The Concubine's Survival Manual

Chapter 4

Jiu Yiniang's funeral was rather grand.

Although she was not favored during her lifetime, she was Jiu Ge'er's biological mother after all, and Jiu Ge'er was adopted under the name of the eldest wife, so she was also honored.Her funeral cost 300 taels of silver.

It is more than ten times that of the third aunt who went a few years ago.

Third Aunt just bought a coffin hastily, and didn't let her be wrapped in a straw mat, and she didn't enter the Yang family's private tomb, and was buried on the mass grave.

Jiu Yiniang stayed at Yang's house for seven days before transporting the coffin to Baoji. Li Xia got the news from somewhere and told Seventh Lady that Jiu Yiniang's grave was confirmed, and it was behind the Yang Family's ancestral hall, the old Aunt Wang of the Seventh House. In the small corner next to it, although it is far away, there is still a monument with a surname on it, so that when brother Jiu worships in the future, he won't be able to find his birth mother's grave.

The Elder Master even personally came to offer incense sticks to Jiu Yiniang.

The old man came over, and the aunts and girls followed suit.

The eldest aunt and the fifth aunt came here together, and they both held the hand of the seventh lady and said some regretful words.

"Jiu Yiniang was born good-looking, so her fate is unlucky." The big aunt was talking nonsense with her eyes open. Jiu Yiniang's appearance was only average among the aunts of the Yang family.

Seventh Lady showed a faint smile.

"It's my aunt's blessing to be able to give birth to and raise children for the Yang family." She answered impeccably.

The aunt looked at her with a little surprise and a hint of appreciation.

Fifth Yiniang had burnt incense and wiped her eyes, "I didn't expect Jiu Yiniang to go so early... Sigh, it was only when she went to the mansion to embroider."

Jiu Yiniang originally came to the mansion to be an embroiderer, and she also said earlier that she had a relative, and her husband and son-in-law would disappear before she was married, so she went to the mansion to embroider for two years before being dragged into bed by the elder and gave birth to seven children. The lady and the ninth brother.

Wu Yiniang's words were more insidious than Da Yi Niang's. Da Yi Niang just wanted to arouse Qi Niangzi's dissatisfaction with the eldest wife, but Wu Yiniang's words were vaguely accusing the Elder Master of being restless.

Qin Niangzi lowered her eyes, and was about to say a few words hidden in the cotton.

She thought that Jiu Yiniang would always grab her hand at this time.There was not even a trace of warmth in the cold palms, and she warned Qinianzi silently: people have to bow their heads under the eaves.

Seventh Lady's tears flowed out.

Big Aunt and Fifth Aunt were startled.

They are all the maids of the eldest wife who were carried away to the aunts, and now they often go to the main house to serve the eldest wife and spend a lot of time with Brother Jiu.I am very familiar with Brother Jiu. A few years ago, Brother Jiu was young and had a very arrogant temper. When the people under him did something offensive, they would cry immediately.

In private, Da Yi Niang and Wu Yiniang often discussed: after all, it is Jiu Yiniang's seed, and the face full of tears when crying is exactly the same as Jiu Yiniang.

When Jiu Yiniang was confiscated, she cried all the way from home to getting off the sedan chair, and from getting off the sedan chair to entering the new house.

Crying so much that snot and tears were all over the place, the elder hated him so much that he slept in Third Auntie's room that night and didn't even touch Ninth Auntie.

In private, the joke has been passed around for years.

Seventh Lady was not like this when she cried.

Two lines of tears quietly slid down the cheeks, and the shoulders twitched, like winter jasmine flowers hit by the rain, weak and delicate, yet so delicate.

The aunt laughed, "Good boy, don't cry. Be careful not to swell your eyes, it won't look good."

Seventh Lady then took out her handkerchief, and wiped away the tears on her face carefully, her white little finger was bent on the edge of Supa, her hand was like a newly bloomed white orchid.

The seventh lady behaves elegantly, no less than the second lady.

The aunt narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled more cordially.

"Although Jiu Yiniang left early, she has a pair of children like you," she touched Seventh Lady's shoulder, "grow up well, and your aunt can feel at ease even in the spirit of heaven."

Although the eldest aunt and the fifth aunt have some face, they have always been childless. They are like rootless duckweed in the backyard, and can only rely on the eldest wife to make a living.Auntie's words were a bit condescending, but they were very deep.

Everyone in the courtyard said that my aunt was actually a kind person.

Qiniangzi felt that there were conditions to get the kindness of her auntie.

"Thank you, auntie." She said softly, blessing the two aunts.The two aunts quickly moved aside, not daring to accept her gift. "When we come to the main house in the future, we need to ask the two aunts to take care of us."

Fifth Auntie glanced at Auntie Auntie and smiled kindly.

"Where can we talk about caring or not, if Qin Niangzi has something to do, just come and ask us."

The two aunts said a few more polite words and left the Nanpianyuan.

It was still in the first month, and although there was a funeral in the Nanpianyuan, they only dared to pick off the red and green mascots. Qin Niangzi was still wearing a ginger jacket, with only a white flower on her temple.

When Mother Liang entered the yard, she saw Qin Niangzi standing under the eaves, staring at the pattering winter rain in a daze.

"Seventh Lady." She smiled before saying a word, her round face full of kindness.

Seventh Lady immediately smiled.

"Hello, Mama Liang."

"Hello, Seventh Lady." Liang's mother put away the umbrella, washed her hands first, lit a stick of incense in front of the memorial tablet in the house, and then came out to hold Seventh Lady's hand, "Seventh Lady has lost weight."

"I've been very busy these days." Seventh Lady showed a little tiredness. "I didn't sleep well at night either."

Liang's mother's eyes flashed.

Seventh Lady was still sleeping in the southern courtyard, separated from the mourning hall by a curtain.Just seven years old... It's normal to not sleep well.

Seventh Lady was urging herself to ask when she would be able to move to the main house. She was very tactful at such a young age.

Mama Liang laughed. "Seventh lady, don't just accept the bed. When I arrive at the main house tonight, if you still can't sleep well, you will be in trouble."

"I don't recognize the bed." Seventh Lady said softly, her voice was like the spring breeze on the bank of the south of the Yangtze River, unconsciously, the corners of people's mouths would curl up. "It's just that the weather is hot and cold, which is really annoying."

The corners of Liang's mother's mouth could not help but be turned up by the soft voice. "Well, spring came a little late this year."

She asked Seventh Lady again, "Where will Seventh Lady eat now?"

Both Mama Liang and Mama Wang are celebrities around the eldest wife. Mama Wang is in charge of accounting matters, and Mama Liang is in charge of personnel appointments and dismissals.After Jiu Yiniang passed away, Seventh Lady switched to Xiaoxiangxue for three meals a day, and Lixia went to Xiaoxiangxue to serve Qiniangzi's food every day, and sometimes the food was completely cold when she went to Nanpianyuan.

Fortunately, there is a small stove, which can be heated up before eating, so as not to cause stomach problems.

Seventh Lady said calmly, "Now we're going to Xiaoxiangxue to eat." She didn't say a word of complaint.

The smile on Liang's mother's face grew even wider.

"...It's a bit of a city." She returned to the main house and reported to the eldest wife. "After drying for seven days and eating cold food for seven days, it seems like there is a lot of fish and meat every day, and there is no complaint."

The eldest lady raised her eyebrows, "Oh," I'm not afraid that there is a city mansion, but that Jiu Yiniang will bring out a village lady who can't stand on the stage, or that she has raised Seventh Lady too delicately.Then, the eldest lady will be in trouble. "Has Fourth Aunt gone?"

"Da aunt and fifth aunt went early in the morning." Liang's mother smiled warmly, "The seventh and eighth rooms also have maids or mothers to pay respects. But the fourth room has not seen any movement." Liang's mother used her hand There are people all over the Yang family, and in terms of being well-informed, even the eldest wife can't compare to her.

The eldest wife thought about it, what does Fourth Aunt mean by this?Years ago, she and Jiufang were in full swing, but Jiuyiniang died, but she didn't go to make a whistle.

Putting a long line to catch big fish, Si Yiniang may have to make a big move.

"Ma'am," Liang's mother said again, "this old slave thinks...the heat is almost ready."

Seventh Lady has already guarded Jiu Yiniang's first seven. It can be seen that this is a little girl who has a city, can hold her breath, and speaks and does things more decently.It is enough to enter the main house and be raised by the eldest wife.After staying for the first seven days, if she doesn't receive the main house again, the fourth aunt will have something to complain to the elder.

The eldest lady stretched her brows, and casually looked at the maids in the room.Li Chun and Bai Lu were sitting opposite each other by the bed, trying to persuade Brother Jiu to get up.

Brother Jiu just likes to stay in bed, take a nap, and sleep until evening.

"Bailu," she said. "You order a few people to move Qiniangzi's cage to the west side courtyard."

Bai Lu responded crisply, stood up and left the main room.Her back was graceful and graceful, which made Liang's mother a little dazed.

"Little Bailu has grown up." She said with a smile, "It's a big girl."

The eldest lady laughed, and gave her a reproachful look, "You really love her."

Mama Liang just laughed along.

The eldest lady pondered for a moment, then said lightly, "I think, let her go to serve Seventh Lady... There is still a shortage of people, you can choose."

The daughter of the Yang family has two big maids, four young maids, a rough envoy, and a mother in charge.Seventh Lady has been in Jiuyiniang's courtyard, and there are probably not many people who need her around her.

#
When Qin Niangzi was taken to the West Side Courtyard by Bai Lu, she only had Li Xia with her.

"Jiu Yiniang still needs someone to take care of her." With a light word, Qiu Feng was left behind.

Bai Lu was a little more careful with Qin Niangzi.

The West Side Courtyard was originally the residence of the first lady. After the first lady was ten years old, she had her own yard and lived in Baifangyuan. She then converted it into a cloakroom for the eldest wife. The eldest wife has dozens of boxes of clothes. Where can I put them in the main room? .

Because of the suddenness of the eldest lady's words, Qin Niangzi had to pile up the cages outside the door first, and then move them in after the cages inside were moved out.

The wooden boxes with faded paint appeared conspicuously in front of the eyes of the people in the main courtyard.

In the main courtyard, Mrs. Zhang was the one who swept the floor. Even in Mrs. Zhang's house, she couldn't find such a dilapidated cage.

There was a bit of sneer and contempt in the eyes of everyone looking at Qin Niangzi.

As if she didn't realize it, Seventh Lady walked into the main room to greet the eldest lady.

Brother Nine was drawing and playing with Fifth Lady, Second Lady found a book and leaned on the beauty's couch to read, and the eldest wife chatted with Mama Liang with a smile.

"Greetings to mother." Seventh lady blessed herself.

The eldest lady looked at her and frowned slightly when she saw the white flower on her temples. "coming."

"Yes." Seventh Lady raised her hand to follow her bangs, and took off the white flower. "Hello, Second Sister, Hello, Fifth Sister."

The second lady's eyes were glued to the book, and she didn't lift it up. The fifth lady snorted. "Brother Nine, your real sister is here."

Brother Jiu raised his head to look at Seventh Lady, then lowered his head and laughed at the villain Second Lady drew.

At the end of the twelfth lunar month, Jiu Yiniang was seriously ill, Jiu Ge only came to see her once, and only took a look at the door from a distance, turned his head and started to cry in fear, the adoptive mother hurriedly hugged him and coaxed him all the way back to the main courtyard... ...Jiu Yiniang didn't even see his face clearly.

Seventh Lady's eyes dimmed slightly.

The eldest lady frowned at Wu Niangzi's words, but after seeing Brother Nine's indifference, she became happy again, so she picked a pair of cards from the ebony shelf and gave them to Mama Liang.

"I'll ask someone to make some new clothes for her in a while." After thinking for a while, he added, "Fifth Sister wears some clothes that are too small. Let her wear them for a few days and wait for the new clothes to arrive. Change again."

The meaning of these words is that Qi Niangzi's dress is poor, she doesn't look like a girl raised in the main courtyard.He also didn't want Qiniangzi to have anything from Jiu Yiniang on her body.

Mama Liang's eyes flicked past Qiniangzi's ears, neck, and wrists, and soon she felt relieved: Jiu Yiniang didn't leave any expensive jewelry for Qiniangzi.

Immediately felt a little sad again.

The jewelry on the third lady and the fourth lady can be exchanged for hundreds of hectares of land, not to mention the second lady and the fifth lady.Both are the daughters of Mr. Yang, but Qin Niangzi doesn't look like a lady from an official family at all. Judging by her attire, she looks like a little maid.

Act like that too.Which family's lady wants to salute the deacon's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?
She walked up to Seventh Lady with a smile, took her hand and said, "There are new clothes to wear, is Seventh Lady happy?"

Qin Niangzi showed an innocent smile, and said softly, "Of course I am happy. Thank you, mother, and thank you, Mama Liang."

The eldest wife couldn't help laughing: This Seventh Lady is quite obedient.

Although it is a last resort to put such a person in your own room, it is better to have a good temper than a bad one.If it was like the third lady, the eldest wife would rather give her to someone else to raise her.

"From now on, we don't have to be so polite when we are together every day," she said.

The second lady looked at her mother, and then at the seventh lady.

Contempt flashed in her eyes.

Wu Niangzi does not have such a city.

"Mom!" she shouted loudly and angrily. "I don't want to give people my clothes!"

The eldest lady frowned and glanced at Qinianzi.

Qiniangzi looked down at her toes, showing some embarrassment, but her back was still straight.

Qiniangzi was brought up by Jiuyiniang alone, and Jiuyiniang was just out of confinement, so she took Qiniangzi to her hometown in the northwest.

The folk customs in her hometown in the northwest are simple and honest, Jiu Yiniang sees villagers every day.When I arrived in Suzhou, I stayed in the Nanpianyuan every day and rarely went out.Qin Niangzi has not been out of the house a few times since she was born.

Where is Fifth Lady?

She was raised by his wife, she took her out when she was only two or three years old, went to Taihu Lake to play, and lived in Xiangxuehai for a month or two every winter.Not to mention that over the years, when women from rich families came to the door, the fifth lady would come out to accompany the guests.

Logically, comparing these two people, Fifth Lady should be the one who is generous and calm, and Seventh Lady should be the one who is petty and capricious.

But now it seems to be the other way around, Qin Niangzi is calm and calm, although a little embarrassed, she doesn't look overly shy.Where is Fifth Lady?Willful and domineering...

The eldest lady sighed.

"You have so many clothes that you can't finish wearing them. What's bothering you if you give some to your sister?" Her voice was soft, but everyone could hear the sharpness in it. Even Brother Nine stopped writing to read. come over. "Why doesn't Fifth Lady learn from your elder sister?"

Although the first lady Yang Yi is a concubine, she lost her mother when she was born, and she is the longest among these children. She has been raised by the eldest wife since she was a child.She has always been generous and decent in her actions, and she is very enthusiastic about her sisters.When she got married last year, Wu Niangzi was very reluctant and wet several handkerchiefs from crying.

When the first lady was mentioned, the fifth lady stopped talking and sat down angrily, not to look at the eldest wife at first.

Liang's mother hurriedly laughed, "Qi Niangzi, I'm afraid I can move all the boxes and cages over there."

Seventh Lady blessed the eldest wife, nodded with her sisters, turned around and left the main room with Mama Liang.

She didn't even look at Brother Jiu.

Jiu Ge'er curled his lips, became bored, buried his head and drew again, drawing circle after circle.

"Fifth Sister, shall I draw a Nine Links for you?" He asked, his clear voice broke the silence in the room.

Wu Niangzi squeezed out a smile, looked at Brother Jiu's painting, patted his head, and said with a smile, "Okay, Xiao Jiu really loves sister."

The eldest wife also laughed, and Li Chun jokingly said, "Brother Jiu is a loving person."

The eldest wife's eyes were full of relief, she looked at the three children, but said indifferently, "The children of our Yang family should be so harmonious."

The second lady drank her tea with her head down, the disdain in her eyes deepened.

(End of this chapter)