now what she wants to think about is probably not meritorious service, but redemption!
In the courtyard of the deep house, there are no secrets that can be concealed. Even if the fourth aunt wants to sell her favor and hide the fact that Mrs. Feng's visit is hidden, the mother-in-law at the second door will tell Mama Wang about it.

Although Mama Wang and her got along well, how could she not tell the eldest wife?
Besides, on the way to Yu Rongyuan, I don't know how many mothers-in-law and daughter-in-laws saw her figure and made a pair with each other, so they knew that she was going to see Mrs. Feng.Even if she can do the work of Tong Wang's mother and Li Chun, it's useless...

Seventh Lady finished the embroidery class absent-mindedly, while slowly tidying up the embroidery frame, she was still thinking about what to do next.

After leaving Zhuying Terrace, although the sky was still bright, it was almost time for dinner. Seventh Lady looked around and saw Bai Lu standing on the bluestone floor outside Zhuying Terrace, beside Third Lady Awakening of Insects joking.

She squinted her eyes, and before she could speak, Bai Lu greeted her with a smile.

"Si Yiniang wants to see you." Bai Lu's voice was not loud, but her expression was very meaningful.

Seventh Lady was taken aback.

Jing Zhe also went forward to salute to Seventh Lady, "Third Lady and Fourth Aunt are in front of you to appreciate the flowers, and some peonies are really in bloom! Seventh Lady, would you like to see them?"

Seventh Lady has already recovered her composure, "Okay, I'm going to take a look."

Baiyujin is near Xikefang where Fourth Aunt lived, connected to Jidi Residence to the east, and Xiaoxiangxue to the north, with the majestic rockery at its back.Right now is the season of peonies, and there are potted plants of various colors, including peonies and peonies, and a low and low pavilion was built in the center of the flower garden for the grand master to watch the beautiful scene of the delicate flowers under the rain.

Si Yiniang was sitting alone in the small pavilion, staring at a delicate velvet purple plant.

Seventh Lady asked Bai Lu and Jing Zhe to talk among the peonies, and she approached Fourth Yiniang gently and skillfully.

Fourth Aunt seemed not to notice her approaching, she looked at the beautiful and rich famous peonies, her eyes were dreamy and misty, revealing a different kind of melancholy.

The fourth aunt is indeed much more charming than the eldest wife.

"Fourth aunt." Seventh lady was not too enthusiastic, and saluted fourth aunt warily.

Fourth Yiniang came back to her senses, smiled, and politely asked Seventh Lady to sit beside her.

The two were relatively speechless.

Fourth Aunt looked carefully at Seventh Lady.

Seventh Lady and Ninth Brother were born exactly the same, but Ninth Brother's handsome and playful, in Seventh Lady's place, turned into a pitiful frailty...

How did Jiu Yiniang give birth to such a pair of live babies!

She is only seven years old, but she is not inferior to the adults in her scheming. Fortunately, she is in the Yang family. If she was born in another family of nobles and dignitaries, and she is also the daughter of a prostitute, wouldn't the world be turned upside down?
In the Yang family, even if she has all kinds of scheming and calculations, she can only make a living under the hands of the eldest wife!
Don't believe that she hasn't felt any grievances in her heart for so many years?
Today she also saw the predicament of the Feng family. Speaking of which, Jiu Yiniang gave birth to the only child of the Yang family. No matter how you say it, they are all heroes. ...

No matter how bad-tempered a person is, he must have resentment in his heart, not to mention Qin Niangzi looked at it, it didn't look like a bad-tempered person at all.

She thought about it and then said, "Today's matter, if it gets to the ears of the eldest lady, it will definitely bring you some inconvenience."

Straight to the point.

Qin Niangzi didn't pretend to be stupid either.

"Even so, after all, Mrs. Feng is the only relative of Jiu Yiniang, and she always needs to take care of her." She said with a little shame, "It's because they don't know how to run a business. The wife gets rewards every year, but they are all spent indiscriminately. .”

Do it first, and stop Fourth Yiniang's excuse to talk about his wife.

Fourth aunt inadvertently flashed a look of embarrassment.

Usually reticent, but when it comes to the critical moment, he is so powerful!

After all, she is still a seven-year-old girl, I am not afraid that you will turn the world upside down!
"The third lady is very ignorant!" She smiled, and changed the subject again, "I offended you a few days ago, but she was the older sister, right? I'm here to accompany you on her behalf!"

The topic changed suddenly, but it was very meaningful.

If Seventh Lady had heard the conversation between Second Wife and Fourth Concubine at the gathering of the Eight Immortals that day, she would have known what Fourth Concubine was talking about.

Seventh Lady raised her head and looked at Fourth Aunt seriously.

Si Yiniang's clothes today are more gorgeous than the usual simple attire. She is wearing a light red lake silk beige and a bright blue silk jacket. She is the mother of a few years old, but she is not old at all.

On the calm face, dotted with a pair of foggy eyes, people can't see enough, and can't see through.

She lowered her eyes again, staring at Fourth Aunt's hands.

The jade fingers, as slender as springing bamboo shoots, are wringing the peach red flat gold brocade handkerchief. Although the material is strong, it is also unbelievable by the fourth aunt.

Qin Niangzi felt like she was walking in clouds and mist, and every step could not be realized.

She didn't understand, what kind of lethal power did the few words she heard a month ago have to make Fourth Aunt so nervous... Her clothes and body language showed that Fourth Aunt valued this conversation very much.

"Fourth aunt, you're being polite." She looked puzzled. "Actually, I live in the main courtyard, and my third sister lives in Xi Kefang, so I don't have much contact with each other on weekdays."

Fourth Aunt sighed, her face showed hesitation, and she didn't speak for a while.

Qin Niangzi asked tentatively and suspiciously, "You let Mrs. Feng into the mansion today, and you sent someone to report to me. You intended to give Xiao Qi a personal favor. Xiao Qi understands."

Although this is a statement, it is also an inquiry. If Fourth Aunt agrees to give her a favor, then she will be able to speak out her request.

Fourth Yiniang's eyes lit up, and she grasped the words, "Look what Seventh Lady said." She covered her lips and smiled softly, "It's just a favor—even if the eldest wife asks, this is the last time Jiu Yiniang is alive. A relative, if Seventh Lady doesn't see her, spread the word, I really don't know how many bad words there will be!"

Qin Niangzi's eyes brightened: Yes, this is also the best excuse. When the time comes to let Lichun say a few words for herself, the eldest wife will most likely calm down.

Besides, maybe the eldest wife doesn't mind this kind of thing at all. In the end, even if Mama Wang was there at the time, she would still have to give some money. I just went to meet for a while, and there is a reason... It was her who made the mistake. It's dead end!

As soon as she looked cheerful, Si Yiniang's whole body lit up, "Actually, I'm looking for you today, and I still have something to ask Seventh Lady."

Seventh Lady waited quietly for Fourth Aunt to continue.

"Third lady is getting older this year, and it's time to talk about marriage." Fourth aunt was a little embarrassed, "As a biological mother, I inevitably have to help out."

Seventh Lady hummed without showing any unnecessary expressions.

Fourth Yiniang gritted her teeth secretly, but she became more and more uncertain in her heart.

No one in the mansion has sent news to the capital these days, so it can be seen that even if Qin Niangzi heard those words, she didn't tell them...

Just how much did she actually hear? !
"That's when we go out to socialize, and start to pay attention to suitable people..." In a flash of thought, Fourth Aunt has already opened her mouth pitifully. "It's all the painstaking efforts of being a biological mother."

Seven Lady softened her expression when she thought of Jiu Yiniang.

That's right, Fourth Aunt is blameless in this matter. Which mother doesn't want her daughter to marry well?

"But the eldest wife is always trying to be a hindrance," Fourth Aunt lowered her head, "I'm just an aunt, and I can't speak in front of the eldest wife, so I ask Seventh Lady to help..."

"Fourth aunt, although I am a soft-spoken person," she lowered her eyes, about to make a promise.

At this moment, she saw an uncontrollable burst of fear flowing through Fourth Aunt's eyes.

Qin Niangzi's heart suddenly moved.

Just in case, just in case...

What if the relationship between the second wife and the fourth aunt was not the one she guessed, and the fourth aunt took advantage of the second wife?

What if there is an exchange of interests between them?
The second wife's interest in the Grand Master's Mansion is that there is only one person...

Brother Nine!

Qin Niangzi immediately had goosebumps, a cold torrent ran across her back, making her shiver unconsciously, and abruptly reversed the promise she was about to make.

"Although I'm soft-spoken," she said with a slight smile, her voice a little unsteady, "but I also know that no matter whether it's a concubine's daughter or a concubine's daughter, it's only reasonable for the wife to come forward for marriage... The marriage that the aunt came forward to talk about was inevitably a marriage You were ridiculed. When you arrive at your husband's house, I'm afraid you won't have much face... Even if I speak for you in front of the eldest wife and ask her to leave the marriage to you, for the sake of the Yang family's dignity, the wife will not agree What's more, I'm a soft-spoken person..."

It's not too hard to turn!
After hearing this, Fourth Auntie would not feel that she had heard something she didn't hear on the day when the Eight Immortals were having dinner.

If Lady Seven hadn't heard that conversation, she wouldn't have known that Second Wife was looking after her for Fourth Aunt.

Of course she would listen to Fourth Aunt's nonsense.

Then, as a concubine, it is normal to decline this request.Fourth Yiniang's idea, on the surface, is to let her say something nice in front of the eldest wife, ask the eldest wife to let go, and let fourth aunt take care of the third lady's marriage.But no matter from the foundation or appearance, it is impossible for Seventh Lady to speak for Fourth Yiniang.

If she had heard the conversation and knew that the second wife was going to stand up for the third wife's marriage, she might have agreed to it and made a favor. ——If the second wife wants to come out, she must go directly to the old man as a matchmaker before the first wife returns to Suzhou. The seventh lady can answer first, anyway, she doesn't need to come forward to speak.But he can say a good word in front of Si Yiniang, which will be convenient for him to speak in the future.

If Qin Niangzi is just a scheming seven-year-old girl, how can she not show her feet?
The fourth aunt's eyes showed consternation, but in an instant, her eyes blurred again, and the jade fingers that had been wringing the handkerchief quietly relaxed.

Seventh Lady didn't hear anything!
I'm afraid it's just a coincidence that I went to clean the room.

After all, she was just a little girl, although she had a bit of scheming, but she couldn't stand the tricks, so she revealed her true self...

Even if she heard a few leaked words, whether she could understand them was another matter. She was only seven years old, so even if she could, where could she go?The first lady is also 13 years old, so she can have an equal share with the fourth aunt!

Although she smiled, she showed a bit of disappointment, "I was thinking, I have helped Qin Niangzi a few times overtly and secretly, and with Qi Niangzi's personality, it is impossible not to help me with this... but she did not take care of the overall situation... called Seventh Lady laughed. Please, Seventh Lady, don't tell anyone about this."

Her disappointment, shame and a little bit of credit are all so realistic.

But Fourth Aunt's shoulders slumped, and there was a smile on her lips, showing relaxation...

Seventh Lady felt cold in her heart.

Fourth Yiniang was able to compete with the eldest wife for many years without losing the wind, she really has some skills.

"Xiao Qi won't forget how my fourth aunt took care of me, and she will definitely not ruin your business!" She looked at the sky, showing a little hesitation, "It seems that it's time for dinner, Mama Wang is afraid I have already returned to the West Side Hospital..."

"Then I won't stop Seventh Lady!" Fourth Aunt stood up quickly, Seventh Lady smiled at her, and together they made Baiyujin, Bailu and Jingzhe hurriedly supported one, a pair headed north, and a pair headed south , going in opposite directions.

Bai Lu carefully observed Qiniangzi's expression, but did not speak.

If Seventh Lady wanted to talk to her, she would naturally say it, but if she didn't want to, it was useless to ask.

However, Qin Niangzi just turned around and revealed a contemplative look.

(End of this chapter)