The Lantern Festival has passed, and the spirit of the new year has suddenly subsided, and every house in Beijing has slowly returned to its usual tranquility.
And Jia Lian, after completely expelling his deputy from the Army and Horse Department, ordered everyone in the Army and Horse Department to be respectful and obedient, and no one or thing dared to defy him.
Jia Lian himself was not complacent and overjoyed with his achievements. He still went to the government office every day to get acquainted with the government affairs while inspecting the many officials in the government office. He chose all available people for his own use and strived to completely control the troops and horses of Xicheng as quickly as possible. manage.
That evening, Jia Lian went home from the office as usual.
After dinner, Wang Xifeng asked Ping'er and Xiaohong to turn out half of the twelve pieces of satin to prepare new clothes for Yingchun and others.
While thinking about which horse, which color, which person to match, how much material is needed, he sighed: "With such good material and such thickness, even if you spend dozens of taels of silver, you may not be able to buy one. You guys I am so generous, I gave them all away as soon as I opened my mouth."
After sighing, he turned around and saw that Jia Lian was still leaning on the kang drinking tea. He suddenly became angry. He walked over and asked with a smile: "Do you think it's too hot to leave good things at home? So just get it and find a place." Throw it out?
They have no shortage of clothes to wear during the Spring Festival. Every year, the officials allocate money to tailor clothes for them alone. What do you want from Bala's appointment? "
“Officials belong to officials, and if they want to receive favors, they also receive favors from their wives. What does that have to do with you and me?
This is just a little bit of our thoughts, why can't you let it go? "
Jia Lian smiled back indifferently.
When Sister Feng heard Jia Lian's words, she really wanted to separate from Mrs. Wang. She had some thoughts in her heart, which she couldn't say in front of the maid, so she just said: "There is nothing I can't bear to part with. Anyway, it's something you earned back. You Make clothes for whomever you want."
Wang Xifeng said and discussed: "In that case, let's make one piece for each of Ying Yatou and the others, plus Sister Lin and Baochai, as well as the elder sister-in-law and Lan Geer... Always leave some for us in the future. The eldest sister is tailoring clothes..."
This is the kind of person Sister Feng is. She always speaks her full words, but always leaves half of her room when doing things.
Such a piece of cloth, if not used as a complete set of inner and outer clothes, but as outer clothing alone, can make at least four or five pieces for Yingchun's size. In other words, twelve pieces of cloth are enough to make two pieces of clothing for all the masters in the family!
If he hadn't known this, Jia Lian wouldn't have agreed casually on the Lantern Festival night.
When I arrived at Sister Feng's place, I felt like I was stretched thin. This was known from the fact that she only took out half of the goods. She simply wanted to use half of the goods to settle the case, and she also wanted to deduct another part from this half, which was called reserved for her daughter.
He is indeed a master who is good at calculation.
"I don't have any objection to what you do. Anyway, I'm not at home often, and I don't often meet Yingchun and the others, so I'm not afraid of them saying I'm stingy behind my back.
If you, the sister-in-law, are not afraid, then that’s okay. "
Sister Feng knew what Jia Lian was saying as soon as she heard it, and her face turned slightly red. In fact, she felt that it was okay to be called stingy, as long as the benefits fell through.
Besides, why is it stingy to do one thing per person? It's not just about cutting out the satin. With such good material, you will definitely need to hire a skilled embroiderer to design the style, embroider the pattern, and finally put it together into a complete dress. A lot of work goes into it.
Finally, don't mention that a piece of clothing can be worth more than ten taels of silver. Hmm, is this considered stingy? Ever since I was a child, I have never had more than this number of clothes!
However, it can also be seen that Jia Lian does not want to break his promise. That night, Mother Jia told her that it was okay not to make it for her, but only to make two pieces for Yingchun and others. They all agreed at that time.
So he changed his tune and said: "Okay, okay, it's all up to you. The sisters at home have two pieces each, so it's settled."
There is still room for Sister Feng to say this. The sisters only have two pieces, and the others have not promised to give them two pieces. Just like Jia Baoyu, Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang made countless clothes for him every year, so there was no need for them to be generous.
There is also my eldest sister-in-law, whose monthly income is several times more than mine, so she and Lan Xiaozi don’t need to be generous.
Well, I still have to give the old lady and my wife something, so that when the time comes, the wages for hiring Xiu Niang, as well as the consumed silk thread, can all be paid out of the official position, which can save a lot...
Jia Lian only cared about Yingchun and others, because they were the only ones in the family who were proletarians, and the others themselves did not need anyone else to make their clothes, so he nodded.
Seeing the calculating look in Sister Feng's eyes, she couldn't help but laugh. She patted the hot bed next to her and asked her to sit down. "You don't need to feel bad. There will only be more of this kind of thing in the future, not less. Why bother to do it?" This miserly look makes the girls laugh.”
After hearing this, Ping'er and Xiaohong hurriedly lowered their heads and said to themselves, Second Mistress is not a miser, but Second Master, you are not a householder and don't know how expensive firewood and rice are. Throwing these things out makes even their slaves feel a little distressed...
The key point that Sister Feng heard was different from the girls. She raised her head and asked, "This is something given by the emperor, or you fought for it with your life and wealth. This is not the only thing like this. Do you still want it?" Are you going to lead the troops outside?"
Jia Lian just smiled.
The emperor's rewards are naturally something you can only meet but cannot ask for, but in fact, most of the things given by the emperor are from compradors in the palace, such as the Xue family and other royal merchants. As long as you have the connections and money, you can buy it outside.
Seeing that Sister Feng wanted to persuade him that the little rich would be safe and stop doing risky things, Jia Lian shook his head and said, "I just want to go outside again. Do you think it's so easy? I'm carrying the troops and horses now." Yamen errands have important responsibilities, do you think the emperor will let me move my position so easily after he has tapped my palm?"
Sister Feng felt at ease now. Well, it would be great to be an official in the capital...
So I decided to listen to Jia Lian and take them out together to make two decent ones for myself and Jia Lian.
Jia Lian didn't object after hearing this, and even said with a smile: "If there are any leftovers, get one for Ping'er and the other three to wear, so that they can also enjoy the glory, and it will be fresh and fresh."
"Okay, okay, it's all up to you. They are all your darlings. No one can lose their share! Even if I don't have it myself, I must leave it for them."
After hearing Jia Lian and Sister Feng bickering, they decided on the matter. Xiaohong was naturally envious of Ping'er and others. Ping'er was a little uneasy and said hurriedly: "Grandma, don't worry about me. I can't wear all the clothes grandma gave me in the past, so don't waste such materials on me."
Ping'er's clothes are definitely the best among the maids in the Jia family. In the past, whenever Sister Feng felt that the clothes were a bit old or she didn't like the clothes, her first choice was to give them to Ping'er, so Ping'er said she couldn't finish all the clothes. ,it is true.
She didn't say it was okay, but when she did, Sister Feng was serious about getting her a new one, so that others could see whether she was bullying Ping'er or treating her sincerely!
Now that the decision has been made, Sister Feng is the most prudent and smart person in handling matters. She immediately ordered Ping'er to lead her mother-in-law to measure the stature of Yingchun, Daiyu and others.
Girls of their age have different body measurements every year, so they are re-measured every year to make it easier for them to have their clothes cut.
"By the way, remember to go to Lixiangyuan and take a test for Miss Bao. Her family certainly doesn't care about our two clothes, but you just tell her that it's a little bit of my thoughts. Her sisters have them, too. We can’t leave her alone, I’m sure she will accept it.”
Sister Feng specially warned Ping'er again, and Ping'er also accepted the order.
Wang Xifeng ordered Xiaohong again: "Take all these satins and put them on the empty cabinet inside. They will be used tomorrow. Remember to wrap them in a clean cloth first to prevent them from getting dirty."
"Yes, Second Grandma."
Xiaohong obeys orders, and judging from her hands and feet, she is also very deft and safe.
After all, it was Jia Lian who personally recommended him to Sister Feng, so he took a special look at her.
Sister Feng sat next to him, waved her hand, and asked with a smile: "Why, you also like this? I knew that you must have other thoughts when you brought her in, and you said it was for me, and I almost gave it to you. Cheated."
Jia Lian knew that Sister Feng was testing him again, so he didn't bother to pay attention. He just asked: "How is it? Is your god-granddaughter good at using it?"
Sister Feng laughed.
She is the housekeeper in the house, and the housekeeper of the house of her daughter-in-law, Lin Zhixiao, is her right-hand man. Because the Lin Zhixiao family was obedient and filial to Sister Feng, as if their daughter was as filial to her mother, others laughed at her, so she might as well accept Sister Feng as her mother.
Although it is a play, it reflects the loyalty of the servants of the Jia family and the good customs of master-servant harmony, so it spread.
And Xiaohong is the biological daughter of Lin Zhixiao's family, so Jia Lian called her so with a smile.
"Stop joking, let me ask you, I heard that Uncle Xue invited you to drinks several times in the past few days, why didn't you go?"
Sister Feng heard what Aunt Xue said, so she asked specifically. She knew Aunt Xue was worried about whether Jia Lian had something against Xue Pan.
Jia Lian understood immediately, and only replied: "I am so busy with things in the yamen, how can I have time to go to those meaningless wine parties? Besides, isn't the eldest uncle still ill? Not to mention Xue Pan, it is Uncle Zhen There are also invitations from other family friends, but there are not enough of them these days? Didn’t I ask you to return them all for me?"
Jia Lian was promoted to the Military and Horse Department. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that he had a bright future, not to mention that the Military and Horse Department Yamen was related to some interests of various families, so they all wanted to establish friendship with Jia Lian.
Jia Lian only chose the most important ones to deal with, and the others basically disappeared.
Anyway, Jia She was seriously ill, so he had every reason to refuse all kinds of banquets.
Sister Feng originally wanted to ask, what kind of good wine shop can a person like Xue Pan set up? It's just a day of fun and debauchery, it would be better if Jia Lian didn't go.
I was thinking about what I would say to Aunt Xue next time I saw her, and at the same time I lightly hammered and massaged Jia Lian's raised legs.
Wang Xifeng usually didn't serve anyone, but occasionally acted like a coquettish girl and pinched Jia Mu. Now she used it on Jia Lian, and it was like a man's love and a concubine's intention...
When Xiao Hong went out, the handsome couple looked at each other and could almost understand each other's thoughts. Just when they were about to start a career, a girl hurried over to spread the news about Dongquayuan.
"Second Master, the boy at the second door said that the master is awake and is anxious to see you."
Sister Feng hurriedly got up from Jia Lian's arms and looked at Jia Lian with some worry. Because every time Jia Lian is called by Jia She, nothing good will happen.
Jia Lian also saw that something must have happened over there, but when he saw Sister Feng's appearance, he still stretched out his hand to drag Sister Feng's pretty face, rubbed her face with warm thumbs to comfort her, and said with a smile : "Don't worry, things are different now. I'll be fine."
It is indeed true. With Jia She's current state and the fact that Dongkuaoyuan is completely under his control, it is absolutely impossible for Jia She to manage him as he did before, let alone Jia She. Even Jia She's lingering life is under his control. If he wants him to die, he will die.
We might as well see what trouble the old guy is going to make first.
