Biography of Concubine Shujia

Chapter 2

"That's right, Shi Niang is getting more and more lively." The eldest lady smiled, and turned her head to joke at her daughter, "It's about to compare us Ba Niang." She winked at Ba Niang calmly.

Ba Niang made a look of jealousy, and just about to start acting like a baby with the old lady, she was snatched away by Jiu Niang on the side.Jiu Niang handed Ba Niang a plate of plums, and said to the old lady, "Grandmother, look at Eighth Sister, she is jealous of Tenth Sister."

The old lady smiled faintly and glanced at Ba Niang, Ba Niang looked at Jiu Niang with a shy look, and from the corner of her eye, she saw the coldness in the old lady's eyes, she was startled, her expression became unnatural, busy bow your head.

Only Jiuniang's voice continued, "Auntie, Jiuniang has given up the plums to Eighth Sister, you can prepare more plums and oranges for Eighth Sister. Tenth Sister will not leave this time, Eighth Sister You can't stop eating plums and oranges every day." Jiu Niang smiled and blinked at the old lady.

The eldest lady was annoyed that Jiuniang would disrespect their mother and daughter, but seeing that the old lady was protecting Jiuniang, she could only forcefully smile and say, "It's true that Miss Jiu opened her mouth. When she opened her mouth, we all opened our mouths." Dumb."

This is not a good word, but Jiuniang can't do anything about the elder making fun of the younger.

"You narrow-minded ghost!" The old lady poked Jiu Niang's forehead with her finger, "Your auntie reprimanded you angrily. From now on, just be a little dumb." The old lady's face changed when she said that. That's it.These words are much more important than what I said just now.

Jiuniang's parents are both present, and her father is still a senior member of the fourth rank. Without other people's parents, she is an aunt to teach other people's daughters the truth.And there is also the saying that grandma teaches. Didn't what I said just now made it clear that people's parents and grandma can't teach their children?
After the shock at the moment, she complained. This old woman always saves herself in front of others.This time it was really shooting myself in the foot, Ba Niang was ridiculed for flattering her, and she was also beaten by the old lady, Erfang didn't know what to think of her joke.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I became, but I had no choice but to bite the bullet and say: "I didn't mean that, mother knows me, I, I am a stupid person." The old lady ignored her and just sat on the top seat to drink tea.

Jiuniang hid the smile in her eyes, put her ten fingers in front of her mouth, and said in a low voice, "Jiuniang is a little dumb." She was quite proud of herself, hmph, this eldest aunt relies on her own housekeeper on weekdays, and no one confiscates her room. example of a person.

My father and mother were not at home, and the far water could not save the near fire. My grandmother was getting old, and my aunt persuaded me to endure it.Taking this opportunity today, I will give her a hard time first, anyway, since her parents are coming back soon, Jiuniang will continue to make troubles confidently.

"Pfft, Jiumei looks like this, it's so fun." Liu Niang couldn't help laughing, "Come on, Liujie will give you candy. I see, not only Bamei is jealous, but our little Jiu also has a sour taste. "Liu Niang pulled Jiu Niang and lightly tapped her palm three times, nothing more than three things.Jiuniang looked at Liuniang, and leaned on Liuniang's shoulder in embarrassment.

"Grandmother, don't talk about the eighth and ninth younger sisters, I'm also jealous when I see my grandmother praising Ten Niang." Liu Niang said to the old lady generously.

"A group of narrow-minded ghosts. Stop messing with your grandmother. I don't blame you for praising Shi Niang. Shi Niang is young and polite. She is much more stable than the monkeys at home. It is our Liu Niang, who usually It looks steady from inside, but you can see that it is showing its true colors." The second lady smiled and said, it is really right to stay today, this play is really wonderful.

"Our Liu Niang is much more stable than the two younger ones. I am tired after fighting for a long time today, you all go back and rest. Liu Niang and Jiu Niang stay and talk to the old lady and me, the others should leave." The old lady said slowly.

Ba Niang followed the eldest lady and gave Liu Niang and Jiu Niang a hard look.As soon as their mother and daughter left, the second wife withdrew with the others, and the group gradually walked away.

Naturally, Shi Niang would not know about the incident in the upper room. At this time, she was bringing Madam Wan to set up an incense burner to burn incense for her mother in her yard.

"Mother, don't worry, I will have a good life, better than anyone else in this house." Ten Niang said silently, clasping her hands together.

When I opened my eyes again, the little bit of sadness had disappeared.Mammy Wan knew that Miss Ten had really grown up.The innocent and lively Ten Niang from before had already left with her when his wife passed away.

After three years of experience in Nanshan, the current Miss Ten is no longer a lady who knows nothing.Only by being ruthless and tenacious can one survive in this backyard.Madam Wan looked at the young lady who was only ten years old and felt very sad.

"Mom, I'm not at home, our yard has worked hard for you." Shi Niang still respected Wan Momo as before.Madam Wan is the mother's nanny, and an old man who has been with her all her life. She protected Shi Niang from all kinds of plots in the backyard, so Shi Niang has always regarded Madam Wan as her relatives.

"Miss, don't say that, it's because of Mammy's incompetence that she was allowed to stay in the bitter cold of Nanshan for three years." Mammy Wan blamed herself in distress.

"Grandma is forbidden to speak. I went to Nanshan to observe my mother's filial piety and also to pray for the Du family. There is nothing hard to say." Shi Niang interrupted Mammy lightly.In this backyard, some words can be said, but some words have to be rotten in the stomach.Just after playing a harp, another nun came.Shi Niang had a headache for a while, how could the people around her be such open-mouthed people.

"What Miss said is that the old slave is confused." Madam Wan was startled, and suddenly came to her senses, all the rooms were paying attention to the movement of Huanhuayuan.

"Nurse, I wasn't there before, so you don't have to take care of this yard. All I ask of you is to guard this yard and the relics left by my mother. As for the rest, they can make as much trouble as they like. "

Ten Niang thought for a while, and she had to open up about some things, and let each room know what they could move and what they couldn't claw.

"Yes, the old slave always remembers the young lady's order. No one can touch the lady's things. Fortunately, the old slave is not disgraceful. Miss, I give you the key." Madam Wan took out a small key from her close-fitting jacket, and said In Ten Niang's hands.

Ten Niang looked at the small silver key in her palm, and looked up at Mammy, "Mammy, it's not time to return the jade to Zhao, just wait and see me take back all the things Mother left behind. At that time, we will start Watching a big show in the warehouse." Shi Niang smiled, and the nanny also laughed, "Madam, you have a spirit in the sky, let's see."

"Miss, how do you plan to arrange the maids around you? I heard from Ruhua that Shishu and Baoqin..."

Mammy thought of the maidservants who came back and asked softly.Originally, Miss was surrounded by four big maids, four second-class maids, six young maids and some women in the yard as usual.Now that Bao Qin has been demoted to a second-class maid, one of the four big maids is vacant, and if one is not handled properly, it will cause chaos.

"Let Ruhua take care of the small kitchen. You must be careful with tea and food. Don't let the screwdriver take advantage of the loopholes. Playing chess and handing over all the big and small affairs in the house to her is also an experience. Servant, just follow me, Shi Shu is careful and prudent, and it is not easy for others to catch him. Baoqin, let her take care of the second-class maid, and replace us as soon as possible. When I ask you, let her follow me with Shi Shu. It’s not wrong to use her to deal with the house. As for the affairs in the yard, I need you to worry about it. As long as there is no distraction, I will definitely use her again. In the future, we will have more places to employ people.” Shi Niang After thinking about it, I explained it to Madam Wan in detail.

"Mommy, just one point. I can't tolerate broken words. I tell them what to say and what not to say. I think about it in my heart." Shi Niang thought of Baoqin and Wanmao, so she had to beat again to prevent accidents. .

"Don't worry, miss. Miss, after seven days, you will be taking off your clothes. How do you prepare for it?" Wan Momo thought about the big event in seven days, and asked Shi Niang carefully.

"Don't tell me, mama, I also remember that my mother has been gone for three years. After taking off the clothes, we have to find a way to persuade my father to go to the Chen's house as soon as possible. Auntie Li, we have to give her a gift in return. See When the new wife enters the door, Aunt Li, who is in charge of my father's backyard, is so insolent."

Mammy Wan looked at Ten Niang, who was confident at such a young age, and was inexplicably convinced.

"Mommy, come here with your ear, we need to discuss the details." Shi Niang whispered.

After hearing this, Madam Wan took the key that Shi Niang gave back to her and went to the warehouse to pick up the items that Shi Niang had ordered, and said to herself: Just wait.

Let's fight Aunt Li when the new wife enters the house.Only in this way can they free up their hands and take back the property and dowry shop left by their wife.

Ten Niang's biological mother, the Lu family, was born in the famous Lu family in Yujing. She was from the same family as the current Shunhua Lu family, and she is Lu Shunhua's elder sister.When Mrs. Lu first married into Du's family at the age of 15, she also learned to play the piano and play harmony with Du Xian, the master of the fourth house, and raised her eyebrows.The good times didn't last long, and the Lu family, who had nothing to do all the time, raised his maid Chunfen as his aunt, but Aunt Lu, just like his wife, also came out as she said.In the past four years, under great pressure, Mrs. Lu sought medical treatment and medicine, hoping to have children for Mr. Du Si.

Unexpectedly, after Du Xuexian became a concubine, the old lady made the decision to carry Li's family into the mansion as a noble concubine.Aunt Li was born in the famous Li clan, and although she is of the same family as Li Shunyi today, both her father and brother in Aunt Li's natal family died, leaving only a widowed mother and younger brother to live in the clan.The old lady saw that Li Shi was good at giving birth, so she brought her into the mansion to raise her son.Who would have imagined that the good news came three months after Li Shi entered the mansion, Mrs. Lu suppressed her jealousy and ordered her to take care of her.

However, the Li family is proud of being favored and embarrassing Mrs. Lu everywhere, and Mrs. Lu can only bear it.When the birth came and the twins landed, Mr. Du was overjoyed, and on the spot, named Mrs. Li as his side wife, and entered the genealogy.Li Shi, who gave birth and was promoted to wife, became even more reckless.Since it was the first time that Mr. Du Si had a son, he went around his son all day long and went to Li's house more often.Mrs. Lu fainted from fright and anger. After the doctor made a diagnosis, she found out that she was pregnant and her fetus was moving.

After looking forward to the baby for so long, Mrs. Lu was naturally very nervous. After the doctor said that she should concentrate on raising the baby, she didn't even leave the door of the room, and kept the baby in a low-key manner.Just to win a man in one fell swoop and continue the incense for the Du family.However, what Mrs. Lu never imagined was that when she gave birth, Mrs. Wen was bought by Mrs. Li, and she was going to kill her twice.

Fortunately, Madam Wan found something abnormal at a critical moment, and quickly threw out the estranged Mrs. Wen. With the help of Madam Wan, Mrs. Lu gave birth to Shi Niang and the young master.But because the child stayed in the womb for too long, only the ten mothers lived alone.The young master indeed died when he was born, and Lu's body was also barren from then on.

After suffering such a big loss, and even nearly dying, Madam Lu would not let it go. After the moon, she quickly took back the management rights of the inner courtyard, and used all means to win over Fourth Master Du again.Master Du Si already had a relationship with Lu Shi, if he hadn't been childless, he wouldn't have been forced by the old lady to bring Li Shi into the mansion.To Li Shi, Mr. Du is grateful, because she has continued the incense for him, but when it comes to doting, there is not much, and Li Shi is just relying on his own belly to show off.

Because of the confusion during childbirth, by the time Mammy Wan remembered that woman Wen, she had committed suicide in fear of crime, and the evidence was gone.Without any evidence, Mrs. Lu knew that Mrs. Li was also capable, so she began to suppress Mrs. Li quietly.

For a while, the Li family was struggling in the Du Mansion, and what made it worse was that the Li family's second son died at the age of one due to a small wind and cold.After this incident, Mrs. Li restrained her arrogance and served Mrs. Lu carefully. Both of them knew in their hearts that the struggle had just begun.

The women in the backyard, either the east wind overwhelms the west wind, or the west wind overwhelms the east wind. When the backyard is never clean, the fight is more fatal or injured, it depends on who is more clever.

For the next seven years, the two fought openly and secretly, and Mrs. Lu was always slightly better.Lu's and Li's have a pet and a son, the old lady can only turn a blind eye.Until three years ago, Mrs. Lu fell ill and died.The Li family is considered to be the only one in the backyard of the fourth master of the Du Mansion.

Shi Niang was only seven years old at the time. After Mrs. Lu passed away, Shi Niang was assassinated no less than ten times in half a year in the mansion.After discussing with Madam Wan, Shi Niang took her maid to beg the old lady, and asked herself to go to Nanshan to observe filial piety for her mother and pray for the family to Nanshan.

The old lady wanted to take Shi Niang to her side to raise her, but Shi Niang took out two dowry shops from her mother, Mrs. Lu, and begged her grandmother to take care of them, but she begged to go.The old lady had no choice but to send the servants of the nursing home to go with Shiniang to Nanshan.

Ten Niang once again recalled the past stories that the nanny told her, and smiled in the direction of the side courtyard, Li Shi, wait to receive my thank you gift.

Seven days later, after the ceremony was completed, the fourth house was in the main courtyard, and Ten Niang, in the presence of her father, Du Si, gave the seventh young master Du Zijun a piece of Huimo, saying that it was a congratulatory gift to the seventh young master on behalf of his mother. Like my father, he was successful at a young age and a scholar in the middle school.

The Seventh Young Master looked at the Hui ink sent by Shi Niang, and smiled and declined, "Thank you for the gift from my tenth sister, but this Hui ink must have been left by my mother to my ten younger sister. A gentleman does not take away what others love." He closed the ink box and handed it to Shi Niang behind Shi Niang.

Fourth Master Du looked at the Hui ink box, and it took him a long time to come back to his senses. He frowned at the Seventh Young Master's indifference and refusal, and then scolded, "You bastard, that's how you treat your aunt's reward? The book is read into the dog's stomach. It’s better for you if the elder dare not resign. Not only do you want to resign, but you also despise your mother’s relics. You are punished to go to the ancestral hall to plead guilty to your mother, can you accept it?”

Seeing the eldest son kneeling on the ground unconvinced, he couldn't help but become even more angry.When he was about to continue scolding, he heard Li Shi's dissuading voice and Shi Niang's soft yelling.

"Master, you know Zijun. Zijun has always been sensible. This time, Zijun also had good intentions. Shi Niang took out her sister's things for Zijun, and Zijun felt sorry for Shi Niang who died at a young age. Mother, I can't bear to let him spoil the things left by my aunt, so I refuse to accept it. There is absolutely no intention of disrespecting my aunt, I hope the master will see clearly."

Li Shi's voice is not loud, but every sentence is tight.For a while, Master Du Si hesitated.

"Father, it's my daughter who is not filial. As soon as she comes home, she troubles my father's wife, Brother Seven, and father is upset. What Mrs. Side said is that Brother Seven loves me. He will definitely not disrespect my aunt. When my mother was alive It is often said that Brother Seven can read and write like his father, and write beautiful articles. At that time, my daughter and Brother Seven were young, and my mother said that when we grow up, we will leave the best Hui ink to Brother Seven. When I was happy, I thought that I would not disappoint my mother's wishes, so I asked my mother to open the warehouse to find the exact same Hui ink that my mother gave to my father back then. But I forgot that Brother Qi loves his daughter just like his daughter misses Brother Qi. Wrong. Father, please don’t punish Seventh Brother, the daughter just takes back Huimo. Our family must not make a big fuss over a little Huimo.”

Ten Niang knelt beside the Seventh Young Master with a sincere expression on her face.

"Forget it, ten niangs get up, you are also kind. Qilang get up too, the ancestral hall will be exempted, and you will be punished for copying the book of rites three times. Before enshrining your mother's tablet, you will be filial to your mother. Ten niangs come , go to your mother's place with your father, you haven't come back for so long, talk to your father. Everyone else should leave."

Master Du Si stood up wearily.After paying half a salute to his wife, the Seventh Young Master, Shi Niang followed her father to Tianranju, where her mother lived, holding the Hui ink box in her hand.

"Your mother loved chrysanthemums the most when she was alive. She often said that chrysanthemums are hermits among flowers. They are calm and peaceful, and only then can they be indifferent and far away. Does Ten Niang like chrysanthemums?" Master Du Si took Ten Niang through a field of chrysanthemums and pushed away the past. The door has been pushed open countless times.

Ten Niang did not answer her father's question, but let go of her father's hand, walked quickly into her mother's room, put the Hui ink box gently on the table, and lit a corner of the palace lantern. Eyebrows, white dress fluttering with the evening wind.

Shi Niang did not turn around, and turned her back to her father, Master Du Si, and said softly, "Mother, I used to light a corner palace lantern and wait for Father to come home. Mother is gone, so Shi Niang will light the lamp for Father." Dimly reddened.The longer Shi Niang grows, the more she looks like her late wife, Lu Shi, which makes people feel distressed.

Master Du Si walked forward slowly, patted Shiniang's head, sat aside, and looked at the emblem ink box on the table.The Hui ink box is made of high-quality purple cloud wood, and Master Du Si can recall the scene inside the box without opening it.

That was the past when Mrs. Lu first married into the mansion.

Back then, when they read at night, the beautiful wife had red sleeves to add fragrance. Once the ink ran out, she would give herself a piece of Hui ink, and if she was happy, she would give her an exquisite makeup box in return.Later, I found out that she made various boxes according to the box he gave to hold various objects, including ink boxes, jewelry boxes, and painting boxes, all of which were made of high-quality purple cloud wood.

I joked that she loves purple cloud wood, but she said, "My husband, I don't like purple cloud wood. I like the mood when my husband gave me the box. I have so many boxes, so much joy. In this way, my husband will also be happy."

After Mrs. Lu left, Mr. Du Si couldn't bear to look at the Ziyun box and think of his dead wife, so he never used any objects related to Ziyun wood in the past three years.Looking at the little daughter holding the purple cloud box carefully, and thinking of the son's indifference, there is still a slight gap in my heart.After all, it's either biological or not well-raised, Madam's kindness, I'm afraid it will be in vain.It doesn't matter if you don't sincerely expect something, don't give it.

"Shi Niang, why did you think of giving Huimo to your seventh brother?" Looking at his well-behaved and sensible daughter, Master Du Si felt that there were some things that he had to teach his daughter.

"Father, don't be angry. My daughter just thinks that Huimo is suitable for Seventh Brother. I didn't expect Seventh Brother to be considerate of my daughter, but my daughter didn't think carefully. Then Father, this Fang Huimo is for you. You can definitely use Huimo for our Du family To add luster to the glory." Ten Niang held up the ink box and handed it to Master Du Si respectfully.

"Father doesn't blame my son. Ten Niang is good. Father accepts it. Father likes the gift from you and your mother very much." Master Du Si took the Ziyun box and the Hui ink in the box.

"Father, do you miss your mother?" Ten Niang lay on her father's lap.Master Du Si stroked Shi Niang's head, paused in his hands, and continued to pat.

"It's getting late, let Shi Niang go back to her yard to rest. Father will take a rest sometime and take you to your mother's village to play." Master Du Si seemed not to care about Shi Niang's problems, and gently pushed Shi Niang back to rest.

Seeing his father's expression, Shi Niang stood up and said goodbye, "Then Shi Niang has gone back, so father should make arrangements earlier."

The moment she helped her father close the door, Shi Niang looked at her father holding the purple cloud wooden box through the crack of the door, her eyes were red, her heart was shocked but not shaken, "Father, I'm sorry."

No one knows what happened that night, only heard that the fourth master of the Du Mansion, Du Xianxue, the editor of the Seventh Rank Hanlin Academy, stayed awake all night in the Tianran residence of the first wife of the main house, Mrs. Lu.Only the fourth master himself knows that he wrote two lines of poems "I can't sleep all night alone, tossing and turning lovesickness" with a piece of new Hui ink sent by Shi Niang, put it in a purple cloud wooden box, put it away, and kept it. I have never opened the box again in this life. .It's really lovesickness tossing and turning in the evening.

(End of this chapter)