The Red Mansions

Chapter 563 Xichun: Monks don't tell lies
Ningguo Mansion

Seeing Qin Keqing's emotion, Sister Feng persuaded first, and several others followed suit, and they stopped talking about Niu Jizong's family. All the sisters got together and talked and laughed again.

While Qin Keqing was speaking, she cast her watery eyes on Tanchun, and asked with a smile: "Third sister is always knowledgeable, how long do you think it will take for your brother to come back?"

When the sisters heard the words, they stopped joking and looked at Tanchun.

Xiangyun smiled and took Tanchun's little hand, and said, "Third sister, tell me quickly, everyone is waiting."

Tanchun was stared at by everyone around him, with lowered eyebrows, as if a little shy, then raised his eyes to look at Qin Keqing, and said, "Sister-in-law, I can't say for sure, brother Heng just arrived in Luoyang, the next step is to get along with him." The thieves are fighting, and seeing what Brother Heng means, he intends to fight steadily and step by step, just like playing Go to set up the posture first, and then fight, and even if the thieves are defeated, there will be a lot of follow-up things to finish."

When Yingchun heard the game of Go, her eyes lit up slightly, thoughtful.

Tan Chun said: "Sister-in-law, what Sister-in-law Feng said just now is correct, brother Heng always plots before acting, if he doesn't move, he's done, if he moves, there will be thunder, sister-in-law, don't worry too much."

She knew from beginning to end that Brother Heng would win this battle, and it would be a decisive victory. Even if he fought steadily, it would not hinder the speed of the soldiers.

Baochai took a deep look at Tanchun, and pursed her pink lips.

Secretly, the third younger sister followed him to experience talents, and her insights became deeper and deeper.

Sister Feng smiled and said: "Listen all of you, Sanya is really amazing now, no wonder Brother Heng said that he would take Sanya with the army that day, which surprised the old lady and me, too, how can anyone around here Without such a female military division to make suggestions."

Everyone laughed lightly when they heard the joke.

Tanchun's cheeks turned red, Yingli said with anger in her eyes, "Sister-in-law told me to tell you just now, and sister-in-law Feng came to make fun of me again."

These things were originally mentioned to her briefly by Brother Heng when he deduced the situation a few days ago, and she has nothing to do these days to think about things in Henan, but she has also figured out some tricks
Xiang Yun smiled and said: "If the third sister goes there, she and that Xianning sister happen to have the same literature and military skills, and they are exactly Brother Heng's right-hand man."

Earlier, Princess Xianning and Xiangyun were talking together, saying that she was proficient in martial arts, but Xiangyun, who was like a mantis in the shape of a crane, was very excited and eager to try.

When all the female relatives heard "Princess Xianning", the smiles on their faces froze, and they all looked at Qin Keqing indifferently. Even if they didn't say something openly, they still couldn't help muttering in their hearts.

The emperor's daughter followed him to quell the chaos. Isn't that meaningless?
On Baochai's plump and fair face, the smile also faded a little bit, and the condensed and translucent moist apricot eyes flickered, and glanced at the beautiful woman with lotus jade face and graceful beauty.

He left in a hurry that day, she hadn't had time to ask him about Princess Xianning's affairs, maybe... she couldn't even ask, otherwise it would be too much to tolerate.

It's even hard for her to discuss this matter with Sister Qin, unless Sister Qin takes the initiative to mention it to her.

In fact, this is also the reason why Qin Keqing was alone with Baochai these few days, and after several hesitations, she did not mention the matter of Princess Xianning.

It's not like "Jia's mansion is like a dark forest, every golden hairpin is a hunter with a gun", nor is it the modern urban consciousness that whoever appears first gets out first.

It is the moral norms of this era for women in the back house. Out of the consideration of the clan's continuous descendants, it is impossible for a big family to favor only one person and not accept concubines.

Jealousy is one of the seven outlaws, which is contrary to virtuous and virtuous, so neither Qin Keqing nor Baochai ever thought of "eating alone".

Of course, the law of etiquette is also fair, and full respect will be given to the main wife in terms of property, heir inheritance rights and status.

But now there is a princess (in Baochai's eyes).

The princess represents the Tian family, and most of the time she is the only one who respects herself. If she seeks the position of the main wife, then both the original spouse and the mistress are at risk of being eliminated.

Therefore, in February of the 15th year of Chongping, regardless of whether Qin Xue and Qin Xue wanted to admit it or not, the appearance of Princess Xianning brought a fresh spring breeze to the self-enclosed Rongning Second Mansion. The two sides formed the common hatred of "sister Shura defending against her insults".

Sister Feng changed the subject, turned to look at Qin Keqing, and said, "Sister and brother, don't worry about it. When did Brother Heng worry you? He came back from several expeditions smoothly."

Qin Keqing nodded, smiled lightly, turned to look at Baozhu, and said, "Tell Aunt Cai to share the silk from the palace among the girls and daughters-in-law. The weather is warmer, so it's easy to talk about it." clothes."

"Come back Baozhu." Sister Feng quickly called Baozhu, looked at Qin Keqing, and said with a light smile: "The palace also sent a lot of brocades to the house, it is enough to make clothes for them, how can I reward you?"

Qin Keqing smiled sweetly: "The family didn't lack these, and there were quite a few Su brocades that were bestowed back and forth."

Sister Feng smiled and said: "Yes, our family is not short of it, even if it is rewarded by the palace, it is honorable and dignified after all. Well, I heard that it is the high-quality silk that was enshrined to the palace by the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau. I want to put it outside. Money can’t buy it either.”

Since Jia Heng has continuously copied and inspected the evil servants of the Jia mansion like the Lai family to contribute to the deficit of the mansion, the financial situation of the Rongguo Mansion has undoubtedly improved a lot. Now not only has the financial resources to build a garden together, but even Sister Feng's usual housekeeper has a lot of peace of mind.

Hearing this, Qin Keqing didn't insist anymore, but ordered Baozhu to say, "Send six horses to Miss Four's house, and cut two clothes for her. At her age, her size changes every day."

Immediately, he added another sentence: "Take four more horses, make up ten horses, and let Xiuyan girl cut two clothes."

Xing Xiuyan lived with Yingchun, but the brocade forged silk and silk were not sent to the Yingchun House, but to the Xichun House, which had a different meaning.

Sister Feng fixed her phoenix eyes, she knew the reason, she was guarding against her mother-in-law, but she couldn't point it out, but said with a smile: "Sister Xiuyan looks very quiet, I also like her character."

Tanchun thought of the girl who spoke softly and smiled quietly, and said, "Sister Xiuyan usually doesn't see her come out to be naughty."

Xing Xiuyan has a quiet temperament and doesn't usually go to the Rongqing Hall of Jia Mu.

Daiyu's eyebrows were condensed, and she said softly: "She often goes to Master Miaoyu and the fourth sister. Last time, I talked to the second sister a few times when I was a child."

Besides playing with Xiangyun and Tanchun, the three of them often visit Yingchun and Baochai courtyards to chat and amuse themselves. Sometimes Daiyu meets Xiuyan and talks about poetry for a while.

Qin Keqing nodded, and said softly: "She came to Miaoyu's side to talk more about Zen, a very simple and generous girl."

I really can't figure out my husband, there are so many girls in the family with different temperaments, and she no longer hinders her. She insists on not touching her at home, looking for some kind of princess... It's frightening.

She's fine, but Sister Xue is even more uneasy.

While thinking about it, he couldn't help but glance at Baochai, only to see him looking at Daiyu and Tanchun with a smile on his face.

When Qin Keqing and Sister Feng led all the golden hairpins to laugh and laugh, the courtyard where Miaoyu lived was deserted, except for the wooden fish's light knocking, which was heard clearly and far away in the courtyard shrouded in the quiet night.

"Dong dong..."

Under the altar, Miaoyu is dressed in a moon-white monk's robe, kneeling on a futon. The girl is slender and exquisite, wearing a headgear without a monk's hat, like a waterfall of green silk. The hair is not tied in a bun, but hangs down at the waist, and the slender jade hand holds the Holding a wooden hammer, chanting words in his mouth.

The silver-white moonlight on the left passes through the carved window, and the glow of the red candlelight on the tall candlestick on the right divides a beautiful face with willow eyebrows and star eyes without makeup into two, one white and one white. red.

The left side is soft and holy, and the right side is bright and beautiful, vaguely blending into one with clear boundaries——the bodhisattva with a treasured face and the beautiful bodhisattva and the succubus with a charming appearance.

"Miss." At this moment, the little girl Susu called out, and said in a low voice, "An angel came from the palace in the front yard, saying that Uncle Heng has arrived in Luoyang."

Miaoyu paused the wooden fish in her hand, the sound of Buddhist scriptures chanting stopped, and when she turned her head to look at Susu, her straight and small Qiong nose and slightly pursed cherry lips were eroded by the shadows of the night, and the moonlight and candlelight were gone. There is a pair of bright eyes with complex expressions.

Since the Gongling case in Prince Zhongshun's mansion happened, he has become more and more busy, and he doesn't come here often. She is a monk, and it's hard to find her. Speaking of which, I learned from Xichun the day before yesterday that he led the army to go out, but, unexpectedly Didn't even come to say goodbye.

Miaoyu pursed her lips and sighed inwardly.

But at this moment, a delicate voice came from outside, "Is Sister Miaoyu inside?"

While talking, an embroidered shoe stepped over the threshold, Xichun gave the lantern he was carrying to the servant girl to paint, and entered the room with Xing Xiuyan, walked around the screen, looked at Miaoyu kneeling on the futon, and asked with concern: "Miaoyu Has Sister Yu eaten the vegetarian meal yet?"

Miaoyu got up and looked at the two of them with a gentle expression on her beautiful face. She met Xing Xiuyan's eyes for a moment and asked, "Why are you two so free today?"

Xing Xiuyan said softly: "After dinner, I read a book in the room for a while, feeling a little bored, so I came to find my fourth younger sister to watch her paint."

In the past few days, apart from playing chess with her in Yingchun courtyard, Xing Xiuyan often comes to find Xichun to talk to Miaoyu, and also goes to talk with Qin Keqing to relieve boredom.

The latter was actually prompted by the Xing family.

Since Jia Amnesty and Jia Lian were exiled, Jia Zheng was promoted to the post of General Secretary and General Secretary one after another in the mansion, and Xing's mentality has gradually changed. I heard that my niece Xiuyan has a good relationship with Miaoyu and Xichun from the Eastern Mansion. Just let her come and move around more.

Xichun entered the room and said: "An angel came from the palace, saying that brother Heng has arrived in Luoyang, did sister know?

Then, looking at Muyu beside him, he asked curiously, "Sister Miaoyu is chanting scriptures?"

This little loli gradually got used to calling Miaoyu her sister.

"Nothing to do after dinner, I found the "Infinite Life Sutra" and recited it." Miaoyu said softly, invited the two to sit down, and turned around to make tea for them.

In fact, the sisters of Rongning and Ningfu can roughly be divided into small circles. These circles are not clear-cut, there are no intersections, and there are overlaps.

And Miao, Xiu, and Xi Sanchai are quiet and comfortable, or because they are cold and arrogant, or because they are old and withdrawn, they are more intimate and more intimate than other sisters, and they are called close friends in the same circle.

Xing Xiuyan sat on the embroidered pier, took the teacup from Miaoyu with both hands, and thanked her.

The girl was wearing a blue and white plum dress, with curved eyebrows and plump cheeks, with a peaceful expression. Under the blue and black eyebrows, her eyes were clear and bright like crystals, and she asked softly: "Most of the "Infinite Life Buddha Sutra" is recited for blessings. I wonder if my sister is here?" Who are you praying for?"

Although there is a half-teacher friendship, the two are about the same age, and they are usually referred to as sisters, so they can joke a little bit.

Miaoyu paused the teacup in her hand, and said softly: "No one has done it, but I just feel something in my heart, let's read it."

Xichun took a sip from the teacup, raised her pretty face, and said abruptly, "Monks don't tell lies."

Miaoyu: "..."

Xichun put down the teacup, on Qingshuang's small face, she seemed to have regained some of the vitality of a girl of this age, but the smile was still a little shallow.

Xing Xiuyan also smiled lightly, her eyebrows and eyes were curved, elegant and natural.

This time she reunited with Master Miaoyu's old place, it is obvious that she is more cheerful and open-minded than before, otherwise, she wouldn't be playing tricks on purpose.

Of course, the monks... the point is over.

Miaoyu didn't delve into it either, she returned her expression, changed the subject, and asked, "How many days have you been painting?"

"I have nothing to do, I'm painting flowers, birds, insects and fish, and I want to paint some buildings, but I don't have a good view." Xichun explained softly, "I'm afraid I have to wait until the garden is up."

Now Jia's entire family's attention is not only on Jia Heng who is far away in Luoyang, but also on the garden under construction.

Miaoyu picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said, "I see that the garden has been repaired a little bit, and it covers a vast area."

Xichun said: "Sister, didn't you read the blueprint? It's a big garden, by the way, I heard from Sister Ping'er that Brother Heng specially ordered Sister Feng to leave a nunnery for Sister Miaoyu for her practice."

Miaoyu: "..."

Build a nunnery, or keep it just for her?
For some reason, a word suddenly came to mind... Jinwu Zangjiao?
Thinking of this, Miaoyu's heart skipped a beat, a faint blush quietly floated on her cool face with icy skin, she lowered her head, trying to regain her composure, and sighed faintly in her heart.

Perhaps that day, when he accompanied her in thinking about her mother, he gradually felt that his heart... seemed to be empty, and when he closed his eyes, his shadow was all in front of him.

But he... was like hot and cold, he came here every day before, but he has not been seen for a few days, um, maybe he is too busy.

In fact, for the convenience of the aristocratic house where bells and lanterns are served, family temples and nunneries are often built in the clan for the convenience of the dojo.

So... it may also be reserved for Mrs. Wang.

However, Jia Heng really wanted to give Miaoyu a home... a place to settle down.

Several people are talking.

"Girl, the nanny came and said that I sent two bolts of silk from the palace and put them in the room to cut clothes for you." At this moment, Ru Hua came from the outside, said happily, and turned to look at Xiu Yan, said with a smile: "Miss Xiuyan also has them, but they are put in the fourth girl's room."

Xing Xiuyan felt a little embarrassed on his face, and said softly: "I have sent a few horses last time, and I haven't finished cutting the clothes yet."

Not long ago, the weather was warm, and all the sisters were wearing brightly colored spring clothes, but she was the only one who was still wearing the winter coat, and the clothes were not old, and when Sister Heng saw it, she asked her to tailor her clothes, and she also ordered the mother to send her He bought two bolts of brocade and put them in the second sister's room.

Xichun turned to look at the somewhat embarrassed girl opposite, and said softly: "Sister-in-law loves my sister, so I just keep it, and besides, those few brocade forgings did not fall into my sister's hands."

Miaoyu glanced at Xichun, and a flash of joy flashed in her heart.

Different from the original book, this young girl who seldom felt the love and care of her family since she was a child is now the eldest lady of the East Mansion. There is warmth.

Xing Xiuyan nodded, and said softly, "I'll go over later and thank my sister-in-law."

……

……

Just when Shenjing City was worried about Jia Heng's report about Luoyang, Luoyang City also ushered in a new day amidst the Jade Rabbit falling to the west and the Golden Crow rising to the east.

The morning light fell on the courtyard, Jia Heng washed his face under the service of Jinyi Mansion's guards, and just sat down by the small table, ready to have breakfast, when he suddenly heard movement in the courtyard.

"Your Highness, are you back?" Jia Heng looked at the tall girl who had changed back into the flying fish suit, and asked, "Have you had breakfast yet?"

"Not yet." Princess Xianning said softly, and came quickly.

While ordering Xia Houying to fetch another basin of water for Princess Xianning to wash her hands, Jia Heng picked up a pair of chopsticks and said with a chuckle, "Your Highness is still worried about me leaving alone?"

Princess Xianning cleaned her hands, wiped them with a towel, and said with frowned eyes, "No, I just wanted not to delay the departure of the army."

In fact, she just wanted to share breakfast with her husband.

Jia Heng smiled and said: "Your Highness, be safe and don't be impatient. Later, let's go to the Yatang to arrange some transfer of military supplies and supplies, and then leave. We will stop at Sishui and make some arrangements."

Princess Xianning responded with a "huh" and picked up the chopsticks to use the food.

The two of them finished their breakfast and came to the Qianya government hall. At this moment, a group of generals from the Guoyong camp had already gathered in the hall, waiting.

Jia Heng glanced over the generals of the Guoyong camp, and said in a deep voice: "The guerrilla general Yu Fangguo led [-] cavalry in Luoyang to meet the follow-up infantry, and the rest of the cavalry will march out."

"The general will follow orders." Yu Fangguo bowed his hands and said yes.

Jia Heng looked at Cai Quan and ordered: "Cai Guerrilla led three thousand cavalry as the vanguard, and sent sentry cavalry and scouts."

Cai Quan cupped his hands and said, "The last general will obey."

Jia Heng turned to look at the Henan government officials headed by Meng Jinwen, and said: "Meng Fu Yin, this time I entrust you to guard Luoyang City with Henan guards and horses, and transfer grain and fodder. In addition, the Korean government will organize a group of military doctors and herbal medicines. To receive and treat wounded soldiers, the Henan government should do a good job in assisting them.”

Meng Jinwen cupped his hands and said, "Your officer obeys."

"Jieshuai, the soldiers and horses are assembled, and they can leave at any time." Just as Jia Heng issued the military order, Liu Jixian, a thousand households in Jinyi, entered the official hall holding his embroidered spring knife, and said with his fists clasped.

Jia Heng nodded, then glanced over the faces of the generals, Xia Houying, and Princess Xianning, and said in a deep voice: "The army is moving out."

As a result, more than [-] cavalry soldiers from the Beijing camp, who were ready to go, marched to Sishui Pass in a mighty manner.

(End of this chapter)