Chapter 34 Chapter 34 Two chapters merged into one
When Qin Shuang'er came in from outside, her cheeks were rosy. When she passed by Jinniang, Jinniang covered her nose and asked, "Why do you smell strange?"
"Don't mention it. I originally wanted to hide from the sun, but I was called to help. I'm all sweaty." Qin Shuang'er bit her lower lip and called Xiaohe to fetch her some water.
Jinniang secretly felt strange. It wasn't the smell of sweat, but a hard-to-describe smell, a mixture of rust and a little fishy. Could it be that she was asked to kill fish?
Putting this matter behind their minds, the Zhou family soon welcomed a happy event, that is, the second grandmother gave birth to a little master, who was the eldest son of the fourth generation of the Zhou family, so it goes without saying that he was given great importance.
Jiang also wanted to take charge of it. The unmarried girls, such as the third daughter and the cousin, were all concerned about who would be the noble official and how their marriages would go.
Jinniang saw what the Zhang family sent as the third-day bath gifts, such as a silk scarf decorated with flowers in the shape of five boys and two girls made of paper gauze, a tray filled with cakes in the shapes of sleeping sheep and lying deer made of flour, and various steamed buns to be distributed to everyone to "share the pain", and the baby's bedding and clothes were also sent by the mother's family.
She thought it was no wonder that Jiang didn't assign them any more work in the sewing room to make bedding and clothes. It turned out that these were sent by her mother's family. The reason why they were asked to work for Miao Xiaoniang before was because she was Xiaoniang, and her family was not considered a formal relative of the Zhou family.
Even Mrs. Wu from the second house only asked Qin Shuang'er to embroider a quilt for hundreds of children and thousands of grandchildren, mainly to bring some blessings.
Fang Qiaolian nodded at Jinniang and said, "Do you feel that the people under the Second Madam walk with a different aura now?"
"It's definitely different. Don't even mention her, even Miao Xiaoniang is different. Look, they are Miao Xiaoniang's brother and sister-in-law. We haven't seen them at banquets like this before." Jinniang observed.
Qin Shuang'er, who was standing by, said, "I heard that Miao Xiaoniang was originally just a maid, but now she has made a name for herself."
Jinniang shook her head. Shouldn't a slave's efforts be to do her job well, find ways to escape from slavery, and go out into the world to make a name for herself? But Jinniang was unwilling to say such words.
"Come on, let's go back, otherwise Madam Chen will send someone to look for us. I still have a lot of powder puffs, oil rubbings and fan covers that I haven't finished yet." Jin Niang urged.
After she said this, Fang Qiao Lian and Qin Shuang'er also went back with their heads down.
The powder puff is also known as "fragrant cotton". The body of the puff is made of silk cotton. The embroiderers have to make the round patterns on the back of the puff, because most of them have to be embroidered with festive elements. She has to make twenty powder puff patterns, and she has to draw a few patterns on the spot.
Jinniang was the kind of person who would do the preparatory work before starting to work, so she first painted a few double happiness and blessings, and then painted colorful embroidered butterflies, Buddha's hand butterfly patterns, persimmons, daffodils, and happy eyebrows.
Because she has done so much, now Jinniang knows where to insert the needle as soon as she raises her hand, which is considered a good thing.
In this case, we can only find joy in suffering.
The third girl in front was called out by Jiang and said to everyone: "Her elder sister and second sister are not as filial as she is."
Now the first two daughters of the Zhou family have already been engaged, and the third daughter's wife, Lu Xiaoniang, has also been helping Jiang to manage the household very well recently. Of course, Jiang has to give her this face, not to mention that the third daughter is indeed very outstanding.
At the same time, Jiang also called Mei Pan'er over. Mei Pan'er was now in mourning, at the age of youth, and she was very beautiful. The two of them surrounded Jiang.
But someone asked a few questions. The third girl was fine, but Mei Pan'er was just a cousin. Her father had died, and her mother declined to be with her when she heard that she had remarried and moved to another place.
Mei Pan'er secretly wiped away tears after hearing the gossip. Her mother had said before that she wanted to adopt a son, but later she remarried and took away all the remaining money in the family.
Even Fang Qiao Lian felt sorry for her situation: "The way Auntie behaves, she won't leave any chance for my cousin to survive."
Jinniang shook her head, "You are wrong. The last time she went back to her parents' home, she robbed people and stirred up trouble everywhere. No one was willing to take her back. Now she has married a rich man with the identity of an official's wife. Firstly, she has a place to stay for the rest of her life. Secondly, she has completely cut off her relationship with her cousin. The ladies in the mansion will not only no longer associate her with the aunt, but will pity her even more. And the old lady, I'm afraid all the furniture will be given to her."
"It's possible, but the lady wouldn't think so much about it, right?" In fact, Fang Qiao Lian was amazed that Jinniang was so smart. She really didn't think so much about it.
Jinniang smiled and said, "Then just think that I am overthinking. Parents who love their children will plan for them in the long run."
As soon as the two finished talking, Dan Ruo came over and said, "Jin Niang, Miss Lu wants you to go over there."
"Okay, I'll be there right away." Jinniang guessed that she should be asked to help make clothes.
As expected, Lu Xiaoniang handed her two pieces of satin and said, "I know you are busy, so just take your time."
Jinniang smiled and said, "Thank you for your consideration. In fact, the third young lady is very good-looking, even in a sack. But since you trust me, I will do my best to complete it."
"Your child is quite good at talking." Of course, Lu Xiaoniang also likes others to praise her child.
She is better off than Yanhong. Having a child means there is some hope.
Jinniang said, "My dear, I have something to ask of you. The paint I asked them to buy is not very good, so I want to go out and buy some paint. I hope my dear will agree."
Now that Lu Xiaoniang helps Jiang to manage the household, she is actually the current manager.
Lu Xiaoniang was very easy to talk to. "It's not difficult. I'll let Cai Quaner take you there."
"Thank you very much, young lady." Jinniang hurriedly thanked her.
She had to go out and ask Cheng Yaren. She couldn't just wait for others to inform her. What if he forgot?
But before she was about to leave, Mrs. Wu from the second house also sent someone to look for her. Jinniang immediately went to the second house to meet Mrs. Wu. It turned out that Mrs. Wu was pregnant, and wanted Jinniang to help her copy a volume of scriptures. She always felt that it was because of Jinniang's help in copying the scriptures last time that her son Qin'er was able to escape danger. Qin'er was also saved by Jinniang last time, so she came to her again this time.
Jinniang agreed without hesitation: "Don't worry, I've just been busy with too many things lately, so I'm sure it won't be as fast as before."
Mrs. Wu gave a wider time frame: "You don't have to rush. As long as you finish copying before I give birth, it will be fine."
"Thank you very much, Second Madam." Jinniang said happily.
Wu also called Qin Ge'er over, and Jin Niang hurried forward to greet her. Wu said, "You and she are destined to be together, so why be so polite?"
Qin'er was just over one year old during the Double Ninth Festival last year. Now he is almost two years old and walks more steadily. Jinniang looked at him and thought to herself, I hope you are safe and live a long life.
When leaving the second room, Jinniang saw that Cai Quan'er had already prepared the carriage. She quickly stepped on the small stool and said to Cai Quan'er, "Brother Cai, just drop me off at Sesame Street. You can come pick me up in an hour."
Sesame Street is where Cheng Ya Ren's shop is located. There is a paint shop nearby, but she doesn't want to buy paint. But no matter what, she has to go in and pretend to buy something.
In about an incense stick's time, she went to Cheng Ya Ren's place. Cheng Ya Ren was busy helping someone find a house at that time. He said, "The house you want to rent is in the suburbs. It costs four strings of cash a month, but there are no furniture in it. You need to buy it yourself."
The person renting the house said, "This is too expensive. In our hometown of Cixi County, two and a half rooms and half a piece of land cost only two guan a month."
Cheng Ya Ren said with a smile: "This is Kaifeng, the best place in our Song Dynasty, so it is not ordinary. I can tell you that although this yard is in the suburbs, many people are eager to buy it. If you don't want it, I will rent it out later. Or you can go to the government's building store, where a room costs four and a half strings of silver."
It can be seen that his house really has no problem finding someone to rent it, and sure enough, the person who wanted to rent the house agreed.
While the two were drafting the contract, Jinniang asked the shop assistant, "Is it so expensive to rent a room?"
Her monthly salary can't even pay the rent for a house!
It’s not easy to live in the capital.
The clerk smiled bitterly and said, "That's right. If we can buy a house in Bianjing, it would be a day that even God can't wait for."
Jinniang also laughed, but she perked up and waited until Cheng Yaren was done with his work before going over to ask about her own affairs: "Isn't Wenxiuyuan recruiting any workers this year?"
"Not yet, but don't worry, even if you don't go to Wenxiuyuan, you can go somewhere else." Cheng Yaren said.
Jinniang felt a little frustrated. She only wanted to go to the Wenxiu Courtyard and had never thought about other places. Was she really forced to go home? She took a deep breath and encouraged herself.
She was much more depressed this time when she went back, because of the gap between her ideal and reality. She was not the kind of time-traveling girl who came with a golden finger. She originally studied liberal arts and had no idea about invention.
She still had to make clothes for the third girl at night, so she yawned and continued making clothes.
Fang Qiaolian looked at Jinniang: "Why are you still doing it?"
"Aren't you the same?" Jinniang said with a smile.
Fang Qiaolian raised the sweat towel in her hand and said, "I can't catch up with you now. You embroider really fast."
"There's no other way. We've come here from thousands of miles away just to earn some money to take back home. Otherwise, how can we explain to our family?" Jinniang cried poor out of habit.
Fang Qiaolian embroidered a few stitches and then fell asleep. She was surprised to see that there was no light outside and asked, "Why did Qin Shuang'er go to bed so early today? She usually stays up longer than us."
Jinniang sighed: "Didn't she fall ill a few days ago? Maybe she's not feeling well."
It is really difficult for people to live.
Fortunately, Jinniang was not a hungry person. She thought that Wenxiuyuan was a place with provided accommodation, so at least she would not have to rent a house for the next three years.
The next day, she got up and started to twist the thread with full energy. Si'er couldn't start embroidering now because her skills were not up to standard, but from sewing before to cutting now, she has gradually gotten the hang of it. Jinniang had already made an embroidery frame for a handkerchief, so she asked her to start embroidering.
They were teaching her gradually, but she didn't learn much. There was nothing that could be done about it. They had too much work on their hands, and she couldn't bear the load any more.
When she lowered her head, it was almost time for lunch. Si'er and Xiaohe went out to fetch the food and came back. After the meal, Jinniang went inside to sleep for a while and did not notice that Qin Shuang'er was missing again.
The young man had tasted the sweetness of life and was suppressed so tightly that even Madam Zhu found it difficult to bear.
Besides, Qin Shuang'er was sensible, she just said: "I am a servant, if someone finds out, they will just say that I have no sense of shame."
In fact, Qin Shuang'er had been in the Zhou family for several years and knew these young masters. Although the second young master was more handsome and talented, he was a ruthless person. Just like when Cuixian was sent away, he would not say a word even if he knew about it. But the third young master is different. He looks obedient and honest, but he is extremely rebellious inside.
Zhou Shenzhi loved Qin Shuang'er's skin, which was as white as snow. She was much more beautiful than his so-called fiancée and was much more affectionate towards him.
But he hasn't married yet. If something goes wrong, his mother will definitely not tolerate Shuang'er. He can come here every day now because his mother has to take care of the affairs of the second and third rooms, but if they are discovered, both of them will probably be in trouble.
At this time, he thought of someone.
Qin Shuang'er came back a little late today, but luckily everyone had just woken up and didn't seem to know that she had gone out. Only Si'er, who never took a nap, privately felt that something was wrong, but didn't show it.
He only whispered in Jinniang's ear: "Sister Qin often goes out at noon these days and doesn't come back until an hour later."
Jinniang didn't pay much attention to her now. After all, they didn't have any big conflicts of interest now. Everyone was waiting to finish the work and run away. They were so tired that they had no mood to do anything else.
"Si'er, let's not worry about these things. If she wants to harm us, we will teach her a lesson. But if it is something else, it would be bad if you sneak over there and get caught." Jinniang shook her head.
Some things are better not to know than to know. Curiosity kills the cat.
Si'er listened to Jinniang very much. When she saw Jinniang's objection, she secretly took note of it.
Then Jinniang instructed, "Embroider quickly, follow the pattern, and don't leave too many loose threads. I only have this handkerchief from my dowry for you to embroider, and I won't be able to embroider anything else. You must cherish this opportunity."
"Yes." Si'er understood.
The third girl's clothes were completed in about eight days. Jinniang was better at making women's clothing, but when she went to deliver the clothes, she noticed that the atmosphere was not right.
Then the bird in the third young lady's room said, "Sister Jinniang, it's nothing. The third and fourth young ladies were both punished."
"Why?" Jinniang felt that these girls usually did needlework in their respective rooms, and rarely held poetry gatherings like in novels. They usually gathered only for greetings or banquets.
Que'er kept silent about it.
Jinniang didn't dare to ask any more questions, but the fourth girl felt puzzled. She was mentally younger than the other girls, so she seldom argued with them. After all, there was no need to do so.
But today, father suddenly suggested that her mother also help with the housekeeping. The third girl and her mother did not blame the scumbag father, but instead thought that it was Miao mother who instigated it.
Is it true that only Lu Xiaoniang is in charge of the backyard and Miao Xiaoniang can't help?
Miao Xiaoniang was not impatient. Of course, it was not her right to be the housekeeper, but she had to muddy the waters. Jiang would certainly not want to let her manage the household, so she might hand it over to her daughter-in-law Zhang. Zhang was not as gentle and virtuous as her elder sister. She was a jealous and hot-tempered person. Jiang was also a very strong-willed person. Let the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law fight over it.
She has been lurking in the dark for so many years, and it is not a joke. She can't just let it go by enduring other people's contempt and bullying.
Originally, Lu Xiaoniang was assisting Jiang as the housekeeper, but after Miao Xiaoniang's disturbance, Jiang could no longer do so. Now that Miao Xiaoniang has given birth to a son and is favored, she is even fighting for power.
Lu Ying said, "In the past, the master never intervened in the affairs of the inner house, but today he said that since you are busy here, you need more people to take care of it. It is obviously a hint to you."
"Yes, he didn't say it clearly, but everyone heard it clearly. The eldest master is afraid that I will treat Fifth Brother harshly, so he wants Miao Xiaoniang to have someone to rely on." Jiang understood it very well, but it was inevitable that she would be suspected of trespassing. If she were young, she would definitely make a fuss and force her husband to admit his mistake and apologize.
After all, she gave birth to the eldest son, was the original wife, and her family was also prominent.
But now at her age, she still quarrels with her husband, and even her daughter-in-law makes a fool of herself.
As he got older, he became more and more disgusted with this kind of harem struggle, and now it happened that the old lady also came to interfere. The old lady had previously guessed that the reason her daughter could not come back was probably because of the discord between the sister-in-law and her. Now that she saw that Jiang was not devoted to Mei Pan'er, she naturally felt suspicious.
So, when they were paying their respects to the old lady, she held Zhang's hand and praised her again and again: "It's hard for you, child. After giving birth to a little boy, you come here every day to show your filial piety to me."
Zhang was somewhat flattered, because the old lady usually took care of the widowed grandmother, but now she treated her differently, so she bowed quickly and said, "Respecting the old lady is what a granddaughter-in-law should do."
"In the blink of an eye, Cun'er's wife has married into the family. I think your mother was about your age when she gave birth to Cun'er. I handed the family over to her. After so many years, she also has a wife. Time flies so fast." The old lady mentioned it casually.
Of course Jiang could understand what the old lady meant. She didn't expect that the old lady, who never said much, would support her daughter-in-law at this time, even though her daughter-in-law was also from the eldest wife's house. But once power is transferred down, nothing is under control, what she says no longer works, and people will no longer act according to her wishes.
Just like in officialdom, once you lose power, you will be completely defeated.
So, Jiang smiled and said, "Yes, my daughter-in-law didn't expect that after so many years, when the girls are married, I will be completely at peace."
She was actually telling Zhang that after her daughter got married, the family would be left to her to manage.
Zhang was a woman of few words. Although she was a little spoiled, she was not stupid. She would not get involved in the fight between her grandmother-in-law and her mother-in-law. But it would be good if she could be a housekeeper, which is better than doing nothing in the front yard all the time. The servants are respectful on the surface, but they are not afraid of her.
There was an undercurrent of conflict between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law. Jiang was very angry when she returned and went to complain to Wu.
"I didn't want to tell you these things. Now that you have a body, you should take good care of yourself. But I don't want to tell you these things to anyone else."
Wu thought to herself that this was the eldest wife's family affair, and it was not easy for her to speak up, but she had a good relationship with Jiang, so she said, "It's just a matter of each of us, sister-in-law, don't worry. Most of the niece's marriage will still be handled by you, sister-in-law, as long as you can keep it stable, it's better than anything else."
Jiang suddenly realized: "I didn't even think of this."
"Those involved are confused, while those who are watching can see more clearly." Mrs. Wu said with a smile.
Seeing Wu's current state, Jiang thought that there was no one in the eldest master's room all those years, and she and her husband had lived happily for many years. But when Wu entered the house, she was faced with concubines surrounding her and plotting against her. Now their situations have been reversed. She is old and her relationship with her husband has become distant. Although the young concubine who is ready to make a move cannot affect her status, it is annoying to watch her. As for Wu, the second master seems to have changed his nature and started to feel warm towards her. He even stopped visiting other concubines and devotedly spent his life with Wu.
It’s really hard to say what happens in life, and Jiang suddenly became much more indifferent.
It would definitely be better to let Zhang help with the household management than to have Miao Xiaoniang do it.
After all, the second girl's dowry has been prepared in terms of everything she needs to carry. Since the housekeeper is despised, she would rather give it to her own daughter-in-law than be forced to do anything by others.
Jiang stood up and left. Wu looked at her from behind and shook her head: "Sister-in-law is still like this. She doesn't want to be oppressed by anyone."
That night, Zhang was called over by Jiang. When she heard Jiang asking her to assist the housekeeper, she refused at first, but then she was ecstatic.
Even Jinniang and the others knew about it. Madam Chen even told them, "Now is the time for the new grandmother to establish her authority. From now on, the people in our sewing room should go out as little as possible. Don't let others make you a target and drive you out with a stick. If you wait until the end, all your efforts will be in vain."
Jinniang and others hurriedly said yes. Qin Shuang'er was more honest than Jinniang. She knew that if she was caught, she would be killed without a burial place, so she had to wait for the arrangements of the Third Young Master.
However, precisely because of the transition between old and new employees, the people that Miao Xiaoniang had bribed for a long time also sneaked in and even found out a big thing.
"You mean the eldest girl's dowry includes the lady's dowry and the family's money." Miao Xiaoniang couldn't believe it.
The visitor nodded: "How dare I lie to you about this matter? The eldest daughter has prepared a total of 20,000 strings of cash as a dowry. The second daughter has a shop, 200 acres of paddy fields, and 300 acres of woods as a dowry. Although the dowry is less than that of the eldest daughter, it is also 10,000 strings of cash. In recent days, the tributes received by Lu Xiaoniang plus the silver and money she has saved over the years are about 2,000 strings of cash. In the future, I am afraid there will be 5,000 strings of cash... Only our sister is not doing well. You should make plans early..."
Miao Xiaoniang didn't expect Jiang to be so cruel. The second young master had already started a family and a career. The eldest master often said that he was not as knowledgeable as his son, so the family business must belong to the second young master. Jiang's dowry was also divided up, and her children had no way to make a name for themselves.
She had been planning for so long, but in the end it was all in vain?
No, that can't be the case. She suddenly had a good idea.
She couldn't get anything good when she was in the first wife's house. If Wu from the second wife's house had no children, wouldn't all the second wife's wealth belong to her son?
Mrs. Wu is pregnant again now, and her body is fragile. She can't guard herself as strictly as before. This is a good opportunity.
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