The Concubine's Survival Manual

Chapter 75

"The second room really has face!" When Bai Lu relayed the story to Qin Niangzi, she was full of anger, "How many years ago...you still gossip about it like a baby!"

"Don't you just follow the old lady?" Seventh Lady bowed her head and finished writing the last line upright, then put down her pen, with a calm tone.

Bai Lu gradually calmed down.

"Shameless!" After all, there was still some lingering anger, "After all, she was born as a young lady... No girl knows shame."

"The more shameless you are, the harder it is to deal with." Seventh Lady couldn't help but sigh, "Second Aunt is very scheming... You see, she has been close to Ninth Brother all this time, but has she ever given him a sip of tea or a snack? ?”

As long as the second wife relaxes a bit, brother Jiu will seize the opportunity to have diarrhea.

Both sides have something to say, and the eldest wife will also be more vigilant against the second wife.

Who knows that the second wife has never given them a chance for more than a year. Although she is usually kind to brother Jiu, she never touches his food or drink.

I still underestimated the second wife!

When he first entered the main courtyard, the inferior means were just to confuse the eldest wife.

Although the second wife's real method is not very clever, but because it is too shameless, it is difficult to deal with it for a while.

Seventh Lady can't give Eighth Lady medicine to break Second Wife's heart, right?

Shameless people have such an advantage. The second wife can tell the eldest wife what is wrong with the ninth brother for years, but the seventh lady can't do the same.

It seems that we still need to make a fuss about the death of the third aunt.

Qin Niangzi opened another page of bamboo paper, calmly watching the trajectory of the pen tip on the paper.

The beautiful small characters jumped out one after another, and gradually, Qiniangzi's fluttering mood calmed down.

Wait, only wait, wait for the negligence of the second wife, wait for a better opportunity.

"Third sister must be 15 years old this year." She found a topic and chatted with Bai Lu, "I haven't heard of anyone coming to talk about marriage in the past few months."

"It's said that it's all for the concubine, don't talk about the fourth aunt, even the master doesn't like it." Bai Lu rubbed ink for Qin Niangzi while gossiping with Qin Niangzi, "It's true, even though it's from our Yang family. Daughter, but after all, she is a real concubine..."

It can't compare with Chu Niangzi and Qi Niangzi, and she still has the name of the main courtyard.Those petty officials who want to climb the dragon and become the phoenix will naturally target them.

The third lady is just a concubine, and officials and officials with similar status will naturally only ask for a concubine.

"It's hard to find a concubine like the Wang family." Seventh Lady was somewhat absent-minded. "Is there nothing else to say about Sifang?"

"The wife is in charge of the backyard, and the master is busy with affairs in the yamen, so the fourth room can't cause much trouble." Bai Lu pursed her lips and smiled, "I don't know what's going on in my heart. That's a smart man, If you’re not sure, you won’t make a fuss.”

Seventh Lady hummed thoughtfully, bowed her head and quietly copied the Buddhist scriptures.

#
After more than ten days, a letter came from Beijing, saying that several young masters had already written a boat to return home, and that they would be able to reach Suzhou after the Double Ninth Festival.

Wu Niangzi was a little surprised, "I thought Second Aunt was going to Beijing to visit her cousins, but it turned out that her cousins ​​were going back to Suzhou!"

The second wife smiled and said, "Beijing is not peaceful now, instead of my second aunt going to Beijing, it's better to take your brothers home for reunion."

"Did the tenth younger sister come back together?" Fifth Lady was a little surprised.

The second wife's face turned ugly.

Shi Niangzi is the second daughter of Aunt Xiang, and like Jiu Niangzi, she is extremely favored. It is said that the cost of food and clothing is better than that of her elder brothers born on the same day.

"Shi Niangzi is young and cannot live without her biological mother, so she will not come back."

Wu Niangzi wanted to say something more, but the eldest wife gave her a serious look.

She stopped and looked at Seventh Lady.

Seventh Lady could only smile and said, "Aunt Xiang is also a little too reluctant. As the second aunt, she must treat everyone equally regardless of her concubines. However, after all, the ninth sister died early... Presumably Aunt Xiang was also afraid that the tenth younger sister would not be able to support her." Stay."

These words are obviously to praise the second wife, but in fact they are poking Jiu Niangzi's scar.

The fifth lady is messing around, but she is the most suitable person to deal with the second wife.The second wife kept talking about Huanshawu, and the fifth lady would always make a fuss about the death of the ninth lady.

The second wife was so bored that she turned down her face and said nothing.

The eldest wife watched the play with great interest, and just smiled at Qin Niangzi.

Seventh Lady was inevitably a little embarrassed.

In the past few years, if the eldest wife had any embarrassing family matters, she would talk to her. Although the relationship between the two of them could not be said to be extremely harmonious, they became familiar with each other day by day.

The relationship between the eldest wife and the seventh lady gradually became more casual.

Qin Niangzi wrinkled her nose at the eldest wife, revealing the beauty of her youngest daughter.

As the Seventh Lady, no matter what plots she has in private, it is only natural to be at odds with the Second Wife.

The eldest wife couldn't help laughing, "The young masters are going home, no matter what, it's a good thing. At least this year, there will be a lot more people for the Chinese New Year."

The second wife also threw away the embarrassment, and talked to the eldest wife about the ancestor worship on the Double Ninth Festival.

The little girls started gossiping with each other.

Now the daughters of the Yang family seem to be divided into two factions, the third lady and the fourth lady naturally form their own faction, chattering and talking endlessly every day.

Since the second lady got married, the fifth lady has gradually leaned towards the sixth lady and the seventh lady. The three sisters are inseparable from each other. Although they go in and out together every day, they are not as close as the third lady and the fourth lady. I seldom communicate with each other when I study.

Today coincided with Xiumu, and after leaving the main courtyard, Sixth Lady invited her sisters to play on the swings in Xiaoxiangxue.

"I'm going to offer incense at Hanshan Temple tomorrow, what are you going to wear?" Sixth Lady was a little excited, chattering non-stop, "The last time the two girls from the Li family came to visit, they said that the most fashionable thing this year is the eight-panel skirt embroidered with Xiangzhu. , I already got one, and you all must have it too, right? If you don’t wear them all, they’ll look neat and tidy.”

Fifth Lady was lost in self-absorption, noncommittal to Sixth Lady's suggestion.

Seventh Lady smiled and nodded, "Well, since I got this skirt, I haven't worn it once."

Wu Niangzi was in a daze all the way, without saying whether she was going to Xiao Xiangxue, she silently followed the two sisters into the plum forest, leaning against a plum tree to think about her thoughts.

Sixth Lady and Seventh Lady whispered, "I don't know what's going on, it's been like this since the beginning of September, and from time to time, I'll be out of my mind for half a day, like a wandering soul, not knowing happiness or anger."

Seventh Lady was also a little curious, "Usually I don't believe in these gods and Buddhas, and I never go to incense with my wife... Why has Fifth Sister changed her temper recently?"

Wu Niangzi came back to her senses, and glared at the two younger sisters, "Mumbling, what are you planning for me?"

Seventh Lady and Sixth Lady looked at each other and smiled, and Sixth Lady said, "Fifth Sister, a bug crawled up your collar from the tree."

After all, we planted flowers and plants. Although the house was sprinkled with realgar powder and burned incense all the year round, insects and ants were rarely seen, but it was normal to have a caterpillar in the woods.

Fifth Lady jumped up in fright, patted the clothes on her body carefully, and then complained to Sixth Lady, "Damn girl, she can only play tricks on people when she has free time."

The three little girls took turns swinging on the swing, and it was almost time for lunch that Fifth Lady and Seventh Lady said goodbye and left.

Fifth Lady was lost all the way again.

Seventh Lady looked at it strangely, and couldn't help asking, "What's going on in Fifth Sister's heart—tell me if you don't mind?"

Although the two little girls seldom talk to each other, they are the daughters of the main courtyard after all, and Wu Niangzi can only talk to her if she wants to talk about her concerns.

Fifth Lady looked at Seventh Lady, thought for a while, her face blushed, she snorted again, and turned her head away.

"It's getting late, let's rest after lunch!"

After finishing speaking, Wu Niangzi quickened her pace and detoured into the path leading to Yuelai Pavilion.

Seventh Lady stood there looking at Fifth Lady's back, feeling very interesting.

#
Everyone's female relatives offer incense, which is the most story-less.

As the Yang family, Hanshan Temple has long since shunned idlers and others, and only young monks sweep inside and outside the temple. Except for a few respected old monks, all young monks avoid them.

The eldest wife brought a few daughters straight into the Daxiong Palace, and everyone knelt on the futons. They first burned three sticks of incense for the Buddha, and then got up to enjoy the scenery.

The eldest wife came to ask for a birth-preserving talisman and make a wish for the second lady. Naturally, there was a set of rituals to go, but the families of the daughters each had their own concerns, and they all scattered to find the right god.

Seventh Lady never believed in ghosts and gods. After worshiping the Buddha, she went around behind the Buddha statue to look at the stone carvings picked up by Hanshan, and then accompanied Sixth Lady to the small hall where Guanyin was enshrined.

Sixth Lady just wanted to come out for a walk, and pretending to worship Guanyin, she pulled Seventh Lady out of the palace gate, and stood under the eaves happily, discussing whether to go to see the inscription on Fengqiao Yebo, or to go to Tibet. Copy a few scriptures in the scripture building, or go to the first floor of Fengjiang to see the scenery of the canal.

If she followed Qin Niangzi, she would naturally want to copy a few rare scriptures in the scripture library. Her calligraphy has improved in the past year, and it is time to find something to copy.But Liu Niangzi looked at Qi Niangzi eagerly, her flowery face was full of pleadings.

Seventh Lady had no choice but to compromise, "Why don't you ask Fifth Sister to go to the first floor of Fengjiang River to see the river view together?"

Sixth Lady smiled brightly, "Seventh Sister still loves me."

It's clearly the older sister, but Liu Niangzi's tone is full of coquettishness.Seventh Lady couldn't help but smile, "You are the one who hurts."

Sixth Lady pouted, and made a gesture to kiss Seventh Lady, "How can you be hurt!"

The two entered the Hongfa Hall after they were fighting.

Wu Niangzi had already paid homage, and was talking to the little novice monk in the Hongfa hall, "How to solve this lot? Why is it the winning lottery?"

The stunned little novice took the signed poem and read it, and explained to Wu Niangzi, "The donor's sign is a marriage sign. Judging from the meaning of the sign, it doesn't seem to be a good thing. What you are asking for is nothingness. I'm afraid this marriage will fail."

The sixth lady couldn't help giggling, and the fifth lady looked at the sisters and stomped her feet anxiously, "Which one is asking for a marriage contract? I'm clearly asking for a scientific examination! I...I...I want to know about the elder brother-in-law Can you pass the exam!"

Last year's rural examination was an extra Enke given by the emperor for his whole life, this year it is the official examination, and the eldest son-in-law has indeed set off for Hangzhou to prepare for the exam.

Liu Niangzi stopped laughing, "This is what we should do, we should all pay homage to the eldest brother-in-law, and hope he can pass this subject!"

But the little novice insisted, "If you are learning to sign, it will be even more unreasonable. There is no world like a boat in the south, and you don't need to sail to stay there. After hearing Xiao's singing of silk, the moon falls into the sky and hangs a fishing hook. The mood of this poem is ethereal. If you don't touch the red dust, most of the people you seek are illusory things. If you seek the Buddha's fate, you will be considered as the one you are seeking. When the donor asks for a lottery, his intentions may be dishonest? Maybe something happened to that respected relative this year, so he can't pass the exam , there are also some."

Fifth Lady stopped and frowned.

On the contrary, Liu Niangzi was a little displeased, "How can you talk like that, the eldest sister and wife have already gone to Hangzhou, so how can you fail the exam!"

"Such an illusory thing, what do you care about? Whether it succeeds or not depends on the elder brother-in-law." Seventh Lady had no choice but to smooth things over, and took an extra look at Fifth Lady, "It's better to go to Fengjiang Tower to see the river view."

The fifth lady threw the reward seal to the little novice, and chased the two sisters out of the house.

"Look at the view of the river! The sign here is not accurate at all! Next time we will go to Guanyin Mountain!" Fifth Lady was still a little unhappy.

Seventh Lady couldn't help but move.

With Wu Niangzi's carelessness, how could she think of asking for a lottery for the eldest son-in-law?
Besides, it is always a bit weird for an unmarried daughter to ask for a lottery for her brother-in-law.

Seventh Lady thought of Feng Jin.

However, Mr. Zhang said that Feng Jin was too young, and he would not be released to take the exam in this subject.

Seventh Lady looked at Fifth Lady and smiled, agreeing, "Go back to Guanyin Mountain—haven't been there yet!"

#
Several young ladies came to Hanshan Temple to offer incense, and they all came to the first floor of Fengjiang to see the river view.Familiar with the door and the way, lift up the Hunan skirt and go upstairs one by one.The fifth lady pushed the window of the camphor wood carving of the Eight Immortals, and then crowded with the sixth lady, fighting to watch the boats passing by in front of a large window facing the river.

This section of the canal has entered Suzhou, and it has always been very lively. There are countless small boats selling snacks and groceries on the river, and there are also large ships from Guangzhou loaded with foreign goods, moving slowly among the small boats.

There were many sailors on board with high noses and deep eyes. Sixth Lady and Fifth Lady shouted loudly and laughed far away, showing the innocence of children rarely.

Seventh Lady stood alone by a small window, looking at the scenery outside the window, she couldn't help but smile.

Our female relatives seldom go out, especially for young ladies like them, it is rare to have the opportunity to go out once or twice a year.

Not to mention looking at these lowest-level ordinary people, busy earning their own lives.

Although the clothes are shabby and unkempt, after all, the smiles on these people's faces are just smiles, and the annoyance is just annoyance.

Compared with these beautiful and well-fed little ladies in vases in the courtyard of these deep houses, they live a much simpler and more comfortable life.

Seventh Lady unexpectedly felt a little sad.

Even if you are clothed in fine clothes and food in this life, it is still difficult to fulfill your wish.

Who called her a daughter?Another concubine like this.

Seventh Lady sighed lightly.

No matter where you are, you must live well.And why blindly grieve what is doomed to be lost?In this life, she is not without gains.

She slowly closed the small window, and walked to the side of Fengjiang Tower facing the temple.

After all, Hanshan Temple is a famous temple through the ages. The scenery inside the temple can also be called elegant. In the distance, a few young monks are carrying water to the Zhaitang. It's a puff of smoke.

The young monks who were cooking tea downstairs talked about today's water, "After all, the stone spring water from Huqiu is delicious for making tea."

"It's been half a day's journey to Huqiu, which one will make tea for you if you have nothing to do?"

"Who greets the guests today?"

"The first abbot went to Master Xiao's mansion to chant sutras in person, and the second abbot came to entertain the guests."

The voices of the young novice monks were still immature, and when they talked about the Great Abbot and the Second Abbot, they were almost full of admiration.

"Lord Xiao has invited you three or four times!" I don't know who to show off to. "There was a ghost in his house in the past, and it was said that it was a little girl who was killed. She was floating in the yard every day, and the clothes that were hung out to dry, smelled like blood when they came in! Two or three aunts and grandmas didn't care, so they put them on. It's a serious illness."

"I heard from the great abbot that this is an extremely powerful nightmare town, and it will be cured only after reciting the Diamond Sutra for 49 days on July [-]." The little novice laughed, "The sutra chanting team has something to do again."

The topic changed, and he started talking about today's fast meal again, "It's Senior Brother Mingjing's turn to cook again, so I don't want to add two more salt."

"Brother Mingjing went out to buy Wufengzhai's pork head meat by himself at night, and the vegetarian meal was cooked with care."

Qin Niangzi closed the window, turned around and leaned against the wooden wall, and lost her mind.

The shimmering eyes flowed, and infinite thoughts were faintly revealed.

(End of this chapter)