The Concubine's Survival Manual

Chapter 7

"This is also a gift from the second sister?" Seventh Lady asked calmly, no joy or anger could be heard in her voice.

Bai Lu was also stunned.

Lixia came in with a plate of grapes, heard the tail of Qiniangzi's words, and said, "This is from Si Yiniang, I don't want to accept it, but Shuang Jiang said, whether to accept it or not is up to Qiniangzi."

There was a trace of grievance in her voice.Shuang Jiang was a quick talker, thinking about it, he also said a lot of unpleasant things.

"Back back." Seventh Lady's voice was as cold as the winter wind. "What else did she bring?"

Li Xia hurriedly shook his head, and then pointed to an ink bag on the bed. "The second lady sent a pair of couplets first, and then some clothes, but we haven't unpacked them yet."

It seems that no one has concealed the matter of the fifth lady's mischief, and the second lady knows it well.

Seventh Lady smiled and shook her head, "Sister Bailu, it's hard work for you to make a trip, please return this plate of silver."

Bai Lu felt a little in admiration for Seventh Lady.

Fourth aunt sent this plate of silver, really uneasy and kind.

If Qi Niangzi accepts it, she will be restrained by Si Yiniang in the future, not to mention, turning her head to Master Yang will be an excuse. If the eldest wife loses face, if she doesn't vent her anger on Qin Niangzi, who will she vent her anger on?

This money is absolutely unacceptable.

She picked up the silver and went out of the courtyard.

Only then can Seven Lady and Li Xia sit down and talk.

"Li Xia," Seventh Lady sat down at the table, and called the little girl to her side with a pleasant face, "You didn't suffer any grievances today, did you?"

Li Xia smiled, but did not speak.

Seventh Lady just likes Lixia, she can hold her breath, and she doesn't like to lie, so she is more honest.

"We're new here, even if we suffer some grievances, it's justified." Seventh Lady said slowly, "You should follow Bai Lu more and learn from her. Don't take matters of Fifth Sister to heart, who will ask? You, don't say anything more."

If the matter is caught and the incident gets out, Wu Niangzi will be ashamed, but she may not be very glorious.Besides, this matter actually lies in the fact that she didn't have time to speak clearly. If the eldest wife is more biased and thinks that she wants to see Wu Niangzi's jokes, then she will lose her good fruit.

Even if Lichun is here, if she can say a few words for her, it is still impossible to say.

Li Xia blinked and nodded, not sure if he listened.

Seventh Lady could not help but sigh.

Rich and powerful, right and wrong are more.

She lowered her eyes, "Unpack the package that Second Sister sent me." Second Lady's kindness, unlike Fourth Aunt's kindness, must be accepted.

Li Xia went over to unpack the bundle, and shook out the clothes one by one to show Qin Niangzi.

Although the clothes sent by the second lady were not as expensive as the ones sent by the second wife, the size was just right. A ginger-yellow tribute satin jacket was liked by the second lady, so she wanted to try it on on the spot.

Li Xia shook his clothes, and a few small things rolled to the ground, hitting the bluestone ground, making a crisp sound.She picked it up and showed it to Seventh Lady.

They were four small silver ingots.

"About four taels." Li Xia weighed it, put the silver ingot on the table, and shook off the remaining two sky blue and dark red clothes.Two more silver ingots fell out of the sky-blue sash.

Qin Niangzi held the six taels of silver with emotion.

When Bai Lu came back that night, she gave Bai Lu two taels.

"Thanks to your rescue during the day." She said tactfully, "I am no richer than my sisters, so I will take the two taels first, and if there is less, I will make up for you when the monthly payment is issued at the end of the month."

Bai Lu hurriedly pushed Qiniangzi's hand away, "There are not that many, besides, this is what a servant girl should do."

"I should have paid for this." Seventh Lady insisted, "Hurry up and accept it, or I will give you four taels at the end of the month."

Bai Lu couldn't help chuckling, and took Qin Niangzi's money.

Seventh Lady took another small box, and put four taels of silver into it in front of her.

It was a dilapidated camphorwood box, empty inside, only these four small silver ingots.

Qin Niangzi smiled at Li Xia and Bai Lu, "Life always passes slowly. When we get to the West Side Courtyard, let's pass the time as slowly as possible."

Lixia happily agreed: In the Nanpianyuan, there is no such thing as the saying that Seventh Lady has no private money.

Bai Lu's eyes darkened slightly: "Although I didn't say it clearly, in the main courtyard, the monthly allowance of the ladies is four taels, which is two taels more than the ladies in the concubine's house. Not to mention, the eldest wife will give them gifts from time to time when she thinks about it." money.Er Niangzi's money box was full, and several times she sent money, Er Niangzi rewarded her with half a silver ingot.

She looked at Seventh Lady under the lamp and laughed again.Seventh Lady is right, the days always get better and better.

#
The next day, Seventh Lady got up, washed and washed, and Liang's mother personally sent two clothes over.

"It was supposed to be delivered last night, but it was delayed. I changed it and it should fit well." She said with a smile.

Seventh Lady thanked her again and again, "Please trouble Mom to think about it." Changing clothes is not an easy task, no matter who Liang's mother asks to change, Seventh Lady will thank her for her own favor.

Mama Liang looked at the sky-blue beanie hanging on the screen, her eyes flashed.

"Second sister sent it yesterday." Seventh Lady smiled a little embarrassedly, "Second sister is cold on the outside and hot on the inside."

Seventh Lady spoke nicely, but what was originally embarrassing, said Second Lady seemed to be warm-hearted.Liang's mother patted Qin Niangzi's hand with squinting eyes, "It's fine if Qi Niangzi thinks so."

After finishing speaking, he went back to the main room, the eldest wife was still sleeping on the bed, while Brother Nine was putting on clothes, clumsy and didn't want help, the eldest wife could only smile when she saw it.

When Brother Jiu went out to wash up, Mama Liang said what Qin Niangzi said, "He can talk."

The eldest lady nodded, "It's not in vain for Second Sister to think so." She sat up lazily, and Mama Liang stepped forward to take off her nightgown and put on her middle coat. "Let Xianxiufang make all the clothes of the four seasons. A few years ago, the fourth aunt was in charge of the inner courtyard, and she often withheld their mother and daughter's monthly payment. Look at what the seventh lady is wearing! Do more this time, Second sister and fifth sister won't say anything."

Mother Liang said cautiously, "Fifth Sister is also clamoring to make new clothes."

"Nonsense!" The eldest lady got out of bed, "I haven't settled with her what happened yesterday. After dinner, I asked someone to go over and thresh the grain rain a few times to let her know how bad it is - she's so old, she doesn't know how to behave."

"...Yes." Liang's mother didn't say anything else. If it were to be placed on other girls' heads, it would not be a matter of beating a maidservant a few times. The eldest wife spoiled the fifth lady very much.

"Let's just make a few pieces for the sisters," the eldest wife changed her mind again, "Second sister who is about to talk about her relatives, if you go out with me for a walk, you always need to wear more. Take it with you and make it for the fifth sister." A few, so that she won't make another fuss."

What else can Mama Liang say?
So after dinner, the three girls didn't go home to study, and the embroiderer from Xianxiufang came to measure her body and make new clothes.

Qin Niangzi did the most, making 24 sets of new clothes all year round, and the eldest wife asked her to go to the warehouse to pick out the materials. Qin Niangzi resigned because she didn't understand.The fifth lady was in high spirits, and took the second lady to look for Yao's mother to the warehouse to see the materials. Although she only had four new clothes, she was also happy.

The second lady followed her indifferently, and the seventh lady left and returned to the west side courtyard.

She came back late last night and didn't meet up with the little girls and wives, but this time they did.

Although the eldest wife was very mean to Jiu Yiniang, she still had nothing to criticize in her treatment. The four little maids who were sent here were all honest people with delicate features and low eyebrows.The two mothers-in-law are also full of honesty and neatly dressed.Qin Niangzi said a few words on the scene, let them go to work, went back to the house by herself, and asked Li Xia, "Where is my needlework?"

Bai Lu smiled, "They're all placed in Xili Room."

There was no round table in the Xili room, and a set of small beech wood tables and chairs was set up by the window. There was also an embroidery shed and an embroidery frame next to the chairs. A few balls of dark silk thread were placed on the embroidery frame, which was something Qiniangzi had never seen before. Dark gold thread.

Seventh Lady couldn't help raising her eyebrows at Bai Lu.

"Mother Yao brought it by the way when she opened the warehouse door to get the embroidery frame yesterday." Bai Lu said habitually, "If Seventh Lady thinks it's too little, I'll go when I run out."

Gold thread and silver thread are usually available in the storeroom, and they are very close. Seventh Lady has learned embroidery for more than a year, and has never used such a precious thread. Usually, she occasionally sees Third Lady and Fourth Lady sitting in a pretentious manner. Embroidery in the garden also uses ordinary silk threads.The ladies in the main courtyard, even if they are concubines, have more expensive food and clothing than those in the aunt's room.

"Just embroider for fun," said Qin Niangzi with a smile, "I don't need such a good thread."

"Jiu Yiniang's needlework is excellent." Bai Lu saw the stitches and flattered her, "I remember when she lost her handkerchief, and the maids picked it up, but they didn't know how the peach blossoms were embroidered on it."

"After all, she was born as a embroiderer." Seventh Lady smiled slightly, bowed her head and twirled the needle. Li Xia came over and sat down beside her, helping her with the threading.

Bai Lu was a little embarrassed for a moment before she realized that she had made a slip of the tongue.

"I still have half of the pouch face embroidered." Seventh Lady raised her head and said. "I want to make it for my mother, but I don't know what color scheme my mother likes."

You must ask Bai Lu about this matter, does she belong to the eldest wife's house?Bai Lu smiled and sat next to Seventh Lady.

"The eldest wife likes things that are more stable, and the brown background is the best. Use dark gold thread to embroider some continuous cloud patterns, which are stable and rich." She said casually, and Seventh Lady took out a small brown official satin, and Bailu was stunned. mouth.

"This material is a bit poor. I can't embroider well. I embroider out any pattern first, and then embroider on top of it." Seventh Lady explained, and Bai Lu felt relieved.

"Qi Niangzi embroiders well, she has a good look." Looking closely at Qin Niangzi's technique, Bai Lu couldn't help but praise.

A six or seven-year-old girl would embroider so shockingly, it would be a dream, but Qin Niangzi does embroider very well, which can still be seen.

The atmosphere in the house was harmonious.

#
Lunch is served by each room by itself, after lunch, Seventh Lady took a nap, so she didn't have to wait on Jiu Yiniang, she also had a leisure time, got up and embroidered again.

When it was time to eat dinner, the eldest wife suddenly sent Li Chun over with a plate of silver.

"The girls in each house have their own money boxes." Lichun explained, "It's not yet the day of the monthly payment, and the money is for Qin Niangzi's pocket money."

The implication is very clear: there are Second Lady and Fifth Lady, and the First Wife will not miss Seventh Lady.

Seventh Lady thanked her gratefully, "Thanks to mother for thinking about it." Then she lowered her head in embarrassment, "I really don't get along very well these days."

I'm afraid I haven't joined hands before, and several people know it well.Lichun took another burden, "Here are the clothes worn by Brother Nine. You and Brother Nine are twin siblings... When you wear them, let everyone laugh."

Qin Niangzi took the burden, sent Lichun to the steps, and came back to stare at the purse in a daze.

It's not surprising that the eldest wife knew that the fourth aunt gave her money and was returned by her.She lived right under the eyes of the eldest wife, it would be strange if the eldest wife didn't know about it.

It's just that Fourth Aunt has worked so hard to help her, why?
Knowing that she had no money, he sent some money with great effort, so that the eldest wife would also have to bleed to cover everyone's mouths.

He also helped her match up, and entered the main courtyard to support her... Fourth Aunt's pretentious show of favor must have a purpose, right?
Seventh Lady is just a helpless concubine, if it wasn't for her pretentiousness, she might not even be able to enter the main courtyard.Such a person deserves fourth aunt's favor?

Master Yang has been resting at Fourth Auntie's place for three consecutive nights.

Seventh Lady felt very strange.

Besides, the eldest lady suddenly gave Brother Jiu clothes for no reason.What kind of heart do you have?

Qin Niangzi thought about it, but she couldn't figure out what the eldest lady was thinking.

You can say that the eldest wife is confused, but she is also a very careful person, and she handles everything properly.

But if you want to say that the eldest wife is not confused, and she has entered the main courtyard, why should she give the fourth aunt and the second wife a chance to sell well? She should have prepared all the sex, so that she also has a place to be grateful for?

Seventh Lady didn't want to.

"It's delivered, just put it away." She said calmly, "I'm going to school tomorrow, Bai Lu, what do the teachers in the school talk about?"

Bai Lu smiled and picked up her needlework. It was getting late and it was hard to do needlework anymore.

"There are several teachers in the school, both men and women. One hour in the morning, they read and write, and two hours in the afternoon, they learn embroidery."

Seventh Lady frowned slightly, and Bai Lu said, "It doesn't matter if you don't know how to read, Brother Ninth is only now enlightened at this age."

"I can read." Seventh Lady smiled, "It's just that I haven't been to school, and I haven't read any books."

Bai Lu couldn't help raising her eyebrows.

"Jiu Yiniang's father is a scholar who ran a private school." Li Xia said in a calm tone, not proud of knowing Jiu Yiniang's family background.

Bai Lu softly agreed.

Speaking of Jiu Yiniang, the atmosphere in the room was a bit weird.Seventh Lady sighed in her heart,
"It is said that the second sister is very knowledgeable—" She thought of the scene of the second lady reading a book leaning on the beauty's couch.

Bai Lu smiled, "Daughter's family, it's far from being erudite, it's true that the second lady loves to read."

Qin Niangzi looked at the sky, got up and supported Bai Lu, and went to the main house.

She arrived neither early nor late, the first aunt and the second aunt had just arrived, the third lady and the fourth lady came directly to the main house after school, the second lady, the fifth lady, and the ninth brother sat beside the eldest wife and laughed.

When Seventh Lady entered the room, she hesitated: the eldest wife was already crowded, and the third lady and fourth lady were not in the same order, and the fourth lady sat on top of the third lady. No matter how she sat, it seemed that something was wrong.

She was troubled in her heart, but she couldn't see it on the face. She bowed to the eldest wife, and then bowed to the sisters one by one.

Seeing Er Niangzi, her attitude was very natural, and she was not particularly affectionate just because Er Niangzi gave her a few taels of silver, "Second Sister, I want to ask you something."

Saying that, Seventh Lady sat down on the chair below Second Lady, and instead sat on top of Fourth Lady.

(End of this chapter)