The Red Mansions

Chapter 250
In Honor Hall——

Mother Jia thought about it, and said softly, "Yu'er's father is indeed patrolling salt in Yangzhou."

Mrs. Wang pretended to be surprised, smiled and said: "Brother Heng is not on an errand to lead the Wucheng soldiers and horses now, why are you still worrying about Jiangnan Salt Road?"

These words are of course veiled to say that Jia Heng will interfere in everything, make a fuss out of a molehill, and make a lot of trouble out of nothing!
Jia Heng glanced at Mrs. Wang coldly, and said calmly: "I am a military honor of the country, a close minister of the emperor, and the political situation in the court, so I must care about everything. The second wife doesn't know about the affairs in the court, so you can ask the second master more. Inquire, but I think that if the second wife has that leisure time, she might as well pay more attention to Baoyu's studies."

He can guess where Mrs. Wang's confidence comes from. It should be caused by Prince Tengcha's return to Beijing. In fact, after Prince Tengcha's departure, he should be reused.

In Rongqing Hall, everyone heard Jia Heng's words, and they were all in a state of confusion.

Uncle Heng is still the same Uncle Heng.

This is to point out that Mrs. Two worries about Baoyu too much.

Mrs. Wang's face turned pale at this moment, she just felt her face was disgraced.

Sister Feng smoothed things over and said with a smile: "Don't we housewives just don't understand the affairs of men outside? Brother Heng needs to talk to us more."

It can be regarded as making up for Mrs. Wang.

Jia Mu frowned, changed the subject, and asked, "Brother Heng, is there any danger here?"

As soon as this remark came out, Sister Feng also paused and looked at Jia Heng.

As for Daiyu, Tanchun, and Xiangyun, they also cast doubtful eyes on them, especially Daiyu, whose bright autumn eyes were like water, full of worry.

Jia Heng said: "The old lady learned a lesson, rectifying the salt affairs and paying more taxes for the country will inevitably involve all aspects. After all, where does the overpayment of taxes come from? This is moving people's pockets. How can people not be in a hurry? Cutting people’s fortunes is like killing their parents! I was thinking about these people, and they might not be good for Uncle Lin, so I wanted to discuss with Sister Lin and send a letter to Yangzhou to make Uncle Lin be more careful."

Of course, he would not say that he would secretly let Cai Quan and Qu Lang transfer people from Beijing to Yangzhou to secretly protect Lin Ruhai.

"When I receive the imperial decree tomorrow, when I enter the palace to ask for my order, I should also ask the emperor." Jia Heng looked deeply, thinking.

Lin Ruhai was a very good help among the family and friends in Jia's mansion. He was a civil servant, and he was trusted by Emperor Chongping. He was straightforward and kind, much better than Jia Yucun and others.

As soon as Jia Heng's worrying words came out, the faces of everyone in Rongqing Hall changed. Although they were a few words, they could already perceive the danger.

Not to mention anything else, copying Wu Xindeng's and Shan Daliang's family, the relatives of these people have found seven aunts and eight aunts, and made trouble in front of the mansion, as if they were about to hang themselves in front of the mansion. Report to the official in time, I'm afraid I still don't know what to do.

Now Mrs. Lin is going to start the salt business, and the danger can be imagined.

On this side, Daiyu's small face was as white as snow, her cherry lips moved, and her pair of crystal clear eyes fixedly looked at Jia Heng, her heart filled with unspeakable fear.

Tanchun stretched out his hand to take Daiyu's plain hand, and said in a low voice, "Sister Lin, with Brother Heng here, I'm fine."

Daiyu nodded slightly.

Confusion appeared on Baoyu's big face, and he said, "Since it's so dangerous, it's okay for my uncle to not do the salt work?"

Xiren behind him quickly tugged at Baoyu's arm and said softly, "Second Lord..."

Jia Heng glanced at Baoyu, and said in a deep voice: "The things in the world are always beneficial to the family, the country and the society. How can we not do it because we are afraid of difficulties and dangers?"

Baoyu looked resentful.

Tanchun said softly: "Brother Heng, this sounds dangerous. As the old saying goes, money touches people's hearts, and people's money, how can people let it go?"

Sister Feng also said, "We have to be on guard."

Mother Jia said worriedly: "Brother Heng, you need to be more careful about this matter, Yu'er's mother left early, and Yu'er's father, there must be no more mistakes."

Sister Feng smiled and said: "Old Ancestor, you don't have to worry too much, with Brother Heng around, there will be no such step."

As he spoke, his gaze paused between Jia Heng and Dai Yu, and he thought to himself, the day before yesterday she sent a servant to deliver letters to Yangzhou, and told her to watch out for food, if these two people didn't have any thoughts, she would Anyway, I don't believe it.

Thinking of this, he glanced at Baoyu with his head hanging down.

Jia Heng said, "Sister Lin, follow me to write letters."

Daiyu stood up slowly, looked at Jia Heng gratefully with her bright eyes, and said, "Brother Heng is bothering you."

Sister Feng said with a smile: "Sister, if the family doesn't talk about each other, it's right for him to bother. Why did you call him brother?"

This was a bit pleasing to say, but it diluted the dignified atmosphere just now, and everyone laughed.

Xiangyun's temperament is more naive, so he smiled at this moment: "Sister Lin called Brother Heng as eldest brother, so we call brother."

Everyone is smiling.

When Daiyu heard this, her pretty face that was white and greasy like snow was stained with a layer of pink, and said angrily: "That's because I respect Big Brother Heng and see him as an elder brother."

I don't know if it's because she joked about Tanchun too much, but she couldn't call Brother Heng, she always felt that...

Seeing the girls laughing mischievously, Jia's mother eased her worry, and said with a light smile, "Yu'er, let's go."

"Miss." Zijuan smiled lightly and came over to help Daiyu.

Jia Heng glanced at Tanchun again, and said softly: "Third sister, come over too, and help me read the manuscript."

Hearing the words, Tanchun was thinking about what Sister Feng said earlier, "One family does not talk about two families", and a trace of "self-harm and self-pity" surged up in his mind. At this time, he was suddenly called by Jia Heng, and he couldn't help raising his head. , that rosy white face showed a bit of joy, and when he met those warm eyes, his heart trembled, and he felt a little sweet,
It is the kind of surprise that is brought up by someone who cares about it when you are feeling sad.

Also got up, took Daiyu's other hand, and said softly: "Sister Lin."

Xiang Yun smiled and said, "Brother Heng, I will go too."

Jia Mu pretended to be annoyed and said, "Your brother Heng and your sister Lin are going to write letters, why are you joining in the fun?"

Jia Heng glanced at Xiangyun and said with a smile, "It's okay, Sister Yun can come over too."

Xiangyun has lived in Xifu for more than a month, and the historian probably should urge her to go back in two days.

If possible, he still wanted to help this rambunctious little girl. In fact, it's not a bad idea to stay in Jia's mansion and live with Jia's mother.

Seeing all the sisters leaving one after another, Baoyu glanced at Xichun, who was described as still young, and Yingchun, who was playing chess as if he didn't care about everything outside, and his heart was filled with bitterness.

She raised her face with a full moon in the Mid-Autumn Festival, and moved her lips, but the attacker pulled down her sleeves,
Seeing a few people, they left the Rongqing hall and headed towards the small courtyard of Daiyu.

Jia Heng entered the brightly lit wing room, and saw exquisite decorations on all sides, bright and clean windows, and a piece of Yaoqin under the bookshelf, and Zijuan ordered Xueyan to pour tea for Jia Heng.

Zicuckoo smiled and said, "Master, sit down first."

As he said that, he went to look for a cushion and spread it on the chair where Daiyu was, and then helped Daiyu to sit down.

Jia Heng nodded, then looked at Daiyu and the display behind her.

Speaking of which, this is the first time he has been in Daiyu's house, and because there are several screens separating the front and back, he can't see the bedroom he usually lives in. There is a scent of orchid grass in the air. Agarwood is not lit in the smoker.

Seeing Jiaheng's calm eyes, as if he was looking at the furnishings, Daiyu felt a little bit ashamed for some reason. In this room, Baoyu often comes here, but she doesn't know what to do, but when the young man in front of him enters the room, he feels that there is something wrong with him. A kind of shyness of being prying into privacy.

Tan Chun looked at Jia Heng with bright eyes, and said with a light smile, "What is Brother Heng up to, I haven't seen you for a while."

Jia Heng said: "When I am busy, I run back and forth between Jingzhao and Wucheng Bingmasi, and when I am free, I read books. Last time I told my third sister, go to my side and look for your sister-in-law to walk around more. Why didn't you go?" ?”

When Tanchun heard the words, under the curved eyelashes, there was sadness in his pupils, but he didn't speak for a while.

Xiangyun said coquettishly: "Brother Heng, during this time, the third sister is copying Buddhist scriptures. She said that it is approaching the end of the year, and to pray for the master, she will copy three articles a day."

Hearing this, Jia Heng frowned, and said in a deep voice, "Copying Buddhist scriptures?"

I guess this is a new trick Mrs. Wang came up with?
In fact, it was Madam Wang's trick.

Earlier, Jia Heng praised Tanchun, he was bright and generous, he said he had extraordinary knowledge, and he was good for a man. At first, Mrs. Wang felt that her face was bright, but the more she tasted it when she went back, the more unpleasant it was. Besides, Baoyu of her family is not even as good as her daughter, and the thought of it makes me feel a little bit irritated.

In particular, she had a sense of shame that she was seen through. She deliberately promoted and raised this concubine's daughter as her own daughter. , What is the demeanor of a famous family.

But now, in the eyes of that Uncle Heng, compared to her family's Baoyu, he has a feeling that he has lifted a stone and shot himself in the foot.

Tanchun paused for a moment, and said softly: "These Buddhist scriptures must be copied to their parents by their own children. Brother Huan and second brother have gone to school now, and I'm the only one at home. I copy three articles a day, and it's not too tiring. , I can still practice calligraphy, and I finished copying yesterday."

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, smiled, and said: "It's good to finish copying. If you don't feel tired, turn around and I will tell the old lady and the second master to let you go to my place and help me sort out the text and copy some Gongwen, I will hire you on the basis of two taels of silver per month."

Tanchun: "..."

Then there was a surge of joy in my heart, a pair of bright eyes sparkled, and I said softly: "Brother Heng, can I...can I do it? I can't..."

Although he said no, but the joy in his brows and eyes overflowed, and his heart was eager to try.

Jia Heng smiled and said: "Why not? No, I can teach you. No one is born knowing it. The main thing is that I really lack someone who can handle text. The third sister can write well, just to help I write some official letters or something."

Daiyu blinked her starry eyes, and some inexplicable meaning surged in her eyes, as if some key words flashed in her heart.

Red sleeves add fragrance, girls' school books, January [-], monthly rules, hire you...

Maybe she thought too much.

Tanchun nodded his head, and said softly: "Brother Heng, I have to tell my ancestors and my father about this, I don't know... I can promise or not."

Jia Heng said: "There should be no problem."

In the original book, Jia Zhen asked Sister Feng to assist the Ningguo Mansion, and she had nothing to say. Besides, Tanchun was young, so it was nothing to help the patriarch to assist with affairs.

Xiang Yun smiled, tilted his head, and said with a smile on his apple-white, dizzy face, "Twenty-two in January? Brother Heng, do you think I...do it?"

Jia Heng looked at Xiang Yun, who was in the shape of a mantis-shaped crane, especially that face that was a little plateau red, and resisted the urge to stretch out his hand to pinch it. After thinking for a while, he met those big bright eyes and said: "I There is still a lack of someone to lead the horse and hold the stirrup, so why don't Sister Yun change into men's clothing and keep busy, and give you two taels of silver a month?"

This is a joke.

Xiangyun: "..."

"Pfft..."

Daiyu, who was worried at first, couldn't help laughing, trembling wildly, quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and looked at Jia Heng fluctuatingly with her bright eyes under her smoky eyebrows.

Because Jia Heng usually looks majestic and upright, he doesn't like to tell jokes, but just now when he joked in a serious way, it just has a bit of novelty and fun.

However, when Daiyu raised her eyes, she met a pair of warm eyes and looked at herself with a smile without saying a word.

Wan Wan's eyelashes trembled, and she held the handkerchief slightly to her head, Fang couldn't help thinking, "So it's not that he doesn't like to laugh."

In a blink of an eye, my heart moved slightly, could it be that I saw myself with a sad face just now, and that's why...

Tanchun also smiled into crescent moons with bright eyes, seeing Xiangyun's aggrieved look made him even more funny.

Xiangyun's charming voice was a bit embarrassing, and said: "Brother Heng learns badly from Sister Lin, and he will become narrow-minded."

Daiyu: "..."

Jia Heng smiled and said: "Okay, don't make trouble anymore, Zijuan, go get the pen and paper."

Daiyu raised her eyes to look at the young man, and said softly, "Brother Heng, go over there and write at the desk."

Jia Heng nodded, got up from his seat, and led Daiyu towards the long table.

Xiangyun wanted to follow, but was pulled by Tanchun, and said with a light smile, "They wrote to Uncle Lin, we just wait here."

Xiangyun nodded and sat down again.

Here, after Jia Heng came to the desk, he took the letter paper and spread it out on the desk.

Jia Heng looked at Daiyu at the side, and said in a clear voice: "Sister Lin, write a letter from home as usual, just say that I mentioned this matter to you, and you are worried, and then I will attach a letter to explain your interests. , such two letters can also make Uncle Lin pay more attention."

If he rashly wrote a letter, mentioning the rectification of the salt affairs, or even telling him about the benefits, there would be a problem of "communicating in shallow words and deep in words".

And by virtue of Daiyu's name, this can save some communication costs for correspondence.

Daiyu's mind was shrewd, and after a second thought she understood the key points, and said softly: "Brother Heng, the other day I... mentioned Brother Heng in a letter, as well as third sister and second brother Bao. Father knows about Brother Heng. Yes, I think as long as Big Brother Laiheng knows his interests, he will pay special attention to his father."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "That's good."

Then, the two took the pen and paper and began to write letters.

One on the left and one on the right, standing behind a desk, the lanterns in the west window glowed with soft candlelight, elongating two figures, one tall and one petite, and projected on the wall, due to the angle... they vaguely overlapped.

(End of this chapter)