The Concubine's Survival Manual

Chapter 1

Mama Wang walked in the long corridor of Baifang Garden with a solemn expression.

The sunlight reflected on the courtyard wall of the Yang Mansion, shining brightly, making the dark red paint on the courtyard wall warm for a while.The little maids leaned against the courtyard wall in twos and threes, knocking sunflower seeds and gossiping. Seeing Mama Wang, the clever ones would go up to say hello, while the timid ones would shrink in the corner, hoping that Mama Wang would not be watching.

The Yang family is a century-old family, and there are certain rules for doing things. The little maids are free, playing and playing in Baifang Garden is also a rare sight. Although Mama Wang is strict, she never reprimanded them.

She passed Huanshawu, bypassed Zhu Yingtai, and then turned around Changqinglou, a high wall appeared in front of her eyes, and two or three little maids leaned against the corner of the wall among the flowerbeds, with their backs facing her. He talked about the affairs of the mansion in a low voice, but he didn't hear Wang Mama's footsteps.

It's the girls who work in the small warehouse, they are all newly promoted, and they have never been promoted.

The Yang family is a wealthy family in the south of the Yangtze River. These low-ranking little girls also dress decently. Although they are all light blue cotton jackets, although they look plain, the cotton wool in the jackets is thick and thick. Even in winter, It is also warm.

"Auntie Auntie's birthday this time is more respectable than Auntie Seven's birthday last month. The gold thread and silver thread that I didn't take out for use, I took more than a dozen balls at once, and I don't know if the sewing room can do it. Hurrying out in time. It’s just that we don’t know when our winter clothes will be distributed.” Someone’s voice was full of envy.

"Shallow eyes!" I don't know who said with a smile, "That is the aunt who was promoted by the eldest wife... Naturally, it is more decent, and you have never seen the world. A few years ago, the fourth aunt was 30 years old, so that was a scene. , tsk tsk, what Kesi Babaojin, Sprinkle Gold and Hangluo... The people who don’t know, who don’t know, don’t say that it’s the wife’s birthday?”

Mother Wang lowered her face and scolded at the wall.

"No rules! It's up to you about the wives and aunts?" She stood still at the edge of the corridor, frowning and staring fiercely at the little girls in the corner, scaring the group of inferior girls. There was a commotion, and they scrambled to get into the red lacquered wooden door by the wall. They didn't dare to make a sound. They watched Mama Wang pass by the gate of the small courtyard through the crack of the door, and then discussed with each other, "Mama Wang What's the matter with going to the South Side Hospital?"

"I'm afraid I'm going to visit Jiu Yiniang. I heard people say that Jiu Yiniang has been getting worse these two days."

"She's going to visit the sick? I'm not afraid that the more I visit, the more sick Jiu Yiniang will become." Someone said something with curled lips.

After saying that, the little girls all laughed, and said, "Don't die! He is a celebrity around the eldest wife, is that what we can say?"

#
Madam Wang, the celebrity next to the eldest wife, was indeed visiting the Nanpian Hospital.The southern courtyard is said to be a partial courtyard, but in fact it is separated from the large miscellaneous courtyard where the servants live. It is a hundred and eight thousand miles away from the main courtyard. You can only enter the gate of the South Side Courtyard through a narrow passage.Across the wall, there is a noisy courtyard.

Over the past few years, everyone has known in their hearts: the one who lives in the southern courtyard is the least capable and least favored aunt in this mansion.

A few years ago, when San Yiniang was still alive, San Yiniang lived in Nanpian Courtyard. After San Yiniang went, it was Jiu Yiniang who lived in. As expected, these two aunts were neither favored nor had much face. The southern courtyard looked a bit gloomy. In the corner of the courtyard, long grass grew from the cracks in the blue bricks. The few poles of bamboo in the courtyard were also half yellow and not green, which was unpleasant.Mama Wang stood at the entrance of the courtyard, looked around, sighed a rare sigh, and then entered the three-room green brick house in the innermost row of the courtyard.

As soon as Mama Wang opened the curtain, she smelled a strong smell of medicine.

"The servant girl is here to greet Jiu Yiniang." She said as she walked towards Jiu Yiniang's bedroom, until she entered the bedroom, only two little maidservants came out to greet her.These two little maids were still wearing autumn clothes issued last year. After a year, the green cotton cloth had faded, making them look extraordinarily shabby. In a village spirit, Mama Wang curled her lips condescendingly, then changed into a smiling face, walked to the side of Zaomu's big bed, and repeated softly, "The servant girl is here to greet Jiu Yiniang."

She said hello, but Mama Wang just squatted halfway, straightened her waist, and looked down at the woman on the bed.Jiu Yiniang didn't seem to think it was disobedient, she coughed a few times, half sat up with difficulty, and nodded to Mama Wang.

"Mother Wang is on behalf of—" She coughed again, and the two little girls rushed forward to beat Jiu Yiniang's back and hold the spit box. Mother Wang took a few steps back, as if she was afraid that Jiu Yiniang would cough on her face. She softened her voice.

"This servant is the one who came to visit Jiu Yiniang on behalf of the wife."

Seeing that there were only these three people in the room, Mama Wang looked left and right. There were only two or three camphor wood cabinets in the room, and the locks on them were rusted. Stove, and a small bench or two.

Mama Wang frowned.

"Why don't you go to the porch to decoct medicine?" Her voice was not high, but there was a cold blade-like coercion, the two little maids looked at each other, and were about to kneel down to apologize, but Jiu Yiniang was already on the side Coughing, while panting authentically.

"Mother Wang, don't blame them, alas, alas, there are not enough people."

Mama Wang's complexion became a little ugly, she said firmly, "Rules cannot be broken."

The two little maids stood there helpless, not knowing whether to apologize or just pretend it was nothing.

What are you fussing about with such a stupid little maid?Mama Wang suddenly calmed down again, and she asked, "Why didn't you see Seventh Lady?"

"Respond to Mama Wang's words, Miss Qi is still taking a nap." Before Jiu Yiniang could answer, the little servant girl rushed to say, "Your maidservant, please go and wake up Miss Qin."

Neither Wang Mama nor Jiu Yiniang spoke, just watched the little girl run out of the gloomy room nimbly, Jiu Yiniang was stunned for a long time before remembering to ask, "Wang Mama sit down."

One of the remaining maids went forward to move a camphor wood chair for Wang Mama, the ink on it was yellowed, Mama Wang coughed dryly, and sat down on the camphor wood chair, Jiu Yiniang ordered again, "Give tea to Mama Wang."

The little maid also ran away, and Madam Wang said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "The ladies and maids in this yard should be disciplined and disciplined. In broad daylight, everyone went to nowhere."

"Hey, they're all busy too. It's almost the end of the new year. Who's in the same family?" Jiu Yiniang seemed to see it very openly. She was a very ordinary woman, about 28 or [-] years old. , but the description is haggard, so thin that the flesh is dry, and a gold bracelet around the wrist is dangling pitifully, as if it is about to fall off at any time.

Mother Wang smiled reservedly, and took the tea that the little girl brought, but she didn't drink it, she just put it in her hand to warm it.Jiu Yiniang coughed a few more times, spit out a mouthful of phlegm, leaned on the pillow and looked at Mama Wang expectantly.

"Qi Niangzi is also six years old." After a while, Mother Wang asked.

Jiu Yiniang laughed, "Well, they are the same age as Brother Jiu."

When Brother Jiu was mentioned, Ms. Wang's face softened three points, and she began to talk more. "Brother Jiu is being naughty, and he played something yesterday, which made his wife talk about it for a while, but she was reluctant to fight. I don't know if Seventh Lady has such a temper, everyone said, twins—" she continued Received this half of the words.

Jiu Yiniang showed a bit of bitterness, and then she said, "Qi Niangzi is very quiet, and the only thing she talks about all day long is embroidering."

"Jiu Yiniang's first-hand acupuncture skills can be regarded as passed down to others." Mama Wang continued on this topic. "It's just that Seventh Lady is only six years old, so she can embroider well?"

"I've been studying on and off for half a year, but I'm just trying not to embroider Yingchun into a rose." Jiu Yiniang's eyes flashed a hint of pride, but her tone was still calm. "I served in front of my bed until midnight last night. Today I managed to drive her to sleep for a while. It seems that she is a bit lazy, which made Wang Mama laugh at her."

After all, a person who is an aunt, no matter how poor she is, her words and deeds, will not be scumbags.Mama Wang respected her a little bit, "Where, Seventh Lady's filial piety is commendable."

At this time, there was a five or six-year-old girl rubbing her eyes, and was led into the room by the servant girl. She was wearing a sky-blue jacket with no words on her head, and she had two buns combed. The style is also old, but the starch is very clean, and it looks cute.

Mother Wang just laughed, "Qi Niangzi, do you still recognize me?"

Seventh Lady raised her eyes and stared at Mama Wang in bewilderment, and after watching for a moment, she knelt down and saluted. "Hello, Mama Wang."

"Seventh Lady is so polite." Mother Wang stood up quickly, not daring to accept Seventh Lady's gift, and the smile on her face grew even wider.

Jiu Yiniang beckoned to Seventh Lady, and Seventh Lady snuggled up to her, her big eyes turned around, looked at Jiu Yiniang, and then at Wang Mama.

Mama Wang suddenly felt that she and Brother Jiu looked alike.

Twin siblings are twin siblings.She thought secretly in her heart, and put away a little bit of her original arrogance.

"Mama Wang came here this time just to see Xiao Qi." Jiu Yiniang said with a trace of fatigue, "I'm not boasting, but Xiao Qi is really smart. In the future, I won't add too much to my wife. trouble."

Mother Wang quickly said, "It's not sure whether my wife is supporting me. My wife just asked me to come and see Jiu Yiniang and ask Jiu Yiniang what gifts I want to bring to my natal family this New Year's Eve."

Jiu Yiniang's natal family lived outside the city, and every year at the end of the year, they would come to enjoy the autumn wind once or twice, and a trace of embarrassment flashed across Jiu Yiniang's face.She lowered her eyes to look at the gold bracelet in her hand, moved her lips a few times, and swallowed again when she was about to speak.

Mama Wang was used to being mean, so she didn't think anything of it. She sat peacefully and looked at Qin Niangzi. Qi Niangzi was still snuggling beside Jiu Yiniang. He pursed his lips and smiled.

"What is Seventh Lady laughing at?" Mother Wang asked softly.

Qin Niangzi said bluntly, "I laughed at Lixia for being clumsy, trying to move the small stove but unable."

Wang Mama and Jiu Yiniang couldn't help but looked at the little maid serving tea.

The little maid was poking her ass and trying to lift up the small stove, but there was still a medicine pot on the stove, she couldn't move it no matter how hard she tried, and her face was covered with black dust.

Mama Wang and Yiniang Jiu both laughed at the same time, and a trace of pity flashed in Mama Wang's eyes.

In this big mansion, the most desolate and the worst is the mother and daughter of Jiu Yi Niang... Wang Mama is the celebrity around the eldest wife, she usually welcomes and sees her off, and socializes with respectable aunts, it is rare to see such A bleak sight.

This smile made it easier to talk, Jiu Yiniang looked at Mama Wang, and pleaded, "I won't last for a few more days, this year, I may not be able to get by... Let Xiao Qi live with his wife, and the only way is to live with his wife, Only a mother like me can rest assured and close my eyes."

Tears welled up in Seventh Lady's eyes, Jiu Yiniang touched her head with a smile, groped with her left hand, found the gold bracelet on her right hand, took it off with difficulty, and handed it to Mama Wang.

"If mom can say a few nice words in front of my wife..."

Mother Wang hurriedly pushed Jiu Yiniang's hand away. "I dare not take it seriously. It is our duty to serve as servants."

Jiu Yiniang didn't know where the strength came from, she leaned over and grabbed Mama Wang's hand, and put the gold bracelet on her hand. "Mom, don't be polite to me."

She winked at Qin Niangzi, and Qin Niangzi said bluntly, "Mom, don't be polite." She thought for a while, and then added, "Xiao Qi is all taken care of by her mother."

Mother Wang didn't refuse any more, she held the heavy gold bracelet, and said with a slight smile, "Actually, Madam also has the same thoughts, after all, Seventh Lady and Ninth Brother are twin siblings, and they are raised together, so it's also a good idea." Livelier."

Immediately, Jiu Yiniang showed a satisfied look, "When mom said this, the big rock in my heart was let go." She touched Lady Qin's head, "Xiao Qi, go and get the peony flower you embroidered. , Show Wang Mama."

Qin Niangzi went out obediently, and Li Xia followed her neatly without saying a word, and went out carrying the small stove.Jiu Yiniang frowned at the girl serving tea, "Qiu Feng, follow Li Xia, don't let her drink the medicine pot."

Only then did Qiu Feng know how to leave, and looked at Mum Wang reluctantly for a few times before leaving the room.

Without these three people, the room immediately became empty, and the sunlight finally shone into the room, diffused in through the window paper, and reflected a tinge of blood on Jiu Yiniang's face.

"These days, I'm just waiting for my mother." Jiu Yiniang said slowly, Wang's mother would do things for her after accepting her gold bracelet, which made her feel much better, and she seemed to have a smile on her face. "It's just... Fourth Aunt also came here a few times a while ago."

Mama Wang immediately narrowed her eyes, "Si Yiniang has been here?" She felt that her tone was a little agitated, so she hurriedly said, "Si Yiniang has been busy recently, and unexpectedly she will also step into the gate of Nanpianyuan. "

"Si Yiniang is also kind." Jiu Yiniang lowered her head and slowly turned the smaller silver bracelet on her left hand. "The colder the disease, the more severe the seizures. The doctor also said that it is difficult to pass the New Year's Eve. The fourth aunt came to ask me if I should put Xiaoqi in her yard to raise him."

Jiu Yiniang's illness was not because she couldn't pass the last year's test, but she had to use century-old ginseng as medicine to hang her life.

Mother Wang seemed not to know about this, she sighed first, "Jiu Yiniang's illness has been dragging on for several years." Then she looked at Jiu Yiniang inquiringly, "If Jiu Yiniang accepts Si Yiniang, I won't It's easy to talk."

Jiu Yiniang smiled slightly, and pointed to the gold bracelet on Mama Wang's wrist, "If you agreed, why would you ask Mama Wang for help? It's just that it's really difficult for this concubine to enter the wife's yard. I have always been shameless, I'm afraid... my wife may not respond to me."

According to the rules of the Great Qin Dynasty, concubine daughters are raised under the knees of their regular wives, and they are treated as legitimate daughters as a rule when talking about marriage, and when they get married, the dowry is as rich as that of legitimate daughters.Therefore, being raised by his wife is a great honor to a concubine, and it's not that Wang Mama doesn't understand this truth.She rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Jiu Yiniang is too polite. Although you have been ill in recent years, you are still Jiu Ge'er's biological mother. Just because of Jiu Ge'er, the wife has to treat Qi Niangzi differently, right? Let's be honest. Today, I am going to lead Seventh Lady to see my wife."

This time, Jiu Yiniang smiled with real peace of mind.

"From now on, Xiaoqi will rely on Mama Wang's care." She sighed and coughed again. "This child has a dull temper. When my mother is free, I must teach her more principles of life. In the future... Xiaoqi will definitely repay Mother Wang."

Mama Wang looked at the window lattice, and through the only half window, she saw Seventh Lady standing in front of the west chamber, looking into the room with an embroidered frame, and she could vaguely see her face. Anxiety on

From the bottom of her heart, she felt a bit superior, and slightly pulled the corners of her lips.

"Needless to say? Brother Jiu's twin sister—I have to take good care of it." She got up, "If Jiu Yiniang has no other orders, I will take Seventh Lady to see the eldest wife went?"

Jiu Yiniang also looked out the window.

A smile floated on her lips, and in the smile, there was sadness, expectation, and a little confidence.

"Xiao Qi won't cause you any trouble." She said softly, coughing again, "I'll just ask you to take care of me!"

(End of this chapter)