Chapter 25 Chapter Twenty-Five
Finally started.Early that morning, the capital and the first county, with Zao and Kuai, surrounded Cao's house.The surname of the capital is Wu, and the surname of the first county is also Wu; after getting off the sedan chair in front of the hall, Cao Fu has already led Cao Zhen to greet him in front of the dripping eaves.
"Ang Weng," Wu Zhifu and Cao Fu are chess friends, said apologetically, "I am sent by God, I can't help myself; offend, offend."
"Words are serious, words are serious!" Cao Fu said calmly: "Please go to the flower hall for tea."
Then, he greeted Wu Zhixian again, and Fang Shi turned sideways to lead him to the flower hall; when the two Wu ascended the kang, Cao Fu sat with him on the first chair in the east, and Cao Zhen stood behind him.
"Fan Zhijun's official business, please take a look at it." Wu Zhixian took out a large purple clay seal from the waist of his boot, and handed it to Cao Fu.
Cao Zhen took a step forward and took it; he took out the "paper" that Fan Shiyi had given to the capital and the county, and handed it to Cao Fu; trembling.
"I have received the imperial edict in advance to seal up the private property to compensate for the shortfall; thunder and rain, could it be the emperor's favor, I should obey it carefully. All the small and soft movable properties have been checked together; waiting to be sealed up. As for the real estate, another copy has been made. Checklist, please take a look."
Cao Fu then asked Cao Zhen, "Where is the inventory?"
"Here." Cao Zhen picked up a thin inventory book from the table beside him and handed it to Wu Zhixian.
Wuzhi County was transferred to Wuzhifu, and when he opened it, his face was full of surprise; "The fourth generation of the family weaves, and it has been in Jiangning for more than 60 years. It turns out that the eunuch's money is nothing more than that!" He didn't hide his secrets. Feeling: "It's really unexpected."
Cao Fu remained silent, but Cao Zhen felt that it was necessary to explain: "Since it is called real estate, its ins and outs can all be verified." What he said meant that he did not secretly plan to quit his job.
"Brother Shi is right." The prefect Wu said again: "Wu Daling and I came here today under orders, and we have a word to declare first; only ask Ang Weng to send his nephew, or a competent manager to seal it up. If you say something, seal it up." What. As for the future valuation, whether it can make up for the shortfall or not; it is beyond our power."
Wu Zhifu was afraid that the Cao family would get some worthless things to make up for, thinking that this could cover the shortfall; so he had to declare it first.Before Cao Fu could discern the implication, Cao Zhen understood it very well, so he whispered to Cao Fu: "Please tell Fourth Uncle Wu Taizun: My family will never dare to hide anything."
Cao Fu was reminded, "Wu Taizun, please don't worry!" He said: "Please just watch it and seal it; you will never let the two of you embarrass your business."
Both Wu have had the experience of confiscating other people's furniture by order, and they are most afraid of being confiscated. Some unreasonable women will cry and complain;What Zhifu Wu said just now meant that he didn't want to cause trouble; now, after listening to Cao Fu's words, he knows that the Cao family's family education is strict, and the words of the head of the family will be discounted if he doesn't like it, so he feels at ease.
"Since Ang Weng said so, Gui County will open the hand seal!" He said to Wu Zhi County:
"Send someone who is more mature!"
"Yes!" Wu Zhixian got up and walked to the corridor, and said to the footman of the Cao family, "Please, housekeeper, call my people."
Wu Zhixian's servants were waiting on him from afar. When he was called, he went forward and was ordered to find the three secretary offices in the punishment room, military room, and household room. Wu Zhi County had some words to take care of him.
"Cao Zhizao has been in Jiangning for three generations and four generations, and has always been loved by the local people; now the fourth master Cao is sealing up his property because of a deficit, in order to make up for it, not copying his house; have you figured it out?"
"Yes!" The three bookkeepers replied in unison.
"When you turn around, go down and pick up the old people. Listen to the master's family to lead the way, and seal what you say. Don't do anything recklessly, and don't harass; especially don't scare the family members of the family."
"yes!"
"Go down!" Wu Zhixian turned around and saw Cao Zhen, and said again: "Brother Shi, the three book offices are entrusted to you."
"Don't dare, dare not!" Cao Zhen replied with a bow; then he said to the Sanshu Office: "Please, three!"
Cao Zhen led them into an empty room, and prepared tea and fruits as if they were entertaining guests; they exchanged pleasantries, and discussed where to start to seize them.
At this moment, a servant walked up to Cao Zhen and said in a low voice, "Second Grandma Zhen sent someone to send a picture."
The picture is a map of Cao's house, showing the direction of entry and exit; indicating the number of boxes and cages in storage, clearly and clearly.The head of the criminal room book office couldn't help sighing: "Everyone knows that the second young lady of the Cao family is shrewd and capable, and ten men can't match her; she really lives up to her reputation."
Just the matter of sealing up is no trouble, because only the boxes and cabinets are sealed; as for what is in the boxes, cages and cabinets, there is another list, which will be counted one by one when committee members are sent to evaluate the value in the future; Seal the seal and it's over.
There are two things to worry about, one is to check the accounts; to find out how much is short?Another thing is valuation; check whether the seized movable and immovable properties are enough to make up for the shortfall.Comparing the two things, the audit is more worrying than the valuation; because the valuation must send the first county, and the county magistrate of Wu is kind and has friendship with Cao Fu, so he will be taken care of in the future.Check the account is not the case!A Huang Erqian is no longer easy to deal with; the additional committee member is a well-known shrewd figure in Jiangning official circles.
This man's surname is Wei, and he has been in the prefecture and county for a long time. He sat in the hall to ask questions, and he had a mantra: "If you don't tell the truth, I will peel your skin." Therefore, he got the nickname "Wei Peeling".When Cao Zhen heard the news, he couldn't help but feel a little more worried.
"You can tell what he's like just by his nickname. Not only is he shrewd, but he's also mean." Cao Zhen added, "Besides, this time Ding You is rehabilitated and dispatched to the original province; the first time you send an envoy, of course you have to be extra fawning. You Look at it, and find fault, how much trouble will it cause?"
"Don't worry! You might as well inquire, if there are any acquaintances you can ask for favors." The Second Grandma Zhen said in a low voice: "Ding You has been living on his laurels for more than two years; , let's give him two or three pennies of silver and buy him a noble hand, what do you think?"
Cao Zhen pondered for a while, thinking that he might as well give it a try; so he asked a friend the next day, and the reply made people gasp.
"You must not do it!" He told his wife what he had inquired about: "This man is cruel and merciless. Once he was sent to investigate the case, and it was found that the county magistrate who had the accident was on the same list as him. I saw that the old man had arrived in the same year. , Of course, I told the truth, and he gave me five hundred taels of silver. He didn't say no to help, and he accepted the money; isn't it all right? Hmph, guess what?"
"Don't ask me? Just tell me!"
"This Wei Bopi really should be peeled. He returned to the province and returned to his command. When he saw the Fantai, he first handed over five hundred taels of silver, saying it was a bribe. Fortunately, the Fantai was kind and thought Wei Bopi was too much. Officer, don’t bring up the matter of bribery again, or the crime will be aggravated.” Cao Zhen then said: “If we give him two or three pennies, he will still do the same, can he bear it?”
Upon hearing this, Second Grandma Zhen was stunned for a while; then she said, "It's a blessing, not a disaster; it's a disaster that can't be avoided. But I don't believe that Wei Bopi can really peel our skins. You'd better deal with Huang The method of Er Yazi was so overwhelming that he could not avoid it, so he pushed it on me."
However, Wei Bopi is not comparable to Huang Erkuzi; he asked Cao Zhen to ask questions, and he spoke softly and calmly, which did not match his nickname at all.At the end of the question, he uttered a sentence, which surprised Cao Zhen.
"It looks like I have to see Mrs. Zun."
This sentence made Cao Zhen unable to answer, because he could neither evade it nor allow it, and he had nothing to say, he just felt embarrassed.
"It's not proper for the respected lady to show her face." Wei Bopi pulled back the words himself: "How about this, I will deal with all the respected lady's accounts, but there is no account yet, and I will issue one by one, please take it back. , ask Mrs. Mingzun, and write down one by one. With the result, I can hand over the job."
"Yes, yes!" Cao Zhen said nothing more.
"It's getting late today. Brother, please go back. Wait for me to ask your wife about the matter; please come and pick it up tomorrow, or I will send someone to the house."
"I'll fetch it myself; I'll fetch it myself."
When we met the next day, Wei Bopi handed an envelope to Cao Zhen; when he received it, he was overwhelmed with shock; when he took it out and looked at it, he gasped and wrote five pieces of letter paper densely, the accounts to be asked , a total of twenty or so strokes.
Although Cao Zhen was worried, resentful, and cursed endlessly, Second Mistress Zhen was very calm; she even showed a little color from time to time, which made people unpredictable.
"The next time Wei Bopi asks you to ask questions again, you tell him that there are too many things to ask, and it has been so many years, and all the account books have been collected, so you have to think about it one by one. Check it out slowly." The second grandma Zhen said again: "You have to make it clear that this is not an intentional delay; ask him to put himself in his shoes, and he will know that there is no way to rush it."
"I can talk, but I don't know how to deal with things? According to you, sooner or later there will be a result for him; I can't think of how to have an accountable result."
"Never mind. 'No diamonds, no pottery'; he'll flay, I'll cramp. Just wait and see!"
Cao Zhen believed and doubted at the same time; after calming down and thinking about it, he always felt more suspicious than believing, "Are you still planning to punish Wei Bopi?" He asked, "Why do you have his tendons?"
"I've already seen something wrong. You wait for me to think about it carefully, and when I stop thinking about it, I will naturally discuss it with you."
Hearing this, Cao Zhen felt more at ease; when he met Wei Bopi on the third day, he told the second grandmother's words according to the script; Zhong Haojie, what you said really resounds; when there will be a result, please let your wife decide. As long as the deadline for Fan Zhijun’s reinstatement is not missed, you can do whatever you want.”
"When will such a thing be overthrown at the latest?"
"On the day of the confiscation, I have already asked for the order to suspend it, and said that it is under investigation." Wei Bopi said in a tone of discussion among his own people: "Brother is also an old business, and the sooner this kind of thing is ordered, the better. Why? Only after the investigation is clear can the fate be reversed; if the fate cannot be reversed for a while, it means that the investigation is not clear for a while, and it seems that the inside story is complicated. If you think about the bad, it will be very bad for Uncle Ling."
Although the words were implicit, Cao Zhen could hear that "the inside story is complicated", and "thinking about the bad" naturally has serious disadvantages.Wei Bopi's words cannot be said to be unreasonable; Cao Zhen believes that it should be taken seriously.
Second Grandma Zhen didn't think so: "Don't listen to him!" She said: "Wait for him to urge me; I have to press hard, then I can use my tricks." She then said: "However, it seems that now I have to tell the fourth master."
It is Cao Zhen and his wife who deal with official affairs; Cao Fu's appearance is just for show.At this moment, Second Grandma Zhen thought that she should tell Cao Fu, and Cao Zhen would naturally do so; he used the most convenient way to send the inquiries written down by Wei Bopi to Cao Fu to read.
Seeing this, Cao Fu, who has a peaceful temperament, couldn't help but get angry. He went to Cao Zhen and asked, "Why do you push all the problems to your daughter-in-law? She is a woman, and it is not appropriate to interfere in official affairs." . ” When he spoke, his voice and expression were sharp.
The Cao family's family rules are very strict; seeing this situation, Cao Zhen hastily lowered his hands and bent down, and replied with a smile: "It was originally the idea of my nephew and daughter-in-law. I also think it is wrong; she said she has her own role. I can't hold her back, so I have to Follow up."
Hearing that it was Zhen's second grandma's idea, Cao Fu relieved his anger a little; but Cao Zhen's fault was still there, "Just push it on her, and there should be a sense of proportion. Look," he pointed to the paper and said, "This One is a matter in the hands of the old man; your daughter-in-law was still a girl from the Ma family at that time, so it is absurd for you to push her on her head?"
Denouncing it as "absurd" is already an extremely serious tone, and Cao Zhen dare not argue any more.But it's not absurd to ask yourself inwardly; because pushing on Second Mistress Zhen's breasts was a helpless evasion, just to meet the immediate situation, as long as you can evade it, it will be regarded as the right thing to do.
"Now there are so many questions; how do you answer them?"
When asked about this sentence, Cao Zhen began to elaborate on it from the beginning; Cao Fu's anger had completely subsided, but like Cao Zhen, he had a great doubt in his heart. He didn't know what medicine was in Second Grandma Zhen's gourd to cure her illness. Elixir?
"I think," Cao Zhen said with great difficulty, "I'm afraid it won't last!" "How is it?" Second Grandma Zhen asked, "Are you pressed too hard?" "Wei Bopi's words are terrible—" Cao Zhen hesitated for a while and said, "I don't need to learn from you. Anyway, even the old man almost scolded him!" "He dares!" Second Grandma Zhen was furious immediately; her pretty eyes, which were rounded into triangles when opened, looked extraordinarily majestic: "Could it be that he really wants to force someone's life?" "You, you," Cao Zhen said in a panic, "what are you talking about?" "I mean, he's persecuting him like this; it's not good for him." Second Mistress Zhen calmed down her anger, and said calmly, "Don't worry! He knows his own faults. The fourth master called you ridiculous that day; put the old master in Japan, The fact that I haven't entered the Cao family is all blamed on me. In fact, this Wei Bopi is ridiculous; he doesn't want to think about it, how old am I in the fifty-first year of Kangxi?" One thing that was originally criticized by Cao Fu as absurd was that in the 50th year of Kangxi, Cao Yin asked for money to build the West Garden of the Weaving Department for the resident; In the Qing Dynasty, Cao Yin died of malaria in Yangzhou at the end of July of this year, and these outstanding accounts were also settled. Now that the old matter is brought up again, Cao Zhen has no idea that it is right, so he resorts to the last tactic of escape, and pushes it on Zhen's second grandma. Second Grandma Zhen became the daughter-in-law of the Cao family in the second year after Cao Yin's death. She was seventeen years old at the time, and Cao Zhen was two years older than her.Wei Bopi only needs to calculate the age of Zhen's second grandmother seventeen years ago from Cao Zhen's age, and then he knows that it is absurd; it is not absurd to mistakenly believe in absurd things, but to actually pursue them seriously? Hearing what she said was reasonable, Cao Zhen was refreshed, "You are right! No wonder you said that there is something wrong with what he wrote; the problem is serious! If there is Master Du to participate; with the shrewdness of the current emperor, even Fan Zhitai He will be punished, and people who say that they are so stupid still regard them as capable people. See if they can stand it?" He said more and more vigorously, "We can take advantage of his weaknesses! I will ask someone to tell him, so it will be easier. Okay, let’s turn it over! Let’s see what he has to say?” "You don't have to go that far yet." Second Grandma Zhen replied, "You have taught him by telling him; it is very easy to make up for this defect. Let him discover it by himself, and he will definitely express it. It will not be too late then." .” "What will he say?" "He'll take back what he wrote." "Go back?" Cao Zhen sneered: "I won't give it." "That's right! This thing should be kept well, it will be a very useful piece of evidence in the future." Cao Zhen nodded, but asked again: "How should I answer him tomorrow?" Second Grandma Zhen thought for a while and said, "Tomorrow you will play a trick." "What is a bitter trick?" "You have to admit with a thick face that you are afraid of me; there is nothing you can do about me." "Is this prevaricated?" "It's the real situation. For example, if you are urging me now and I ignore you, what should you do?" Second Grandma Zhen said again: "You don't have to answer in a hurry, think about it carefully." Cao Zhen listened to her words and thought about it for a while, but there was nothing he could do; quarreling and fighting only added to the idleness. "I, I have no choice but to tell people: 'A barbaric wife and a wicked son, there is no cure.' I really don't know what to do?" Cao Zhen said again: "I have to ask him for advice." "That's right! Just ask him for advice." "What would he say?" "He must have said: Since you are afraid of internal affairs, can you let me talk to your wife?" "Hmm, um." Cao Zhen was very interested: "Then, how should I answer him?" "What do you think?" Cao Zhen thought for a while and said, "I'll answer this way: I don't dare to take care of this matter; I don't dare to tell her either." "That's right, if you want to say that, the words before and after are consistent." Speaking of this, a question arose in Cao Zhen's mind, could it be that Wei Bopi just stopped there?Of course not; if he really made up his mind to ask Second Grandma Zhen in person, there would be no way out. "If he sat upside down in the sedan chair to see Fourth Uncle and said he wanted to meet you; what would you do?" "I'm still missing." "Can you escape?" "Is there anything you can't hide? For example, if I excuse my illness, does he have to see me?" Second Grandma Zhen made a special reminder: "In short, he comes and follows him; you can't invite him. You invited him, but I excused not to see you." , this cannot be said.” "Ah!" Cao Zhen finally understood, "I understand, no matter how hard he pushes, I will definitely find a way to leave room for you to evade."
Although the small kitchen is still there, it is in name only; Zhu's mother quit her job a long time ago, and Jin'er and Qiuyue take turns in the kitchen. Uncle and nephew Cao Zhen, and the regular dishes of the two tents; a table was opened in Xuanrong Hall, and Second Mistress Zhen used it first, and then Jin'er, Qiuyue and the maids sat together to eat.Jin'er and Qiuyue took turns in charge of the food account, but they had to ask Second Grandma Zhen for instructions on what to buy every day. "I'm making two snacks today; I'm afraid there will be guests." In the past, the rules for guests to stay and drink have long since been eliminated.Occasionally, when visitors from afar come, they must leave a light meal, and they always order food from the restaurant.Therefore, Jin'er felt strange, what kind of special guests had to prepare snacks for them? "It's that Wei Bopi; you must meet me and ask those old accounts of old millet and rotten sesame. Let him come! Let me deal with him." "Didn't Second Grandma say she couldn't see him?" "That's right, I don't see you." Second Grandma Zhen hurriedly said, "You can deal with him even if you don't see him." But it seemed that Second Grandma Zhen was going to meet Wei Bopi again; because she had dressed up well that day and changed into the clothes she was going out of.After finishing the grooming, I asked Qiuyue, what's wrong? "You look younger by several years." Qiuyue said with a smile: "Since the old lady passed away, this is the first time I have seen Second Grandma Zhen that you put so much effort into dressing yourself up." "It's really too busy to take advantage of it." Before finishing a sentence, Dong Xue said loudly outside: "The fourth master is here!" So Second Grandma Zhen got up to greet her and went out; she called out: "Fourth Uncle!" and asked, "What's the matter? I still need to work for Fourth Uncle to come in person." "I have something, I want to ask you what you mean." Cao Fu said with difficulty: "Commissioner Wei is here! I said that I can only understand some things if I ask you face to face. I don't know that you——." "Fourth Uncle means that I should see him?" This made Cao Fu wonder how to answer?Everything is acting according to her plan; I don't want to ask such a sentence at the end, why do I wonder what it means? But Second Grandma Zhen didn't make him too difficult. "Fourth Uncle," she said, "you can see him. But you can't be too accommodating. Please ask Fourth Uncle to chat with him; I'll go out again when he asks." .” "Okay, okay!" Cao Fu nodded again and again: "What do you say, what should I do." After Cao Fu left, both Jin'er and Qiuyue appeared, "Second Grandma," Jin'er asked, "Do you really want to see him?" "It doesn't matter if I don't see you! He came to the door; it's like a creditor is coercing you." Second Grandma Zhen said again: "You first ask someone to open the dim sum." "It has been sent out." "It's not easy to see me if you want to delay him. Let me know when it's time for the second dessert." Hearing this, Jin'er turned around and went to the small kitchen to take care of her; Qiuyue said, "Second Grandma Zhen, according to me, I don't see him." "Oh," Second Grandma Zhen asked very attentively: "You tell me what you think; if you don't see him, how will you deal with it?" "I don't know how to deal with it? I just feel—" "What are you afraid of?" Second Grandma Zhen said in an encouraging tone, "Just say what you have to say. As long as it makes sense, I will definitely listen to you." "I can't make any sense; I just think of something that the fortune teller in Xuzhou said, and it seems that I have to listen to it." "That sentence?" "'When a wounded official sees an official, it will be full of disasters.' Isn't Wei Bopi an official? I'm afraid this sentence will have to be answered." Second Grandma Zhen was startled, but she quickly returned to normal. "This sentence is a bit interesting." She said, "Let me think about it." "Second Grandma Zhen, you should really think about it." After finishing speaking, Qiuyue also left; she also went to the small kitchen to tell Jin'er that the second dim sum dish would be served slowly, so as to give Grandma Zhen enough time to think.
"Come on!" Cao Fu called He Cheng who was waiting on the porch, and immediately ordered: "Go to the middle gate and send a message to Second Grandma Zhen, saying that the distinguished guest has been waiting for a long time." "Yes!" He Cheng agreed; he paused for a while, seeing that the master had no other orders, he withdrew and went to the middle gate to send a message. The word spread to Xuanrong Hall, Second Grandma Zhen was discussing with Jin'er and Qiuyue that He Jin had been here for a few days, so he should be sent back to Xuzhou to have a look;As a result, the topic was interrupted, and Jin'er got up and left. "Where are you going?" "I asked someone to serve the second dessert." Jin'er replied, "Delay him for a while." After speaking, he lifted the curtain and left. "Second Grandma Zhen," Qiuyue asked, "Have you made up your mind yet?" "It's decided!" Second Grandma Zhen replied, "I'll still follow my original method. I've been thinking about this matter for more than a day; I can't hide it no matter what, so why don't I meet him and make it clear in person. It's over, it's over. But, Qiuyue, you have to answer for me." "Of course, you order it!" "I'll go out first when I turn around. Let's go if we can agree; if we don't agree, you will come to meet me." The second grandma Zhen said again: "I wrote down all the ways to deal with it. When you open my hair comb box later I see. Sit down for a while, and I'll change clothes." Watching Second Grandma Zhen's back disappear into the back room, Qiuyue sat down and thought about her words; Could it be that Second Grandma Zhen has been bored for a while and was fascinated by watching Romance of the Three Kingdoms, so what tricks are left behind? Turning to this thought, I was both confused and curious; longing to see her "good tricks." I wondered, how about going to open her hair comb box at this moment? When hesitating, I only heard a "gudong", which was the sound of heavy objects falling on the floor; maybe the second grandma fell down?Thinking of this, Qiuyue went straight to the back room without hesitation. As soon as the door curtain was lifted, Qiuyue felt that her soul was out of her body: she wanted to yell out loud, but she couldn't yell out, so she pressed her left chest with her hand unconsciously; and that was also the place where a gleaming golden hand-relief knife was inserted into Second Grandma's body parts! The heartbeat of "Bengdong, Bengdong" seemed to be asking: "What should I do, what should I do?" Qiuyue felt more sorrow than shock at this time; more shock than sorrow!For several days, she had always had an ominous premonition, fearing that something unexpected would happen; but she dared not talk about her feelings with Jin Er, fearing that it would add to her uneasiness.Otherwise, maybe you won't see such a tragic scene in front of you! "What should I do, what should I do?" The voice in my heart became louder and louder.Not knowing what to do, Qiuyue felt isolated and helpless; and it was this feeling that brought her back to her original nature: the decisive character that Mrs. Cao had taught, encouraged, and cultivated for many years.She thought of the many stories that Mrs. Cao told about staying calm in times of crisis, not being swayed by feelings, nor confused by nonsense, and calmly and cruelly making the best plans for the overall situation. In this flash of thought, her mind calmed down, and her thinking became very sharp; the Second Grandma Zhen wanted to be kind, and doing what she wanted was more important than saving her; that's it. So she took a few steps, knelt down in a pool of blood beside Second Grandma with her face like gold paper, her eyes closed, and said in a low and clear voice, "Second Grandma, you really have a responsibility, death is heavier than Mount Tai! What can I say? Tell me, Qiuyue is desperately trying to do it for Second Mistress." "The comb box—" "I know." Qiuyue rushed to say, "Other than that." "Let Xiuchun come back!" Second Grandma Zhen said with a slight breath, "This knife is for Guan Qin. It has my blood on it, I want him to remember..., study hard, don't...don't let me die in vain... .” The dead word is almost silent, and there will be no more sound. "Second Grandma! Second Grandma!" Qiuyue shouted loudly. There was no reaction; Qiuyue held her breath and breathed out, knowing that she had passed away.I couldn't help but close my eyes and squeeze out tears. But she didn't have time to feel the grief; she stood up and went straight to the outer room, just in time to meet Jin'er, her eyes were wide open and her face turned pale with fright. "What's the matter? Look at the blood on your body and your hands!" At this question, Qiuyue was taken aback; meeting Jin'er was not what she expected; she would have Second Grandma Zhen's blood on her body, let alone expecting it.So he calmed down and said, "Wait a minute!" While talking, he went to open the mirror box of the second grandma; there was a piece of paper on it, with only one sentence written: "The surname Wei forced someone to die!" This time, Qiuyue understood the cause of Zhen's second grandma's death inside and out.She had already thought that Second Grandma Zhen would die for Cao's family, and planned that the governor of Liangjiang would see her death pitifully and be lenient in everything.Only now did I realize that she had planned to pull Wei Bopi's tendons a long time ago! "Jin'er," she said emphatically, "you should stabilize your heart first, and listen carefully to my words: the surname Wei is forcing you to see Second Grandma Zhen, you are bullying too much, and you are forcing your life!" "What?" Jin'er grabbed Qiuyue's shoulder and asked. Qiuyue was still afraid that she would not understand Second Grandma Zhen's meaning, so she said loudly as a reminder: "Second Grandma Zhen was forced to death by a surname Wei! You can see for yourself that there is no hope." When Jin'er caressed the dead body and grieved, everyone inside and outside was alarmed; but the rules of the Cao family were strict, and the servants just ran away quietly, asking each other in a low voice: What happened?But no one dared to break in casually. The only exception is the manager, Nanny Wu.Arriving from the middle gate to Xuanrong Hall, I heard crying in the inner room, only Qiuyue stood quietly, with a sad face, but no tears; she couldn't help being stunned, stopped and asked: "Miss Qiuyue, what's the matter?" "Second Grandma Zhen committed suicide! They were all forced by the officials sent by Liangjiang!" Madam Wu was surprised and surprised, "Second Grandma Zhen committed suicide?" She couldn't believe it, and asked anxiously : "Have you been saved?" "It can't be saved!" Qiuyue said, "Nurse Wu, Second Master Zhen is not at home, please go and call back with Fourth Master." Seeing that her complexion was abnormally deep, Nanny Wu recalled what she had said before and after, and she had understood it, so she nodded and said, "I'll go in and take a look." "Don't look at it! Mother Wu, you old man won't be able to bear it. If the fourth master asks how he died? Tell me, you stabbed yourself with a knife." "It was stabbed with a knife!" Madam Wu's face changed drastically: "It was stabbed in the chest?" "Yes! Very deep." "Crack!" Grandma Wu took a big breath: "Second Grandma Zhen is really cruel!" She said while shaking her white-haired head as she walked away. As soon as they went out of the middle gate, the servants gathered around and asked for news. Mother Wu didn't say how Second Grandma Zhen died; she just said: "Get ready for the funeral! Find someone who is with Second Master Zhen, look there, hurry up Please come back." "Yes, it's Second Grandma Zhen?" He Jin, who had just arrived, asked, "What's the sudden illness?" Mother Wu's heart moved, and she immediately had an idea: "Old He! You come." After she finished speaking, she turned around and went back into the middle door. He Jin also followed in; Qiuyue was still on the porch, and Jin'er, who was teary-eyed, was coming out of it, and when she saw Mammy Wu, she burst into tears. "Miss Jin'er, don't cry, let's discuss important matters." So the four of them gathered in the main room and whispered. Mother Wu first briefly talked about the situation of Second Grandma Zhen's suicide, and then put forward a point of view. "Since the second grandma Zhen was forced to death by the official who came here, we have to find a way to keep him, and wait for the second master Zhen to come back, and then make sense. If this happens with the fourth master, the official will immediately surrender Let's go. What should I do? Is it suitable? Miss Qiuyue, what do you think?" Hearing this, Qiuyue knew that Grandma Wu also understood the cause of Second Grandma Zhen's death, she nodded deeply and said, "What Grandma Wu said is right." She then asked, "Uncle He, what do you think should be done? " He Jin pondered for a while and said: "At this moment, the outside has already known a little bit. Of course, the fourth master wants to investigate; but it is inconvenient to tell the truth right away, saying that he was forced to death by visitors. It is best to make a fuss inside; I will go outside Play by ear." After speaking, he left in a hurry. Both Qiuyue and Nanny Wu understood He Jin's intentions deeply; this kind of behavior that is close to slandering is suitable for women to come forward. It is the best policy to use accusations and scolding methods to make the victim suspicious and uneasy, but unable to ask for clarification, let alone destroy face.Otherwise, if you change things hastily and the truth is not clear, you will directly criticize; others will know that they have prejudices as soon as they hear it, and this lawsuit will fail. The method is good, but who will make trouble?Just as Qiuyue was thinking like this, she suddenly noticed Aunt Ji rushing over; she couldn't help saying in a low voice, "Okay! Here comes someone who can make trouble." "Where is Second Grandma Zhen?" Aunt Ji panicked, "We met again this morning, talking and laughing; now—?" "Now, I don't see anyone anymore!" Jin'er choked up and said, "Second Grandma Zhen died so badly!" "Where is it? Where is the person? Let me see!" When Aunt Ji rushed in to take a look, she immediately burst into tears.This is not a fake cry, she has an impulsive temperament; recently, due to the hard work of Second Grandma Zhen, she actually had feelings for her, and Aunt Ji broke her family again, and she also missed her beloved son, so she had already saved a lot of money. The tears in my stomach happened to be "borrowing someone else's glass of wine and pouring myself a lot of it", so at this time there was a loud cry, and the momentum was astonishing. While crying, she stroked the corpse, and when she touched the handle of the knife, Qiuyue hurriedly warned: "I can't pull it out, once I pull it out, the blood will be marked!" "Poor!" Aunt Ji stopped her hands and cried, "Such a strong person would stab himself with a knife in his chest. It's better to live than to die. Second Grandma Zhen, what kind of grievance did you suffer? Dead end?" "Second Grandma Zhen was forced to die." Dongxue was encouraged by Qiuyue and said, "It's that corrupt official named Wei Bopi. Aunt Ji, if you don't defend Second Grandma Zhen; Upon hearing this, Aunt Ji stopped crying, looked at Dongxue with tears in her eyes and said, "Say it! Tell me! How will you teach me how to avenge Second Mistress Zhen?" "We must first let Wei Bopi know that he is forcing people to die. Aunt Ji, you have to vent your anger on everyone; give Wei Bopi an embarrassment." "Okay!" Aunt Ji quickly and loudly agreed, "I'll go." Qiuyue was afraid that the disturbance would become too severe and lead to a stalemate, and it would not end well, so she grabbed her and said, "Aunt Ji, don't point out the name, just cry and shake the life of the second grandma, who was forced to have nowhere to go, so I had to find a way out." That's enough! The fourth master can't say that you are wrong." "Ah! The fourth master is there." Dongxue said, "Don't go!" This is the aggressive method; Aunt Ji's courage was naturally stimulated, "What are you afraid of!" She said: "You are not allowed to cry when you are dead? The emperor can't be so overbearing."
"He Jin!" Cao Fu became a little anxious, "Speak clearly, who has the accident? What's 'he's injured and being rescued'; what's 'I can't think about it'? Who are you talking about?" Before the words were finished, the crying interrupted it; Cao Fu immediately knew it was Aunt Ji's voice, and couldn't help but gather his two eyebrows together, almost forming a knot. There were words mixed in with the cry. Listening intently, one could hear: "The family is ruined! How could you imagine that the Cao family would be in this state today? Someone will bully you if you lose your gauze hat; if bullies come to your door, you will end up killing people—" Hearing this, Cao Fu and Wei Bopi, who had serious faces, all changed drastically.Before Cao Fu could make a sound, Wei Bopi spoke first, "Ang Weng," he said, grabbing the sable-brimmed warm hat, "there is something going on in the house, I don't dare to bother you, so please leave now!" Cao Fu didn't know how to answer, but He Jin was on guard, "Master Wei," he said, "My young mistress is coming out soon." Although Wei Bopi was shrewd and witty, he never expected He Jin to feint like this; just at this moment of astonishment, Cao Fu knew it, "Say, He Jin," he said with a very stern look, "Aunt Ji said Who is it? What killed someone? You just said that someone was injured, and Second Grandma Zhen was busy saving them; who is it?" "Fourth Master," He Jin replied calmly, "Please go in and comfort Aunt Ji; I will wait for Master Wei to meet Second Grandma Zhen here." This means that it is inconvenient to talk about housework in front of outsiders; as long as Cao Fu goes in and sees Aunt Ji, he will naturally understand.Therefore, without another word, Cao Fu bowed his hands to Wei Bopi and said, "Please sit down! I will ask my nephew and daughter-in-law to come to the court immediately." When the word "Yingxun" was used, Wei Bopi said repeatedly: "Don't dare, dare not! It's too serious. Ang Weng please go ahead." As soon as Cao Fu left, He Jin said, "Master Wei, please ascend the kang." Wei Bopi was relieved when he heard that Second Grandma Zhen would come to "answer the news".He was thinking that it was obvious that something happened to Cao's family and someone died suddenly; it was also quite obvious that this person's death had something to do with his coming.But the so-called "bullying comes to the door and forces people to die" is the words of ignorant women, so don't take it seriously.However, since the Cao family had such an unexpected rebellion, Second Grandma Zhen must not be in a good mood; when we meet later, we must be more careful with our words. So, he sat on the kang and thought about it silently. Those things could be asked; those things might make the second grandma Zhen angry, so it was better not to ask them. This bout of contemplation took a lot of work; suddenly I realized why the Second Grandma Zhen didn't show up until now?When he looked up, He Jin gathered with two servants of the Cao family on the porch, what were they talking about?This time, Wei Bopi knew something was wrong!只怕已是身蹈危地，赶紧走吧，越快越好。 于是，他悄然起身，疾趋而出；一出花厅，为曹家下人所发现，立刻散开，却是戒备之势。魏剥皮心里发慌，但力持镇静地说：“烦管家把我的人找来。” “是！”何谨口中答应，却另有答非所问的一句话：“请魏大人花厅里宽坐；吴大老爷马上来看魏大人。” “吴大老爷？”魏剥皮问：“是首县吴大老爷？” "yes." “他来看我干什么？”魏剥皮又问：“他怎么知道我在这里？” “那就不知道了！反正吴大老爷马上就到；一到就都明白了。” “不！我有事。我没工夫等他。”魏剥皮一面说，一面硬往外闯，已打算着如果何谨一拦，便加叱斥，来个先声夺人。 那知何谨有一套柔能克刚的工夫，使个眼色，竟就跪了下来；他的两个伙伴亦复如是。见此光景，魏剥皮便知硬闯亦会被拖住；人家先礼后兵，先占住了理，识趣些吧。 于是，他站住想了一会，说一句：“管家你请进来，我有话问你。” 等他回身入内，何谨亦起身跟了进去；心里已猜想到他要问的话，决定透露实情。 果然，魏剥皮问说：“府上到底出了什么意外？是不是震二奶奶死了？” "yes." 这一声“是”，宛如数九寒天的一桶冷水，浇得魏剥皮浑身抖战；心里不断自语：“完了！完了！” 这时高大围墙之外，已隐隐传来鸣锣喝道之声，料想是吴知县来了。魏剥皮久任州县，设身处地想了一会，心中突然一动，不觉一喜，自以为还有败中取胜的妙着。 原来出了命案，不管他杀还是自杀，例须报官相验，若是有身分的人家，因为骨肉不和、或者其他原因，有人轻生，什九隐瞒不报；即或惊动官府，亦每每拦舆请求免验。倘为妇女，更不待言。因此，吴知县此来，可以想像得到，决未带了仵作来，这样，就留了下一个极大的漏洞。 照何谨所说，吴知县是特别来看他的；如果到曹家一下了轿，直接来看他，助曹家指尸索诈，提出任何要求；不妨暂且允诺，事后很可以翻案。因为应验尸而不验，真相未明，何得说他逼迫震二奶奶？这便是吴知县留下的一个漏洞；抓住了足资防卫。 这样想着，不由得侧耳静听；期待着墙外锣声歇处，花厅外人声渐起，行客拜坐客，会有吴知县出现；那知声息杳然，可想而知的，吴知县已跟曹俯见面了。 事实上不但曹俯；吴知县还见到两眼已哭肿了的曹震，他是真正的苦主，一见吴知县便跪下来磕了一个头，眼泪汪汪地说：“求父母官替拙荆伸冤。” “言重、言重！”吴知县急忙逊避，拱着手说：“世兄，快请起来，有话慢慢说。” 这时何诚已以“抱告”的身分，跪递一张禀帖，口中说道：“我家少主母为时势所逼，一时想不开，寻了短见；请大老爷免予相验。” “自然，自然！”吴知县亲手接了禀帖，转交随从的刑房书办，复又问道：“不知道怎么死的？” 这便等于问苦主的供了；曹震答说：“拙荆性情刚烈，是拔刀自刎的。” “喔，伤在那里？” “左胸、致命的地方。” “一刀毙命？” “是的。只有一刀。” “纤弱女流，能一刀自裁，真正刚烈。”吴知县试探般问道：“不知道能不能让我瞻仰一下少夫人的遗容？” 曹震犹在沉吟；曹俯到底在官场上久些，知道是知县在公事上老到，脚步站得很稳，当即答说：“理当请贵县眼视明白。” 说着，自己引路，曹震后随，曲曲折折地走向萱荣堂；吴嬷嬷早已先一步传达信息。季姨娘、邹姨娘、锦儿、秋月及其他年长的丫头、年轻的仆妇，尽皆回避，由吴嬷嬷领路。直入内室。 这时震二奶奶陈尸的那间后房，家具都已移走，几乎成了一间空屋；震二奶奶依旧躺在血泊之中，血已凝成暗红色；头旁一对明晃晃的白烛；脚边一盏一束灯蕊的油灯，直照泉台；一个小丫头跪在地上，不断烧锡箔；震二奶奶的身子却看不到，已用一幅白布遮住；白布上自然染了血迹，有一处隆起的地方，当然就是利刃入胸之处。 吴嬷嬷还待上前揭起白布，吴知县急忙摇手说道：“不必，不必！”转身又对曹俯说道：“赶紧料理吧！少夫人实在死得好惨；不能再让她这样冰冷地躺在地上了。” 此言一出，隔房嗷然一声；季姨娘首先哭了出来，顿时一片举哀之声，曹震不由得又垂泪了。 “祸起不测，只有求老父母作主。” “从长计议，从长计议。”说着，吴知县左右望了一下。 这是要找个清静地方密谈的暗示；曹俯便向何诚说道：“你看，请吴大老爷那里歇足待茶。” 何诚未及答言；秋月从隔室闪了出来，先福一福行了礼，方始说道：“在老太太起坐的那间屋子里，已经备下茶了。” “这是，”曹俯特为替吴知县引见，“先母生前边极得力的一个人，名叫秋月。” 听得这一说，秋月重新给客人行了礼；吴知县叫一声：“秋月姑娘！”深深打量了她一眼，但见渊静肃穆的神态中，似乎蕴藏着极深的机心；蓦地里省悟，震二奶奶这一死，实在殉曹家的家难。 这一顿悟，便生出许多想法；察言观色，曹俯恐怕未必了解；曹震却很难说，不过事先一定也不知情——当然，没有一个人知道震二奶奶会出此实为上策的下策；不然，早就在防备，震二奶奶怎么也死不成了。
江宁的官场，包括驻防的将军、副都统在内，都觉得曹家的麻烦，应该随着震二奶奶之死而告一段落了。一种直觉的看法是：“已经逼出人命来了！莫为已甚吧！” 有跟曹家交情厚的；或者同为旗人，兴起兔死狐悲之感的，愤愤不平地说：“曹家不过闹亏空；亏空也是多少年积下来的。皇上无非整饬吏治，破家赔补亏空，也就是了；奉旨的人，一味吹求，莫非意在勒索？知趣的便罢；若不知趣，索性请一位都老爷，参上一本，大家闹他一闹。反正不管怎么样，曹家已经赔上一条人命，不见得再会赔上第二条。” 这话传到范时绎耳朵里，不免心惊肉跳；想到曹家既有平郡王这门贵戚，而天子近臣的内务府官员自然都向着曹家，犯不着去犯众怒，因而翻然变计，化苛求为回护。当然，魏剥皮为求免祸不能不替曹家说好话，也是一个关键。 终于雨过天青了！恰是震二奶奶“断七”的那天，秋月到了徐州，也带来令人安慰的消息，奉到上谕：曹家的亏空，准由已查封的家产折价赔补，倘有不足，恩准宽免。同时接到在内务府的一个至亲的信，说“皇上接两江奏报，见有'查出历年当票数十纸'字样，怃然久之；谓'不料曹家贫乏如此。'此为恩旨之所由来。” “说起来也还是震二奶奶的远见。”秋月回忆着说：“每次她跟我私下商量，借老太太的东西送当铺应一应急，都会把当票送来。有几回把当头赎了回来，当票还在我手里；问她怎么回事？她说没当票也可以赎当。挂失好了。我说：既有当票，何必费事？震二奶奶笑笑说道：留着当票也许有用处；譬如作个挡箭牌什么的。谁知会是这么一个大用处！” “我们马家的女儿，总算对得起曹家了。”马夫人一面说；一面眼圈就红了。 秋月怕惹马夫人伤心，不敢谈震二奶奶临死的情形；芹官与绣春解得此意，也都不提，且在马夫人问到时，还帮着秋月支吾。因此，谈到夜深，大部分是谈回旗的细节；如何分批北上，到京如何安顿？都定得有详细的步骤。秋月此来，便是面报这些步骤，请示马夫人有何意见。 “没有。只要四老爷跟震二爷商量定了就是了。不过，”马夫人看着绣春问：“你怎么样？” 马夫人还不知道震二奶奶最后的遗言——整个曹家上下，除了锦儿以外；没有人曾听秋月说过，此时可以公开了。“震二奶奶临终有句话，我只告诉过锦儿；我跟她的想法一样；觉得这句话，应该先回明太太再说。” “喔！”马夫人异常注意地：“上次何谨来，我问他震二奶奶临终有什么交代，他问过你，没有话。原来还是有的！你快说吧。” “震二奶奶临终交代，但愿绣春能跟锦儿在一起，好好过日子。” 马夫人尚未开口；绣春已斩钉截铁地答说：“这，办不到的！” 一句话将马夫人和秋月都崩得开不得口了。 但芹官与绣春相处日久，对她比较了解；当即说道：“这话有两层意思，甚至可说三层意思，一是你还俗；二是你仍旧回咱们家来；三是你跟锦儿在一起过日子。你说'办不到'，是第三层意思办不到；还是第二层意思办不到？”他紧接着又说：“那样的话，未免太让震二奶奶伤心了。” 这下马夫人被提醒了，“对啊！”她说，“你愿意不愿意跟震二爷在一起是一回事！愿意不愿意回家又是一回事。绣春，回来吧！这两个多月下来，我可真舍不得你呢！” “再说，”秋月接口，“就是芹二爷的那句话，总不能让震二奶奶还有余憾。” 绣春迟疑了好一会，才答了句：“再说吧！” 大家能会意，已是应允的表示！事缓则圆，此时反不宜过于执着。而且夜也深了；秋月便说：“太太该安置了。明儿个再细谈。”说着，向芹官使了个眼色。 这眼色中的暗示，非常明显，她还有话要跟芹官说。等他回自己屋子不久，秋月来了，手里捧着一个盒子；后面跟着绣春。两人的神情都是肃穆异常。 “芹二爷，”秋月将盒子放在桌上，却拿手按着，显得异常珍重似地，“震二奶奶有样重要东西送你；还有话。你先看东西吧！” 秋月将手挪开，复用双手将盒子慢慢推到芹官前；她的手指长而白，皮肤下的纤细青紫筋脉，似乎隐隐在跳动。这使得芹官在打开盒子的那双手，也在发抖了。 拆开封固的纸包，里面是一个锦盒；芹官有似曾相识之感，急急掀开盒盖，吴三桂用过的那把解手刀，赫然在目，金柄依旧，刀光如雪，但却染着暗红的斑点。 “上面是震二奶奶的血。——” 一语未终，芹官浑身发抖；绣春急忙上前扶住，轻声喝道：“别哭出声来，惊动了太太！” 芹官使劲将嘴一闭，扶着桌角说道：“我不哭！秋月你说，震二奶奶有什么话？”说着，已是泪流满面了。 “她说：要你记着她的血，读书上进，别让她白死！” “会，会！”芹官再无别话；只是使劲揪着头发饮泣；秋月与绣春也陪着他淌眼泪，劝到快天亮时，方始劝得他睡下。 芹官哭湿了枕头，心里只想着震二奶奶的遗言，他不知道怎么样才能不让震二奶奶白死；但他知道，他这一辈子在任何作为时，都会想到这句话。 ——End of the full text——
"I think," Cao Zhen said with great difficulty, "I'm afraid it won't last!" "How is it?" Second Grandma Zhen asked, "Are you pressed too hard?" "Wei Bopi's words are terrible—" Cao Zhen hesitated for a while and said, "I don't need to learn from you. Anyway, even the old man almost scolded him!" "He dares!" Second Grandma Zhen was furious immediately; her pretty eyes, which were rounded into triangles when opened, looked extraordinarily majestic: "Could it be that he really wants to force someone's life?" "You, you," Cao Zhen said in a panic, "what are you talking about?" "I mean, he's persecuting him like this; it's not good for him." Second Mistress Zhen calmed down her anger, and said calmly, "Don't worry! He knows his own faults. The fourth master called you ridiculous that day; put the old master in Japan, The fact that I haven't entered the Cao family is all blamed on me. In fact, this Wei Bopi is ridiculous; he doesn't want to think about it, how old am I in the fifty-first year of Kangxi?" One thing that was originally criticized by Cao Fu as absurd was that in the 50th year of Kangxi, Cao Yin asked for money to build the West Garden of the Weaving Department for the resident; In the Qing Dynasty, Cao Yin died of malaria in Yangzhou at the end of July of this year, and these outstanding accounts were also settled. Now that the old matter is brought up again, Cao Zhen has no idea that it is right, so he resorts to the last tactic of escape, and pushes it on Zhen's second grandma. Second Grandma Zhen became the daughter-in-law of the Cao family in the second year after Cao Yin's death. She was seventeen years old at the time, and Cao Zhen was two years older than her.Wei Bopi only needs to calculate the age of Zhen's second grandmother seventeen years ago from Cao Zhen's age, and then he knows that it is absurd; it is not absurd to mistakenly believe in absurd things, but to actually pursue them seriously? Hearing what she said was reasonable, Cao Zhen was refreshed, "You are right! No wonder you said that there is something wrong with what he wrote; the problem is serious! If there is Master Du to participate; with the shrewdness of the current emperor, even Fan Zhitai He will be punished, and people who say that they are so stupid still regard them as capable people. See if they can stand it?" He said more and more vigorously, "We can take advantage of his weaknesses! I will ask someone to tell him, so it will be easier. Okay, let’s turn it over! Let’s see what he has to say?” "You don't have to go that far yet." Second Grandma Zhen replied, "You have taught him by telling him; it is very easy to make up for this defect. Let him discover it by himself, and he will definitely express it. It will not be too late then." .” "What will he say?" "He'll take back what he wrote." "Go back?" Cao Zhen sneered: "I won't give it." "That's right! This thing should be kept well, it will be a very useful piece of evidence in the future." Cao Zhen nodded, but asked again: "How should I answer him tomorrow?" Second Grandma Zhen thought for a while and said, "Tomorrow you will play a trick." "What is a bitter trick?" "You have to admit with a thick face that you are afraid of me; there is nothing you can do about me." "Is this prevaricated?" "It's the real situation. For example, if you are urging me now and I ignore you, what should you do?" Second Grandma Zhen said again: "You don't have to answer in a hurry, think about it carefully." Cao Zhen listened to her words and thought about it for a while, but there was nothing he could do; quarreling and fighting only added to the idleness. "I, I have no choice but to tell people: 'A barbaric wife and a wicked son, there is no cure.' I really don't know what to do?" Cao Zhen said again: "I have to ask him for advice." "That's right! Just ask him for advice." "What would he say?" "He must have said: Since you are afraid of internal affairs, can you let me talk to your wife?" "Hmm, um." Cao Zhen was very interested: "Then, how should I answer him?" "What do you think?" Cao Zhen thought for a while and said, "I'll answer this way: I don't dare to take care of this matter; I don't dare to tell her either." "That's right, if you want to say that, the words before and after are consistent." Speaking of this, a question arose in Cao Zhen's mind, could it be that Wei Bopi just stopped there?Of course not; if he really made up his mind to ask Second Grandma Zhen in person, there would be no way out. "If he sat upside down in the sedan chair to see Fourth Uncle and said he wanted to meet you; what would you do?" "I'm still missing." "Can you escape?" "Is there anything you can't hide? For example, if I excuse my illness, does he have to see me?" Second Grandma Zhen made a special reminder: "In short, he comes and follows him; you can't invite him. You invited him, but I excused not to see you." , this cannot be said.” "Ah!" Cao Zhen finally understood, "I understand, no matter how hard he pushes, I will definitely find a way to leave room for you to evade."
Although the small kitchen is still there, it is in name only; Zhu's mother quit her job a long time ago, and Jin'er and Qiuyue take turns in the kitchen. Uncle and nephew Cao Zhen, and the regular dishes of the two tents; a table was opened in Xuanrong Hall, and Second Mistress Zhen used it first, and then Jin'er, Qiuyue and the maids sat together to eat.Jin'er and Qiuyue took turns in charge of the food account, but they had to ask Second Grandma Zhen for instructions on what to buy every day. "I'm making two snacks today; I'm afraid there will be guests." In the past, the rules for guests to stay and drink have long since been eliminated.Occasionally, when visitors from afar come, they must leave a light meal, and they always order food from the restaurant.Therefore, Jin'er felt strange, what kind of special guests had to prepare snacks for them? "It's that Wei Bopi; you must meet me and ask those old accounts of old millet and rotten sesame. Let him come! Let me deal with him." "Didn't Second Grandma say she couldn't see him?" "That's right, I don't see you." Second Grandma Zhen hurriedly said, "You can deal with him even if you don't see him." But it seemed that Second Grandma Zhen was going to meet Wei Bopi again; because she had dressed up well that day and changed into the clothes she was going out of.After finishing the grooming, I asked Qiuyue, what's wrong? "You look younger by several years." Qiuyue said with a smile: "Since the old lady passed away, this is the first time I have seen Second Grandma Zhen that you put so much effort into dressing yourself up." "It's really too busy to take advantage of it." Before finishing a sentence, Dong Xue said loudly outside: "The fourth master is here!" So Second Grandma Zhen got up to greet her and went out; she called out: "Fourth Uncle!" and asked, "What's the matter? I still need to work for Fourth Uncle to come in person." "I have something, I want to ask you what you mean." Cao Fu said with difficulty: "Commissioner Wei is here! I said that I can only understand some things if I ask you face to face. I don't know that you——." "Fourth Uncle means that I should see him?" This made Cao Fu wonder how to answer?Everything is acting according to her plan; I don't want to ask such a sentence at the end, why do I wonder what it means? But Second Grandma Zhen didn't make him too difficult. "Fourth Uncle," she said, "you can see him. But you can't be too accommodating. Please ask Fourth Uncle to chat with him; I'll go out again when he asks." .” "Okay, okay!" Cao Fu nodded again and again: "What do you say, what should I do." After Cao Fu left, both Jin'er and Qiuyue appeared, "Second Grandma," Jin'er asked, "Do you really want to see him?" "It doesn't matter if I don't see you! He came to the door; it's like a creditor is coercing you." Second Grandma Zhen said again: "You first ask someone to open the dim sum." "It has been sent out." "It's not easy to see me if you want to delay him. Let me know when it's time for the second dessert." Hearing this, Jin'er turned around and went to the small kitchen to take care of her; Qiuyue said, "Second Grandma Zhen, according to me, I don't see him." "Oh," Second Grandma Zhen asked very attentively: "You tell me what you think; if you don't see him, how will you deal with it?" "I don't know how to deal with it? I just feel—" "What are you afraid of?" Second Grandma Zhen said in an encouraging tone, "Just say what you have to say. As long as it makes sense, I will definitely listen to you." "I can't make any sense; I just think of something that the fortune teller in Xuzhou said, and it seems that I have to listen to it." "That sentence?" "'When a wounded official sees an official, it will be full of disasters.' Isn't Wei Bopi an official? I'm afraid this sentence will have to be answered." Second Grandma Zhen was startled, but she quickly returned to normal. "This sentence is a bit interesting." She said, "Let me think about it." "Second Grandma Zhen, you should really think about it." After finishing speaking, Qiuyue also left; she also went to the small kitchen to tell Jin'er that the second dim sum dish would be served slowly, so as to give Grandma Zhen enough time to think.
"Come on!" Cao Fu called He Cheng who was waiting on the porch, and immediately ordered: "Go to the middle gate and send a message to Second Grandma Zhen, saying that the distinguished guest has been waiting for a long time." "Yes!" He Cheng agreed; he paused for a while, seeing that the master had no other orders, he withdrew and went to the middle gate to send a message. The word spread to Xuanrong Hall, Second Grandma Zhen was discussing with Jin'er and Qiuyue that He Jin had been here for a few days, so he should be sent back to Xuzhou to have a look;As a result, the topic was interrupted, and Jin'er got up and left. "Where are you going?" "I asked someone to serve the second dessert." Jin'er replied, "Delay him for a while." After speaking, he lifted the curtain and left. "Second Grandma Zhen," Qiuyue asked, "Have you made up your mind yet?" "It's decided!" Second Grandma Zhen replied, "I'll still follow my original method. I've been thinking about this matter for more than a day; I can't hide it no matter what, so why don't I meet him and make it clear in person. It's over, it's over. But, Qiuyue, you have to answer for me." "Of course, you order it!" "I'll go out first when I turn around. Let's go if we can agree; if we don't agree, you will come to meet me." The second grandma Zhen said again: "I wrote down all the ways to deal with it. When you open my hair comb box later I see. Sit down for a while, and I'll change clothes." Watching Second Grandma Zhen's back disappear into the back room, Qiuyue sat down and thought about her words; Could it be that Second Grandma Zhen has been bored for a while and was fascinated by watching Romance of the Three Kingdoms, so what tricks are left behind? Turning to this thought, I was both confused and curious; longing to see her "good tricks." I wondered, how about going to open her hair comb box at this moment? When hesitating, I only heard a "gudong", which was the sound of heavy objects falling on the floor; maybe the second grandma fell down?Thinking of this, Qiuyue went straight to the back room without hesitation. As soon as the door curtain was lifted, Qiuyue felt that her soul was out of her body: she wanted to yell out loud, but she couldn't yell out, so she pressed her left chest with her hand unconsciously; and that was also the place where a gleaming golden hand-relief knife was inserted into Second Grandma's body parts! The heartbeat of "Bengdong, Bengdong" seemed to be asking: "What should I do, what should I do?" Qiuyue felt more sorrow than shock at this time; more shock than sorrow!For several days, she had always had an ominous premonition, fearing that something unexpected would happen; but she dared not talk about her feelings with Jin Er, fearing that it would add to her uneasiness.Otherwise, maybe you won't see such a tragic scene in front of you! "What should I do, what should I do?" The voice in my heart became louder and louder.Not knowing what to do, Qiuyue felt isolated and helpless; and it was this feeling that brought her back to her original nature: the decisive character that Mrs. Cao had taught, encouraged, and cultivated for many years.She thought of the many stories that Mrs. Cao told about staying calm in times of crisis, not being swayed by feelings, nor confused by nonsense, and calmly and cruelly making the best plans for the overall situation. In this flash of thought, her mind calmed down, and her thinking became very sharp; the Second Grandma Zhen wanted to be kind, and doing what she wanted was more important than saving her; that's it. So she took a few steps, knelt down in a pool of blood beside Second Grandma with her face like gold paper, her eyes closed, and said in a low and clear voice, "Second Grandma, you really have a responsibility, death is heavier than Mount Tai! What can I say? Tell me, Qiuyue is desperately trying to do it for Second Mistress." "The comb box—" "I know." Qiuyue rushed to say, "Other than that." "Let Xiuchun come back!" Second Grandma Zhen said with a slight breath, "This knife is for Guan Qin. It has my blood on it, I want him to remember..., study hard, don't...don't let me die in vain... .” The dead word is almost silent, and there will be no more sound. "Second Grandma! Second Grandma!" Qiuyue shouted loudly. There was no reaction; Qiuyue held her breath and breathed out, knowing that she had passed away.I couldn't help but close my eyes and squeeze out tears. But she didn't have time to feel the grief; she stood up and went straight to the outer room, just in time to meet Jin'er, her eyes were wide open and her face turned pale with fright. "What's the matter? Look at the blood on your body and your hands!" At this question, Qiuyue was taken aback; meeting Jin'er was not what she expected; she would have Second Grandma Zhen's blood on her body, let alone expecting it.So he calmed down and said, "Wait a minute!" While talking, he went to open the mirror box of the second grandma; there was a piece of paper on it, with only one sentence written: "The surname Wei forced someone to die!" This time, Qiuyue understood the cause of Zhen's second grandma's death inside and out.She had already thought that Second Grandma Zhen would die for Cao's family, and planned that the governor of Liangjiang would see her death pitifully and be lenient in everything.Only now did I realize that she had planned to pull Wei Bopi's tendons a long time ago! "Jin'er," she said emphatically, "you should stabilize your heart first, and listen carefully to my words: the surname Wei is forcing you to see Second Grandma Zhen, you are bullying too much, and you are forcing your life!" "What?" Jin'er grabbed Qiuyue's shoulder and asked. Qiuyue was still afraid that she would not understand Second Grandma Zhen's meaning, so she said loudly as a reminder: "Second Grandma Zhen was forced to death by a surname Wei! You can see for yourself that there is no hope." When Jin'er caressed the dead body and grieved, everyone inside and outside was alarmed; but the rules of the Cao family were strict, and the servants just ran away quietly, asking each other in a low voice: What happened?But no one dared to break in casually. The only exception is the manager, Nanny Wu.Arriving from the middle gate to Xuanrong Hall, I heard crying in the inner room, only Qiuyue stood quietly, with a sad face, but no tears; she couldn't help being stunned, stopped and asked: "Miss Qiuyue, what's the matter?" "Second Grandma Zhen committed suicide! They were all forced by the officials sent by Liangjiang!" Madam Wu was surprised and surprised, "Second Grandma Zhen committed suicide?" She couldn't believe it, and asked anxiously : "Have you been saved?" "It can't be saved!" Qiuyue said, "Nurse Wu, Second Master Zhen is not at home, please go and call back with Fourth Master." Seeing that her complexion was abnormally deep, Nanny Wu recalled what she had said before and after, and she had understood it, so she nodded and said, "I'll go in and take a look." "Don't look at it! Mother Wu, you old man won't be able to bear it. If the fourth master asks how he died? Tell me, you stabbed yourself with a knife." "It was stabbed with a knife!" Madam Wu's face changed drastically: "It was stabbed in the chest?" "Yes! Very deep." "Crack!" Grandma Wu took a big breath: "Second Grandma Zhen is really cruel!" She said while shaking her white-haired head as she walked away. As soon as they went out of the middle gate, the servants gathered around and asked for news. Mother Wu didn't say how Second Grandma Zhen died; she just said: "Get ready for the funeral! Find someone who is with Second Master Zhen, look there, hurry up Please come back." "Yes, it's Second Grandma Zhen?" He Jin, who had just arrived, asked, "What's the sudden illness?" Mother Wu's heart moved, and she immediately had an idea: "Old He! You come." After she finished speaking, she turned around and went back into the middle door. He Jin also followed in; Qiuyue was still on the porch, and Jin'er, who was teary-eyed, was coming out of it, and when she saw Mammy Wu, she burst into tears. "Miss Jin'er, don't cry, let's discuss important matters." So the four of them gathered in the main room and whispered. Mother Wu first briefly talked about the situation of Second Grandma Zhen's suicide, and then put forward a point of view. "Since the second grandma Zhen was forced to death by the official who came here, we have to find a way to keep him, and wait for the second master Zhen to come back, and then make sense. If this happens with the fourth master, the official will immediately surrender Let's go. What should I do? Is it suitable? Miss Qiuyue, what do you think?" Hearing this, Qiuyue knew that Grandma Wu also understood the cause of Second Grandma Zhen's death, she nodded deeply and said, "What Grandma Wu said is right." She then asked, "Uncle He, what do you think should be done? " He Jin pondered for a while and said: "At this moment, the outside has already known a little bit. Of course, the fourth master wants to investigate; but it is inconvenient to tell the truth right away, saying that he was forced to death by visitors. It is best to make a fuss inside; I will go outside Play by ear." After speaking, he left in a hurry. Both Qiuyue and Nanny Wu understood He Jin's intentions deeply; this kind of behavior that is close to slandering is suitable for women to come forward. It is the best policy to use accusations and scolding methods to make the victim suspicious and uneasy, but unable to ask for clarification, let alone destroy face.Otherwise, if you change things hastily and the truth is not clear, you will directly criticize; others will know that they have prejudices as soon as they hear it, and this lawsuit will fail. The method is good, but who will make trouble?Just as Qiuyue was thinking like this, she suddenly noticed Aunt Ji rushing over; she couldn't help saying in a low voice, "Okay! Here comes someone who can make trouble." "Where is Second Grandma Zhen?" Aunt Ji panicked, "We met again this morning, talking and laughing; now—?" "Now, I don't see anyone anymore!" Jin'er choked up and said, "Second Grandma Zhen died so badly!" "Where is it? Where is the person? Let me see!" When Aunt Ji rushed in to take a look, she immediately burst into tears.This is not a fake cry, she has an impulsive temperament; recently, due to the hard work of Second Grandma Zhen, she actually had feelings for her, and Aunt Ji broke her family again, and she also missed her beloved son, so she had already saved a lot of money. The tears in my stomach happened to be "borrowing someone else's glass of wine and pouring myself a lot of it", so at this time there was a loud cry, and the momentum was astonishing. While crying, she stroked the corpse, and when she touched the handle of the knife, Qiuyue hurriedly warned: "I can't pull it out, once I pull it out, the blood will be marked!" "Poor!" Aunt Ji stopped her hands and cried, "Such a strong person would stab himself with a knife in his chest. It's better to live than to die. Second Grandma Zhen, what kind of grievance did you suffer? Dead end?" "Second Grandma Zhen was forced to die." Dongxue was encouraged by Qiuyue and said, "It's that corrupt official named Wei Bopi. Aunt Ji, if you don't defend Second Grandma Zhen; Upon hearing this, Aunt Ji stopped crying, looked at Dongxue with tears in her eyes and said, "Say it! Tell me! How will you teach me how to avenge Second Mistress Zhen?" "We must first let Wei Bopi know that he is forcing people to die. Aunt Ji, you have to vent your anger on everyone; give Wei Bopi an embarrassment." "Okay!" Aunt Ji quickly and loudly agreed, "I'll go." Qiuyue was afraid that the disturbance would become too severe and lead to a stalemate, and it would not end well, so she grabbed her and said, "Aunt Ji, don't point out the name, just cry and shake the life of the second grandma, who was forced to have nowhere to go, so I had to find a way out." That's enough! The fourth master can't say that you are wrong." "Ah! The fourth master is there." Dongxue said, "Don't go!" This is the aggressive method; Aunt Ji's courage was naturally stimulated, "What are you afraid of!" She said: "You are not allowed to cry when you are dead? The emperor can't be so overbearing."
"He Jin!" Cao Fu became a little anxious, "Speak clearly, who has the accident? What's 'he's injured and being rescued'; what's 'I can't think about it'? Who are you talking about?" Before the words were finished, the crying interrupted it; Cao Fu immediately knew it was Aunt Ji's voice, and couldn't help but gather his two eyebrows together, almost forming a knot. There were words mixed in with the cry. Listening intently, one could hear: "The family is ruined! How could you imagine that the Cao family would be in this state today? Someone will bully you if you lose your gauze hat; if bullies come to your door, you will end up killing people—" Hearing this, Cao Fu and Wei Bopi, who had serious faces, all changed drastically.Before Cao Fu could make a sound, Wei Bopi spoke first, "Ang Weng," he said, grabbing the sable-brimmed warm hat, "there is something going on in the house, I don't dare to bother you, so please leave now!" Cao Fu didn't know how to answer, but He Jin was on guard, "Master Wei," he said, "My young mistress is coming out soon." Although Wei Bopi was shrewd and witty, he never expected He Jin to feint like this; just at this moment of astonishment, Cao Fu knew it, "Say, He Jin," he said with a very stern look, "Aunt Ji said Who is it? What killed someone? You just said that someone was injured, and Second Grandma Zhen was busy saving them; who is it?" "Fourth Master," He Jin replied calmly, "Please go in and comfort Aunt Ji; I will wait for Master Wei to meet Second Grandma Zhen here." This means that it is inconvenient to talk about housework in front of outsiders; as long as Cao Fu goes in and sees Aunt Ji, he will naturally understand.Therefore, without another word, Cao Fu bowed his hands to Wei Bopi and said, "Please sit down! I will ask my nephew and daughter-in-law to come to the court immediately." When the word "Yingxun" was used, Wei Bopi said repeatedly: "Don't dare, dare not! It's too serious. Ang Weng please go ahead." As soon as Cao Fu left, He Jin said, "Master Wei, please ascend the kang." Wei Bopi was relieved when he heard that Second Grandma Zhen would come to "answer the news".He was thinking that it was obvious that something happened to Cao's family and someone died suddenly; it was also quite obvious that this person's death had something to do with his coming.But the so-called "bullying comes to the door and forces people to die" is the words of ignorant women, so don't take it seriously.However, since the Cao family had such an unexpected rebellion, Second Grandma Zhen must not be in a good mood; when we meet later, we must be more careful with our words. So, he sat on the kang and thought about it silently. Those things could be asked; those things might make the second grandma Zhen angry, so it was better not to ask them. This bout of contemplation took a lot of work; suddenly I realized why the Second Grandma Zhen didn't show up until now?When he looked up, He Jin gathered with two servants of the Cao family on the porch, what were they talking about?This time, Wei Bopi knew something was wrong!只怕已是身蹈危地，赶紧走吧，越快越好。 于是，他悄然起身，疾趋而出；一出花厅，为曹家下人所发现，立刻散开，却是戒备之势。魏剥皮心里发慌，但力持镇静地说：“烦管家把我的人找来。” “是！”何谨口中答应，却另有答非所问的一句话：“请魏大人花厅里宽坐；吴大老爷马上来看魏大人。” “吴大老爷？”魏剥皮问：“是首县吴大老爷？” "yes." “他来看我干什么？”魏剥皮又问：“他怎么知道我在这里？” “那就不知道了！反正吴大老爷马上就到；一到就都明白了。” “不！我有事。我没工夫等他。”魏剥皮一面说，一面硬往外闯，已打算着如果何谨一拦，便加叱斥，来个先声夺人。 那知何谨有一套柔能克刚的工夫，使个眼色，竟就跪了下来；他的两个伙伴亦复如是。见此光景，魏剥皮便知硬闯亦会被拖住；人家先礼后兵，先占住了理，识趣些吧。 于是，他站住想了一会，说一句：“管家你请进来，我有话问你。” 等他回身入内，何谨亦起身跟了进去；心里已猜想到他要问的话，决定透露实情。 果然，魏剥皮问说：“府上到底出了什么意外？是不是震二奶奶死了？” "yes." 这一声“是”，宛如数九寒天的一桶冷水，浇得魏剥皮浑身抖战；心里不断自语：“完了！完了！” 这时高大围墙之外，已隐隐传来鸣锣喝道之声，料想是吴知县来了。魏剥皮久任州县，设身处地想了一会，心中突然一动，不觉一喜，自以为还有败中取胜的妙着。 原来出了命案，不管他杀还是自杀，例须报官相验，若是有身分的人家，因为骨肉不和、或者其他原因，有人轻生，什九隐瞒不报；即或惊动官府，亦每每拦舆请求免验。倘为妇女，更不待言。因此，吴知县此来，可以想像得到，决未带了仵作来，这样，就留了下一个极大的漏洞。 照何谨所说，吴知县是特别来看他的；如果到曹家一下了轿，直接来看他，助曹家指尸索诈，提出任何要求；不妨暂且允诺，事后很可以翻案。因为应验尸而不验，真相未明，何得说他逼迫震二奶奶？这便是吴知县留下的一个漏洞；抓住了足资防卫。 这样想着，不由得侧耳静听；期待着墙外锣声歇处，花厅外人声渐起，行客拜坐客，会有吴知县出现；那知声息杳然，可想而知的，吴知县已跟曹俯见面了。 事实上不但曹俯；吴知县还见到两眼已哭肿了的曹震，他是真正的苦主，一见吴知县便跪下来磕了一个头，眼泪汪汪地说：“求父母官替拙荆伸冤。” “言重、言重！”吴知县急忙逊避，拱着手说：“世兄，快请起来，有话慢慢说。” 这时何诚已以“抱告”的身分，跪递一张禀帖，口中说道：“我家少主母为时势所逼，一时想不开，寻了短见；请大老爷免予相验。” “自然，自然！”吴知县亲手接了禀帖，转交随从的刑房书办，复又问道：“不知道怎么死的？” 这便等于问苦主的供了；曹震答说：“拙荆性情刚烈，是拔刀自刎的。” “喔，伤在那里？” “左胸、致命的地方。” “一刀毙命？” “是的。只有一刀。” “纤弱女流，能一刀自裁，真正刚烈。”吴知县试探般问道：“不知道能不能让我瞻仰一下少夫人的遗容？” 曹震犹在沉吟；曹俯到底在官场上久些，知道是知县在公事上老到，脚步站得很稳，当即答说：“理当请贵县眼视明白。” 说着，自己引路，曹震后随，曲曲折折地走向萱荣堂；吴嬷嬷早已先一步传达信息。季姨娘、邹姨娘、锦儿、秋月及其他年长的丫头、年轻的仆妇，尽皆回避，由吴嬷嬷领路。直入内室。 这时震二奶奶陈尸的那间后房，家具都已移走，几乎成了一间空屋；震二奶奶依旧躺在血泊之中，血已凝成暗红色；头旁一对明晃晃的白烛；脚边一盏一束灯蕊的油灯，直照泉台；一个小丫头跪在地上，不断烧锡箔；震二奶奶的身子却看不到，已用一幅白布遮住；白布上自然染了血迹，有一处隆起的地方，当然就是利刃入胸之处。 吴嬷嬷还待上前揭起白布，吴知县急忙摇手说道：“不必，不必！”转身又对曹俯说道：“赶紧料理吧！少夫人实在死得好惨；不能再让她这样冰冷地躺在地上了。” 此言一出，隔房嗷然一声；季姨娘首先哭了出来，顿时一片举哀之声，曹震不由得又垂泪了。 “祸起不测，只有求老父母作主。” “从长计议，从长计议。”说着，吴知县左右望了一下。 这是要找个清静地方密谈的暗示；曹俯便向何诚说道：“你看，请吴大老爷那里歇足待茶。” 何诚未及答言；秋月从隔室闪了出来，先福一福行了礼，方始说道：“在老太太起坐的那间屋子里，已经备下茶了。” “这是，”曹俯特为替吴知县引见，“先母生前边极得力的一个人，名叫秋月。” 听得这一说，秋月重新给客人行了礼；吴知县叫一声：“秋月姑娘！”深深打量了她一眼，但见渊静肃穆的神态中，似乎蕴藏着极深的机心；蓦地里省悟，震二奶奶这一死，实在殉曹家的家难。 这一顿悟，便生出许多想法；察言观色，曹俯恐怕未必了解；曹震却很难说，不过事先一定也不知情——当然，没有一个人知道震二奶奶会出此实为上策的下策；不然，早就在防备，震二奶奶怎么也死不成了。
江宁的官场，包括驻防的将军、副都统在内，都觉得曹家的麻烦，应该随着震二奶奶之死而告一段落了。一种直觉的看法是：“已经逼出人命来了！莫为已甚吧！” 有跟曹家交情厚的；或者同为旗人，兴起兔死狐悲之感的，愤愤不平地说：“曹家不过闹亏空；亏空也是多少年积下来的。皇上无非整饬吏治，破家赔补亏空，也就是了；奉旨的人，一味吹求，莫非意在勒索？知趣的便罢；若不知趣，索性请一位都老爷，参上一本，大家闹他一闹。反正不管怎么样，曹家已经赔上一条人命，不见得再会赔上第二条。” 这话传到范时绎耳朵里，不免心惊肉跳；想到曹家既有平郡王这门贵戚，而天子近臣的内务府官员自然都向着曹家，犯不着去犯众怒，因而翻然变计，化苛求为回护。当然，魏剥皮为求免祸不能不替曹家说好话，也是一个关键。 终于雨过天青了！恰是震二奶奶“断七”的那天，秋月到了徐州，也带来令人安慰的消息，奉到上谕：曹家的亏空，准由已查封的家产折价赔补，倘有不足，恩准宽免。同时接到在内务府的一个至亲的信，说“皇上接两江奏报，见有'查出历年当票数十纸'字样，怃然久之；谓'不料曹家贫乏如此。'此为恩旨之所由来。” “说起来也还是震二奶奶的远见。”秋月回忆着说：“每次她跟我私下商量，借老太太的东西送当铺应一应急，都会把当票送来。有几回把当头赎了回来，当票还在我手里；问她怎么回事？她说没当票也可以赎当。挂失好了。我说：既有当票，何必费事？震二奶奶笑笑说道：留着当票也许有用处；譬如作个挡箭牌什么的。谁知会是这么一个大用处！” “我们马家的女儿，总算对得起曹家了。”马夫人一面说；一面眼圈就红了。 秋月怕惹马夫人伤心，不敢谈震二奶奶临死的情形；芹官与绣春解得此意，也都不提，且在马夫人问到时，还帮着秋月支吾。因此，谈到夜深，大部分是谈回旗的细节；如何分批北上，到京如何安顿？都定得有详细的步骤。秋月此来，便是面报这些步骤，请示马夫人有何意见。 “没有。只要四老爷跟震二爷商量定了就是了。不过，”马夫人看着绣春问：“你怎么样？” 马夫人还不知道震二奶奶最后的遗言——整个曹家上下，除了锦儿以外；没有人曾听秋月说过，此时可以公开了。“震二奶奶临终有句话，我只告诉过锦儿；我跟她的想法一样；觉得这句话，应该先回明太太再说。” “喔！”马夫人异常注意地：“上次何谨来，我问他震二奶奶临终有什么交代，他问过你，没有话。原来还是有的！你快说吧。” “震二奶奶临终交代，但愿绣春能跟锦儿在一起，好好过日子。” 马夫人尚未开口；绣春已斩钉截铁地答说：“这，办不到的！” 一句话将马夫人和秋月都崩得开不得口了。 但芹官与绣春相处日久，对她比较了解；当即说道：“这话有两层意思，甚至可说三层意思，一是你还俗；二是你仍旧回咱们家来；三是你跟锦儿在一起过日子。你说'办不到'，是第三层意思办不到；还是第二层意思办不到？”他紧接着又说：“那样的话，未免太让震二奶奶伤心了。” 这下马夫人被提醒了，“对啊！”她说，“你愿意不愿意跟震二爷在一起是一回事！愿意不愿意回家又是一回事。绣春，回来吧！这两个多月下来，我可真舍不得你呢！” “再说，”秋月接口，“就是芹二爷的那句话，总不能让震二奶奶还有余憾。” 绣春迟疑了好一会，才答了句：“再说吧！” 大家能会意，已是应允的表示！事缓则圆，此时反不宜过于执着。而且夜也深了；秋月便说：“太太该安置了。明儿个再细谈。”说着，向芹官使了个眼色。 这眼色中的暗示，非常明显，她还有话要跟芹官说。等他回自己屋子不久，秋月来了，手里捧着一个盒子；后面跟着绣春。两人的神情都是肃穆异常。 “芹二爷，”秋月将盒子放在桌上，却拿手按着，显得异常珍重似地，“震二奶奶有样重要东西送你；还有话。你先看东西吧！” 秋月将手挪开，复用双手将盒子慢慢推到芹官前；她的手指长而白，皮肤下的纤细青紫筋脉，似乎隐隐在跳动。这使得芹官在打开盒子的那双手，也在发抖了。 拆开封固的纸包，里面是一个锦盒；芹官有似曾相识之感，急急掀开盒盖，吴三桂用过的那把解手刀，赫然在目，金柄依旧，刀光如雪，但却染着暗红的斑点。 “上面是震二奶奶的血。——” 一语未终，芹官浑身发抖；绣春急忙上前扶住，轻声喝道：“别哭出声来，惊动了太太！” 芹官使劲将嘴一闭，扶着桌角说道：“我不哭！秋月你说，震二奶奶有什么话？”说着，已是泪流满面了。 “她说：要你记着她的血，读书上进，别让她白死！” “会，会！”芹官再无别话；只是使劲揪着头发饮泣；秋月与绣春也陪着他淌眼泪，劝到快天亮时，方始劝得他睡下。 芹官哭湿了枕头，心里只想着震二奶奶的遗言，他不知道怎么样才能不让震二奶奶白死；但他知道，他这一辈子在任何作为时，都会想到这句话。 ——End of the full text——