Returning to his small courtyard, in order to avoid arguing with Sister Feng, Jia Lian did not enter the main room and went directly to the study.
Qingwen was writing at the table. When she saw Jia Lian coming in, she was startled and stood up quickly.
Jia Lian walked over, took a look, and nodded:
"Don't tell me, she's really pretty. This little girl is really smart." As she spoke, she rubbed Qingwen's head.
Qingwen pouted:
"Second Master, don't always say that I am a 'little girl'.
The old lady called me over this morning and said that from now on she would call me over every morning to learn the rules, and from now on she would treat me like a first-class maid and give me my monthly allowance. My current monthly allowance is the same as that of Sister Heping'er. p>
The old lady also said that we are very particular about rules in our house, but not everyone can use a first-class maid.
There are eight first-class maids beside the old lady, there are four first-class maids beside the eldest lady and the madam, there are two beside Grandma Zhu, and there are two beside Grandma Lian. They are all fixed numbers. p>
In order not to break the rules of the house, I am still on the old lady’s side.
Moreover, the old lady would reward me with an extra shilling of money every month from now on, saying that she liked me for being 'beautiful, cheerful, and good at needlework'.
The second master said that I finally saw the pair of sixteen necklaces in the old lady's room today. They were really embroidered by my aunt."
Jia Lian frowned:
"You didn't say you knew how to 'Hui Embroidery', did you?"
Qingwen stuck out her tongue:
"Second Master looks down on people again, doesn't he?
I'm not a fool. What I should say and what I shouldn't say all depends on it."
As he spoke, he stretched out a slender jade finger like a spring onion and pointed at the hollow of his heart.
Jia Lian smiled and said:
"It's okay for you to be casual in front of me, but you have to be more restrained in front of the old lady. The old lady likes your charm and dexterity, but others will inevitably resent and slander you.
You have a straightforward temper, and you are afraid of offending others without knowing it. But you must remember: you must not have the intention to harm others, and you must have the intention to guard against others.”
Qingwen raised her neck:
"It's too late for Second Master's instructions.
I have been with the second master for so long, just looking at him coldly, and I have learned some skills.
The second master often laughs and laughs on the surface, but in fact, he keeps in mind everything that should be seen, seen, and discovered. After thinking about it carefully, he already has a big idea in his mind.
If someone doesn’t provoke me, we’ll smile; if someone dares to attack me, I’ll make him bleed!”
"Stop! How can I, your second master, be as ruthless as you say?" Jia Lian touched his face, feeling a little uneasy, "Have I become so insidious?"
Could it be that my "little pretty face" has turned into a "big pretty face" on the stage?
Qingwen shook her head seriously:
"It's not sinister. It's not like the second master is planning to harm others. Anyway, I think the second master is much better than those useless bad guys. I just want to be like the second master."
Jia Lian sat down on the chair and sighed: "When you and I were young..."
Then, he simply started singing:
"I often play here. The tall front door seems to be next to my home
A patch of withered grass and a few chirping crickets accompanied him through those gray years."
.
He felt a little emotional.
I thought that I, a working rat, actually traveled to the world of Red Mansions and became a noble son of a master. This was an opportunity given to me by my ancestors for many lifetimes.
But when I get to where I am today, I can make people around me not only admire my abilities, but also respect myself as a person. This is all thanks to my grandfather Jia Buquan.
It was this old man who had endured hardship all his life and taught him many ways of being a human being.
He said:
"A person without virtue will never go far.
Liancheng, you have to remember that we will not be bad people, but we will never be bad people. You don’t need everyone to like you, but you have to be the person you like."
Thinking of this, Jia Lian felt a little sore in his nose - it would be great if he could share such a good life with his grandfather.
.
Qingwen saw Jia Lian's expression was different, so she poured the tea obediently, handed it gently to Jia Lian's hand, and then stood aside without saying a word.
Jia Lian suddenly realized that he was losing his temper and quickly took a deep breath:
"Oh, I've been a little tired these past two days, and my mind keeps wandering."
Qingwen whispered:
"I heard everything yesterday. The second grandma and the second master had another quarrel about me.
I also know that the second master deliberately promoted me just to make the second grandma angry.
I also know that everyone in this mansion is waiting to see the Second Grandma’s joke."
Her voice became lower and lower as she spoke, and her head lowered as she spoke.
Jia Lian looked at this charming little girl and said that if he didn't like her, he would be struck by lightning.
Jia Lian reached out and pulled Qingwen over:
"I'm not going to hide it from you. Yesterday, it was indeed Sister Feng who made the first fuss, so I just got along with it. This incident was indeed a bit sudden, and I didn't ask you in advance whether you were happy or not.
I told the old lady to wait another year or two, if you are not willing..."
"I didn't say I wasn't happy." Qingwen suddenly raised her head, "But if the second master wants to make me angry with the second grandma, then I won't be happy."
This little girl is still so strong.
Jia Lian smiled:
"I was wrong yesterday, and I will apologize to you."
"I don't want Second Master to apologize. I want Second Master to say a word."
"What words?"
"Since Second Master likes me in his heart, why don't you just let me be your little wife?"
Jia Lian grinned:
"Why aren't you shy?"
Qingwen stamped her feet and said:
"Yes, I'm not shameless. Of course I will be shy. But if you are shy, you have to ask. If you don't ask, I will feel uncomfortable."
Jia Lian smiled:
"Okay, okay, then I'll tell you and I won't make you feel uncomfortable.
I think you are too young now, and I want to wait until you are sixteen before talking.
Before that, I want you to learn more about politics and etiquette from the old lady, which will be useful in the future.
I can wait, but you can’t?"
Qingwen pursed her lips and tried hard to keep the smile on her face:
"Since you said that, I will wait, but I won't regret it halfway."
Jia Lian smiled and said:
"Why are you regretting it? You have already taken a place with the old lady, and the old lady is waiting to send you in.
How long have you been in the house? Take a look at the most proud mandarin duck in the old lady's house. Does she have her own little girl to take care of her? Does she live in a room of her own?"
Qingwen couldn't hold back her smile any longer, she lowered her head and said with a smile:
"Who let the second master win the respect of the old lady? It is natural for me to take advantage of the second master.
This morning, the old lady was sitting and talking with the eldest wife, the wife and my aunt, and they were always praising the second master. The eldest wife just laughed along with her. Both the wife and aunt said that the second master is the most capable. This time the second master is back.
Our eldest daughter’s family villa will be built on schedule.”
Huh?
Jia Lian was stunned.
This Mrs. Wang is so nimble, has she already plotted against me again?